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Florida
3rd June 2026
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THE HOT STORY

Taxing times ahead for Florida?

In a swift legislative move, Florida lawmakers have approved a constitutional amendment proposed by Governor Ron DeSantis to raise the homestead exemption to $250,000, potentially saving many Floridians thousands on property taxes by 2028, pending voter approval. The amendment, titled "Save Our Homes from Excessive Property Taxes," aims to address rising property taxes but has raised concerns among city managers about potential cuts to essential services. Rep. Toby Overdorf acknowledged the amendment's significant impact, stating, "These are real decisions that we all have to make on a day-to-day basis." While the proposal has garnered support, critics argue it neglects renters and could shift tax burdens elsewhere. The rushed process has left many lawmakers uneasy, with Sen. Corey Simon admitting, "This is the hardest vote I've had to take because there are so many things that we still don't know."

TITLE IX

Title IX & State-by-State Sexual Harassment Compliance Requirements

Preparing for the upcoming school year? Vector Solutions’ state-by-state guide helps districts better understand Title IX, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment training requirements. Use it to review reporting and prevention mandates, align role-specific training, and simplify compliance tracking before the school year begins.

Download Guide

 

STATE NEWS

Budget fails Florida's public schools

The Florida Education Association (FEA) criticized the state's 2026-27 budget, stating it prioritizes politics over public education. The FEA highlighted the lack of oversight reforms for private school funding and inadequate teacher pay raises, which do not keep pace with inflation. “This budget puts politics above people,” the FEA said, emphasizing that the base student allocation increase of $85 is insufficient. The budget allocates $201m for teacher salary increases, but only benefits those with over 10 years of experience, leaving many teachers with minimal raises. FEA President Andrew Spar noted that lawmakers are disconnected from the needs of Floridians. The FEA is also suing the Florida Department of Education, claiming the state is failing to provide quality public education.

State boosts security for Catholic schools

For the first time, Catholic schools in South Florida are receiving state funding for security measures, with $15m allocated in the recently approved budget. Jim Rigg, superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Archdiocese of Miami, expressed his joy, commenting: "We have a lot of parents and others who were very passionate about this." The funds will support security improvements, including hiring additional safety officers and upgrading facilities with features like bulletproof glass. Rigg highlighted the need for increased security due to rising concerns about school violence, saying: "Unfortunately, we live in a time where school violence is a reality." The Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops advocated for these funds, emphasizing the importance of safety for all students.

ECGs now mandatory for young athletes

Florida's new Second Chance Act mandates that first-time high school athletes undergo an electrocardiogram (ECG) to detect heart abnormalities that could lead to sudden cardiac arrest. The law, named after Chance Gainer, who tragically died during a football game, aims to protect young athletes. "Even though it might seem a little scary, it's super easy, quick and painless," said Mary Kate Heekin, a student who underwent the test. Starting July 1, all incoming freshmen and students new to high school sports must complete the ECG before participating in any athletic activities. The nonprofit organization Who We Play For is partnering with schools to provide affordable screenings, ensuring that heart conditions are identified early. Christian Broadhurst, whose son Riley survived a cardiac arrest, emphasized the importance of early diagnosis, remarking: "We're hoping that this legislation makes treatable, identifiable heart problems able to be corrected."

NATIONAL NEWS

AI adoption in schools skyrockets

The latest State of EdTech report from the Consortium for School Networking reveals significant advancements in AI adoption among K-12 schools, with 79% of districts now having AI guidelines, up from 57% in 2025. CoSN CEO Keith Krueger noted: “It’s shocking at how quickly at least the guidance around responsible use of AI is.” However, schools are grappling with insufficient resources, staffing, and funding, which hinder effective implementation. While many districts support AI guidelines, they prefer to avoid state or federal mandates due to the fast-paced nature of AI developments. Concerns about cybersecurity are paramount, with 98% of respondents worried about new cyber threats linked to AI. Additionally, the report highlights the need for better vetting of educational technology, as many schools rely on vendor data without adequate safety checks. Krueger emphasized the importance of prioritizing procurement and training to ensure effective and safe use of AI in education.

