Become more informed in minutes...

The Broward School Board has voted 7-2 to continue $5,000 annual bonuses for the principal and five assistant principals at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School through the 2033-34 school year, citing administrators’ continuing responsibilities related to recovery from the 2018 mass shooting that killed 17 students and staff members. The supplements began in 2019 and compensate administrators for responsibilities including supporting survivors, families, and employees through anniversaries, safety incidents, threats, and other reminders of the tragedy. Some teachers have criticized the payments, arguing that they also continue to experience trauma and take on additional responsibilities but receive no comparable supplement. Teachers also pointed to reductions in benefits previously provided after the shooting, including a decrease in additional mental health days from 10 to five, while the district has cited financial constraints in discussions about teacher raises. The board had previously agreed to end the bonuses, but reinstated them after board member Lori Alhadeff, whose daughter was killed in the shooting, argued that the school’s administrators continue to face exceptional emotional and operational demands. Opponents said the payments raise concerns about equity, particularly because only one administrator receiving the supplement worked at the school at the time of the shooting.

 

South Florida Sun Sentinel

States including Illinois, Ohio, and Kansas are tightening standards for professional development courses that teachers can use to qualify for salary increases, amid concerns about low-quality programs offering academic credits for minimal work. A new Illinois law requires qualifying courses to come from regionally accredited higher education institutions, be taught by appropriately credentialed instructors, and provide graduate-level credit on an official transcript, while still allowing separate pay increases for microcredentials and additional certifications. The changes follow scrutiny of programs such as the Albion Institute, whose courses have been barred from counting toward license renewal in several states after reports that some three-credit courses could be completed in as little as 15 to 45 minutes. However, education experts argue that stronger academic standards may not be enough, noting limited evidence that master’s degrees generally improve student achievement and suggesting that professional development tied to salary increases should more closely support districts’ instructional priorities.

 

Education Week News

School security purchasing decisions are typically shaped by multiple district officials, with superintendents and school boards playing the biggest roles, according to an EdWeek Research Center survey. Among 237 district and school leaders surveyed, 63% said superintendents have major influence over security purchases, 46% cited school boards, 34% pointed to school leaders, 31% named finance and budgeting officials, 29% cited technology leaders, and 26% identified operations leaders. The purchasing process varies by district, product, cost, and complexity. In Quincy Public Schools in Illinois, a student bringing an unloaded gun to a football game accelerated plans to upgrade screening, leading the school board to approve nearly $297,000 for a weapons-detection system. In other districts, technology directors, security staff, finance officials, and senior administrators may lead product evaluation before larger purchases go to the superintendent and school board for approval. The U.S. educational security market is estimated at up to $4bn, attracting vendors selling cameras, weapons-detection systems, access controls, emergency communications tools, and other products. However, districts often face tight budgets and may depend on grants or state funding for major investments.

 

Education Week News

Byron Donalds, a Florida State University (FSU) graduate, is campaigning to become Florida's next governor, aiming to join Reubin Askew and Charlie Crist as the only FSU alumni to hold the office. During a recent visit to FSU, he engaged with supporters, who chanted the Seminole war chant, emphasizing his connection to the university. Donalds, who has a background in finance and politics, is backed by President Donald Trump and is known for his conservative stance. He is attempting to leverage his alumni identity to resonate with voters, stating, "school pride can become a political asset." If successful, he would add a new chapter to FSU's political legacy, which has produced only two governors compared to the University of Florida's eleven.

 

News-Press.com

In Broward County, educators are facing a financial crisis, with many unable to afford living on their salaries. Roberto Fernandez III, a 22-year teacher and candidate for the Broward County School Board, emphasized the importance of the upcoming one-mill property tax referendum, stating: "This is about more than a tax referendum. It is about whether Broward can keep great educators in our classrooms." The referendum, which supports school safety, mental health services, and employee compensation, is crucial for retaining talented teachers. Fernandez noted that without competitive compensation, experienced educators are leaving, negatively impacting students. While renewing the referendum is essential, he advocates for a long-term solution that includes a 10% recurring raise for educators through the district's budget. The community must understand the stakes involved in the November vote to ensure the future of Broward's education system.

 

Sun Sentinel

The School Board of Highlands County is grappling with a challenging financial outlook due to recent legislative changes affecting public school funding. The state Legislature's decision to allow taxpayer dollars to cover private school tuition has resulted in a decrease in public school enrollment, leading to reduced funding. Chairman Isaac Durrance said: “We need to do more” regarding budget cuts, as the district approaches a critical reserve threshold of 0.04%. Longtime Board Member Donna Howerton emphasized the need to make cuts without harming teachers or students. The board is hosting a budget strategy workshop on September 28, urging community involvement to address these pressing issues. The district remains above the reserve cutoff, but the situation is precarious, and state intervention could occur if the reserve is breached.

 

Midfloridanewspapers

A nationwide analysis, carried out by researchers from Brown University and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, has found that 44% of U.S. pre-K through grade 12 schools are located within one mile of a known hazardous site. Nearly 10,000 schools, or about 8% of U.S. schools, are within a quarter mile of sites identified by the Environmental Protection Agency, including Superfund sites, brownfields, and Toxics Release Inventory facilities. Native, Black, Hispanic, and low-income students are more likely than white students to attend schools near hazardous sites, while proximity levels are similar for public and private schools. Researchers said the findings likely underestimate schools’ overall exposure to environmental hazards because the analysis excludes unlisted hazardous sites and other pollution sources, including highways, wildfire smoke, and lead plumbing inside schools. The study highlights potential health and educational concerns because children are particularly vulnerable to environmental exposures as their bodies and brains develop.

 

Environmental Health News

Nearly 900 Florida State University students attended the Talent Lives Here career fair at the Herbert Wertheim College of Business, aimed at connecting them with local job opportunities. The event featured participation from nearly 30 local companies across various industries, including health care and technology. Philip Browning, Director of Business Development at the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of retaining talent, stating: "Students are showing us they are willing to choose Tallahassee. Our responsibility is to make sure Tallahassee chooses them." The fair highlighted the need for ongoing engagement between local businesses and students to foster career growth in the community.

 

Tallahassee.com

A new documentary titled "First They Came for My College" chronicles the transformation of New College of Florida from a liberal institution to a conservative stronghold. Directed by Patrick Xavier Bresnan, the film features firsthand accounts from students, professors, and staff following Governor Ron DeSantis's intervention in 2023. The documentary highlights the emotional impact on the campus community, stating: "When Florida Governor Ron DeSantis stages a coup at New College, students and professors confront a new reality." The film premiered at the True/False Film Fest and has been screened at various festivals, capturing moments of tension and resilience among students. Upcoming screenings are scheduled across Florida, including Gainesville and Miami. For more details, visit the film's website.

 

Pensacola News Journal

Ontario elementary teachers will vote from November 9 to 18 on whether they are willing to strike, becoming the second major teachers’ group to schedule a strike vote amid stalled contract negotiations. The Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario, representing 84,000 teachers and education workers, follows the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association, which has also planned a November vote. Education contracts expired at the end of August, but negotiations have stalled over which issues should be addressed through central bargaining, and which should be left to local unions and school boards. The major education unions are awaiting a ruling from the Ontario Labour Relations Board on the dispute. Ontario’s Education Ministry said it will be ready to negotiate once the labor board process concludes. A spokesperson for Education Minister Paul Calandra called strike threats premature and said the government is focused on reaching an agreement that keeps students in classrooms. The unions had sought to begin bargaining in March, but the government declined, and talks started in June.

 

CBC News

CP24

Toronto Star