Florida schools sweat student counts while waiting for state budget
As school districts across Florida warily await the state budget, officials worry that projected enrollment declines will cost them millions of dollars for their general operations. The details have significant implications as schools staff up for the new academic year. A budget resolution is not near, with lawmakers advised not to return to Tallahassee until after Memorial Day. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
The state will examine campus security across Florida's universities after the FSU shooting
After a mass shooting last month at Florida State University that killed two people, officials will look at building security on campuses across the state and hold a “safety summit” in October, university system Chancellor Ray Rodrigues said Thursday. Rodrigues told the system’s Board of Governors that campus leaders will assess the security of buildings and the ability to carry out what he called a “lockdown drill.” He said the goal is to be done by the end of the summer, which would provide time to make budget requests for the 2026 legislative session. [Source: WUSF]
Florida ranked in Top 5 states for high school budgeting education
WalletHub assessed the 50 states and the District of Columbia to identify schools effectively teaching budgeting skills. The comparison utilized 11 key metrics, including the requirement of personal finance courses, financial literacy test scores, and school rankings. In this study, WalletHub found that Florida is the #5 best state in the country for teaching budgeting skills in high school. [Source: WFTV]
Why Florida school vouchers can pay for Disney tickets, TVs while draining billions from public schools
Families of students receiving school choice scholarships – regardless of their income – can purchase TVs up to 55 inches, the Nintendo Wii and in-home internet. Tickets to Central Florida’s theme parks – Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World – can also be reimbursed, according to purchasing guides from Step Up For Students, the nonprofit that administers nearly all the scholarships. [Source: WESH]
DeSantis ends Florida school start time mandate, OKs other education laws
Mandatory later start times for Florida’s middle and high schools are no more. Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday quietly signed into law a measure reversing a 2023 statute that gave school districts three years to shift their schedules so middle schools begin classes no earlier than 8 a.m., and high schools no earlier than 8:30 a.m. DeSantis also signed a variety of other school-related bills into law Wednesday. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› FAMU presidential selection reflects a trend in Florida higher education
Marva Johnson has been selected by the Florida A&M University Board of Trustees as FAMU’s next president. The vote was 8 to 4 Friday in favor of Johnson—despite heavy pushback from community members. The decisions comes amid discussions surrounding transparency in the search for university presidents.
› University of Florida is looking for public photos to analyze hurricane recovery
For the Images of Recovery study, a picture is worth a thousand words. Through August, University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences researchers are collecting photos to show how Floridians are recovering from recent hurricanes. Angie Lindsey is an associate professor of family, youth and community sciences. She is leading the research with a focus on disaster preparedness and recovery.
› Florida lawyer’s book offers insider tips for winning scholarships
Erika J. Barger, litigation counsel with Brown & Brown in Daytona Beach, has released her first book, Scholarship Hacks: Insider Tips for Winning College Money, an Amazon best-selling guide to assist students and their families in navigating the process of applying for scholarships, including to law school.
› Patel charter school kills plans for Trinity campus in Pasco
Pasco County won’t be getting a new 1,300-student charter high school after all. The Patel Foundation for Global Understanding walked away from its plan to build a campus in the Trinity community, just weeks after the school board approved a deal for construction to begin.