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The recent shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, where a 14-year-old student killed two classmates and two teachers, has raised urgent questions about school threat assessments. The FBI had received several anonymous tips in May 2023 regarding online threats of a school shooting, but the Jackson County Sheriff's Office could not definitively link these to the suspect at the time. Dewey Cornell, a professor at the University of Virginia, emphasized the need for caution, stating: “We’ve got to not jump to conclusions about this particular case.” Experts stress the importance of comprehensive threat assessment strategies in schools, as 85% of public schools reported having a behavioral threat assessment team. However, challenges remain due to varying practices and a lack of resources. As Pauline Moore from the RAND Corporation noted: “There is such a volume of threats these days on social media against schools,” complicating the identification of real threats.

 

Education Week News

The investigation into a 13-year-old who allegedly threatened harm via Discord at a middle school did not lead to criminal charges. WPTV Chief Investigator Jamie Ostroff examined Florida's statutes regarding student information transfer between school districts. According to Florida's Early Learning Education Code, districts must require students to disclose prior expulsions, arrests, and mental health referrals upon registration. Todd Michaels, an attorney representing Parkland shooting victims' families, criticized the reliance on self-reporting, stating, "I don't think that that's remotely sufficient because it relies on the bad actor to self-report." He advocates for a non-public statewide database for school districts to identify students with concerning histories.

 

WPTV

Florida school districts are facing significant challenges in implementing sex education due to the Florida Department of Education's delay in approving course materials. As a result, many districts have not provided sex education this year, despite state requirements. District leaders are awaiting further guidance amid concerns over potential sanctions for non-compliance with vague laws. Jeffrey S. Solochek, an education reporter, highlights that "several Florida school districts have stopped teaching sex education because the state has yet to approve their selected course materials." In addition, arts programs are feeling the impact of budget cuts, and various districts are addressing health and community service needs.

 

Tampa Bay Times

Florida schools are experiencing significant traffic issues during drop-off and pick-up times, with parents and neighbors expressing frustration. The problems are partly due to reduced bus services for students living within 2 miles of schools, leading to increased car traffic. Additionally, Duval County's school board has updated its ethics policy to enhance employee accountability for student safety. 

 

Tampa Bay Times

U.S. teenagers’ e-cigarette use dropped by two-thirds over the past five years as health regulators cracked down on illegal sales and distribution of the addictive products. The National Youth Tobacco Survey of middle and high school students, conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, found that about 1.6m school children currently use the devices, a third of the 5m peak seen in 2019. Nearly half a million middle and high school students used nicotine pouches in 2024, about the same number as a year earlier, and more than one in five used them daily, the survey found. Brian King, director of the FDA’s Center for Tobacco Products, said: "Our guard is up. We’re closely monitoring the evolving tobacco product landscapes for threats to public health, particularly when it comes to kids".

 

Bloomberg

Manatee Middle School in South Naples has launched a pilot project for a school-based clinic, providing students with essential health care services. The initiative, which received $700,000 from the Naples Children & Education Foundation (NCEF), aims to meet the health needs of students, particularly in a neighborhood where about 65% of children are Medicaid recipients. The clinic offers wellness exams, sick care, and mental health screenings, ensuring students do not miss core classroom time. The project is seen as a potential model for future clinics in other Collier schools, with hopes of improving student health and academic performance.

 

Naplesnews

Broward County Public Schools is set to enhance safety measures by installing carbon monoxide detectors in their cafeterias. This initiative aims to protect students and staff from potential carbon monoxide exposure. The district recognizes the importance of ensuring a safe environment, saying: "Safety first: CO detectors coming."

 

NBC Miami

In a federal court hearing, attorneys debated whether Escambia County School Board members should testify regarding the removal of the children's book “And Tango Makes Three” from school libraries. School board attorneys claimed legislative privilege protects board members from testifying, while attorney Lauren Zimmerman argued that this privilege is limited and should not apply since the board had already provided extensive documentation. Zimmerman emphasized: “The assertion of legislative privilege here is grossly inappropriate,” highlighting the ongoing national trend of book removals. U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor expressed skepticism about the board's claims of privilege, noting that the legal landscape surrounding such cases remains unsettled. The controversy has intensified following recent Florida laws that facilitate book scrutiny and removal processes, making Escambia County a focal point in the national debate over educational content.

