Families hope Florida school grades stall campus closures
The big story: Florida’s recent release of school and district grades based on student performance prompted a new round of questions for communities faced with school closures.
Some Duval County residents argued the strong results demonstrated why their district should not shutter their children’s schools.
“They need to go back to the drawing table and figure out what schools actually need a change and an injection of funds and new buildings and which ones don’t,” parent Emily McCarthy said. Read more from WJXT.
Broward County school district officials meanwhile raised hopes that the district’s A grade will draw children back to under-capacity schools, reducing the need to close them. Read more from the Sun-Sentinel.
Hot topics
Tax referendums: Lawyers for the Hillsborough County Commission argued in court filings that the School Board cannot dictate the timing of the school district’s proposed property tax referendum. The board sued after the commission refused to place a district referendum on the November ballot.
Vouchers: Discussion continues over what actions if any the state might take against a private Islamic school that receives vouchers, after the school’s imam made inflammatory remarks against Jewish people, WFSU reports.
Top teacher: Hernando County math teacher Jaime Suarez was named Florida’s 2025 Teacher of the Year.
President searches: The search firm leading Florida Atlantic University’s effort to find a new president was warned against advertising the job in publications that focus on minority groups or diversity issues, Florida Phoenix reports.
Impact fees: The Pasco County planning board gave an initial nod to increasing school impact fees. The county commission still must act.
Enrollment: State planners estimate that Florida traditional public schools will see enrollment decline over the next six years, Florida Phoenix reports.
Elections: The Florida Democratic Party announced its support of 11 school board candidates statewide soon after Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled a list of 23 endorsements, the Tallahassee Democrat reports. • Legal maneuverings continue in the debate over how to fill the remaining term of a Manatee County school board member who is resigning to run for state House, SRQ reports.
Charter schools: The Lake Wales charter school system reached a settlement agreement with its ousted superintendent, avoiding a threatened lawsuit, Lake Wales News reports. • Redland Migrant Christian Association’s charter school in Wimauma has a new principal, WUSF reports.
Bus rides: About 1,100 Duval County school district students will no longer be eligible for bus rides in the new academic year, Jacksonville Today reports.
Book bans: The Escambia County school district, at the center of a lawsuit over library book censorship, has led Florida in the number of books removed from school shelves, the Pensacola News-Journal reports.
From the police blotter ... A Hillsborough County elementary school principal was arrested on allegations of driving under the influence and fleeing from law enforcement.
Before you go ... Some airlines are getting really creative with their safety videos. Enough so to watch even when you’re not flying.
