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State lawmakers substantially narrowed Gov. Ron DeSantis’ property tax proposal by protecting school funding, local officials and public services from the measure. Homeowners would still pay property taxes that support schools, while local offices such as clerks of court and elections supervisors would continue receiving property tax funding. Sen. Jay Trumbull said: “I, for one, can’t support removing billions of dollars from public education today.” Committees also removed language about a state fund for local governments and cut DeSantis’ proposed $5.5m voter-notice plan. Critics from fire departments, cities, counties, libraries and Florida TaxWatch warned the amendment could reduce services, shift costs and leave major questions unanswered before voters consider it in November.

 

Florida Phoenix

Florida Politics

Miami Herald

Tampa Bay Times

Title IX & State-by-State Sexual Harassment Compliance Requirements

Preparing for the upcoming school year? Vector Solutions’ state-by-state guide helps districts better understand Title IX, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment training requirements. Use it to review reporting and prevention mandates, align role-specific training, and simplify compliance tracking before the school year begins.

Download Guide

 

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a groundbreaking lawsuit against OpenAI, claiming the company failed to manage the risks associated with its chatbot, ChatGPT. The 83-page complaint highlights instances where the technology allegedly contributed to tragic events, including a mass shooting at Florida State University in 2025. Uthmeier stated: “This success has not been earned; the rise of OpenAI is attributable to a web of deceit.” The lawsuit accuses OpenAI of violating the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and seeks various forms of relief, including monetary damages and injunctive relief. The state argues that ChatGPT poses a public nuisance, citing studies linking the technology to negative impacts on mental health and academic performance. The suit also emphasizes the lack of adequate age verification for users, particularly minors, and calls for a ban on data collection from children under 13 without parental consent.

 

Pensacola News Journal

Florida Phoenix

The Miami Herald

NBC Miami

Florida's education system faces significant challenges, as Congressman Byron Donalds proposes personalized educational roadmaps for students. However, Crystal Etienne, president of the EDUVOTER Action Network, emphasizes that existing opportunities in Florida's public schools have not been adequately supported. "Florida does not have an education pathway problem. Florida has an education investment problem," she said. The state has expanded funding for alternative education providers without ensuring accountability and transparency. As public schools are asked to provide more services amid stagnant funding, the disconnect between expectations and investment grows. Before adopting new educational strategies, Florida must prioritize accountability and ensure that all institutions receiving taxpayer dollars meet meaningful standards.

 

Florida Politics

A Kentucky school district has secured approximately $27m in settlements from Meta, TikTok parent ByteDance, Snap, and YouTube parent Alphabet, resolving a closely watched lawsuit that alleged social media platforms contributed to a student mental health crisis. The Breathitt County School District case, considered a bellwether for similar claims nationwide, settled weeks before a scheduled June trial. Meta agreed to pay the largest amount, $9m, while TikTok and Snap each agreed to pay $8m, and YouTube agreed to pay $2.01m and provide training on Google Classroom and other products. The district had argued that the companies designed their platforms to maximize engagement among young users, contributing to anxiety, depression, and self-harm while forcing schools to devote significant resources to addressing the consequences. The outcome is significant because it was the first school district case among hundreds of similar lawsuits consolidated in federal court in California. Attorneys representing school districts are now pursuing claims on behalf of roughly 1,200 other districts, including much larger systems such as Tucson USD, Los Angeles USD, and New York City Public Schools.

 

Reuters

Research indicates that having Black teachers and educators of color enhances students' classroom experiences, serving as role models and fostering higher academic expectations. Despite these benefits, the teacher workforce remains predominantly white, with about 80% of teachers being white compared to less than 50% of students. David Blazar, a scholar of education policy, highlights the challenges in diversifying the teaching workforce, noting that "closing this gap will take decades, not a single grant cycle." Programs like the Teacher Academy of Maryland aim to recruit local students into teaching roles, yet disparities persist, particularly for Black students. The findings suggest that recruitment efforts must specifically target students of color to effectively address the diversity gap in education.

 

Bradenton.com

Florida's Attorney General James Uthmeier is investigating whether Duval County School Board member Darryl Willie violated residency requirements after reports indicated he moved to an address outside his district. The inquiry follows a request from the Jacksonville Young Republicans, highlighting concerns that “similar circumstances may arise throughout Florida.” Willie's new address, previously part of District 4, is now in District 6 due to recent redistricting. While some local leaders, including Jacksonville City Council member Rory Diamond, have called for Willie's resignation, Duval County Supervisor of Elections Jerry Holland stated there appears to be no issue with the move.

 

The Florida Times-Union

Adam Cervera, a Broward County School Board member, has self-loaned $250,000 to his District 6 campaign, raising his total contributions to over $340,000. Cervera stated: "This race is too important to leave to chance. I am putting my money where my mouth is because I care deeply about the future of our schools, our students, and our teachers." He faces four challengers in the upcoming August 18 Primary, including Jessie Bastos and Roberto Fernandez III. Cervera, appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2024, has positioned himself as a watchdog for accountability in the school system. The School Board operates nonpartisan, requiring a candidate to secure 50% of the vote to win outright, or the top two will advance to a runoff on November 3.

 

Florida Politics

Over 500 seniors graduated from Matanzas High School on May 31, with Principal Mike Rinaldi emphasizing the importance of resilience and accountability. He stated, “You are now the captains of your destiny,” encouraging graduates to embrace their future. The class contributed 22,412 hours of community service and saw 315 students earn industry certifications, representing 62% of the class. Additionally, 23 graduates received associate degrees from Daytona State College, with 15 achieving honors. Flagler Schools Superintendent LaShakia Moore urged graduates to “champion the cause of progress” while honoring their community.  

 

Ormond Beach Observer

A Tallahassee high school, Amos P. Godby High School, is set to become the first in the nation to implement the RADAR (Real-time Alert, Detection and Response) system, which combines AI gun detection, 3D mapping, and drones to enhance campus safety. "This integrated and innovative approach... can protect students and staff more effectively," said Mike Lahiff, CEO of ZeroEyes. The system will be demonstrated during a two-day school safety summit this summer, showcasing its capabilities to identify and respond to threats in real time. The Florida Department of Education will fund the $557,000 program, ensuring no cost to the district. The technology aims to provide real-time operational intelligence and situational awareness, significantly improving response times during emergencies.

 

Tallahassee.com

Lauren Almodovar, a rising senior at Miami Palmetto High School, has initiated a community service project called Hearts for Hygiene. The project focuses on collecting hygiene products to donate to Camillus House and Palmetto Middle School. “I donated 400-500 items including feminine products, Kleenex wipes, hand sanitizers, toothbrushes, toothpaste and towels,” Almodovar said. She prepares feminine product pouches for middle school girls, recognizing the financial burden of such necessities.

 

Miami's Community Newspapers

John Marshall, a billionaire tech entrepreneur, is among a growing number of wealthy founders establishing private schools in South Florida. After moving to Miami Beach in 2014 and becoming a father, he launched BaseCamp305 in 2019, driven by a desire for diverse educational options. "The more we peeled back what we wanted in a school, the more we thought we should do our own," Marshall said. BaseCamp305 focuses on entrepreneurship and technology, serving around 50 students. The school is part of a broader trend, with other developers like Jeff Greene and Stephen Ross also creating private educational institutions. Despite high tuition costs, Marshall emphasizes the importance of enhancing educational dynamics. He noted the challenges of land acquisition and community engagement, stating, "Land prices are astronomical." With plans for expansion, Marshall aims to position Miami Beach as a leader in quality education. "People should think of Miami Beach as being world class in schools," he said.

 

NBC Miami

NBC Miami