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Miami-Dade schools are preparing for potential layoffs due to a new operations agreement with Success Academy, a charter operator. The school board approved the agreement, allowing the district to lay off up to 133 employees if necessary, as co-location is projected to cost the district $7.9m for the 2027-28 school year. The agreement is mandated by Florida's expanded "Schools of Hope" law, which requires districts to make underperforming schools available to charter operators. Success Academy plans to open elementary schools in five district high schools, with expected enrollment reaching 332 students per campus initially, growing to 798 by the fifth year. Lisette Fernandez, co-founder of Moms for Libros, acknowledged the constraints imposed by state law, commenting: “State law has put this board in a corner.” The board's approval does not signify endorsement of the charter schools, reflecting their limited options. Steve Gallon remarked: “Elections have consequences,” highlighting the board's predicament.

 

The Miami Herald

Watch How Florida Math Was Designed Around B.E.S.T.

What does it really mean for a curriculum to be aligned? In a new video, McGraw Hill Florida Math contributing author Sarah B. Bush, Ph.D., takes educators inside the design process — and the difference between stamping benchmark codes on pages and designing one around what Florida's B.E.S.T. Standards ask students to become capable of doing. Built from the B1G-M instructional guides and the Math Standards Progressions, with the Mathematical Thinking and Reasoning Standards woven throughout, Florida Math moves students from exploration to representation to reasoning to application — so the evidence of alignment lives in what students think about, do, explain, and demonstrate. Watch the video and see how Florida Math builds math confidence for teachers, students, and Florida schools.

Watch the video

 

Florida's science standards, last updated in 2008, are currently under public review, with a listening session scheduled for October 27 in Orange County. Education Commissioner Manny Mack emphasized the need for standards that are "clear, rigorous, grounded in the scientific method," and free from ideology. He stated: "We want to equip students with the ability to think deliberately, dispassionately, objectively." However, the National Center for Science Education criticized the proposed standards, with Deputy Director Glenn Branch expressing concerns about their depth and clarity regarding climate change and evolution. Mack reassured that evolutionary biology and climate science are included in the standards, aiming to correct misconceptions. The Florida Education Association urged that revisions should be based on scientific evidence rather than political ideologies, advocating for broader public engagement in the process. The state board is set to vote on the new standards in December.

 

Florida Phoenix

Erika Donalds, a school choice activist and wife of Republican gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds, spoke at the New College of Florida's Markovitz Socratic Stage event, moderated by President Richard Corcoran. During her talk, she emphasized the importance of parental choice in education, sharing her personal experience with her children's schooling. "I just refuse to stand back and allow it to continue, so hopefully you guys are all on board," she said, urging for change in the education system. Donalds also discussed the role of artificial intelligence in classrooms, advocating for its use to support teachers rather than replace them. She believes that AI can help track student progress and alleviate administrative burdens on educators. Furthermore, she argued that teacher pay should be determined by districts to foster competition and attract quality educators.

 

Tampa Bay Times

The Broward Teachers Union plans to sue the Broward County School Board, alleging that its president, Anna Fusco, was unlawfully removed from a board meeting in violation of her First Amendment rights. Board Chair Sarah Leonardi ordered Fusco's removal after four warnings for speaking out during discussions about the dismissal of district procurement director Jennifer Andreu. The board voted 6 to 3 to terminate Andreu following an inspector general investigation that found procurement mismanagement and misleading statements concerning a contract. Fusco disputed the dismissal process, arguing that proper procedures were not followed. “This isn't about Anna Fusco,” she said, emphasising broader concerns about employee rights and union protections. The school district maintained that Fusco's removal resulted from disruptive conduct rather than her viewpoint. Andreu also plans to appeal her dismissal, denying allegations that she mishandled a laptop procurement contract or misled the board.  

 

Local10

NBC Miami

NBC Miami

Sun Sentinel

The Polk County School Board is facing a lawsuit from Marathon Health LLC, which challenges the board's decision to select PeopleOne Health as the new vendor for its health clinics. Filed on September 24, the lawsuit claims the board violated state law and its own rules during the selection process. Marathon Health, which previously managed the clinics, alleges that the Florida Educator Health Trust conducted a private selection process that lacked transparency. “The trust was used to conduct a private, opaque selection process,” the complaint states. The board voted 6-1 to approve PeopleOne's contract, which is estimated to cost between $280,000 and $421,000 annually. The lawsuit seeks an injunction to halt the contract's implementation. The Polk County Public Schools declined to comment on the ongoing litigation.

 

Lakeland Ledger

The Pinellas County School Board has approved the closure of six under-capacity campuses, including Tarpon Springs Fundamental and Kings Highway Elementary, to ensure the district's long-term financial health. Despite pleas from parents for more time to review the decision, board member Eileen Long said: “While I respect the concerns that have been raised ... I also believe we have a responsibility to make decisions proactively rather than reactively.” The closures aim to eliminate nearly 4,500 unused student seats as enrollment has significantly declined over the past decade. Sunset Hills Elementary will be reconfigured into a K-8 school, with parents expressing mixed feelings about the changes. Board member Lisa Cane suggested delaying the vote for further community input, but her motion failed. 

 

Tampa Bay Times

Two seats on the Pasco County school board are open as incumbents Al Hernandez and Cynthia Armstrong retire. The election will introduce new members who will face challenges like declining student enrollment and funding issues. Gino Collura, a security consultant, emphasizes the need for school safety, stating: "Students cannot learn when classrooms are disrupted." His opponent, Kimberly Coward, a lawyer, prioritizes student mental health, saying: "If children are not well situated with their basic needs, they can't be productive in the classroom." In District 3, Matt Geiger, a private school administrator, and real estate agent Mollyana Ward are competing, with Geiger advocating for career education opportunities. Ward aims to address long bus rides and screen time for students, stating, "I want to effect positive change." The election will be decided by countywide voters.

 

Tampa Bay Times

Volusia County Schools is set to install metal detectors in its middle schools as part of safety recommendations presented to the Volusia County School Board on October 13. This initiative follows the installation of AI-assisted metal detectors in high schools last year. Capt. Christy Sturrup, director of safety and security for Volusia County Schools, said, "These recommendations reflect the priorities identified through the FSAT process as our continued efforts to strengthen our campus and safety and security." Additionally, the district plans to replace school radios and initiate a three-year window tinting project at select facilities. Currently, all public schools in Volusia County are staffed with at least one safe school officer to meet state mandates, with over 90 school guardians and 32 school resource deputies or officers in place.

 

Ormond Beach Observer

School principals are increasingly using artificial intelligence to address student absenteeism, simplify administrative processes, and support teachers. Derek Cantrell, principal of Allegheny High School in Virginia, developed AI-assisted tools to monitor attendance, disciplinary referrals, teacher observations, and graduation progress. His attendance initiative combines early warnings with opportunities for students to improve their standing and earn rewards. In Delaware, principal Sterling Seeman uses AI-generated prompts to help teachers establish measurable professional goals, reducing administrative preparation time. Meanwhile, Idaho principal Rachel Jensen uses automated student trackers to improve communication and personalise support in online learning. Despite these benefits, school leaders emphasise protecting student data, verifying AI-generated information, and preserving independent thinking. Cantrell summarised his approach: “My philosophy is, people over paperwork,” highlighting how AI enables educators to devote more time to meaningful interactions with students.

 

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