Leaders at Orange County Public Schools are trying to solve the issue of staff shortages by giving some of the district's employees priority access to affordable housing.

It is not known exactly why Jessie Thompson is stepping down as school board chair, but Thompson came under fire in December after Deltona’s mayor shared a video of Thompson’s remarks at a Moms for Liberty Summit last August.

The Brevard County School Board discusses the possibility of expanding the year-round school pilot program that is currently happening at an elementary school in Port St. John.

The Lake County School Board is set to take up a measure to try to stop kids from vaping on campus.

A school board candidate who lost his race in a county south of Jacksonville will get a seat on the board anyway, after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis tapped him to fill a vacancy.

Members of the Orange County Classroom Teacher Association continue to fight for better teacher pay.

Advocates with the historic Hungerford property are calling for the Orange County School Board to return the land back to the community for their control, adding that the property is sacred to the town of Eatonville.

Following a series of incidents involving firearms and threats at local schools, Orange County School District leaders are reevaluating safety protocols, including the potential reinstatement of metal detectors.

The Flagler County School Board is weighing whether to add another layer of health protection for student-athletes by mandating electrocardiogram (ECG) screenings, a test used to evaluate heart health.

The Flagler County School Board is set to decide on a set of rules that could require cardiovascular screenings for student-athletes.

Eight candidates will take seats on county school boards across Central Florida after winning their races outright. However, voters will get to choose candidates in five runoff races after no candidate received more than 50% of the vote.

As students head back to school, parents are deciding who should be directing what happens in the classroom.

With less than two weeks left until the first day of school, the Volusia County School Board has moved ahead with a controversial rule change intended as a safety and security measure.

As it tries to fend off a constitutional challenge to removing and restricting school library books, the Escambia County School Board on Tuesday argued that it should be able to take a deposition of a 7-year-old student who is part of the lawsuit.

The School Board in Seminole County is set to sign off on the Code of Conduct and Honor Code for the 2024-2025 school year, and it includes consequences for students who submit Artificial Intelligence-generated work without credit or consent.

The lawsuit says that the daughter — a 7th-grader at Edgewood High School referred to as “A.C.” — began being harassed by a particular student in October 2023.

The school board followed the recommendation of the Book Advisory Committee, voting 3-1 to remove the title from school shelves.

Tuesday, the Volusia County School Board was set to vote on an amended student code of conduct, but that changed after further discussion and mounting opposition from parents.

Former Miami-Dade School Board Vice Chair Lubby Navarro is accused of using her district credit cards for personal purposes, like buying groceries, appliances, beauty products and vacations.

The mother of the victim of a hazing incident at Viera High School has filed paperwork to run against Brevard Public Schools board member Matt Susin in November's election.

Samba, a 1.5-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever, would be dedicated to sniffing out vapes and THC on school campuses across Lake County.

Flagler County Schools removed the interim titled and named Lashakia Moore the district’s next superintendent Tuesday evening.

The fallout is still settling after an assembly last month at Bunnell Elementary School that allegedly singled out Black students.

The Orange County School Board approved a revised student code of conduct on Tuesday, preventing students from carrying cellphones in their pockets.

The Flagler County School Board said no to a program in a 3 to 2 vote that’s aimed at bolstering security and safety in schools.

Student discipline was the main topic discussed on Wednesday during a meeting with the Brevard County School Board.

Another Central Florida school district is forcing out its leader.

The Brevard County School Board voted unanimously during its Tuesday night meeting to place the district’s interim superintendent on administrative leave.

A Virginia school board is scheduled to vote this week on the departure of its superintendent after a 6-year-old student shot and wounded his teacher.

The Brevard County School Board held a work session Tuesday to discuss further changes that should be addressed in the district’s disciplinary policy.

The Brevard County School Board selected Dr. Robert Schiller as the new interim superintendent on Friday.

Days after the Brevard County School Board ousted the superintendent, plans are underway for a new school disciplinary policy in Brevard Public Schools.

A federal appeals court has rejected an attempt by a chapter of the conservative group Moms for Liberty to block restrictions that the Brevard County School Board placed on public participation at board meetings.

The school board in Florida's largest district won't recognize October as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer History month.

Central Florida school board candidates are gearing up for the state’s 2022 primary election, running on platforms that address everything happening in education from school safety and COVID-19 protocols to book banning and new laws introduced in classrooms.

A candidate for the Seminole County School Board election filed a lawsuit Friday claiming another school board candidate violated election laws.

Heading back to school is exciting for some, but others said this year is different, given the Parental Rights in Education law, deemed by critics the “Don’t Say Gay” law, is now in effect.

The Orange County school board approved a number of proposals during its Tuesday evening meeting, including the approval of the district’s newest superintendent, Dr. Maria Vazquez.

The board of Florida's largest school district has voted against a sexual education textbook for middle and high schoolers.