 

Pensacola News Journal

The campaign to renew Sarasota County's school property tax is underway, with voters set to decide in November for the first time. Better Schools for Sarasota County launched its 2024 campaign with a promotional video highlighting the district's achievements. “It’s no secret that Sarasota County ranks among the very top school districts in Florida,” the narrator states, emphasizing community support for students and teachers. The tax, initially approved in 2002, has been renewed multiple times, with the last renewal receiving 84% approval in 2022. Due to a new law, the renewal must now pass in a General Election. Jennifer Vigne, Chairwoman of Better Schools for Sarasota County, stated, “Supporting our public schools through the continuation of the referendum is the most powerful way a community can demonstrate its commitment to the next generation.” The campaign assures voters that the measure will not increase taxes but extend the existing one.

 

Florida Politics

Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) has received the 2024 Achievement of Excellence in Procurement (AEP) Award from the National Procurement Institute, marking its first win. Among 198 recipients across the U.S. and Canada, M-DCPS is one of only 23 school districts honored. Chief Procurement Officer Charisma Montfort commented: “We started to hire based on capacity, instead of experience,” emphasizing the importance of ethical practices in procurement. The AEP award recognizes organizations for their innovation and leadership in procurement, and this achievement highlights M-DCPS's commitment to effective purchasing practices. As one of Florida's largest entities, M-DCPS plays a crucial role in acquiring supplies and services for educational purposes.

 

Miami's Community Newspapers

RAA Middle School has recently celebrated achieving a B grade from the Florida Department of Education, a goal it has pursued since before the COVID-19 pandemic. Principal Marcus Scott emphasized the role of arts education in supporting academic success, stating, "A lot of times when you think of the arts, they think that it is a replacement for academics. The opposite is true." The school is implementing new strategies, including after-school tutoring and early test preparation, to enhance student learning. Seventh-grade teacher Erica Tryman expressed her excitement, saying, "When I heard that we were a B, it was just yes! The ultimate excitement." With a focus on continuous improvement, the school aims to reach an A grade in the future, just four points away from its current achievement.

 

Tallahassee News

The United Teachers of Dade, Florida's largest public teachers' union, has endorsed former state Senator Annette Taddeo for Miami-Dade County Clerk and Comptroller. UTD President Karla Hernández-Mats praised Taddeo for prioritizing "education above politics," highlighting her opposition to book bans and advocacy for increased teacher pay. Hernández-Mats stated, "Annette understands that our teachers need the support and resources to do their jobs effectively." Taddeo's endorsement comes alongside support from various organizations, including the Latino Victory Fund and the South Florida AFL-CIO, indicating a strong coalition backing her campaign.

 

Florida Politics

Between 2013 and 2022, 1,082 people lost their lives and 132,000 were injured in school bus accidents, according to a report by Brumley Law Firm and 1Point21 Interactive analyzing data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The report highlights that there were 976 fatal school bus crashes during this period, with an average of 108 deaths and 13,200 injuries annually. Notably, occupants of other vehicles are most likely to be killed in these accidents. The report also indicates a gradual decline in fatalities over the decade, attributed to advancements in safety measures. "School buses are among the most regulated vehicles in the United States," the report states, emphasizing their safety compared to standard cars. However, the report calls for improved safety laws, as only eight states have school bus seat belt laws.

 

School Bus Fleet

Two University of Florida students, Keely Nicole Gliwa and Roseanna Yashoda Bisram, have accepted plea deals for misdemeanor charges stemming from pro-Palestinian protests on campus. They pleaded no contest to resisting an officer without violence and will pay a $150 fine, along with a donation to children's charities. Both students are suspended from enrolling at UF and banned from campus for three years. Gliwa, a graduate student in biochemistry, expressed her disappointment, noting: "This battle is not over and I will continue to fight... for future students." The protests occurred in response to Israeli violence in Gaza, leading to the arrest of nine individuals, including six UF students.

 

Orlando Weekly