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Florida
29th May 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

DeSantis' tax plan sparks education concerns

Gov. Ron DeSantis has proposed a tax exemption for homestead properties, which would exempt $150,000 from property taxes starting January 1, 2027, pending legislative approval and voter support. Andrew Spar, President of the Florida Education Association, expressed concerns, stating: "The stakes for public education are enormous," as local funding constitutes about 46% of the Florida Education Finance Program. The exemption could increase to $250,000 by 2028, but Spar warned that phasing out homestead property taxes could strip local communities of vital revenue, jeopardizing public schools already facing underfunding and staff shortages. He emphasized that the proposal may not provide the relief families need and could worsen the quality of life in their communities. DeSantis has been advocating for property tax elimination for over a year, but his focus has now shifted solely to homestead properties.

STATE NEWS

Education debate heats up in Florida

Supporters of Florida's education programs held a press conference in St. Petersburg to counter a lawsuit from the Florida Education Association (FEA) that demands greater transparency and accountability in state scholarship and charter school initiatives. Christopher Pastura, superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Diocese of St. Petersburg, emphasized the importance of parental involvement in educational decisions, asking: "Who is best equipped to make educational decisions for these children?" The FEA's lawsuit argues that private and charter schools funded by taxpayer dollars lack the same standards as public schools, leading to public school struggles. Andrew Spar, president of the FEA, stated: "If taxpayer money is being used, there should be accountability to taxpayers." The lawsuit is still in its early stages, with no court date set yet.

DeSantis signs new sports laws

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two significant pieces of legislation aimed at enhancing high school sports in Florida. The first, SB 178, allows coaches to provide meals, rides, and other support to athletes with parental consent, a move inspired by NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's suspension for similar actions. "Coaches can play a role apart from just the Xs and Os," DeSantis said during the signing at Jean Ribault High School. The second law, SB 538, permits booster clubs to supplement coach salaries, addressing the need for competitive compensation in the state. This law also allows students to participate in activities at schools other than their own, provided the school offers a unique program. Both bills passed unanimously, reflecting a bipartisan effort to improve Florida's athletic landscape.

Why speed enforcement tech matters

In light of a recent ruling by Broward County Judge Steven DeLuca, questions have arisen regarding the future of speed enforcement technology in Florida. Edward G. Guedes, a legal expert, emphasized that the ruling "applies only to the specific case" and does not set a binding precedent for other courts in the state. Florida has implemented speed detection systems to enhance safety in school zones, where pedestrian accidents are alarmingly high. The 2023 legislation, HB 657, allows local governments to enforce speed limits, with fines for violators. Guedes noted: "The power to local governments has not changed since the ruling," underscoring the importance of these measures in protecting children. Data shows that increased enforcement leads to better compliance, with 90% of violators not repeating their offenses.

FINANCE

Leon County voters face tax choice

Voters in Leon County will decide on a new property tax initiative on the November 3 ballot, aimed at enhancing public school funding and increasing teacher pay. The school board approved the measure with a 4-1 vote, proposing an additional mill that would cost homeowners about $200 annually. The initiative could raise up to $24m for school safety and enrichment programs. The board's decision follows a separate half-penny sales tax initiative for school renovations, which is also up for renewal.

DISTRICTS

Orange County schools shut down

Seven Orange County public schools closed due to a significant decline in student enrollment and budgetary issues. The Orange County School Board made the decision after reporting a drop of over 8,000 students in the last three years, which has financial implications as state funding is tied to enrollment figures. The district anticipates saving about $10m from these closures, with affected students being reassigned to other campuses for the 2026-27 school year. Factors contributing to the enrollment decline include the rise of Family Empowerment Scholarships, declining birth rates, and shifts in population demographics. The district is exploring various relocation plans for students from the closed schools.

WORKFORCE

Building a brighter future together

Kevin Hyde, a board member of the Jacksonville Public Education Fund, emphasizes the vital role of teachers in shaping the future of Duval County. He stated: "Teacher appreciation is about more than saying 'thank you.' It is a reminder of our collective civic responsibility." With Duval County Public Schools achieving its first A rating and a 94.3% graduation rate, Hyde highlights the importance of supporting educators. Initiatives like the Cindy Edelman Excellence in Teaching Fellowship and partnerships with organizations such as Community First Cares Foundation aim to provide resources and recognition for teachers. Hyde calls on the community to actively support educators, stating: "Great teachers are already doing their part for Duval County. The question for the rest of us is — will we do ours?"

