AGP Executive Report

School Closures: Avon Elementary staff urged Highlands County’s school board to reject closure plans as the district weighs consolidations and other budget cuts. Student Safety: A Florida school aide was jailed after allegedly striking a student with special needs with a shoe; new school lock rules aim to balance student safety with first responders’ access. Student Rights: Florida’s NAACP is suing to block a state ban on using college ID cards to vote, arguing it could burden student voters. Book Access: PEN America counted 3,212 school book bans in Florida during 2025–26, part of a five-year national high. Online Safety: Florida’s attorney general sued Discord, alleging it failed to protect children and seeking hundreds of millions of dollars.

School Safety: Florida’s State Board of Education approved new rules for temporary classroom locks, requiring that first responders be able to unlock doors from outside while students remain protected. Online Safety: Attorney General James Uthmeier sued Discord, alleging it failed to verify ages and protect children from predators; the company has not yet answered the claims in court. School Funding: Florida voters are weighing Amendment 3, which would increase homestead exemptions but leave school district property taxes untouched. South Florida schools warn the proposal could still confuse voters ahead of a school-funding referendum. District Budgets: Highlands County teachers urged their school board to spare schools from closure as the district grapples with shrinking funds.

School Safety: Florida approved new rules for temporary classroom door locks, while a Florida teaching assistant was accused of repeatedly striking a special-needs student with a shoe, deputies said. School Funding: A report says Florida is spending more on private-school students than public-school students in Miami-Dade; in Wakulla County, voters are weighing a school tax increase to support teacher pay and free meals. Staffing and Oversight: Palm Beach County teachers raised concerns about pay and staffing cuts as schools celebrated academic honors, and a Broward schools administrator was fired amid a laptop procurement investigation. Books and Access: Florida public schools recorded more than 3,200 book-ban instances in 2025-26, among the nation’s highest totals, according to a new report. College Costs: Miami Dade College ranked 15th-lowest for tuition among Florida public four-year schools, with in-state tuition and required fees of $2,838 in 2024-25.

Student Safety: A Lake County teaching assistant was arrested after allegedly striking a special-needs student with a shoe and dragging him, according to deputies. School Policy: Florida approved new rules for temporary classroom door locks, though details of the changes were not provided. Higher Education: FIU’s Faculty Senate urged administrators to place interim law dean Daniel Epstein on leave while he appeals federal court sanctions for professional misconduct. School Planning: Pinellas County’s School Board approved Bay Point K-8 for a new St. Petersburg campus combining the elementary and middle schools; the technology-focused school is slated to open in 2027-28. School Funding: South Florida schools warn voters could confuse Amendment 3’s proposed property-tax cuts with a school-funding referendum, as debate grows over the effect on local services.

School Safety: A 5-year-old Palm Bay student died after a 120-pound video board fell on him at Riviera Elementary. His family has hired an attorney and is preparing lawsuits; officials have not said how the board came loose. District Finances: Leon County Schools borrowed $30 million to meet payroll, amid a fierce debate over the district’s finances. School Land: Miami-Dade’s school board advanced a proposal to explore 150 workforce-housing units on a rare pine rockland parcel, while promising further environmental review and public scrutiny before any final decision. Storm Recovery: Santa Rosa County schools are set to reopen Monday after Hurricane Isaias; the board approved moving the opening date to Oct. 19. College Pathways: UCF received a $500,000 JPMorganChase grant to support STEM education and pathways to the university for Parramore youth. Eastern Florida State College also opened a new aerospace center in Titusville.

School Funding: Osceola voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to renew a one-mill school tax. District leaders say the money would help retain teachers and protect programs after cuts to more than 700 positions and nearly $16 million in programs. Leon County Schools, meanwhile, is borrowing $30 million to meet payroll amid a budget fight. Classroom Policy: Florida’s proposed K-12 science curriculum is drawing scrutiny ahead of a December Board of Education vote. College Pathways: Miami Dade College’s fashion graduates will have a new route to bachelor’s degrees at Istituto Marangoni Miami, with scholarships available under a new agreement. Schools After the Storm: Some Panhandle schools are preparing to reopen after Hurricane Isaias, while Escambia County schools remain closed until Monday. Teacher Workforce: Early-childhood educators are meeting statewide to discuss teacher pay and affordability.

