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Florida
30th July 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

More states move to restrict four-day school weeks

A growing number of states are tightening restrictions on four-day school weeks as more districts adopt the abbreviated schedule to address budget pressures and teacher shortages. Indiana recently enacted a law requiring schools to meet new academic and operational standards, including maintaining an A state accountability rating, offering enrichment and intervention programs on non-school days, and meeting the state's $45,000 minimum teacher salary, before receiving annual approval to continue using a four-day schedule. More than 2,100 schools in 26 states operated on four-day weeks during the 2024-25 school year, up from about 1,600 schools in 24 states six years earlier, although they still represent a small fraction of U.S. public schools. Research has generally found little difference in student achievement when instructional hours are maintained. Supporters of four-day weeks argue the model helps rural districts recruit teachers and better meet local needs, while critics say policymakers should ensure shortened schedules do not negatively affect student learning.

GOVERNANCE

Miami-Dade names new schools chief

Rafael Villalobos has been appointed as the new superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) following a unanimous decision by the school board. Villalobos, who has served as the South Region Superintendent since 2022, was chosen from a pool of 21 applicants. With 27 years of experience in the district, he has held various leadership roles, including principal of multiple schools. Villalobos emphasized his commitment to addressing key issues such as enrollment decline and school safety, stating: “I'm ready on day one. I've been doing this work with efficacy, with love, compassion, with determination. I've never stopped.” He will succeed Superintendent Jose Dotres, whose contract ends in February 2027.

Broward County school board race heats up

In Broward County, five candidates are competing for the District 6 school board seat, which includes Cooper City, Davie, Plantation, Sunrise, and Weston. Incumbent Adam Cervera, appointed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2025, emphasized the need to "restore fiscal sanity and fiscal responsibility" to the board. Opponent Jessie Bastos, a District 6 graduate, highlighted her 22 years of business experience, stating, "I think is needed on the board to make better decisions with our $5.4bn a year budget." Other candidates include Lester Wilks Jr., Roberto Fernandez, and Makai Henry, each presenting their visions for improving the district. Election day is set for August 18, and the elections are nonpartisan, allowing all registered voters to participate regardless of party affiliation.

Get the violence out of schools

The race for Duval County School Board District 6 is heating up as candidates aim to succeed incumbent Charlotte Joyce. Leading fundraisers Lindsey Denmark and Clarence James are joined by Michelle Perry, Robert Stafford, and Tammyette Thomas. James, a 32-year law enforcement officer and school board police sergeant, emphasized his commitment to "get the violence out of the schools." His priorities include school safety, improving literacy rates, and addressing budget issues. He believes that disruptive behavior is a significant challenge and aims to bridge the gap between parents, teachers, and the administration to enhance education quality. James also supports school choice but acknowledges the need for public schools to be more competitive. He advocates for incorporating AI in classrooms with appropriate guardrails and stresses the importance of mental health support in schools. 

WORKFORCE

Budget woes threaten teacher retention

The Leon County School Board's tentative budget has sparked concerns among teachers and parents due to the absence of salary increases for educators. Leon Classroom Teachers Association President Scott Mazur emphasized that "if you value people, if you invest in people... there's less turnover," highlighting the potential for increased staff turnover without raises. Board Member Dr. Marcus Nicolas noted that the budget is not final and mentioned a referendum for a millage increase aimed at supplementing teacher salaries. Parent Jasmyne Arnold echoed the sentiment, stating that educators deserve better pay and resources. Negotiations between district and union leaders are ongoing, with hopes for changes before the final budget vote on September 8th.

FINANCE

Budget woes: Flagler schools face shortfall

The Flagler County School Board has adopted a tentative budget of $353,097,566 for the 2026-27 fiscal year, but faces a $2m shortfall that will require using part of its $8m general fund balance. Chief Financial Officer Patty Wormeck explained that the shortfall is due to increased school voucher distributions and state mandates, among other costs. Superintendent LaShakia Moore stated, “It is our intention to balance this $2 million out,” emphasizing the need for budget reductions across departments. The district plans to fill open positions selectively and implement a 4% budget cut in all departments. Despite the challenges, the district aims to maintain a fund balance within the desired range of 5.5% to 6% of general fund revenue for emergencies. The increase in voucher students has also contributed to the financial strain, with 2,473 students accepting vouchers totaling $17,329,690.

