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Florida
5th November 2026
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THE HOT STORY

DeSantis plans special session for tax cut

Gov. Ron DeSantis plans to convene a special legislative session before January to implement Amendment 3, which passed with 62% voter approval. The measure increases the homestead property tax exemption from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. DeSantis said lawmakers would establish the implementation schedule while preventing local governments from imposing alternative taxes to offset lost revenue. Although school districts are excluded from the expanded exemption, DeSantis suggested future revisions to Florida's K-12 education funding formula could preserve school funding while providing homeowner relief. Governor-elect Byron Donalds supports giving districts greater spending flexibility amid declining enrollment, school closures and budget pressures. Firefighters, law enforcement groups and local officials have warned that reduced property tax revenue could jeopardize essential services, particularly in rural counties. DeSantis also credited the amendment with boosting Republican voter turnout and helping the party retain control of Florida's Cabinet.

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NATIONAL NEWS

U.S. teacher pay falls behind global peers

U.S. public school teachers earn significantly less than other college-educated professionals, with a new Brookings Institution analysis ranking the United States last among more than 30 industrialized countries for primary school teacher pay relative to other graduates. The study found that American primary school teachers earn approximately two-thirds of what other college graduates receive annually, while separate research from the Economic Policy Institute revealed a 25% teacher pay gap in 2025. Brookings also highlighted a long-term decline in the proportion of public school spending allocated to teacher salaries, falling from 57% in 1919 to 26% in 2019, partly reflecting increased investment in staffing rather than higher wages. According to the National Education Association, average teacher salaries reached $74,495 during the 2024–25 school year, up 3.5% annually but still 5% below levels from a decade earlier after adjusting for inflation. The findings have prompted renewed discussion about targeted pay increases for teachers in hard-to-staff schools, specialized subjects, and high-performing roles as districts contend with tightening budgets and declining enrollment.

FINANCE

Florida school tax measures triumph

Central Florida's property tax referendums for schools passed with over 64% approval, despite concerns about anti-tax sentiment. Lake, Orange, and Osceola counties sought these measures to raise millions for public education amid declining enrollment and budget shortfalls. Orange County's one-mill tax, renewed by 74% of voters, is expected to generate $255m for teacher salaries and programs. Lake County's additional 0.25 mill tax passed with 69% approval, projected to raise $49m for teacher pay increases. Osceola County's new one-mill tax, approved by 64% of voters, aims to address a $100m budget shortfall. District leaders warned that without these funds, significant cuts to staff and programs would be necessary. "Without the funds, district leaders warned school districts would have to make massive cuts," they stated.

Osceola County voters back school funding

Osceola County voters have approved a new property tax to support local schools, marking the first operational millage for the district. The tax, set at one mill, will generate an estimated $62.5m for teacher salaries, safety personnel, and extracurricular programs. Heather Kahoun, chair of the Osceola County School Board, highlighted the financial strain prior to the vote, stating: “Over the last two years specifically, we've made more than $20m in cuts to our budget.” With a projected $100m budget shortfall looming, the funding will help maintain academic programs and ensure safety in schools. Janet Moody, president of the Osceola County Education Association, called the outcome a victory for students and employees, emphasizing the community's commitment to public education. The millage will be in effect for four years, with an independent advisory committee overseeing fund allocation.

Duval County voters back education tax

Duval County voters have decisively approved a 1-mill property tax renewal for education, with 76% voting “yes.” Superintendent Chris Bernier said, “The renewal of the millage referendum sends a clear and powerful message: our community believes in and supports Team Duval.” In the School Board elections, conservatives maintained a 5-2 majority, with Donovan Bradley winning District 2 and Lindsey Denmark securing District 6. The races highlighted ideological divides, particularly in District 2, where Bradley, backed by conservative groups, faced off against Democrat Donna Westrich. Meanwhile, Denmark, who opposed the tax renewal, positioned herself as the more conservative candidate in District 6. The elections reflect ongoing tensions within the community regarding educational policies and funding.