School Funding: Gov. Ron DeSantis says he’ll support Florida’s proposed property-tax cut “somehow,” though he preferred his original plan. The Legislature’s version exempts school taxes, but staff estimate local governments could lose billions in revenue. District Decisions: Pinellas County’s school board approved a contentious Tarpon Springs consolidation plan, 6-1, creating two K-8 schools after families and students spoke for and against it. Workforce Pathways: South Florida State College and the University of Florida won a $4.65 million federal grant to expand career training, including new precision-agriculture programs and pathways to UF. Campus Recovery: Pensacola State College and the University of West Florida remain closed after storm damage; UWF is planning a phased return, while PSC expects classes to resume Oct. 19. College Access: Education Secretary Linda McMahon promoted a new federal scholarship tax credit in Miami, saying it adds private money rather than taking funds from public schools. Florida is among 31 states indicating they’ll participate. Student Safety: Florida’s expanded law allowing armed college employees has drawn no participating colleges so far.

K-12 Policy: Florida earned a B+ for its open-enrollment rules in a new national report, though the report says most states received failing grades. Campus Safety: No Florida public college has joined the state’s armed-employee program; USF is the only one considering it. A false bomb threat also prompted an evacuation at a Jewish school campus in Boca Raton. Workforce Education: UF and South Florida State College received $4.65 million over five years to expand career programs, industry credentials and transfer opportunities for students in rural counties. Student Support: Immigrant students accounted for two-thirds of Orange County Public Schools’ enrollment decline, while Pinellas County Schools recognized 90 employees for professional development. Early Learning: A statewide conference is putting childcare educators’ pay and affordability in focus.

Campus Safety: No Florida college or university has joined the state’s voluntary armed-guardian program, seven months after a law allowed trained staff to carry guns on campus. School Oversight: Attorney General James Uthmeier plans to investigate Broward County Public Schools’ handling of technology contracts worth more than $40 million; a watchdog alleged bid irregularities in a program that supplied about 80,000 student laptops. Enrollment: Immigrant students account for two-thirds of Orange County Public Schools’ enrollment decline, according to a new report, though details of the district’s response remain unclear. School Changes: Pinellas County parents weighed plans to reshape schools in Tarpon Springs ahead of a board vote, including converting Tarpon Springs Fundamental Elementary into a K-8 school. Education and the Election: At a Florida A&M town hall, gubernatorial candidate David Jolly discussed academic, immigration and diversity policies, pledging to use the governor’s office to support diversity and local programs.

Student Voice: University of Miami students are organizing a midterm debate as campus rules limit demonstrations. At UNF, the Student Senate capped excused absences at six per semester to address attendance and quorum problems. Campus Growth: Edward Waters University plans its first on-campus dorm in more than four decades, expected to open in fall 2028 as part of $33 million in campus improvements. Workforce Pipeline: A national report finds Florida has the country’s highest demand pressure for skilled-trades workers but ranks 50th in supplying them, pointing to a gap in training capacity. K-12 Policy: King High School plans to end IB classes and launch an AI and innovation program, while concerns grow over book bans in Florida schools. Student Opportunities: The Florida Bar has opened registration for its annual high school moot court competition, where teams will write briefs and argue before judges. School Community: Archie, an 11-year-old bulldog at a Miami high school, has become a fixture in school life and a source of comfort for students and staff.

Curriculum Changes: Hillsborough’s King High School will phase out its International Baccalaureate program, with a new AI, cybersecurity and computing magnet planned for 2028. School Governance: The Hillsborough school board unanimously urged voters to reject a referendum that would make the superintendent an elected, partisan position. Student Health: Florida’s plan to end four school vaccine requirements has drawn warnings from doctors, while the state approved a new K-5 core math curriculum. District Budgets: Osceola County schools are cutting 785 jobs and $15 million in programs amid budget concerns. School Safety: A five-year-old died after a digital display board fell on him at a Florida elementary school.

