Florida lawmaker wants ban on mask mandates in schools to become state law
A Florida lawmaker has filed a bill that would put a ban on school district mask mandates into state law. If passed, it would also prohibit local governments from requiring people to wear masks or get vaccines.
Brevard County School Board considers changes to public comment after long, rowdy meetings
How long people can speak and when they can address the board during the meeting may be changed.
State school boards blast request for federal security aid
The organization that represents Florida school boards has "great concern" for the safety of board members and school officials after recent reports of threats, but is rejecting its national counterpart’s request that the federal government step in.
Controversial book pulled from school library
Brevard County Schools removed a book that leaders are calling “inappropriate” from one of its school libraries.
Florida teachers union president takes to TikTok to warn of school staffing shortages
Already two months into the school year, many districts continue to deal with a teacher staffing shortage. One educator is taking to TikTok to warn of the issue.
State seeks to short-circuit student mask case
Pointing to a "hierarchy" that requires school districts to follow state laws and rules, the Florida Department of Health is asking a judge to toss out a challenge by six school boards to a rule that seeks to prevent student mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Feds: State misses deadline for education funding
Florida could still be eligible to receive over two billion dollars in education funding after federal officials said the state missed a deadline to file for the money. The Florida Department of Education said they submitted their application for state public schools on Wednesday.
California now requiring free menstrual products in public schools
California public schools and colleges must stock their restrooms with free menstrual products under a bill signed Friday by Gov. Gavin Newsom.
2 parents convicted in 1st trial of college bribery scandal
Two wealthy parents were convicted Friday of buying their kids’ way into school as athletic recruits in the first case to go to trial in the college admissions cheating scandal that embroiled prestigious universities across the country.
Florida to dock school district salaries for requiring masks
The penalties would go into effect in 48 hours if the districts do not let parents opt their children out of mask mandates in the schools.
Florida school districts challenging state rules on masks, quarantines
Six school districts have challenged a revised Florida Department of Health rule that seeks to block student mask requirements and allow parents to decide whether children go to school after being exposed to people with COVID-19.
State targets 8 school districts over mask requirements
The State Board of Education on Thursday ratcheted up discipline against eight county school boards that have maintained student mask mandates to try to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Alachua, Brevard, and Orange counties are among those targeted.
6 Florida school districts challenge rule on masks, quarantines
Attorneys for the school boards in Miami-Dade, Broward, Orange, Duval, Alachua and Leon counties filed the challenge late Wednesday afternoon.
Ethics panel: School board members embroiled in mask disputes can get federal money
Federal payments to cover the salaries of county school board members embroiled in disputes about school-mask requirements do not violate state gift or compensation laws, a draft advisory opinion from the Florida Commission on Ethics says.
Student loan forgiveness: 550K borrowers to benefit from program overhaul
A change to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program will immediately make 22,000 borrowers eligible to get loans canceled, U.S. officials said.
Tempers flare at Brevard County School Board meeting
Tempers flared at a Brevard County School Board meeting on Tuesday as the board discussed the mask mandate.
Gov. DeSantis pushes back against feds on effort to curb threats to educators
The National School Boards Association, which represents school board members, recently asked President Joe Biden to help investigate threats against educators, attributing the rise to mask mandates intended to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Brevard County Schools approves mask opt-out option but only if cases drop
Like meetings in the past, some people are expected to show up and protest.
Florida college students in recovery residences could get aid
Sen. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton, on Monday filed a bill that aims to provide lower in-state tuition rates for out-of-state students living in recovery residences and attending state colleges, career centers, or technical schools.
Feds ramp up pressure on Florida to take COVID-19 school relief money
Florida is now the only state or U.S. territory that hasn’t submitted a plan for spending American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds. The plan was due in June.