FINANCE

Funding fears loom for schools

District leaders are worried about state funding, which is tied to student enrollment. They anticipate a drop of 3,000 students for the upcoming school year, potentially resulting in a $27m budget cut. Dr. Maria Vazquez, Superintendent of Orange County Public Schools, stated: “We have had to make some gut-wrenching decisions.” This follows a $23m cut from the previous year due to declining enrollment. Despite financial challenges, Vazquez assured that no additional schools would close in 2027. The district is also grappling with rising healthcare costs, which could lead to a $145m shortfall in the health care trust fund. Clinton McCracken, President of the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association, noted that proposed increases in premiums and deductibles could lead to an average take-home pay cut of 7%. District leaders are urging voters to renew a one-mil property tax that supports 10% of the budget and 2,000 teaching jobs.

Disney's tax fight impacts schools

The ongoing property tax lawsuits filed by The Walt Disney Co. are raising concerns for Orange County Public Schools (OCPS), which has set aside $119m to prepare for potential financial impacts. Union leader Diego Henry said: “Don't take, but give,” urging Disney to support local education. The lawsuits, initiated in 2015, aim to lower property tax assessments on Disney's theme parks and hotels. Meanwhile, Florida's schools are facing enrollment declines, prompting the closure of seven schools. Lawmakers are discussing property tax cuts that could further affect OCPS, with a proposal potentially costing the district $277m annually. Despite these challenges, Disney's theme parks division reported a 5% increase in operating income, reaching $2.6bn. Union members are actively canvassing neighborhoods to raise awareness about the tax issues affecting schools, with upcoming town halls planned for community engagement.

Council delays teacher tax referendum

The Duval County School Board is facing pushback from City Council members regarding a proposed voter referendum on extending a property tax aimed at enhancing teacher salaries. A recent City Council committee meeting resulted in a deferral of the legislation, which would allow voters to decide on the continuation of a 1 mill property tax approved in 2022. Superintendent Christopher Bernier emphasized the importance of giving voters a voice, stating: “My goal continues to be to give our voters their voice in November.” Council member Matt Carlucci criticized the deferral, warning that council members are "playing with fire" by not following the School Board's directive. The tax, if continued, is projected to generate $121m annually for teacher salaries and school staff improvements.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Tallahassee's speed cameras catch 50,000

Tallahassee's school zone speed cameras have issued over 50,000 violations in their first year, generating nearly $5m in potential fines, with the city expecting to collect around $2m. So far, $966,342 has been collected from approximately half of the violations. The cameras, installed in 20 school zones, are designed to enhance safety, although some debate whether they are merely a "money grab." The program began with two zones and has expanded to 48 cameras across 27 roadways. The cameras will be turned off during the summer break, resuming operations on August 12, 2026.

Student faces charges for bomb joke

A 14-year-old student at Santa Fe High School in Alachua County is facing a potential criminal charge for making a false threat after joking about having a "bomb in my backpack." The remark was overheard by a guidance counselor, who reported it to school officials. Following the report, the student was removed from class, and her backpack was searched, but nothing was found. The student was subsequently arrested and charged with one count of making a false report concerning planting a bomb or explosive, according to the Alachua County Sheriff's Office.

LEGAL

Fraudster fired from school district

Marisol Rodriguez, a former payroll administrator for the Lee County School District, was fired after being accused of orchestrating a Medicaid fraud scheme that allegedly generated over $1.35m in payments. Rodriguez was arrested on May 21 and charged with health care fraud and making false statements. Federal prosecutors allege she submitted thousands of fraudulent claims for services that were never provided between January 2022 and August 2025. The complaint states she ranked first among 116 Connecticut nurse practitioners in total Medicaid payments received.

HEALTH & WELLBEING

‘Lunch shaming’ emerges as new cyberbullying trend

A growing form of cyberbullying known as “lunch shaming” is causing some students to avoid eating in school cafeterias altogether, as classmates secretly photograph and share images of peers eating lunch. The trend typically targets students caught mid-bite or those eating alone, often leading to embarrassment, self-consciousness, and social isolation. Students interviewed described changing their behavior to avoid becoming targets, including eating in secluded areas or relocating to classrooms during lunch periods. Experts say the practice can be particularly harmful because it exploits existing insecurities related to body image, food choices, allergies, or socioeconomic background, while often going unnoticed by school staff. Research from the University of Virginia found that cafeterias remain one of the most common locations for school bullying, with 18% of middle- and high-school students reporting bullying incidents there. Social psychologists warn that this type of subtle, image-based harassment can have lasting emotional effects because it is difficult to detect and prevent.
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