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Governor Ron DeSantis has described his efforts to shift Florida school boards to the right as an “uphill battle.” During a news conference, he acknowledged the hard work of candidates and emphasized the importance of participation, stating: “You gotta swing and you gotta be in the game.” Despite some victories, including two DeSantis-backed candidates winning seats in Duval County, the overall results were mixed. The Florida Democratic Party celebrated their wins, with Chair Nikki Fried declaring: “Ron DeSantis' culture wars are over.” She noted that voters are “tired of the divisiveness” and have taken back the school boards. DeSantis' political action committee is also focused on opposing amendments related to recreational marijuana and abortion rights in the upcoming November elections.

 

Florida Phoenix

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In Central Florida, eight candidates secured seats on county school boards, while five races will proceed to runoffs in November due to no candidate achieving over 50% of the vote. Notable candidates include John Thomas, who won in Brevard County, and Matt Susin, who will face Dr. Avenese “Ava” Taylor in a runoff. Taylor criticized the school district for focusing on "partisan distractions" instead of transparency. In Orange County, Kyle Goudy and Anne Douglas will compete for District 4, with Goudy emphasizing fiscal responsibility. In Osceola County, Scott Ramsey and Paula Bronson are tied for District 5, both advocating for school safety and parental involvement. Abby Sanchez leads in Seminole County but will also face a runoff. 

 

Click Orlando

The race for the Leon County School Board District 4 seat features veteran educator Laurie Lawson Cox and local firefighter Jeremy Rogers, drawing significant attention and funding from political operatives and state leaders. Ryan Ray, chair of the Leon County Democratic Party, stated that ousting the only elected Republican on the board would be a "major victory" for the party. The election has become a battleground for partisan politics, especially with the potential passage of Amendment 1, which would make school board races partisan. While issues have taken a backseat, Rogers promises to increase teacher pay, and Cox emphasizes classroom transparency, stating: "We teach our students the importance of listening, I'll make sure our School Board listens too."

 

Tallahassee.com

In the recent primary election, Marsha Powers, a member of the Martin County School Board, secured her position by winning nearly 60% of the votes against challenger Sydney Thomas. Powers, who has been in office since 2012, emphasized her commitment to parental rights, school safety, and quality education. “I feel exhilarated to get back to work,” she stated after receiving 17,481 votes. Powers plans to continue initiatives like the new no cell phone policy, which has received positive feedback from parents and students. She also aims to address issues such as bullying and student attendance. Despite the challenge from Thomas, who sought a fresh perspective, Powers maintained a significant fundraising advantage, collecting $71,260 compared to Thomas's $17,165.

 

TCPalm

The U.S. Department of Education has, to date, approved all requests from states to extend spending deadlines for COVID-19 federal emergency funds. It is in the process of reviewing Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) spending extension requests for American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act funds — the last and largest federal COVID-related appropriation. Spending extension requests were submitted for every allocation under the Education Stabilization Fund available for K-12. Those allocations include ESSER, Governor’s Emergency Education Relief and Emergency Assistance to Non-Public Schools. Subsequent allocations to the fund were delivered through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSA) Act, and the ARP Act. States and districts with spending extensions have an extra 14 months beyond the spending deadline to liquidate their allocations. While there are no formal deadlines for making late liquidation requests, the Education Department has advised states and districts to be mindful of when extension periods end for each funding stream in order to best plan for the use of the funds.

 

K-12 Dive

In Hillsborough County, thousands of high school seniors are facing a critical challenge as they begin their final year. If they do not pass state assessments in reading and math by the end of the school year, they will receive a certificate of completion instead of a diploma. Karen Perez, Hillsborough County School Board Chair, stated: “These certificates of completion really do nothing,” highlighting their limitations. While these certificates allow students to continue their education, they do not qualify them for college, most jobs, or military service. In the 2022-2023 school year, 350 students received these certificates, with 80% being Black or Hispanic. Christie Raburn from Hillsborough County Public Schools emphasized the importance of addressing individual student needs to reduce these numbers. Rep. Susan Valdes also advocates for the removal of these certificates, saying: “This particular certificate just really does nothing for that child in order to move forward.”

