Education Slice
Become more informed in minutes....
Education Slice Logo
Florida
21st May 2026
Together with
Vector Solutions Brand Logo

THE HOT STORY

Budget cuts spark teacher turmoil

The School District of Lee County is grappling with a projected $92.4m operating deficit, prompting significant teacher cuts amid declining enrollment. The district reported a total of 457 non-renewals for budgetary reasons, despite a low attrition rate of 407 teachers. Superintendent Denise Carlin emphasized that the cuts are part of a broader strategy to align staffing with actual student numbers, stating, "The School District is navigating what many school systems across the country are facing: declining enrollment." Parents and teachers have expressed deep concern over the impact of these cuts on educational quality. Parent India Palencia criticized the district's priorities, saying, "You cannot claim students come first when classrooms are the ones absorbing your instability." The district plans to continue reviewing its budget and operations to identify further efficiencies, with a final budget for the 2026-27 school year expected in September.

FLORIDA COMPLIANCE GUIDE

Simplify Florida Training Compliance

Florida’s evolving training mandates can be hard to track and easy to miss. This Florida compliance guide highlights key topics like bullying prevention, mental health, and mandatory reporting to help districts ensure coverage and maintain compliance with confidence.

Download Guide

 

NATIONAL NEWS

RFK Jr. backs school screen time restrictions and nutrition reforms

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a new surgeon general’s advisory warning about the harms of excessive screen time for children while visiting Iowa for the signing of the state’s “Make America Healthy Again” legislation. The advisory encourages schools and families to limit cellphone and screen use among children, citing concerns about mental health, physical health, academic performance, and social development. Kennedy praised Iowa’s existing cellphone restrictions in schools and called for similar policies nationwide. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds also signed a broad health-focused law that limits digital instruction for K-5 students to one hour per day, bans certain food dyes and additives in school meals, expands physical activity requirements, and seeks tighter restrictions on SNAP purchases of unhealthy foods. The law additionally requires more nutrition training for medical students and allows pharmacists to distribute ivermectin over the counter. Kennedy described Iowa’s actions as an example of “bold public health leadership” focused on prevention, nutrition, and healthier lifestyles.

FINANCE

Flagler schools tackle insurance crisis

Flagler County Schools are addressing a significant insurance deficit of $800,000 by implementing a new health care plan. The plan replaces Florida Blue with HealthScope Benefits, allowing for a non-traditional, open-access model. Joshua Walker, the district's Human Resources chief, said: “It's essentially no network.” This change aims to reduce projected premium increases of 22% and restore the insurance fund. The board will contribute 5.16% more to the fund, while employee contributions will remain unchanged. The new plan offers three options, including a gold plan that significantly lowers premiums for employees covering children. Board member Janie Ruddy emphasized the need for a shift in how staff engage with health insurance, stating: “I have full faith in our team to help educate our staff.” Walker noted the importance of educating employees on the new model as the plan year begins on September 1.

DISTRICTS

Enrollment decline hits Broward County

At a recent workshop, Superintendent Dr. Howard Hepburn revealed that Broward County Public Schools may need to close or repurpose over 10 schools due to a significant decline in PreK-12 enrollment. "If what we are trying to do is to create the most efficient and effective school district possible, what, in general, would be the number of schools you'd look to repurpose?" asked board member Dr. Allen Zeman. The district has lost over 40,000 students in the past decade, resulting in a revenue loss exceeding $30m. Projections indicate enrollment could drop to 158,615 by 2030-2031, down from 184,366 in 2025-2026. Similar trends are observed in Miami-Dade County, which is also considering closing nine schools. Factors contributing to this decline include rising living costs and competition from charter and private schools.

New micro-school for young athletes

Orange County Public Schools is set to introduce a new educational model aimed at retaining students in public schools. Starting this August, the district will launch its first "micro-school" at Chaney Elementary School, specifically designed for young baseball and softball players. The program will accommodate 48 students and will feature two academic teachers and two coaches. Dr. Border explained: "Essentially, they would have a 10U and 12U softball team and a 10U and 12U baseball team." Students will follow the standard state-required curriculum while integrating athletic development into their daily schedule, which includes "one on the field work" and classroom strategy sessions.