GOVERNANCE

Recount drama in Pinellas County

Curtis Campogni is leading incumbent Dawn Peters by a mere 0.2 percentage points in the Pinellas County School Board District 3 race, prompting an automatic recount. Deputy Supervisor of Elections Dustin Chase confirmed that the recount will commence on Sunday at 9 a.m. Campogni secured 175,434 votes, while Peters garnered 174,722 votes. According to election regulations, a machine recount is mandated when the margin is 0.5% or less. The recount will retabulate ballots to ensure accuracy, and if the margin remains at 0.25 percentage points or less, further scrutiny of overvotes and undervotes will follow. Campogni's potential victory could introduce new perspectives to the School Board amid challenges like declining enrollment and academic pressures.

Hillsborough County reshapes political landscape

Hillsborough County voters have approved significant changes to their political structure, including the expansion of the County Commission and the election of a public school Superintendent. The County Commission will transition from four districts and three countywide seats to nine single-member districts by 2028, with Democrats now in charge after winning all four Commission races. "The existing structure diluted local representation," said Rep. Michael Owen, who sponsored the measure. Additionally, voters renewed a half-cent sales tax for school improvements, garnering 62% support. This tax, originally approved in 2018, will fund essential upgrades and repairs for schools over the next decade. The changes aim to enhance accountability and representation in local governance.

Romelus claims victory in school board race

Christina Romelus won the open Palm Beach County School Board District 4 seat on Tuesday, defeating Daniel Zapata. This election followed an August primary where no candidate secured 50% of the vote. Romelus, a former Boynton Beach commissioner and founder of PolitiCALM, aims to assess the district's strengths and weaknesses. Romelus will replace Erica Whitfield and join John McGovern, who won the District 6 seat. Key issues facing the board include enrollment drops, teacher salaries, budget shortfalls, and student reading levels.

Ingersoll wins tight school board race

Troy Ingersoll successfully defended his St. Lucie County School Board District 5 seat against challenger Lisa Kessler in the general election, winning with 50.67% of the vote. Ingersoll's experience and focus on student safety and achievement were key factors in his victory. School Board members serve four-year terms and earn an annual salary of $51,531.

DISTRICTS

Pasco County voters make big choices

Pasco County voters recently made significant decisions in local elections, including a competitive County Commission race and two School Board runoffs. Incumbent Republican Commissioner Seth Weightman secured 55% of the vote against Democrat Stephanie Vazquez, who focused on infrastructure and transparency. Weightman raised $203,000, significantly outspending Vazquez's $85,000. In the School Board District 1 runoff, Kimberly Coward won with 52% against Gino Collura, while Matt Geiger triumphed in District 3 with 58% over Mollyana Ward. Additionally, voters approved a property tax referendum for local schools, with about 75% in favor, generating crucial funding for education and teacher salaries.

Broward schools get crucial funding boost

Broward County school leaders are relieved after voters approved a ballot referendum that allocates hundreds of millions in tax dollars to schools and staff. Broward School Board Chair Sara Leonardi called Wednesday "a great day for Broward County Public Schools." Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn emphasized that the funding will help maintain competitive pay for teachers, support recruitment and retention, and enhance school safety. The referendum renewal is vital for avoiding a $358m budget shortfall due to declining enrollment. Hepburn noted that strong voter support reflects community belief in the district's progress, highlighted by three consecutive years of A ratings and the highest graduation rate ever. "We're not gonna rest on our laurels," he said, indicating plans to build on this success.

Fox Hollow Elementary to close doors

The Pasco County School Board has officially approved the closure of Fox Hollow Elementary in Port Richey at the end of the academic year, reallocating its students to three nearby campuses. The district has seen a decline in enrollment, with nearly 4,000 fewer students over the past two years, prompting the need for such changes.

