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Supporters wearing "#StrattonStays" T-shirts cheer when Hernando County Superintendent John Stratton appears on stage during a heavily attended school board meeting on Tuesday in Brooksville. One of many superintendents who have faced challenges recently, Stratton narrowly survived an effort to oust him at the meeting.
Florida school districts are losing superintendents. It’s tough out there.
Across the state’s 67 school districts, a handful are led by the same superintendent they had four years ago.
Pinellas school board candidate supports DeSantis’ choice agenda
Katie Blaxberg
Katie Blaxberg is a former legislative staffer for then-state House member Chris Latvala.
7 moments from that rowdy Hernando school board meeting this week
To avoid disruptions at the Hernando County School Board meeting Tuesday night, members of the crowd raised their hands and waved when they agreed with speakers. Hundreds attended the eight-hour event at Hernando High.
A few things you may have missed from a marathon event that embodied Florida’s tense debate over education.
Pinellas eighth grader wins 2023 National Spelling Bee. ‘It feels surreal.’
Dev Shah, 14, from Largo, Fla., lifts the trophy next to Scripps CEO Adam Symson after Shah won the Scripps National Spelling Bee finals on Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Oxon Hill, Md.
Dev Shah of Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School spelled “psammophile” for the victory.

Latest

  1. Florida school districts are losing superintendents. It’s tough out there.
    Yesterday• Education
    Supporters wearing "#StrattonStays" T-shirts cheer when Hernando County Superintendent John Stratton appears on stage during a heavily attended school board meeting on Tuesday in Brooksville. One of many superintendents who have faced challenges recently, Stratton narrowly survived an effort to oust him at the meeting.
  2. 7 moments from that rowdy Hernando school board meeting this week
    Yesterday• Education
    To avoid disruptions at the Hernando County School Board meeting Tuesday night, members of the crowd raised their hands and waved when they agreed with speakers. Hundreds attended the eight-hour event at Hernando High.
  3. 2 Florida universities get prestigious national honor
    Yesterday• Education
    Scenes at the University of South Florida (USF), Thursday, March 23, 2023 in Tampa.
  5. Pinellas eighth grader wins 2023 National Spelling Bee. ‘It feels surreal.’
    June 2• Education
    Dev Shah, 14, from Largo, Fla., lifts the trophy next to Scripps CEO Adam Symson after Shah won the Scripps National Spelling Bee finals on Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Oxon Hill, Md.
  6. New College of Florida replaces its quirky mascot with another — a tree
    June 2• Education
    The distinctive square brackets of the New College mascot Null Set appear on signs at a protest against the appointment of new trustees by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday, Jan 31, 2023, in Sarasota.
  7. USF joins exclusive club with invitation to top-tier university group
    June 1• Education
    The University of South Florida was invited this week to join the Association of American Universities, a feat described as a major milestone by school officials.
  8. DeSantis said not ‘a single book’ was banned in Florida. Districts have removed dozens.
    June 1• Politics
    Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, center, leaves a fundraising picnic for Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, May 13, 2023, in Sioux Center, Iowa.
  9. Pinellas middle school student makes National Spelling Bee finals
    June 1• Education
    Dev Shah, 14, from Largo, competes during the Scripps National Spelling Bee on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, in Oxon Hill, Md.
  10. Scrutiny of DeSantis’ education agenda focuses on Sarasota
    June 1• Education
    Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis publicly signs HB7, "individual freedom," also dubbed the "stop woke" bill in April 2022. His education agenda is getting increased national scrutiny after he announced his bid for the Republican presidential nomination.
  11. A Florida school raised tuition because of vouchers. Will more follow?
    May 31• Education
    Principal Brendan Butcher and pastor Robert Gibbons posted a 21-minute video on YouTube explaining to families that St. Paul Catholic School would be increasing its 2023-24 tuition by thousands of dollars more than initially announced, in order to take advantage of state funded vouchers.
  12. Florida education debates rage on as hundreds attend Hernando school board meeting
    May 31• Education
    Members of the crowd raise their hands and wave to show support after students make public comments during a contentious Hernando County School Board meeting on Tuesday in Brooksville. The meeting drew hundreds of people, including many from around the state.
  13. Meet Pasco County’s valedictorians and salutatorians for 2023
    May 30• Education
    Graduation ceremonies for Pasco County's public high schools begin Tuesday and continue through Sunday.
  14. Florida’s new voucher law allows private schools to boost revenue
    May 30• Education
    St. Paul Catholic School at 1900 12th St. N in St. Petersburg is one of many private schools expected to take advantage of Florida's expanded voucher program this year.
  15. Do uniforms improve school safety? A Florida district debates the issue.
    May 30• Education
    Somerset Academy Key students are shown in their school uniforms at dismissal in Deerfield Beach on Thursday, May 25, 2023. The Broward County school district is considering a uniform requirement for high schools as a way to improve security.
  16. Tampa charter school principal facing charges for failing to report abuse
    May 27• Education
    A Tampa charter school principal was arrested for failing to report two instances of abuse.
  17. Florida schools seek more teachers, staff
    May 26• Education
    Pinellas County Schools recruiter Joseph Noelien speaks to a candidate during a job fair at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa in 2021. School districts across the state continue to seek new applicants to fill persistent vacancies including teachers, bus drivers and nurses.
  18. For a Florida teen catching up on missed moments, a night in the spotlight
    May 26• Narratives
    Isabella "Bella" Perez, 15, remains still as she has a pink tiara placed on her head before taking the stage as one of seven teen models from the PACE Center for Girls during the 14th annual Value Me 2023 Luncheon and Fashion Show.
  19. Hillsborough County Schools graduations get underway
    May 25• Education
    Zayn Jerrett, left, claps along with Darrion Jenkins and Imani Jacobs during the Plant High School graduation ceremony at the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall on Thursday in Tampa.
  20. What books are being challenged in schools? Florida is making a list.
    May 25• Education
    This year the Florida Legislature passed a bill that allows any person in a county to challenge a book and force a district to pull it out of circulation until it goes through a review.
  21. In Pasco, referendum money means raises averaging 9% for teachers, staff
    May 25• Education
    Negotiating teams for the Pasco County school district and the United School Employees of Pasco discuss how to allocate funds from the district's 2022 property tax referendum during a bargaining session on Wednesday.
  22. New Florida rule requires school districts to track book challenges
    May 24• Education
    Audience members wave hands in support as speakers weighed in on the topic of banned books during a Pinellas County School Board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, in Largo. The State Board of Education approved a rule Wednesday requiring school districts to annually report how many books are challenged and why.
  23. 3 moments that made DeSantis a national figure
    May 24• News
    Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks at a political roundtable, Friday, May 19, 2023, in Bedford, N.H. The Florida governor is one of Donald Trump's main contenders for the Republican nomination.
  24. Amanda Gorman poem among 4 titles restricted after a parent complains
    May 24• Education
    American poet Amanda Gorman reads her poem "The Hill We Climb" during the 59th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. The poem, along with three books, was lifted from elementary classrooms at a Miami Lakes K-8 school.
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