Celebrating alumni: 2026 award winners

The Education Fund hosted the 2026 Public School Alumni Achievement Awards during the For the Love of Art Charity Auction, presented by Ocean Bank. This event recognized outstanding graduates from Miami-Dade County Public Schools who have excelled in their careers. Honorees included Hector E. Aguililla, principal at Baker Tilly; Dr. Dawn M. Baglos, chief human capital officer at Miami-Dade County Public Schools; and Farah Bridges, director of litigation at Cleveland Clinic, among others.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Pinellas County schools reject weapon detection

Pinellas County schools have decided against implementing weapon detection systems at their entrances this fall, following a trial of two models that revealed a potential cost of nearly $20m. Superintendent Kevin Hendrick stated that a state grant intended to cover these expenses is unavailable. Security director Sean Jowell expressed concerns about staffing, noting that each checkpoint would require three to four employees, which could compromise oversight in hallways and classrooms. Jowell said: “I believe it would put us in a worse situation,” and recommended purchasing two units for random use at campuses and events instead. Board members, including vice chairperson Dawn Peters, emphasized the need for student safety but agreed that this was not the best approach at this time. They remain open to revisiting the issue if new technology becomes available.

Speed cameras coming to school zones

The Santa Rosa County Commission is set to vote on May 21 to approve a contract with Altumont, a Maryland company, for the installation of speed detection cameras in 32 school zones. These cameras will capture license plate numbers of drivers exceeding the speed limit by 11 mph or more. Despite concerns from residents about privacy and surveillance, the commission unanimously agreed to move forward. A study revealed that 75% of drivers exceeded the speed limit in certain school zones, prompting the need for these automated systems. The program is designed to be funded by violators, ensuring no cost to taxpayers.

HEALTH & SAFETY

E-scooter safety sparks urgent debate

Orange County officials are addressing the rising use of e-scooters and e-bikes among students, with 11,800 reported users. Middle school students are particularly affected, facing a high rate of crashes. Brittany Wilson shared her concerns after her daughter was injured in an e-scooter accident, questioning the county's upcoming regulations. Commissioner Nicole Wilson emphasized the need for public safety campaigns and enforcement, stating: “We understand you should not be tampering with your device to make it go faster than the speed limit.” The Orange County Sheriff’s Office is drafting an ordinance to regulate these devices, aiming for a proposal within the next few months.

LEGAL

Democratic states sue Education Department over nursing loan policy

A coalition of 25 states and the District of Columbia has sued the U.S. Department of Education over changes that limit federal student loans for nursing degrees, arguing the policy could worsen healthcare worker shortages. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Maryland, claims Education Secretary Linda McMahon exceeded her authority by refusing to classify nursing as a professional degree, a designation that would allow graduate nursing students to access higher federal loan limits. Under the new policy, nursing students pursuing graduate degrees would face the lower federal borrowing cap for nonprofessional programs, despite the high cost of nursing education. According to the lawsuit, an entry-level Master of Science in nursing program costs about $77,155 per year, compared with the federal loan cap of $20,500. The states also challenged the Education Department’s implementation of grandfathering provisions for current students, arguing it is unlawful to remove protections from students who transfer schools or temporarily withdraw and later re-enroll. Democratic attorneys general and governors involved in the lawsuit said the restrictions could discourage students from entering the nursing profession or force them to rely on more expensive private loans.

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Empowering students through skilled trades

High school seniors in Palm Beach County are gaining practical experience in skilled trades through various career exploration programs led by industry professionals. The "Are You Wired to Be an Electrician" initiative allows students like Samuel Pereira to learn essential electrical skills, such as wiring 4-way switches. Pereira expressed: "I like being able to be well-rounded, so I thought this was a really great opportunity." The program aims to increase female participation in trades, with instructor David Hernandez noting: "We have more girls this year than we've had for the past three years." The initiative also includes other programs like "Chill Lab" and "Can You Dig It," further promoting hands-on learning in the community.

PERFORMING ARTS

Miami’s theater stars shine bright

The inaugural Arsht High School Musical Theater Awards Program, known as The Arshties, took place at the Adrienne Arsht Center on May 16, showcasing over 130 students from 17 Miami-Dade County high schools. This program, launched in October 2025, offers students free access to Broadway-caliber master classes and industry feedback. "The experience concludes with a live showcase on a Broadway stage," said the organizers, highlighting the opportunity for students to develop their skills further. Top honors were awarded in 12 categories, with Alec Avila and Olivia Serrano-Salow winning Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively, earning them a chance to represent Miami at the prestigious Jimmy Awards in New York City on June 22. Applications for the next Arshties are now open for all Miami-Dade County schools.