HEALTH & SAFETY

Flooded roads spark school closure debate

Parents and teachers in Palm Beach County are questioning the decision of the School District to keep some schools open despite flooding that made many roads impassable. Ten out of 182 district-operated schools were closed, leading to widespread confusion and concern among families. Kim Landis, a fourth-grade teacher at Coral Sunset Elementary School, expressed her frustration, saying: "Horrible, horrible," regarding her commute through flooded conditions. The district stated that it prioritizes safety while trying to keep schools open, noting that "weather and road conditions vary drastically from one neighborhood to the next." However, the policy for staff differs from that of students, as educators unable to attend work must use personal leave. 

Schools closed due to flooding

Schools in Indian River and St. Lucie counties will remain closed today due to severe flooding from recent rains. The Indian River County School District reported that while buildings are secure, many roads remain unsafe for travel.

TECHNOLOGY

Google backtracks on plan to block school search access

Google has reversed its decision to deny schools access to its search engine if they opted out of its Gemini artificial intelligence (AI) products, following widespread criticism from politicians, educators, and technology experts. The company initially announced that both Google Search and Gemini would be disabled for K-12 student accounts unless administrators explicitly enabled them, with executives suggesting schools rejecting AI would also lose search access. However, following objections from former Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Google clarified that schools can independently enable Search without adopting Gemini. The apparent reversal came within hours of the initial announcement, with Google confirming that the services have separate administrative controls. Ann Skeet of Santa Clara University said Google’s apparent reversal reflects a growing recognition that educators, rather than technology companies, should control how technology is used in schools.

HIGHER EDUCATION

FIU strengthens ties with Taiwan

Florida International University (FIU) is enhancing its global presence through a new partnership with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO). The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aims to foster academic collaboration and strengthen ties with Taiwan and the Asian region. "This partnership is about creating real opportunities for students," said Shlomi Dinar, Dean of FIU’s Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs. The collaboration may also lead to paid internship opportunities for FIU students, providing them with valuable experience in international diplomacy. This initiative is crucial for South Florida, as it prepares students for global competition and promotes economic development. The signing ceremony included notable figures such as Charles Chi-Yu Chou, Director General of TECO, and Aaron Rosen, President of the World Affairs Council of Miami.

INTERNATIONAL

Afghanistan’s education system under growing strain

UNESCO and UNICEF have warned that Afghanistan’s education crisis is worsening, with approximately 53% of primary school-age children outside formal education and more than 2.6m girls barred from schooling beyond sixth grade. Their latest report highlights mounting pressure on the education system as the school-age population has increased from 10.4m in 2019 to 11.5m in 2024, compounded by insufficient investment, recurring emergencies, and the arrival of more than 1m returnees this year. Although public primary school enrollment reached approximately 6.6m in 2025, growth has failed to keep pace with demand, while fewer than half of fourth-grade students demonstrated minimum language proficiency. Higher education enrollment remains significantly below pre-Taliban levels, with 208,000 students in 2026 compared with approximately 430,000 in 2020, as women remain excluded from universities. The UN agencies have called for the restoration of educational rights for girls and women, increased investment in teachers and learning resources, and urgent action to prevent long-term damage to Afghanistan’s development.

Alberta proposes political neutrality rules for universities alongside 2% tuition cap

The Alberta government has introduced legislation requiring post-secondary institutions to remain politically neutral and protect freedom of expression, while limiting tuition increases for Canadian students to 2% during the 2027–28 academic year. Bill 38 would prevent institutions from taking official positions on political, social, or ideological issues, although students, faculty, and administrators would retain the right to express personal opinions. The legislation also proposes minimum standards for student conduct codes, while the government has announced plans to remove parental income from student loan eligibility assessments, making approximately C$118m ($84.54m) in additional loans available within the existing budget. The proposals follow recommendations from a 2025 expert panel on higher education. However, opposition lawmakers and student representatives have criticized the measures for failing to address broader funding pressures, rising living costs, and uncertainty over tuition increases beyond 2027–28.
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