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Amendment 1 proposes to make Florida's school board elections partisan, requiring candidates to disclose their political affiliations. This amendment would reverse the 1998 decision that established nonpartisan elections. If passed, it would take effect in 2026. Opinions on the amendment are divided. Judy DeAngelis-Small, first vice president of the League of Women Voters of the Space Coast, said: "We believe that school board elections should remain nonpartisan, allowing all voters to choose a candidate." Brevard Democratic Party chair Pamela Castellana expressed concerns about politicizing school board races further. While some organizations, including the Florida Education Association, oppose the amendment, others, like the Brevard Republican Executive Committee, support it. Andrea Messina, CEO of the Florida School Boards Association, noted that "school boards . . . are microcosms of their local communities and the country," reflecting the growing partisanship in society.

 

Florida Today

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A nationally-representative survey released Thursday by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics found that 74% of public schools said they had a difficult time filling one or more vacant teaching positions before beginning the 2024-25 school year. The School Pulse Panel survey of 1,392 schools found that a “lack of qualified candidates” and “too few candidates” applying for open positions remained the most common challenges public schools said they faced in filling vacant positions. The trickiest positions to fill were in general elementary teaching, special education, and English language arts. Last year’s data showed improving sentiment among public schools about their staffing levels. Less than half, or 45%, said they felt their school was understaffed — down from 53% feeling understaffed entering the 2022-23 academic year. 

 

K-12 Dive

Orange County Public Schools and the Orange County Classroom Teacher Association reached an agreement on October 16, resolving all bargaining issues. The deal includes salary increases of 2.25% for highly effective teachers, who make up 93% of those evaluated, and a 1.7% increase for effective teachers, representing 6.5% of those evaluated. Additionally, the agreement continues retention supplements for one year, allows three days of district-paid bereavement leave, and permits non-classroom teachers to work remotely. OCPS representatives noted that the School Board urged negotiators to develop a comprehensive parental leave program.

 

News 13

Orange Observer News

The Escambia County School District is set to enhance its English as a Second Language (ESOL) program through a Title III grant, which provides between $50,000 and $100,000 to districts with rising non-English speaking students. Ramona Wright, the district's ESOL teacher on special assignment, noted: “We were approaching 800 kids three years ago . . . This year, we're already at 1,300 and are still growing.” The funds will support teacher training to improve their skills and effectiveness in teaching English Language Learners (ELL). The district currently has nine ESOL centers catering to about 1,000 ELL students. Superintendent Keith Leonard emphasized the importance of the ESOL program, saying: “The vast majority of the teachers that you are approving to be out of field is for ESOL.” The program aims to meet the needs of a diverse student population, with Spanish being the most common language among ELL students.

 

Pensacola News Journal

A competitive race for the position of Leon County Superintendent is underway, with candidates Rocky Hanna and Joe Burgess outlining their plans to support teachers and address key issues in the district. Hanna, the current superintendent with 36 years of experience, emphasizes the importance of competitive compensation and a supportive culture to retain quality teachers. He promised: "We will continue our multifaceted approach that prioritizes both academic recovery and holistic well-being." On the other hand, Burgess, a principal with 25 years in education, aims to tackle the academic achievement gap, particularly for students with disabilities and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. He believes in implementing a rigorous curriculum and providing necessary support for teachers to enhance student success.

 

Tallahassee.com

Tallahassee.com

Hillsborough County schools resumed classes on October 17, 2024, marking the last district in Florida to reopen after Hurricane Milton. The district faced challenges due to ongoing power outages, resulting in students missing 11 days at school. As officials plan to make up for lost time, other districts are already scheduling makeup days and assessing storm damages.

 

Tampa Bay Times

Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reveal that tobacco use among middle and high school students has reached a 25-year low. The National Youth Tobacco Survey indicated that 2.25m students reported using tobacco products in the last 30 days, down from 2.8m in 2023. E-cigarettes remain the most popular at 5.9%, while nicotine pouches have become the second most used product at 1.8%. Brian King, director of the FDA's Center for Tobacco Products, stated: "We're headed in the right direction when it comes to reducing tobacco product use among our nation's youth." The rise in nicotine pouch popularity, particularly Zyn, which holds 68.7% of the market, is attributed to social media trends and a nationwide shortage. The survey included responses from 29,861 students across 283 schools.

 

NBC Miami

Florida's recent ban on abortions after six weeks has made the procedure largely inaccessible for many women, forcing them to travel out of state for care. Antigone Barton from the Palm Beach Post followed a young woman, referred to as Sarah, who journeyed to Illinois for an abortion after discovering she was 19 weeks pregnant. Sarah's experience highlights the emotional and logistical challenges faced by women in Florida, where “everyone knows now” about her situation. The National Abortion Federation reported a significant increase in patients seeking assistance to travel out of state since the ban took effect. As Sarah navigated her journey, she faced not only the physical challenges of her condition but also the stigma and harassment surrounding abortion care.

 

Naplesnews

Alpha School has opened in Miami, aiming to transform education for families seeking alternatives to traditional schooling. With a focus on personalized learning, students engage in startup launches, TED-style talks, and Harvard Business School challenges. Alex Kiser, Head of School, emphasizes: “We’re not just teaching subjects; we’re preparing students for life.” The school operates on a 2 Hour Learning platform, allowing students to complete core academics in just two hours, enabling more time for hands-on workshops. This innovative approach has garnered national attention, being featured on The Today Show and NBC News as a model for ‘The Future of Education.’ Alpha School is currently accepting applications and offers tours to showcase its learning system.

 

Miami's Community Newspapers

Florida Polytechnic University has been recognized as the eighth-best college in the U.S. for student outcomes by WalletHub's 2025 Best Universities Ranking. The university also ranked second in Florida for cost and financing and 34th nationally. Devin Stephenson, president of Florida Poly, expressed excitement over the recognition: “These new accolades reinforce our commitment to producing future high-tech leaders.” The university attributes its success to robust career development services, with 20% of seniors securing jobs or committing to graduate school. Allison Pirpich, director of career services, highlighted the importance of experiential learning, noting: “These experiences provide key professional skillsets that employers are looking for.” Brad Thiessen, interim provost, emphasized the effectiveness of the university's all-STEM curriculum in preparing graduates for the workforce.

 

Jax Daily Record

Florida Polytechnic University has been recognized as the eighth-best college in the U.S. for student outcomes by WalletHub's 2025 Best Universities Ranking. The university also ranked second in Florida for cost and financing and 34th nationally. Devin Stephenson, president of Florida Poly, expressed excitement over the recognition: “These new accolades reinforce our commitment to producing future high-tech leaders.” The university attributes its success to robust career development services, with 20% of seniors securing jobs or committing to graduate school. Allison Pirpich, director of career services, highlighted the importance of experiential learning, noting: “These experiences provide key professional skillsets that employers are looking for.” Brad Thiessen, interim provost, emphasized the effectiveness of the university's all-STEM curriculum in preparing graduates for the workforce.

 

Florida Politics