Santa Rosa Schools dodge tax hike

Santa Rosa County residents will not face an increase in property tax millage for public schools, despite a projected $3m reduction in state funding. The Santa Rosa County School Board approved a tentative budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year, which includes a $321.5m operating budget and a total budget of $527.5m. Superintendent Karen Barber said: "The district will still collect more property taxes during the 2026-27 year due to higher valuations." The district anticipates $22.5m in ad valorem tax revenue, up from $21.5m last year. Although state funding is expected to decrease by $2.9m, property tax revenue is projected to increase by $3.7m. The board plans to cut 45 employee positions to help balance the budget, which primarily impacts salaries and benefits. Enrollment is projected to drop for public schools, while the number of students receiving Family Empowerment Scholarships is expected to rise.

Manatee County Schools get $2.5m boost

The School District of Manatee County will receive over $2.5m in funds after county commissioners voted to reimburse the amount that had been withheld. This decision followed a dispute regarding who should cover the costs of collecting a voter-approved property tax. Manatee County Commission Chairman Tal Siddique emphasized the importance of returning the funds to schools, stating: “What we do with the money, I think it's better spent providing it back to the schools.” The reimbursement will come from excess revenue returned by the tax collector's office. School Board Chair Cindy Spray expressed gratitude for the decision, highlighting the positive impact on education funding and student success.

Seminole County schools face tough cuts

As Seminole County students prepare to return to school in two weeks, the district faces a $30m budget deficit, prompting significant job cuts. Superintendent Serita Beamon said: “It's always painful when we are looking at having to reduce," as the district plans to eliminate 314 teacher and support staff positions. Despite a 1.6% increase in state funding for each student, this does not cover rising operational costs.

POLICY

Orange County Schools embrace AI policy

Orange County Public Schools has introduced a new AI policy following extensive feedback from 20,000 surveys completed by teachers and parents. The policy, which will be implemented when students return on August 11, allows teachers to determine how AI can be used in the classroom while requiring parental notification for student use. Maria Salamanca, a school board member, emphasized the importance of teachers providing guidelines on AI interaction at the start of the year, stating: “What we ask the teachers to do is, at the beginning of the year, in a written form, provide their guidelines for how they expect to interact with students and AI.” However, board member Stephanie Vanos expressed concerns about the lack of an opt-out provision for parents. The policy will be updated annually to keep pace with rapidly evolving AI technology.

SAFETY & SECURITY

E-bike ban sparks heated debate

The Orange County School Board has unanimously decided to prohibit e-bikes and e-scooters on school campuses, requiring students to have a valid learner's permit or driver's license to use them. This decision follows concerns over safety, particularly after an OCPS student died in an e-scooter accident. Board member Maria Salamanca emphasized the need for the ban, stating: "It's really dangerous... we have to think about the safety of an entire school district." While many parents argue that e-bikes and e-scooters provide essential transportation for their children, the board feels compelled to act due to rising injuries associated with these devices. Superintendent Maria Vazquez suggested revisiting the ban after the first nine weeks of school to assess its impact. Meanwhile, local governments are considering additional regulations, including helmet mandates for younger riders.

Extra deputy: costly but effective

The Flagler County School Board has renewed the model for a school resource deputy (SRD) floater for another year, despite concerns about costs. Board member Janie Ruddy opposed the decision, arguing that the district should utilize well-trained officers from the Flagler County Sheriff's Office instead. The total cost for the SRD agreement is $1,788,777, which is higher than the $1,621,107 it would be without the floater. 

HEALTH & WELLBEING

Vaping diversion program expands in schools

Escambia County Public Schools is expanding its "Better Without It" program, aimed at first-time vape offenders, to all high schools this fall. Initially launched as a pilot at Escambia and Pensacola High, the program allows students caught with vape pens to avoid reassignment to alternative schools by completing an eight-week course. Christy Mills, transition coordinator for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, reported that only one out of 19 students in the pilot program re-offended. Kerri Coots, the district's director of alternative education, emphasized that the program is not for students who sell or distribute vapes.

CONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION

New baseball field deal strikes gold

The revised license agreement between Islamorada and the Monroe County School Board paves the way for a $3.8m synthetic baseball field at Coral Shores High School, ensuring a 20-year lease at Founders Park. The deal, approved by both the Village Council and the School Board, aims to complete construction before the 2027 baseball season. The agreement resolves previous concerns about the relationship dynamics.
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