 

Tampa Bay Fl News

Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) is facing delays in implementing its reproductive health education plans due to a lack of response from the Florida Department of Education. Superintendent Maria Vazquez had anticipated a response by late July, but as the new school year commenced on August 12, OCPS is still awaiting approval. “Once OCPS knows what is expected and what is approved, it will plan and deliver accordingly,” stated spokesperson Renee Burke. The new state law mandates that schools teach reproductive health lessons emphasizing abstinence, but many districts, including OCPS, have had to cancel their planned lessons due to the state's silence. The law has also expanded restrictions on discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity in schools, complicating the situation further for educators.

 

Orlando Sentinel

Pinellas County teachers are on track to receive raises of at least $1,500 following a tentative agreement reached during contract negotiations. Lee Bryant, president of the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association, highlighted that the district's offer exceeded the $11.4m budgeted for teacher pay and benefits. The agreement proposes $1,500 for teachers on annual contracts with effective ratings, $1,600 for those on continuing contracts, and $2,000 for highly effective teachers. Additionally, base teacher pay will increase to $54,000. The deal also includes the district covering 80% of health insurance premium increases. Ratification is expected in early September, with pay adjustments appearing by the end of the month.

 

Tampa Bay Times

Florida school districts are grappling with new safety laws requiring all campus gates and doors to remain locked during school hours. This mandate, a response to the 2018 Parkland shooting, has led to logistical challenges, particularly during after-school activities. Pinellas County superintendent Kevin Hendrick acknowledged the difficulties but emphasized the district's commitment to compliance. School officials are advocating for legislative changes to clarify which access points can remain open. Sean Jowell, a safety specialist, noted that staffing issues have compounded the challenges, but he remains hopeful that schools will adapt to the new requirements. Hendrick reminded everyone that safety is a comprehensive effort, stating: “It's also a mindset of safety in everything we do.”

 

Tampa Bay Times

The Pasco County Commission approved a significant increase in impact fees to support the school district's need for new classrooms and schools, with a vote of 4-1. The new fees will raise the cost for single-family homes from $8,328 to $9,328 in the first year, eventually reaching $12,328 by 2028. Tom Wilbirt from the West Pasco Board of Realtors expressed concerns, stating: "Adding higher impact fee costs does nothing but drive up the cost of housing in our community." While some commissioners argued that the fees allow growth to pay for itself, Commissioner Seth Weightman warned that the increases could "erode our affordability." The school district's consultant indicated that 13,700 new students will require additional facilities over the next decade. Only Weightman opposed the fee increase.

 

Tampa Bay Times

Osceola Prosper, an initiative in Osceola County, is significantly impacting local education by providing high school graduates with a paid-for Associate's degree at Valencia College or certification training. Dr. Kathleen Plinske, president of Valencia College, highlighted the program's success during a presentation to the Osceola County Commission, noting that it has grown to over 7,000 participants, with 60% being first-generation college students. In just a few years, the program—which received its initial funding from the American Rescue Plan Act—helped raise college enrollment rates from the mid-20s to 62%. The anticipated return on investment for the community is projected at $85m, showcasing the program's potential economic benefits.

 

Osceola News-Gazette

Shannon Hausinger, the dean of the library at New College of Florida, has been placed on administrative leave following a controversial incident involving the disposal of library books. The situation gained attention after videos showed hundreds of books being thrown into a dumpster behind the Jane Bancroft Cook Library. The discarded materials included items from the now-closed Gender and Diversity Center, which focused on LGBTQ+ and Black stories. Nathan March, a spokesperson for New College, stated that Hausinger's leave was due to the library's failure to meet certain state administrative requirements during the routine disposal process. New College President Richard Corcoran addressed the public's concerns, stating, "Unfortunately, much of the coverage has been sensationalized, catering to the narratives of our critics."

 

Naplesnews