Around the state: Declining enrollment and budget concerns in central Florida districts, a reconstructed school in Polk, adjustments to safety rules in Escambia, sales tax holiday continues, superintendent search narrows in Manatee and a dip in teacher and bus driver vacancies in Tampa Bay. Here are details about those stories and other developments from the state’s districts, private schools, and colleges and universities:
Orange: Central Florida districts facing declining enrollment are pitching the virtues of public education to local families, some of whom are choosing alternate paths. By next year, Orange County Public Schools will defer new school construction in the face of declining enrollment. During this school year, OCPS anticipates about 3,100 fewer students as families opt for state-funded private school scholarships. The state expanded its school voucher program in 2023, making all students eligible for scholarships, regardless of family income. Voucher use has risen since then, while public school enrollment has dipped. Orlando Sentinel. Yahoo News. In addition to declining enrollment, the district's annual budget is a major focus as school got back into session this week. Orange County Public Schools Chief Communications Officer Scott Howat says the district is not keeping up with inflationary costs. Howat said that per student, funding over the last year has increased by 1.5%, during which inflationary costs rose by 3%. The district will do a headcount of its students in October to get a sense of what enrollment numbers look like for the remainder of the year. A final budget will be adopted on Sept. 9. Spectrum News.
Polk: Elbert Elementary School's doors reopened after a two-year, $62 million reconstruction, providing education to students closer to their homes. The expectation is for about 700 kids will attend this year, but the building was built to hold 900. "It is more convenient, it is closer than the last one he went to, so we are excited about it," says Mya Stewart, who has one 6-year-old attending Elbert this year. ABC Action News.
Manatee: As students returned to school on Monday, the district was still without a superintendent, but the Manatee County School Board on Tuesday narrowed its nationwide search down to two candidates: Dr. Laurie Breslin and Dr. Misty Mathis. A meet-and-greet for finalists will be held on Aug. 18. In May, the school board voted 3-2 to terminate former Superintendent Dr. Jason Wysong’s contract. His termination agreement states he will be employed with the district through mid-August, serving only as an administrative transitional consultant. Spectrum News. WWSB.
Escambia: With school back in session, students and staff are adjusting to new safety rules. House Bill 1471 repeals a law passed in 2023 that required all doors, hallways and gates in and around schools to be locked during school hours. Gov. Ron DeSantis says this was a push by school administrators around the state. The new law replaces the rigid requirement with more flexible provisions, like allowing doors or gates to remain unlocked if separated by a locked barrier. Teachers and administrators in Escambia say many schools in the area won't be impacted by the law since they're not equipped with a barrier. WEAR.
Citrus: The Citrus County School District has added a third in-school meal for students participating in certain after-school activities. The "Super Snack" is available for students who participate in activities like band or athletics, among others. “Each one of our super snack meals has at least 19 grams of protein, which is especially important for our athletes because they definitely need a little extra protein,” said Roy Pistone, the district's director of Food and Nutrition Services. Spectrum News.
Teacher vacancies: There has been a decline in teacher and bus driver vacancies in the Tampa Bay area, districts reported. In Pinellas, schools have a surplus of bus drivers and only 24 teacher vacancies at the start of this school year. The county’s declining student population means that the district needs fewer teachers. "We're an A district, people don't want to leave, we're getting paid fairly well and the declining population all factor into it,” said Lee Bryant, president of the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association. In Hillsborough, spokesperson Debra Bellanti said the district has fewer vacancies at the start of this school year because of recruiting efforts and a millage referendum that passed last year. County voters approved two bumps in taxes during the election in November. Revenue from both will go toward public schools, but only the millage tax will fund teacher salaries. In Manatee, the district opened two new schools, which created over 80 positions. In Hernando, there are 88 unfilled teacher roles, but 47 are being filled by the county’s Associate Teacher Substitute Program. In Pasco, the district is starting the school year with 73 open teaching spots. In 2024, the district started with 105 openings and had 212 openings in 2023. WUSF.
Sales tax holiday continues: Florida’s annual back-to-school sales tax holiday is longer this year than usual. It began on Aug. 1 and runs through Aug. 31, instead of just lasting two weeks. Lkld Now. Fox 13.
ICE raids: The Orange County Schools Superintendent has a message for families who are worried about sending their children to school amidst ICE raids. Amidst immigration raids in Florida, and active deportations from the South Florida detention facility known as Alligator Alcatraz, some Central Florida families say they are afraid to send kids to school. Orange County Superintendent Maria Vazquez said “I believe our schools are the safest place for our children. They are able to get the education, the support services they need." The American Federation of Teachers visited the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association last year and passed out several free resources on the topic. Central Florida Public Media.
Still waiting for aid: Thirteen years after Hurricane Ivan hit Florida, the Escambia County School District is still waiting to hear about claims it filed with FEMA. The district's not alone. A review of claims shows that dozens are still pending from Ivan, Katrina and other storms that have affected the state and its schools since 1999. The majority are from 2004 and 2005, when eight hurricanes hit the state from multiple directions. Associated Press.
Blaming the abused: A review of abuse cases filed against the Palm Beach County School Board in the past few years has a common denominator: In its defense, the school district has always fully or partly blamed the abuse victims. In one case the victim was 6 years old. In another, 7. In three others, the children were 9. The strategy of assigning the person who brought the suit at least part of the blame has been used by Conroy Simberg, a Hollywood law firm that represents the district to try to reduce the damages the district has to pay, not to assign blame to the victims, says Dale Friedman, an attorney with Conroy Simberg. Several board members say the tactic is outrageous and want to ban it. The board will vote this week on a proposed settlement of more than $3.5 million for four abuse victims. Sun-Sentinel.
Displaced students: Florida school districts are asking both the federal and state governments for aid to accommodate the thousands of students displaced by hurricanes and expected to enroll in state K-12 schools. But they are pessimistic. Orange County Public Schools spokesman Scott Howat says the odds of getting additional state money are zero unless the Legislature intervenes. The state says districts must see an enrollment influx of at least 5 percent to qualify, and individual schools must see a 25 percent growth. Nearly 30,000 people have arrived just from Puerto Rico, according to a spokesperson in Gov. Rick Scott's office. The 74. Education Week. NPR. Associated Press. Orlando Sentinel.
Free meals extended: Lee, Collier and Monroe counties will continue to offer free meals at schools through Nov. 30. The free meals began after Hurricane Irma swept through the state. The three districts have 191 schools and 138,000 students. Fort Myers News-Press.
