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Florida
6th August 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Broward schools face potential closures

Dr. Howard Hepburn, the superintendent of Broward County Public Schools, expressed concerns about declining student enrollment, stating: "I do foresee more closures." The district anticipates a loss of 9,000 students, largely due to the potential loss of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians. The Broward School Board is set to discuss school repurposing and closures on August 25, with projections indicating over 10 schools may close for the 2027-2028 academic year. This decision is part of a broader strategy to address a significant enrollment drop, which has seen the district lose over 40,000 students in the past decade, resulting in a revenue loss exceeding $30m. The trend reflects a statewide issue, with Florida's largest school districts collectively losing around 67,000 non-charter students.

DISTRICTS

Enrollment crisis hits Palm Beach schools

In Palm Beach County, the School District is grappling with a significant enrollment decline that has already resulted in a $100m budget cut. Superintendent Mike Burke stated: "The budget and enrollment go together in lock step," highlighting the direct link between student numbers and funding. This year, the district anticipates a further loss of 2,900 students, exacerbating financial pressures that could impact teacher salaries and program offerings. To address these challenges, district leaders are looking to a property tax referendum in November, which aims to fund teacher raises and school safety initiatives. Burke noted: "Each year we hope to add more programs," emphasizing the importance of stable funding for school choice options.

School closures spark emotional farewells

Orange County Public Schools has closed seven schools due to a significant decline in enrollment, which dropped by nearly 7,000 students in the 2025-26 academic year. This consolidation includes six elementary schools and one middle school, affecting students like Jose Cruz Velez, who expressed sadness over the closure of McCoy Elementary, stating: "It made me feel sad, but I was at least happy because... the school has been here for, like, 61 years." Parents, including former PTO president Angelica Rujano, worked hard to prevent the closures, emphasizing the importance of community expression. The district is considering various options for the future use of the closed campuses, while students are being relocated to nearby schools. Stephanie Vanos, a school board member, noted that the district is providing resources to help with the transition.

Maine aims for school success

Superintendent Michael Maine is focused on enhancing the academic performance of Martin County schools, aiming for all schools to achieve grades of "A" or "B." "We want to continue increasing reading achievement scores," Maine said, emphasizing the importance of individualized attention for students. The district has seen success in the past two years by addressing the unique needs of each student through tailored lessons and smaller group settings. Currently, five schools are rated "C," down from six last year, with Hobe Sound Elementary achieving a "B" this year. Maine believes that with the right support and instruction, these schools can improve further. The district is also addressing staffing needs, with fewer than 30 teacher vacancies and fully staffed bus routes for the upcoming school year, which begins on August 10.

School board plans property sale

The Volusia County School Board is preparing to demolish the former Osceola Elementary school buildings and sell the 11.6-acre property, which is costing the district approximately $3.43m annually to maintain. The City Commission of Ormond Beach is considering purchasing the site, with offers already received of $2.35m and $2.5m.

GOVERNANCE

Navigating challenges in education

Orange County Public Schools, serving over 200,000 students across 200 campuses, operates with a budget nearing $8bn. Rated as an "A" district for four consecutive years, 78% of its campuses received A or B grades. However, the district faces challenges, including political pressures and competition from private schools. Superintendent Maria Vasquez's retirement adds urgency to the upcoming school board elections, where Angie Gallo and Alicia Farrant are vying for leadership. Gallo, respected for her collaborative approach, emphasizes the need for educational achievement and addressing teacher salaries, which are lagging behind the cost of living. In contrast, Farrant's controversial views, linked to the group Moms for Liberty, raise concerns about divisiveness. The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board urges voters to consider the candidates' records and prioritize quality education over political agendas. "Orange County absolutely cannot afford attention grabbing stunts and divisive viewpoints," the board stated.

Rockwell aims for Alachua County Schools' success

Sarah Rockwell is running for reelection to the Alachua County School Board for District 3, focusing on improving literacy and addressing the achievement gap. During her first term, she standardized student support systems and advocated for phonics-based reading instruction. "In the last year that we've had those reading specialists in place, we saw a three-point narrowing in just one year of our literacy proficiency gap between our Black and white subgroups," Rockwell said. If reelected on August 18, she aims to help the district regain its "A" rating and improve struggling schools. Rockwell's opponent is local youth advocate Gregory Pelham.