SCHOOL TRANSPORTATION

School systems scramble to manage soaring diesel costs

School districts across the United States are reshuffling budgets and adjusting transportation operations as elevated diesel prices continue to strain finances amid the ongoing war in Iran. A new survey conducted in May by AASA, The School Superintendents Association, the Association of School Business Officials International, and the National Association for Pupil Transportation found that many districts are already over budget on fuel spending and are preparing for additional financial pressure next school year. District leaders said prolonged high fuel prices could force cuts to extracurricular activities, facilities and maintenance projects, and noninstructional staffing. Some districts also plan to continue relying on reserve funds and renegotiate fuel supply contracts to manage volatility. The survey highlighted that most of the nation’s 500,000 school buses still run on diesel fuel, leaving districts heavily exposed to swings in global energy markets. Nearly two-thirds of districts also use natural gas or similar fuels for HVAC systems. Rural districts, which often transport students across longer distances, are expected to face the greatest pressure from sustained high fuel prices. About two-thirds of respondents said their states do not provide dedicated transportation funding that automatically adjusts for fuel price increases, making budgeting more difficult during periods of market volatility.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Harvard moves to curb grade inflation with new A-grade cap

Harvard University has voted to cap the number of A grades awarded in undergraduate courses as part of an effort to combat grade inflation and preserve academic standards. The new policy limits A grades to 20% per course, with a small allowance for additional A’s in smaller classes, and will take effect in fall 2027 after strong student backlash prompted a delay. University officials said the changes are needed after A grades rose to about 60% of all grades in 2024–25, compared with roughly 25% two decades ago. Harvard will also replace GPA with percentile rankings for academic honors because grade compression has made distinctions harder to measure.

INTERNATIONAL

Calgary schools face mounting disruption as substitute teacher shortages worsen

A growing shortage of substitute teachers across Alberta is leaving schools struggling to cover classes, with Calgary’s public school system now unable to fill roughly 200 teaching absences per day. The Calgary Board of Education said around 20% of substitute teaching jobs went unfilled in April, up from 16% a year earlier, forcing schools to combine classes, reassign principals, cancel teacher prep time, and rely on educational assistants to supervise students. Teachers said the shortages are contributing to burnout, with many reluctant to take sick leave because replacements are unlikely to be found at short notice. The Alberta Teachers’ Association said the problem intensified after the COVID-19 pandemic, when many substitute teachers left the profession permanently, while growing demand for teachers across the province has further strained staffing levels. The province has recently committed funding to hire nearly 1,900 additional teachers through new complexity teams and class-size reduction initiatives, alongside plans to fast-track teacher certification for internationally trained educators and skilled professionals.

China's Education Ministry promotes play-based learning over early tech exposure

China’s Ministry of Education has urged parents and schools to avoid relying on “digital babysitting” and instead prioritize play, companionship, sports, and outdoor activities for young children, as part of a nationwide push to strengthen preschool education practices. The ministry launched its 2026 national preschool education publicity month on Tuesday, emphasizing that play should remain the primary activity in early childhood education. Officials said digital tools, including reading companions, chat-based applications, and interactive games, should not replace traditional picture books, toys, or direct human interaction. The ministry also warned kindergartens against using digital products to automatically generate child observation records or developmental assessments, citing concerns about the improper and excessive use of technology in preschool settings. The announcement comes as China continues expanding access to preschool education. In 2025, the country’s gross enrollment rate for the three years before primary school reached 92.9%, while affordable kindergarten coverage climbed to 91.5%. China’s Preschool Education Law officially took effect on June 1, 2025, and the country has also begun gradually rolling out free preschool education programs nationwide.
Industry Slice Logo

Education Slice delivers the latest, most relevant and useful intelligence to key educators, administrators, decision makers and teaching influencers, each weekday morning..

Content is selected to an exacting brief from hundreds of influential media sources and summarised by experienced journalists into an easy-to-read digest email. Education Slice enhances the performance and decision-making capabilities of individuals and teams by delivering the relevant news, innovations and knowledge in a cost-effective way.

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities within Education Slice, please get in touch via email sales team

Follow us on FacebookFollow us on XFollow us on Linkedin

This e-mail has been sent to [[EMAIL_TO]]

Click here to unsubscribe