Sign in Subscribe
Public finance

Around the State: Budget Vetoes, Parental Consent Policies, and More

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Construction projects are underway this summer at 70 district schools in Hillsborough County, including a $16 million renovation of the underground HVAC system at Hillsborough High School. The funds for the project were generated by an extra half-cent sales tax approved by voters. In a separate development, a former district high school teacher has pleaded guilty to running guns for a transnational criminal organization in Florida. The teacher faces up to five years in federal prison.

In Brevard County, the school board is expected to vote on a plan to align its parental consent policy with state law. The proposed change would require parents to fully complete a district consent form to allow students to be referred to by any name other than their legal name. This decision comes after a controversy surrounding a teacher who used a student's preferred name without parental consent.

Other developments across the state include the approval of an agreement in Volusia County to replace sheriff's deputies with police officers as school resource officers at two middle schools. In Alachua County, three top financial administrators have announced their resignations, including the director of finance, due to a $20 million general fund deficit.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Hillsborough County school district has started $16 million worth of construction projects at 70 schools, including a major renovation at Hillsborough High School.
  • A former Hillsborough County high school teacher has pleaded guilty to running guns for a transnational criminal organization and faces up to five years in federal prison.
  • The Brevard County school board will vote on a plan to align its parental consent policy with state law, requiring parents to complete a consent form for students to use preferred names.
  • In Volusia County, police officers will replace sheriff's deputies as school resource officers at two middle schools under a new agreement.
  • Alachua County is facing a $20 million general fund deficit, leading to the resignations of three top financial administrators.
  • University of Florida law student suspended for social media posts stating that Jews must be "abolished by any means necessary."
  • Florida State University is using $22.5 million in auxiliary fees to pay student-athletes, the first state school to do so under a new rule.
  • Gov. Ron DeSantis hints at vetoing $500 million or more from the $115.1 billion state budget, citing concerns over spending.
  • The state's budget "falls short of meeting the full needs of Florida's students and educators," according to the Florida Education Association.

Statistics:

  • $16 million renovation of the underground HVAC system at Hillsborough High School.
  • $500 million or more in potential budget vetoes by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
  • $22.5 million in auxiliary fees used by Florida State University to pay student-athletes.
  • $20 million general fund deficit in Alachua County.
  • 170 new laws approved by the Legislature, most taking effect July 1.
  • 52% of American adults support letting teachers lead Christian prayers during classes, according to a Pew Research Center poll.

Sources:

  • WFLA
  • WKMG
  • Daytona Beach News-Journal
  • Mainstreet Daily News
  • Pensacola News Journal
  • WCJB
  • WTXL
  • Politico Florida
  • Huffington Post
  • Miami Herald
  • NextSteps
  • Education Next
  • Florida Today
  • USA Today Florida Network
  • WLRN
  • ClickOrlando

Read more