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Florida Education News Roundup: Security Concerns Close Tampa Charter School, Broward Amends Phone Policy

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A charter school in Tampa for the performing arts was ordered to close due to security concerns, while the Broward County school board voted to allow high school students to use their phones during lunch periods. In other news, Pinellas County teachers and support staff received contract agreements with raises, and a student in Alachua County was stabbed in the back during a fight at Santa Fe High School. Additionally, a new school lunch policy in Santa Rosa County has helped reduce student debt, and a $3.6 million federal grant will be used to provide enhanced civics training for teachers in Duval County.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Hillsborough County school board voted to immediately close the Tampa charter school for the performing arts due to "serious security deficiencies."
  • The Broward County school board voted to allow high school students to use their phones during lunch periods, citing a change in policy.
  • Pinellas County teachers and support staff received contract agreements with raises, including 1% and two $300 bonus payments for teachers.
  • A student in Alachua County was stabbed in the back during a fight at Santa Fe High School, and an 18-year-old student was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
  • A new school lunch policy in Santa Rosa County has helped reduce student debt from $56,000 to $16,000.
  • A $3.6 million federal grant will be used to provide enhanced civics training for teachers in Duval County.

Statistics:

  • 8,700 tickets have been issued in Hillsborough County for speeding in school zones, according to sheriff's officials.
  • 124 teaching jobs are still open in Brevard County, with 56 being classroom teachers and the rest specialists.
  • 2,600 acres of downtown property owned by Miami-Dade College has been temporarily blocked from being transferred for the Donald J. Trump presidential library by a circuit judge.
  • 36 charter schools in Florida cater to students with special needs, the highest number in any state.

Sources:

  • "Hillsborough County school district shuts down charter school due to safety concerns" by Jeff Solio, Tampa Bay Times, October 14, 2025.
  • "Broward school board votes to allow high school students to use their phones during lunch periods" by Lois Solomon, Sun Sentinel, October 14, 2025.
  • "Pinellas County teachers, support staff get raises after contract agreement" by Jeff Solio, Tampa Bay Times, October 14, 2025.
  • "Alachua County student stabbed in back during fight at Santa Fe High School" by Nathan Crabbe, Gainesville Sun, October 14, 2025.
  • "Santa Rosa County school district reduces student debt with new lunch policy" by Anne C. Kuchar, WUWF, October 14, 2025.
  • "University of North Florida, Florida State College to receive $3.6 million grant for civics training" by Emma Kelly, Florida Times-Union, October 14, 2025.
  • "Florida has most charter schools for students with special needs in US" by Corey A. Mitchell, Education Next, October 2025.
  • "University of West Florida proposes removing Juneteenth as paid holiday" by Jim Little, Pensacola News Journal, October 14, 2025.
  • "Judge blocks transfer of downtown property for Trump presidential library" by Melissa Gomez, Miami Herald, October 14, 2025.
  • "Florida Sen. Jim Boyd confirmed as Senate president-elect" by Gray Rohrer, Tallahassee Democrat, October 14, 2025.

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