WORKFORCE

Teachers face budget blues in Orange County

The Orange County School Board approved a tentative budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, raising concerns among teachers regarding health-care costs and compensation. Clinton McCracken, President of the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association, said: "Teachers are struggling to remain in the profession that they love," highlighting the rising cost of living in Central Florida. While the district has proposed salary adjustments for long-serving teachers, many educators are still advocating for higher raises. The proposed health insurance changes would significantly increase deductibles, leading to lower take-home pay for teachers. McCracken emphasized the need for the district to prioritize educators, stating: "You can't call educators essential and then budget as if they're expendable." Despite the challenges, OCPS officials maintain their commitment to competitive salaries and affordable healthcare.

Funding boost for Volusia teachers

Volusia County Schools and the Volusia United Educators have reached an agreement to increase teacher salaries, adding approximately $611,111 to the previously allocated $4m in Teacher Salary Increase Allocation funding. The funding aims to support the recruitment and retention of teachers and instructional personnel. Superintendent Dr. Carmen Balgobin emphasized the importance of investing in educators, stating: “Our employees are the foundation of Volusia County Schools, and we remain committed to supporting and investing in the people who make a difference in the lives of students every day.” While this agreement addresses salary increases based on teaching experience, collective bargaining continues for new educators and those not eligible for TSIA funding. VUE President Elizabeth Albert noted the need for equitable outcomes for all instructional employees amidst ongoing negotiations.

New contract aims to solve teacher shortage

The Alachua County School Board has approved a five-year contract with Unlimited Instruction to address the district's teacher shortage. The firm will recruit, train, and mentor candidates, with the district paying $67.57 per hour for each instructor. "Our district needs more than a short-term response to teacher vacancies," said Deborah Terry, the assistant superintendent for human resources. Each recruit will undergo a new teacher academy and receive mentoring at a 10-to-1 ratio. Classes are set to begin on August 10, and the board hopes this initiative will create a sustainable pathway for qualified educators in the district.

FINANCE

Manatee County refunds $2.6m to schools

The Manatee County Commission has approved a $2.6m refund to the School District of Manatee County, which was charged fees for tax collection from 2018 to 2023. This unexpected charge surprised the district, but the refund will support essential areas such as teacher retention, safety, early learning, STEM, arts, and athletics. Commissioner Tal Siddique said: “We can't make up for what's lost, but I can at least cover your future needs.” However, the funds are restricted to operating expenses and cannot be used for capital projects. Superintendent Laurie Breslin expressed gratitude for the support, stating: “This funding means a great deal to our community and will help us continue the strong progress.” The refund is expected to be processed within two weeks following the July 28 vote.

POLICY

Pasco County Schools rethink screen time

The Pasco County School District's recent decision to reduce student screen time has sparked a mix of support and criticism. Many parents express concern over children struggling with basic skills due to excessive technology use. Kirk Phillips, a candidate for the District 3 school board, argued that instead of fearing technology, schools should teach responsible use and balance. Erin Stroupe, a preschool worker, praised the initiative as a “step in the right direction” for young learners. Veteran teacher Sean O'Flannery emphasized the importance of developing essential skills, stating: “If students cannot write a basic sentence without spell checkers, we should consider how best to prepare them for success.” Other candidates echoed the need for balance, with Matt Geiger advocating for age-appropriate practices and hands-on learning.

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY

Community effort packs thousands of backpacks

As Palm Beach County prepares for the new school year, the Education Foundation has completed a significant initiative, packing 36,580 backpacks for students at 56 Title I schools. James Gavrilos, President and CEO of the Education Foundation, emphasized the importance of this effort, stating: "When we give a child a backpack, we're not just giving supplies; we are giving dignity, we are giving hope and we are giving a future." With Florida ranking 46th in per-student spending, local communities are stepping up to fill resource gaps. The initiative mobilized 963 volunteers and 67 local business partners, showcasing a strong community commitment to education. The Foundation also supports broader educational programs, awarding approximately $3m annually in grants for innovative projects.
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