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Pinellas schools bracing for much tighter budget next year
Pinellas schools bracing for much tighter budget next year

By Jeffrey S. Solochek Pinellas County school district officials are more thankful than ever that voters approved a doubled local property tax referendum in November. Without the added revenue, projected to generate $145 million in 2026, the district would be facing one of its worst financial... Continue Reading

Date posted06/25/2025


Reorganization in Indian River reassigns principals, eliminates positions to save $1.2M
Reorganization in Indian River reassigns principals, eliminates positions to save $1.2M

By Colleen Wixon Principals are changing positions and moving to different schools and administrative positions are being eliminated as part of a reorganization aimed at saving the school district money. "The driving force behind the current district realignment is a direct extension of the... Continue Reading

Date posted06/23/2025


Florida school officials already are talking next priorities
Florida school officials already are talking next priorities

By Jeffrey S. Solochek With the passage of a budget, including $29.5 billion for education, Florida lawmakers capped off a 60-day legislative session that lasted 105 days. Time to take a break and refresh, right? Officials attending the Florida School Boards Association... Continue Reading

Date posted06/23/2025


Marion County Public Schools expects $64M in budget cuts. What's the plan?
Marion County Public Schools expects $64M in budget cuts. What's the plan?

By Austin L. Miller Interim School Superintendent Danielle Brewer will officially take over the public school system in mid-July, when Superintendent Diane Gullett leaves. When she does, Brewer, Deputy Superintendent Ben Whitehouse and the leadership team will have their hands full with the... Continue Reading

Date posted06/23/2025


Key Biscayne residents to teach at K-8? Enrollment, teacher shortage tackled at meeting with school
Key Biscayne residents to teach at K-8? Enrollment, teacher shortage tackled at meeting with school

By Allison Dubrow With enrollment dwindling and teacher retention a problem at Key Biscayne’s K-8 Center, the school district offered a unique solution in a sit-down with Village leaders: draft residents to teach classes. Lourdes Diaz, the chief academic officer for Miami-Dade Schools,... Continue Reading

Date posted06/23/2025


Florida lawmakers increased education funding, but will districts really feel it?
Florida lawmakers increased education funding, but will districts really feel it?

By Clara-Sophia Daly Angela Martini, a speech pathologist and parent of two children in the Miami-Dade public school system, had never been involved in politics until she heard that accelerated and honors classes were at risk in this year’s state budget. Martini, along with parents across... Continue Reading

Date posted06/19/2025


In fear of retaliation, school districts pull library books Florida deems 'pornographic'
In fear of retaliation, school districts pull library books Florida deems 'pornographic'

In fear of retaliation, school districts pull library books Florida deems 'pornographic' Florida public school districts pulled dozens of library books state officials described as "pornographic" from shelves amid increased pressure on superintendents. This comes after the State Board of... Continue Reading

Date posted06/18/2025


Floridians are among the nation's lowest 988 users
Floridians are among the nation's lowest 988 users

Florida ranks 49th nationwide for 988 calls per capita, a new analysis finds. Why it matters: Use of the 988 national suicide prevention and mental health hotline remains uneven across states. The service was launched nearly three years ago to help address America's mental health crisis... Continue Reading

Date posted06/17/2025


Florida’s first 'AI-integrated' middle school opens this fall in Tallahassee
Florida’s first 'AI-integrated' middle school opens this fall in Tallahassee

The new charter middle school will focus on a STEM curriculum through the lens of artificial intelligence. Tallahassee State College is partnering with Charter Schools USA to open Florida’s first AI-integrated middle school this August. Charter Schools USA (CSUSA), the second largest... Continue Reading

Date posted06/17/2025


Marion County Public Schools faces $64 million in budget cuts
Marion County Public Schools faces $64 million in budget cuts

BY Camille Acevedo Marion County Public Schools officials say they are having to look for ways to make millions of dollars in cuts to the district budget ahead of the coming school year. Looking ahead to the 2025-2026 school year, Marion County School Board members will be forced to cut $64.3... Continue Reading

Date posted06/16/2025


Leon County Schools now requiring parents to register their kids to ride the school bus
Leon County Schools now requiring parents to register their kids to ride the school bus

By Julie Montanaro Students who plan to ride the bus to school in Leon County are now required to register with the district in advance. The school district calls it “Ready to Ride,” and leaders are asking parents to sign up as soon as possible. Parents can register in FOCUS... Continue Reading

Date posted06/16/2025


Budget conference: Budget heads agree to kill business rent tax, make back-to-school tax holiday
Budget conference: Budget heads agree to kill business rent tax, make back-to-school tax holiday

By Jacob Ogles Legislative budget leaders unrolled a final tax relief package that eliminates the business rent tax and sets a back-to-school sales tax holiday. In total, proposed tax cuts add up to $1.29 billion in cuts. But after arguments about sales and property tax cuts pushed lawmakers... Continue Reading

Date posted06/16/2025