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Florida
17th June 2026
 

THE HOT STORY

Florida schools must allow religious absences

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier recently affirmed that all school districts must accommodate parents seeking to excuse their children for religious instruction. In his opinion, Uthmeier stated: "Florida law, consistent with the Supreme Court's decisions in Zorach and Mahmoud, prohibits public schools from restricting parents' efforts to direct the religious upbringing of their children." This ruling follows a May 14 update by the Florida Board of Education, which mandates that schools allow absences for religious instruction and holidays, ensuring these are counted as excused absences. The new rules, effective June 17, require principals to collaborate with parents to minimize disruption during core classes. Board member Anastasios Kamoutsas emphasized the importance of balancing rigorous education with opportunities for religious instruction, stating it is "near and dear to his heart." The changes come amid a broader push for religious expression in schools, with parents encouraged to prioritize faith in their children's upbringing.

NATIONAL NEWS

Education Department's major shakeup

The Department of Education is reallocating its civil rights and special education duties to other federal agencies, a significant move towards dismantling the agency under Secretary Linda McMahon's leadership. Civil rights oversight will transition to the Department of Justice, while special education programs will be managed by the Department of Health and Human Services. McMahon stated that these changes "align federal responsibilities with the agencies best positioned to support them." Disability advocates have expressed concerns about this shift, arguing that HHS lacks the necessary expertise for special education. The Justice Department's investigations into racial discrimination in admissions at various universities may also influence disability rights enforcement. As the Education Department's workforce has been significantly reduced, the pace of resolving civil rights complaints has slowed, raising concerns about the future of civil rights protections in schools.

FINANCE

Rising healthcare costs threaten school funding

Orange County Public Schools (OCPS) Superintendent Maria Vazquez addressed rising employee healthcare costs during a press conference, stating: "Florida is experiencing some of the fastest increases in healthcare costs in the country." The district, which is self-insured, faces a potential $145m increase in healthcare expenses over the next two years, on top of the $240m already contributed. This financial strain could limit funds available for teacher raises and classroom support. OCPS is also negotiating with employee unions after declaring an impasse in April. School Board Chair Teresa Jacobs emphasized the importance of renewing a one-mill property tax referendum, which supports approximately 2,000 positions, stating: "The cost of educating students is rising faster than the revenue available to support them." The referendum will be on the ballot for renewal on November 3.

GOVERNANCE

New contenders for Miami-Dade schools

Education leaders from across the nation have applied to lead Miami-Dade County Public Schools, with 21 candidates vying for the position. Current Superintendent Jose Dotres, who took over in January 2022, has a contract that runs until February 14, 2027. The district has engaged a national search firm for the process, with a budget not exceeding $30,000. Notable applicants include Alex Marrero, superintendent of Denver Public Schools, who expressed his desire to tackle similar challenges faced by Miami-Dade, and Jose Bueno, the current chief of staff, who emphasized his commitment to improving student outcomes. Bueno stated, “I believe my proven record of improving student outcomes... uniquely position me to guide Miami-Dade County Public Schools into its next chapter.” The board is expected to discuss the applicant pool in their upcoming meeting.

Balgobin named top superintendent in Florida

Dr. Carmen Balgobin, Superintendent of Volusia County Schools, has been honored as the 2026 Florida Association for Career and Technical Education Superintendent of the Year. The award recognizes superintendents who exhibit "exceptional leadership and commitment to Career and Technical Education." Under Balgobin's guidance, the district has expanded career academies, workforce partnerships, and industry certification opportunities, significantly enhancing students' readiness for college and careers. The district's announcement emphasized that this recognition reflects Balgobin's vision and dedication to providing high-quality learning opportunities for all students. Balgobin will receive the award at the FACTE Awards Gala on July 14 in Orlando.

Brill and Ferguson win unopposed

Two Palm Beach County School Board members, Karen Brill and Edwin Ferguson, will continue their terms without facing any election challenges. The deadline for candidates to qualify passed with no one stepping up against the incumbents. Brill, who has served since 2010 and is currently the board's chairwoman, expressed gratitude, saying, “I am humbled by the trust and support that our community has shown in me.” Ferguson, who won his seat in 2022, noted that the lack of competition reflects voters' confidence in their work. Meanwhile, four candidates are vying to replace Erica Whitfield, who is running for a county commissioner seat, and three are competing for Marcia Andrews' position as she retires. The elections will take place during the primaries on August 18.