Curriculum: Florida’s Department of Education approved a K–5 core math curriculum, while doctors are warning against a state proposal to drop several school vaccine requirements. School Funding: Florida districts are turning to voters to help cover rising costs, and a Manatee County school board is suing two charter schools over their share of tax revenue. Student Safety: A five-year-old was killed when a large display board fell at a Florida school, raising fresh questions about campus equipment safety. Hurricane Isaias also tore the roof off Milton High School’s gym. Literacy and Training: Florida Atlantic University is leading a $5.7 million effort to improve literacy and prepare educators to use AI. Campus Well-being: Florida State University became the first college campus to install a Hope Booth for student mental-health support.

Student Safeguards: Charlotte County Public Schools is launching Boundaries Build Trust to encourage students and staff to report inappropriate behavior. The effort follows arrests of two Punta Gorda Middle School educators; one was sentenced to 60 years in prison, and a family has sued the district, alleging it mishandled complaints. School Safety: A five-year-old Florida student died after a digital display board fell in a classroom, renewing attention to hazards on campus. Student Support: Florida State University says it is the first college campus to install an interactive Hope Booth, offering students immediate encouragement and mental-health support. Mentorship: About 60 juniors and seniors in Immokalee’s Guadalupe Center Tutor Corps are meeting business, health and community leaders for career guidance and advice. School Funding: Florida districts are turning to voters for help with rising costs, while the Manatee County School Board is suing two charter schools over their share of tax revenue.

Florida Football: The No. 16 Gators fell 38-19 to South Carolina in Gainesville, their second lopsided loss in a row. Coach Jon Sumrall said the team’s performance starts with him. School Safety: A five-year-old died after a classroom display board fell on him at Riviera Elementary in Palm Bay. His family has questioned whether the equipment was secure and whether he was adequately supervised. Storm Disruptions: Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, leaving hundreds of thousands of Florida customers without power. School closures and campus evacuations were reported ahead of the storm. District News: The Monroe County School Board honored former interim superintendent John Padget for helping local students pursue college and trade school. Students also discussed a districtwide leadership group and a planned survey on artificial intelligence; a teacher told the board a proposed raise did not reflect her extra hours. Higher Education: Florida A&M students questioned gubernatorial candidate Byron Donalds at a student-led town hall, continuing the university’s tradition of political engagement.

Storm Disruptions: Hurricane Isaias made landfall near Destin, leaving hundreds of thousands without power and forcing school schedule changes, campus evacuations and class cancellations across the Panhandle and North Florida. School Funding: Manatee County’s school board sued two charter-school operators over their share of sales-tax revenue for construction, a case that could affect other districts. Oversight: Florida’s attorney general plans to investigate Broward schools’ handling of student-laptop contracts after a district watchdog found procurement failures. Budgets and Safety: Osceola schools are cutting 785 jobs and $15 million in programs amid budget pressure. A five-year-old student died after a classroom display board fell on him at a Florida elementary school. Higher Education: Ken Griffin pledged $2 billion toward a new Carnegie Mellon campus in Miami, part of a record $3 billion gift to the university. Policy Disputes: Florida’s proposed changes to school vaccine requirements are drawing sharp debate among doctors and activists, while districts face renewed scrutiny over book removals.

Hurricane Disruptions: Category 3 Hurricane Isaias prompted school closures across Florida’s Panhandle, while University of West Florida students were told to evacuate campus housing. Student Safety: A five-year-old Florida student died after a classroom video display board fell on him, raising urgent questions about equipment safety in schools. Vaccination Rules: Florida officials are moving to end four school and child-care vaccine requirements, drawing sharp disagreement from doctors and activists. School Budgets: Public-school enrollment fell by about 12,000 as homeschooling and CHOOSE Act applications surged; Osceola County Schools is cutting 785 jobs and $15 million in programs amid budget concerns. Book Access: Duval County removed more books, as a new report ranks Florida second nationally for school book bans.