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Florida
23rd June 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Carvalho resigns amid FBI investigation

Alberto Carvalho has resigned as Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District following an FBI raid at his home earlier this year. In his resignation letter, Carvalho stated: “Placing students first has always guided my work,” emphasizing the need for schools to focus on education without distractions. The school board confirmed the resignation, which took effect on June 21, 2026, and expressed its commitment to stability and progress. Carvalho's resignation comes amid an investigation linked to his interactions with a subcontractor involved in a failed AI chatbot project. Before leading LAUSD, Carvalho was recognized for his achievements in Miami-Dade County Public Schools, where he improved graduation rates and was named Superintendent of the Year in 2014.

STATE NEWS

Connecting learning to earning in Florida

Florida is making strides in aligning education with workforce needs to address a changing economy. As talent becomes the primary driver for economic development, the demand for skilled workers in Florida's 12 target industries, including logistics and information technology, continues to rise. However, employers face persistent shortages of middle- and high-skill talent, which is already constraining growth. Mark Wilson, president and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce, emphasized that "Florida's future competitiveness will be determined by how effectively we connect learning to earning." The upcoming Florida Learners to Earners Workforce Solution Summit aims to address these challenges and foster collaboration among business leaders, educators, and policymakers to create effective pathways from education to careers.

POLICY

AI summit empowers Florida educators

The Hillsborough County School District recently hosted a multi-day artificial intelligence summit for around 1,000 educators, focusing on the responsible use of AI in classrooms. Superintendent Van Ayres emphasized the importance of providing educators with the necessary tools and credentials, stating: “This summit is about giving our educators the tools and credentials to use AI in ways that save time, strengthen instruction, and create more opportunities for meaningful connections with students.” The district has also entered a $2.1m contract with MagicSchool to enhance teaching efficiency, although the student interface remains inactive for now. Other notable topics included a marine science camp for girls in STEM and a federal grant of $2.6m awarded to the Osceola School District for gifted students from underrepresented backgrounds.

Broward School District mulls AI stance

The Broward School District, once a leader in artificial intelligence education, is reconsidering its AI program, MagicSchool AI, following concerns raised by Board member Adam Cervera. He requested a halt to the initiative, stating: "AI should be a tool that supports instruction, not one that compromises student privacy." The board plans to review issues related to student data privacy, teacher autonomy, and educational quality before proceeding. Board Chairwoman Sarah Leonardi supports this request, highlighting previous concerns voiced during a recent workshop.

GOVERNANCE

Miami-Dade school board faces few challengers

In Miami-Dade, the upcoming school board elections reveal a lack of competition, with only Vice Chair Monica Colucci facing a write-in challenger, Sam Joseph. Meanwhile, the race for District 1, vacated by Steve Gallon, is crowded with eight candidates. Joe Geller, a board member, noted that the absence of challengers could indicate public approval of the board's performance, stating, "people think the school board is doing one heck of a job." However, the job's unattractiveness, due to state policies and declining enrollment, may deter potential candidates. The incumbents have raised significant campaign funds, with Rojas, Colucci, and Bendross-Mindingall each surpassing $100,000. The District 1 race will proceed to a general election if no candidate secures over 50% of the vote in the primary.

Seminole County School Board race heats up

The Seminole County School Board election on August 18 is gaining momentum as the Seminole Education Association (SEA) endorses Holton Mills, Autumn Garick, and Kristine Kraus. SEA President Thomas Bugos emphasized the importance of school board members, stating: "School board members make decisions that directly impact classrooms, teachers, and students every day." Garick, a former literacy educator, expressed her gratitude for SEA's support, highlighting the transformative power of great teachers. Mills, who serves as Board Chair of the Foundation for Seminole County Public Schools, shared his commitment to expanding opportunities for students, saying: "As a graduate of Seminole County Public Schools, I know how life-changing a great education can be." Kraus, a former preschool teacher, looks forward to collaborating with educators and families to maintain high standards in Seminole County schools.