An Orlando judge dismissed a lawsuit by the Brevard chapter of Moms for Liberty and four Brevard parents who said the School Board and Brevard Public Schools discriminated against conservative parents who criticized the board with its public speaker policy, according to News 6 partner Florida Today.

The Orange County School Board received pushback at its Tuesday meeting during public comment for something called “camp legal.”

The Orange County School Board approved a contract with the Classroom Teachers Association that will increase salaries for teachers and other school staff.

Orange County School Board members selected two finalists Tuesday to move forward in the process to replace the retiring superintendent.

The Seminole County School Board has voted to cancel their plans for a proclamation supporting LGBTQ+ students and staff at Seminole County Public Schools

On the eve of June’s “Pride Month,” the Seminole County school board made a last-minute decision to cancel plans for a proclamation for LGBTQ support.

The school board for Orange County Public Schools held a workshop Tuesday to discuss their safety program and, in the wake of the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, board members had a lot of questions regarding their policies.

The School Board of Orange County is facing a lawsuit over allegations a kindergartner was sexually assaulted by another student during a P.E. class. The girl's family is now seeking monetary damages, claiming the school failed to protect her.

The Brevard County School Board hammered out a draft policy that would make it easier in the future to respond district-wide to objections to library materials.

A Tennessee school district has voted to ban a Pulitzer Prize-winning graphic novel about the Holocaust due to “inappropriate language” and an illustration of a nude woman.

The board met Thursday to discuss what went wrong and what can be improved with their response to the incident.

The Brevard County School Board voted Tuesday in favor of a new contract with the Brevard Federation of Teachers, though the union’s president warned board members that an agreement wouldn’t be possible next year without raises.

Orange County School Board member Vicki-Elaine Felder hosted a town hall meeting on Monday to address the safety of students and the community near Carver Middle School.

The Seminole County School Board held a nearly two-hour closed-door session on Friday to discuss school safety and security following a reported increase of fights at Markham Woods Middle School.

Brevard County Schools employees and students will now have the full week of Thanksgiving off after the school board approved the change Wednesday.

A group of parents, teachers and local politicians gathered outside the Orange County School Board Monday to urge district leaders to extend mask requirements in the classroom.

The Brevard County School Board will vote Tuesday on public speaking restrictions that board members hope will reign in a portion of meetings that have often been rowdy and time consuming in recent months. B

The Florida Board of Education sends a formal notice to the Brevard County School Board, giving the district 48 hours to comply with state student mask mandate rules.

The Brevard County School Board is expected to discuss potential changes to the public comment format on Tuesday during a work session meeting.

Eight Florida school districts, including in Orange and Brevard counties, found not in compliance with state COVID-19 measures Thursday will face financial consequences if they do not comply.

The Brevard County School Board will soon vote on new rules aimed at taming its boisterous public comment period.

The Brevard County School Board will meet Tuesday to discuss its mask mandate.

Brevard Public Schools reported fewer cases than it did earlier this fall in its twice-weekly COVID-19 update, with 213 reported infections of staff and students, and 616 quarantines from Friday to Tuesday.

The Volusia County School Board has canceled an emergency meeting scheduled for Thursday to allow time to wait for an appeals court decision about Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ban on mask mandates in schools.

The Lake County school board met Thursday morning to discuss mask rules after a Florida judge once again ruled against Gov. Ron DeSantis’ executive order banning mask mandates.

Marion County Public Schools continue the search for bus drivers and substitute bus drivers.

Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran demanded that Brevard Public Schools withdraw its classroom facemask mandate by Wednesday morning or the Florida Department of Education would withhold School Board member salaries.

Following the implementation of a mask mandate, Brevard Public Schools have loosened their COVID-19 quarantine requirements for masked students in several common situations.

Florida school districts can legally require their students to wear face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 after Leon County Circuit Judge John C. Cooper filed his decision he made during a ruling last week.

The Volusia County school board voted in a mask mandate on Tuesday night.

The Brevard County School Board will hold an emergency meeting Monday morning to discuss its face mask policy, a spokesman announced via email Saturday.

The latest data released by Brevard Public Schools Tuesday shows that the numbers of COVID-19 cases among students and staff have continued to climb to record highs in the district.

Pediatrics in Brevard reports nearly 100 children have been treated for COVID-19 in the past month, most in the past two weeks.

The Brevard County School Board will discuss mask policies at a Thursday board meeting, its last before the start of the new school year.

Community members wanting to voice their opinion during Lake County School Board meetings will now need to do it in person.

At Tuesday night’s Seminole County School Board meeting, board members voted to make masks optional for the fall semester.

The Volusia County School Board took another step toward making masks optional on Tuesday night.

