As the primary election in Florida draws near, the fate of school boards across the state hangs in the balance. With just two weeks left until the big day, some voters have already begun casting their ballots through mail-in voting, while early voting sites are starting to open up. In Hillsborough County, early voting locations opened on Monday, with Pasco and Pinellas counties following suit later in the week. Craig Latimer, the election supervisor in Hillsborough, emphasized the importance of the upcoming primary on August 20th, which includes several races that all voters, including those with no party affiliation, can participate in.
While school board elections are technically nonpartisan, they are becoming increasingly political and expensive, according to reports from Florida Politics. For example, a candidate in Orange County has raised around $120,000 for their campaign, and Duval County is seeing its most expensive board contest yet, with an incumbent being challenged by the former leader of Moms for Liberty in the area.
Several high-profile races are set to be decided in the upcoming election. In Indian River County, a Ron DeSantis appointee is facing a challenge for a board seat that was vacated by an incumbent who mistakenly believed he had moved out of his district. Additionally, Santa Rosa County superintendent Karen Barber is facing a challenge from a teachers union president and a former Moms for Liberty local official.
In other news, several colleges and school districts are reopening after being closed due to Hurricane Debby, and participation in Florida’s school voucher program has increased by about 46% statewide this year. Some Florida high schools are also adjusting their start times to begin classes later in the day, although some students are expressing a preference for earlier schedules to accommodate their afternoon sports activities.
School safety remains a top priority for superintendents in Southwest Florida, who are offering their thoughts on how to improve security for the new academic year. Miami-Dade County schools have welcomed over 400 new teachers for a week of professional training, while an elementary school in Indian River County is ramping up its use of classroom technology to engage students.
In legal news, the Florida Education Association is urging a federal appellate court to support a challenge to the state’s law preventing educators from using preferred pronouns at work. Stay informed by checking out yesterday’s roundup and don’t miss the latest Cirque du Soleil special before you go. The upcoming primary election will undoubtedly shape the future of school boards across Florida, so be sure to stay engaged and informed as the big day approaches.