Wasserman Schultz earns union endorsement

Anna Fusco, head of Broward County's teachers union, has endorsed U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz for her re-election campaign in Florida's 20th Congressional District. Fusco praised Wasserman Schultz, stating: “Debbie has supported every educator in public schools since she stepped foot in office, and she's our biggest fighter in Congress.” With over 20 years of experience, Wasserman Schultz emphasizes the importance of strong representation for Broward County, especially amid challenges posed by Governor Ron DeSantis. Fusco echoed this sentiment, highlighting Wasserman Schultz's unwavering commitment to the community and her ability to provide stability and strength in Congress during turbulent times. She faces competition in the Democratic Primary from several candidates, including Luther Campbell and Sheila Cherflus-McCormick.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

New school caters for students with significant needs

Brevard Public Schools is constructing the Gardendale Separate Day School on the Kennedy Middle School campus in Rockledge, aimed at supporting K-12 students with significant behavioral and emotional needs. The $19.5m facility will accommodate around 156 students in a structured, therapeutic environment. The school will feature specialized classrooms, sensory spaces, and areas for mental health support. The district has yet to announce a completion date for the project.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Food banks in Florida face surge

As grocery prices and living costs soar, Florida residents are increasingly relying on food banks and nonprofits for assistance. "We get people lining up at 9:30 a.m. for our weekly Fresh Market," said Forough Hosseini, founder of FBH Community in Daytona Beach. The demand has surged, with a 13% increase in food bank assistance at the end of last year and a further 10% rise in early 2023, according to Nelle Miller, president of All Faiths Food Bank. A recent survey revealed that 82% of respondents believe food prices are rising faster than their incomes. Melissa Nelson, president of United Way of Florida, highlighted the growing number of working poor, stating, "If this is true, families will likely deplete any financial cushion or savings that they have." Nonprofits are calling for more volunteers and donations to meet the escalating needs of families facing food insecurity.

LEGAL

Travel agent's $637k fraud exposed

Robert Goodwin, a travel agent from Marblehead, Massachusetts, has been sentenced to 25 years of probation after pleading no contest to two counts of grand theft. He stole over $637,000 from students at Flagler College and Seabreeze High School, promising study abroad trips that he later canceled. Goodwin claimed his company went under due to being a victim of fraud, but investigators found him to be the true fraudster. He must return the full amount to his victims, having already paid back $194,000. Christopher Weinrich, a teacher at Seabreeze High, expressed concerns about the low trip costs, but Goodwin assured him of donor support. Ultimately, participants received no refunds after their trips were canceled, with Goodwin providing fraudulent documents throughout the scheme.

HIGHER EDUCATION

FSU's budget boost: $3.22bn approved

Florida State University (FSU) has approved a $3.22bn operating budget for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, marking a 4.5% increase from the previous year. Kyle Clark, Senior Vice President for Finance & Administration, said, "We had the largest increase out of anyone in the state university system." The budget allocates over $300m for financial aid, benefiting nearly 90% of full-time undergraduate students. President Richard McCullough emphasized that the budget aims to expand opportunities for students and enhance FSU's impact across Florida. Key investments include $455m for capital projects, such as the FSU Health Research Center and new student housing. The budget also continues a 13-year freeze on in-state tuition rates. Portions of the budget awaiting final approval from Governor Ron DeSantis are expected to further bolster FSU's economic impact, estimated at over $15bn annually.

Campus set to transfer to New College

The University of South Florida's Sarasota-Manatee campus will officially transfer to New College on July 1, following the approval of joint transfer and facility use agreements by USF trustees. Governor Ron DeSantis is expected to approve the budget that includes this transfer, which will see New College assume all operating costs and outstanding debts. Current USF students will have priority access to classroom spaces, while faculty will retain their positions, with options to transfer to other campuses.
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