GOVERNANCE

Bostock gains key endorsement for Pinellas County board

Nancy Bostock is gaining momentum in her campaign for the Pinellas County School Board, District 6, with the endorsement of County Commissioner Kathleen Peters. Peters, the sixth Republican member of the County Commission to support Bostock, praised her commitment to prioritizing students, stating: “As a School Board member, she'll always put students first.” Bostock is running against Amanda Lord to succeed incumbent Stephanie Meyer, who is not seeking re-election.

TECHNOLOGY

Broward schools embrace AI education

The Broward County School District is launching new artificial intelligence (AI) programs in five schools next academic year, aiming to boost public school enrollment, which has declined over the past 15 years. Keyla Concepcion, a district spokeswoman, stated that three Nova schools will also introduce AI classes by 2027-28. The initiative responds to challenges posed by charter schools, low birth rates, and private school vouchers. Students like Miguel Niebles from Nova High's AI Academy are already exploring AI's potential, saying: “You can use it to tutor, you can use it to practice for tests.” The academy's students are developing tools to improve the district's website navigation, including a user-friendly chatbot and a virtual assistant for tracking graduation requirements.

FURTHER EDUCATION

DeSantis backs $50m for campus upgrades

Gov. Ron DeSantis has expressed support for $50m in state funding aimed at renovating the Dale Mabry campus of Hillsborough College. This funding is part of a broader agreement involving the Tampa Bay Rays and local governments, which grants the Rays long-term control over parts of the campus for a nominal rent of $10 per year. DeSantis stated: “If the deal happens, HCC will get more money, because they need money because the campus has problems.” He emphasized the potential for economic growth through a mixed-use development, which he believes could create jobs and enhance the area. While the $50 million is a significant start, DeSantis noted that additional funding may be necessary in the future. The state is also committed to improving surrounding infrastructure to support the project.

HIGHER EDUCATION

UOF expulsion sparks lawsuit

Preston Damsky, a former law student at the University of Florida, is suing the university after being expelled for antisemitic social media posts. Damsky claims his expulsion infringes on his First Amendment rights. The university argues that his posts violated its code of conduct by harassing students and disrupting campus operations. U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor is overseeing the trial, which could set a precedent for how public universities handle offensive speech. Chris Summerlin, UF's dean of students, testified that Damsky's posts endangered student safety, while Damsky's lawyer, Anthony Sabatini, contended that the university targeted him for his political views. Damsky's controversial posts included a quote from historian Noel Ignatiev, stating: "Jews must be abolished by any means necessary." The trial continues as universities grapple with rising antisemitism and hate speech.

GAO launches probe into student loan transfer to Treasury Department

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has agreed to investigate the Trump administration’s decision to transfer management of federal student loan services and default collections to the Department of the Treasury, following concerns raised by Sens Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT). The review will examine whether shifting responsibility for parts of the federal student loan system out of the Department of Education has created administrative inefficiencies or undermined statutory responsibilities. The investigation is particularly significant for borrowers in default, whose loans may become subject to collection actions that can affect credit scores and government benefits. The administration has defended the move, arguing that Treasury’s financial expertise will improve management of the nation’s $1.7tn student loan portfolio, while critics contend it is part of a broader effort to dismantle the Education Department and could harm students and borrowers.

INTERNATIONAL

Ontario schools grapple with growing teacher absenteeism

Teacher and educational assistant absences in Ontario have increased significantly since the pandemic, driven by rising levels of classroom violence, stress, burnout, and insufficient student support, according to educators, unions, and school administrators. In the 2023-24 school year, elementary teachers took an average of 15.4 sick days, up from 12.8 in 2018-19, while secondary teachers took 13.1 days, up from 11.1, and educational assistants averaged 22 days. The cost of replacing absent staff has risen by more than 50% to over C$1bn ($724.2m) annually, while workplace safety claims across school boards have more than doubled in value since 2018. Education leaders cite increasing violence, unmet student needs, lengthy waits for specialist support, and deteriorating classroom conditions as key factors behind the rise in absences, with surveys showing growing levels of burnout and concerns about workplace safety. 

AND FINALLY...

California eighth-grader triumphs at Scripps Spelling Bee

Shrey Parikh, a 14-year-old from Rancho Cucamonga, California, has won the 2026 Scripps National Spelling Bee, defeating 246 competitors after a dramatic Spell-Off tiebreaker in which he correctly spelled a record 32 words in 90 seconds, compared with runner-up Ishaan Gupta’s 25. Shrey secured the title with the word "bromocriptine," and will receive more than $52,500 in cash and prizes, along with the prestigious Scripps Cup. A returning competitor who finished tied for third in 2024, Shrey credited his family, coaches, and extensive preparation, which included practicing spelling for five hours a day. The competition featured nine finalists from across the United States and international locations, with contestants ranging in age from nine to 15.
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