Florida Education News Roundup: Budget Requests, School Closures, and Teacher Controversies

Strategic Insights -

Florida's Department of Education is seeking a $30.3 billion budget, which includes a 10 percent increase in teacher salaries, while Broward County considers the future of 34 schools due to declining enrollment. Meanwhile, a Alachua teacher has been placed on administrative leave after allegedly calling a student "the most likely to become a dictator." In other news, a former Sarasota school board member has been appointed to an empty seat on the board by Governor Ron DeSantis, and a Polk State College campus will not open as scheduled due to financial issues.

Key Takeaways:

  • Florida's Department of Education is requesting a $30.3 billion budget, which includes a 10 percent increase in teacher salaries and $20 million for the Schools of Hope charter school program.
  • Broward County is considering the future of 34 schools due to declining enrollment, with options ranging from expansion to closure.
  • A Alachua teacher has been placed on administrative leave after allegedly calling a student "the most likely to become a dictator."
  • A former Sarasota school board member, Karen Rose, has been appointed to an empty seat on the board by Governor Ron DeSantis, despite losing her election last year.
  • A Polk State College campus will not open as scheduled in 2026 due to financial issues.
  • The state's Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities can now be used to enroll students with disabilities in Beacon College's pre-college programs.
  • A new law has gone into effect allowing drivers to contest speed detection camera tickets in school zones.
  • The U.S. Education Department has rescinded a 2015 letter outlining the rights of English language learners.
  • National chronic K-12 absenteeism rates have declined slightly since 2022's record high but remain higher than pre-pandemic levels.
  • Florida's centralized state control of public higher education and low tuition prices are credited with the state's strong performance in college rankings.

Statistics:

  • $30.3 billion: Florida's Department of Education budget request
  • 10%: Increase in teacher salaries proposed in the budget
  • $20 million: Funding for the Schools of Hope charter school program
  • 34: Number of schools being considered for closure or expansion in Broward County
  • $145 million: New money for raising teacher salaries proposed in the budget
  • $14 million: Increase in funding for the Schools of Hope charter school program
  • 15%: Decline in national chronic K-12 absenteeism rates since 2022's record high

Sources:

  • Politico Florida
  • Sun Sentinel
  • Palm Beach Post
  • Duval: WJAX
  • Pinellas: Tampa Bay Times
  • Seminole: Tampa Bay Times
  • Brevard: Florida Today
  • Manatee: Bradenton Herald
  • St. Lucie: TCPalm
  • Marion: WCJB
  • Sarasota: Sarasota Herald-Tribune
  • Charlotte Sun
  • Leon: WCTV
  • Alachua: Mainstreet Daily News
  • Colleges and universities: Miami Herald, Florida Politics, News-Press
  • Around the nation: Education Week, The 74