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Florida Schools Roundup: Final Edition

Strategic Insights

— 3 min read

As Step Up For Students prioritizes its core mission, the organization will cease publishing the Florida Schools Roundup. However, readers are encouraged to subscribe to NextSteps, a platform offering updates and insights on education. Meanwhile, across the state, various controversies and developments have garnered attention.

In Hillsborough County, voters may decide whether the superintendent's position becomes elected instead of appointed. An Alachua County teacher has been placed on leave for insisting students use the title "Mx." instead of "Ms." or "Mrs." Gov. Ron DeSantis has rejected concerns that the new Schools of Hope law will harm high-performing districts. Additionally, a proposal to convert Orange Center Elementary School into a charter school will be voted on by the Orange County School Board.

In Miami-Dade, Village Green Elementary School has adopted a classical education curriculum, which emphasizes critical thinking and moral character. A social studies teacher at Miami Lakes K-8 Center has been arrested on multiple child sex crimes charges. In Broward County, an 18-year-old student was arrested for bringing a gun onto the campus of SunEd High School of North Broward. An 18-year-old student, Jaylen Lindo, is charged with possession of a firearm on school property and interfering with school administration functions.

In Orange County, a proposal to convert Orange Center Elementary School into a charter school through a partnership with Lift Orlando will go before the school board next week. If it is approved, Orange Center would become an academy focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). In Duval County, construction has begun on a K-8 charter school, Harbour Pointe Charter Academy, which is expected to open in the fall of 2026. In St. Johns County, the mother of a Wards Creek Elementary School student plans to sue the district over the handling of an assault by a classmate.

In Lauderhill, an Alachua County teacher, identified as Talia Mack, has been placed on leave after state officials claimed she broke the law by forcing students to address her with the title "Mx" instead of "Ms." or "Mrs". The matter drew attention from state officials and the local community. FlVoiceNews reported that the Florida Attorney General, James Uthmeier, ordered the termination of the use of the "Mx" title in educational settings. Uthmeier stated that this practice was "ideologically laden" and denied Florida students the right to a free-thinking and inclusive education.

In Martin County, three Indiantown Middle School students were hospitalized after consuming THC-infused gummies. Officials say the identity of the person responsible for providing the gummies to the students is still unknown.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hillsborough County voters may decide whether the superintendent's position becomes elected instead of appointed, following a proposed bill in the legislative session.
  • An Alachua County teacher, Talia Mack, has been placed on leave for insisting students use the title "Mx" instead of "Ms." or "Mrs."
  • Gov. Ron DeSantis has rejected concerns that the new Schools of Hope law will harm high-performing districts.
  • A proposal to convert Orange Center Elementary School into a charter school will be voted on by the Orange County School Board.
  • Miami Lakes K-8 Center social studies teacher, Jordan Kacie Hawk, has been arrested on multiple child sex crimes charges.
  • An 18-year-old student, Jaylen Lindo, was arrested for bringing a gun onto the campus of SunEd High School of North Broward.

Statistics:

  • 38 out of 67 Florida school district superintendents are elected.
  • The number of students in Escambia, Okaloosa, and Santa Rosa school districts has declined by 1,958 since last year.
  • The proposed teacher mentoring program would pair experienced teachers with educators who have challenges in their classrooms.
  • The new Schools of Hope law allows select charter school companies to freely move into unused space in district schools.

Sources:

  • NBC Miami: "Classical Curriculum Comes to South Florida Public School"
  • Local 10: "Miami Dade Teacher Arrested on Child Sex Crimes Charges from North Carolina"
  • WSVN: "Miami Lakes Teacher Arrested for Inappropriate Behavior with Minor in North Carolina Records"
  • WCNC: "Former Kannapolis NC Teacher Indecent Liberties Student Charge"
  • Hillsborough County Schools:
  • Governor DeSantis: Interview by Sun Sentinel
  • Alachua Chronic: "Florida Schools Aren't Affirmation Labs for Confused Adults, Says Florida Attorney General"
  • WPTV: "Teachers Report No Background Checks at Fort Pierce School"
  • WEAR: "Northwest Florida Schools Face Enrollment Decline as School Vouchers Gain Popularity"
  • Pensacola News Journal: "Midway Water System May Buy Land Near East Bay K-8 in Gulf Breeze Area"
  • Florida Voice News: "Alachua Elementary Teacher Placed on Leave After Demanding Students Use Mx Title"
  • WCJB: "Florida Attorney General Demands Alachua County Teacher Stop Using Non-Binary Title Mx"
  • Alachua Chronicle: "Florida Schools Aren't Affirmation Labs for Confused Adults, Says Florida Attorney General"
  • CBS12: "Three Indiantown Middle Schoolers Hospitalized After Eating THC Gummies"
  • Orlando Sentinel: "New Oath for Florida Teachers, Legislators"

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