DISTRICTS

Enrollment declines raise concerns

In 2023, Flagler Schools experienced a significant decline in student enrollment, a trend attributed to the introduction of the universal voucher program by the Florida Department of Education. Lisa Davina, Flagler School Planner, presented the annual report to the Interlocal Oversight Committee, revealing that enrollment peaked at 12,643 students in 2023 but has since dropped to 12,369 in October 2025, with projections indicating a further decline to 12,221 by October 2026. Davina noted that "the projections do not include future large developments that have not yet applied for reserved school capacity." The district's five-year facilities work plan currently lacks provisions for new school construction or expansion, despite most schools being under capacity.

ECPS eyes ticket price hike

Escambia County Public Schools (ECPS) is contemplating a $1 increase in ticket prices for various sporting events due to rising security costs. Superintendent Keith Leonard mentioned that the cost of hiring off-duty deputies has risen from $40 to $50 per hour, impacting the district's finances. Currently, adult tickets range from $5 to $7, while student tickets are priced lower. Leonard noted: "We haven't raised prices since before COVID, except for a subtle change in 2023." If approved, the new prices would take effect at the start of the 2026-27 school year, affecting middle and high school sports events. No decision has been made yet, but the increase aims to address financial losses at smaller events.

CHARTERS

COAST charter renewal approved with conditions

The Wakulla County School Board has approved the charter renewal for COAST, contingent upon meeting two conditions by July 15. COAST Principal Frankie Harvey stated: "Corrections to the last remaining deficiencies in the application, submission of a COAST specific reading plan and the renewal of our lease agreement with the City of St. Marks" are necessary for compliance. Parent Lauren Brignole expressed relief over the decision but voiced frustration regarding the lack of communication from the school board during the renewal process. She noted: "We were concerned, nervous, upset, confused, and at this point aggravated with the county school board." Superintendent Richard Myhre expressed confidence that COAST would meet the requirements promptly.

SAFETY & SECURITY

Empowering schools through safety training

On June 15, Volusia County Schools hosted a comprehensive school safety and reunification training at DeLand High School, bringing together local law enforcement, school administrators, and community partners. The event featured Max Schachter, founder of Safe Schools for Alex, who has dedicated his efforts to enhancing school safety following the tragic loss of his son in the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. "The safety and security of every student and staff member in Volusia County Schools is our number one priority," said Superintendent Dr. Carmen Balgobin. The training focused on crisis event protocols and included participation from the Volusia Sheriff's Office and Raptor Technologies, emphasizing the importance of preparedness and effective response strategies.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Florida universities rank globally, but...

The U.S. News & World Report released its 2026-2027 Best Global Universities rankings, revealing that no Florida universities made the top 100. The University of Florida ranked No. 105, up four spots from last year, while the University of Miami came in at No. 233. Despite the overall rankings, Florida universities excel in specific subjects, with the University of Florida ranking No. 17 globally in agricultural sciences and marine biology. LaMont Jones, managing editor for Education at U.S. News, said: “While major universities in China and South American countries show noticeably stronger performances... U.S. schools continue to rank disproportionately high.” Other notable mentions include Florida State University, which ranked No. 25 for education and educational research.

INTERNATIONAL

Demand for independent schools grows in Canada

Private school enrollment in Canada continues to outpace growth in the public system as parents increasingly seek smaller class sizes, specialized learning environments, stronger academic outcomes, and networking opportunities they believe will give their children a competitive edge. According to Statistics Canada, enrollment in private and independent schools rose about 9% between the 2019-20 and 2023-24 school years, compared with 3.6% growth in public school enrollment. Families are often paying annual tuition of C$15,000-C$50,000 ($10,711-$35,705), with many making significant financial trade-offs, including delaying retirement savings, reducing vacations, cutting extracurricular spending, or taking on debt. Education consultants and financial planners cited concerns about academic support, university admissions, future job prospects, and the impact of artificial intelligence on the labor market as key factors driving demand.
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