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The Florida Department of Education has announced that Governor Ron DeSantis' Floridians First budget proposal for the 2026 to 2027 fiscal year includes a notable increase in funding for school safety, allocating $300m to the Safe Schools Allocation. This marks a $10m increase from the previous year. State officials said the funding reflects a commitment to secure learning environments for students and staff across Florida. The proposal includes $64m for hardening initiatives in higher education institutions and $6m for establishing Guardian Programs at state colleges and universities. Education leaders emphasized that this funding underscores the administration's dedication to prioritizing student safety at all educational levels.

 

SpaceCoastDaily.com

Republican attorneys general from 21 states are urging the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold Florida’s HB 1069, a 2023 law enabling school book removals based on sexual content. Arkansas AG Tim Griffin argued the issue involves “government speech” not subject to First Amendment protections. U.S. District Judge Carlos Mendoza previously ruled the law “overbroad and unconstitutional,” criticizing its vagueness. The law requires books challenged by parents for sexual content to be pulled from school libraries within five days. The lawsuit involves major publishers, authors, and parents challenging the statute’s constitutionality.

 

WFSU

Erika Donalds, CEO of the Education Freedom Foundation, argues that Florida’s taxpayer-funded school buildings should be accessible to all publicly funded education providers, not just district schools. She supports recent legislation allowing Schools of Hope to use underutilized district space and calls for equal access to facilities for charter, private, and microschools. “Empty rooms don’t benefit a single child,” Donalds writes, criticizing districts for prioritizing control over student needs. With declining enrollment and rising demand for choice options, she says infrastructure access must reflect a modern, student-centered approach.

 

Tampa Bay Times

As national education spending per pupil increases, student enrollment is declining, raising concerns about the effectiveness of taxpayer dollars in public schools. Since 2002, K-12 spending has surged by over 35%, yet enrollment has dropped by 2.1%, equating to over a million students lost in five years. Test scores are also falling, with only one-third of students achieving proficiency in reading, according to the National Assessment Governing Board. Despite record spending, including New York's $32,284 per pupil in 2024, educational outcomes remain stagnant. The report by Reason Foundation highlights that public school spending is nearing $1trn annually, yet the achievement gap continues to widen.

 

Killeen Daily Herald

U.S. high schools are increasingly deploying AI surveillance tools - cameras, sensors and predictive algorithms - to enhance safety amid concerns about school shootings and student behavior. A Futurism report highlights Beverly Hills High’s full-scale monitoring, including restroom audio sensors and facial recognition. Critics warn of privacy violations, psychological harm, and minimal safety gains, with mishaps like a Vancouver data breach illustrating risks. Legal scholars raise Fourth Amendment concerns, and students, parents, and educators are pushing back. Despite federal warnings and new privacy laws, widespread adoption continues, prompting urgent calls for ethical oversight and data safeguards.

 

Web Pro News

Florida's Education Commissioner, Anastasios Kamoutsas, has summoned Clay County School Board member Robert Alvero to explain his alleged discriminatory comments regarding African Americans. In a video, Alvero said: “I have had 80% more negative experience with the African American community in this country than with white people.” Kamoutsas expressed concern over Alvero's remarks and the Clay County GOP has called for Alvero's resignation due to the "extremely disappointing and hurtful remarks."

 

The Florida Times-Union

Miami-Dade County Public Schools' South Region recently won the Miami Loves Teachers (MLT) “Clash of the Regions” competition, celebrated at the Perla T. Hantman School Board Administration Building. The South Region had the highest number of teachers registered on the MLT website, which offers various benefits to educators. “I’m extremely proud of the work of the teachers and leaders in the South Region,” said South Region superintendent Rafael A. Villalobos. The event was attended by representatives from MLT, The Education Fund, and the College Football Playoff Foundation. The first 200 teachers who signed up received complimentary tickets to the Orange Bowl Classic 2026. The MLT initiative aims to recognize and retain teachers by providing resources and community engagement opportunities, including $1,000 DonorsChoose grants for public school teachers.

 

Miami's Community Newspapers

Michelle Moore, the Belle Terre Elementary School Teacher of the Year, has dedicated 23 years to education, focusing on students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and physical impairments. With master's degrees in special education and literacy education, she teaches kindergarten and first grade in a self-contained ESE class. Moore said, "Seeing students grow and gain confidence motivates me every day," highlighting her commitment to fostering communication and social-emotional skills.

 

Ormond Beach Observer

In a recent event at Odyssey Charter School Elementary, Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo joined education and health leaders to discuss the future of healthy school lunches. The gathering highlighted Odyssey's 26-year journey to becoming a model for healthy schools. "Schools are on the front lines of children's health," said Constance Ortiz, the school's founder. The event featured a meal prepared by the School of Lunch, emphasizing nutrient-dense foods. Nutrition researcher Dr. Nina Teicholz proposed a new initiative to study the effects of improved school nutrition on student health and learning. The program also addressed regulatory challenges in advancing school nutrition policies.

 

SpaceCoastDaily.com

In response to the government shutdown and the suspension of SNAP benefits, several schools in Pasco County collaborated with the nonprofit Access to Fresh to address food insecurity among students. Over four weeks leading up to the Christmas holiday, Access to Fresh delivered fresh produce to 15 elementary schools, two senior housing facilities, and local Boys & Girls Clubs, reaching approximately 3,700 families. AdventHealth and other hospital systems funded the initiative, which distributed around 63,000 pounds of food. Leortha Lloyd, a social worker at West Zephyrhills Elementary School, shared a poignant moment: “A dad looked and he actually saw that it was fresh produce, he turned away from me and there was a tear in his eye.” The effort highlights the community's commitment to supporting those in need, with local farmers also contributing to the cause.

 

News 13

The University of South Florida (USF) is set to undergo significant transformations in 2026, coinciding with its 70th anniversary. Under the leadership of President Moez Limayem, USF will break ground on an on-campus football stadium and the Fletcher District, a mixed-use development. The $348.5m stadium complex, featuring the TGH Center for Athletic Excellence, aims for a fall 2027 opening. Additional projects include a new Office of Veteran Success and a STEM facility at the Sarasota-Manatee campus, set to open in fall 2027.

 

Business Observer

A five-year-old's homework has gone viral, igniting discussions about the pressures teachers face. A TikTok video shared by a U.K. parent showcased a worksheet with a grammatical error in the instructions: "Its is their challenge for the weekend!" While some criticized the mistake, many defended the teacher, emphasizing the overwhelming workload educators endure. One early years teacher said: "I can guarantee that this teacher goes above and beyond every day for your child." A 2024 Pew Research Center analysis revealed that about 80% of U.S. teachers feel overworked, often taking their responsibilities home. The viral post has sparked a broader conversation about the human side of teaching and the challenges educators face daily.

 

Star-Telegram