The Volusia County School Board is moving closer to making masks optional in the classroom following a work session Tuesday where they agreed to consider the change.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – The Volusia County School Board is set to discuss its mask requirement Tuesday and how long it would be in effect. Encouraged by the number of people projected to be eligible for the vaccine soon, school board member Carl Persis brought the mask mandate up for debate recently, wondering if it could become optional. At Tuesday’s workshop, the Volusia County Health Department will bring its recommendations to the school board. “I don’t anticipate the recommendations of the health department to be to remove the mask policy,” he said. The health department is sticking with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for all its recommendations.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – The Brevard County School Board voted Tuesday to terminate a teacher for using medical marijuana, News 6 partner Florida Today reported. Though medical marijuana has been legalized in Florida, it remains a “schedule 1” narcotic at the federal level, placing it in the same category as heroin, LSD and methamphetamines. To meet the federal definition, the district can’t allow teachers to use marijuana, School Board General Counsel Paul Gibbs said. The school district has had a policy since 2019 allowing students to use medical marijuana, the school board did not address the issue for teachers. Allison Enright, a teacher at Space Coast Junior/Senior High School, disclosed her medical marijuana use when she took a drug test after an injury at work.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A judge denied a temporary injunction Tuesday to stop the Seminole County School Board from moving forward to make Serita Beamon the district’s new superintendent just hours ahead of the school board meeting. An injunction was filed in Seminole County civil court March 9, seeking to stop the Seminole County School Board from continuing negotiations with Beamon to become superintendent. On Tuesday, Circuit Judge Michelle Naberhaus denied the temporary injunction allowing the school district to continue with Beamon’s contract negotiations. A school board meeting took place Tuesday evening. She is qualified to be the superintendent of Seminole County Public Schools,” he said.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Members of the Brevard County School Board are set to discuss easing some of the COVID-19 safety rules that were put in place at the start of the pandemic. During a meeting Tuesday, board members are set to discuss adjusting the current restrictions on indoor singing at schools. A district task force recently came up with a series of recommendations for both elementary and secondary schools. The task force also said that students should not be penalized if they do not feel comfortable singing indoors. If any changes are made to the indoor singing policy, they would go into effect Wednesday.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – A judge will decide Tuesday if the Seminole County School Board can move forward to make Serita Beamon the district’s new superintendent after an injunction was filed earlier this month against the board following a vote to withdraw its original offer to another candidate. An injunction was filed in Seminole County civil court March 9, seeking to stop the Seminole County School Board from continuing negotiations with Beamon to become superintendent. AdDuring a hearing Monday morning, Seminole County Circuit Judge Michelle Naberhaus heard both sides over a Microsoft Teams virtual meeting. AdNaberhaus will make her ruling at noon Tuesday, just hours ahead of the school board meeting when members are scheduled to vote on Beaman’s contract. Current Seminole County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Walt Griffin announced last fall his plans to retire at the end of the 2020-21 school year.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – It could be an unfunny scatological prank or a sign that political passions have reached a new low in Brevard County. Tina Descovich, a one-time Brevard County School Board member and co-founder of the conservative group Moms for Liberty, took to social media Sunday to report that someone mailed her a bag of excrement. The School Board defended the guidelines, saying they were circulated by the district to keep staff in compliance with state and federal law and that the board did not have the power to change them. She and former Indian River County School Board Member Tiffany Justice founded Moms for Liberty in January. “I worry about the message that they are trying to send,” Descovich said of whoever sent the package.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Seminole County School Board members steered clear of discussing the legal battle centered around the district’s next superintendent Tuesday night, but they did respond to the injunction filed against them prior to the meeting. “Both candidates, whoever is chosen will start under a cloud, that has never happened in Seminole County,” one parent said. On March 4, Brittany Walker filed a temporary injunction in Seminole County court against the school board to stop the board from signing a contract with Serita Beamon. [RELATED: Injunction filed against Seminole County school board over new superintendent pick]The board selected Beamon as the next superintendent on Feb. 23. The Seminole County school board filed a response to the lawsuit brought by the mother.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – One protestor shouted “shame on you” toward another person Tuesday night as they entered the Brevard County School Board meeting. A large group outside of district headquarters said they are opposed to the guidelines from Brevard Public Schools for LGBTQ+ students and staff. The district last week shared the guidelines which include dress codes, bathrooms and sports for its anti-discrimination policy first adopted in 2016. Fine called on those who oppose the guidelines to attend the board meeting. “I hope every parent who cares will let the local politicians know this will not work,” Fine said.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – An injunction was filed in Seminole County civil court on Thursday trying to get a judge to stop the Seminole County school board from moving forward with its new superintendent. Attorney Philip Kaprow is asking for the injunction on behalf of his client, who is a Seminole County mother. The complaint claims school board members didn’t follow their own rules last month when they reversed their decision on who the next superintendent will be. Kaprow said the school board follows the Roberts Rules of Order. Kaprow claims because the board broke the rules, the Feb. 23 vote to rescind is null and void.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – After hours of heated public comment, in yet another split decision, the Seminole County Board voted 3-2 to select newly-resigned school board attorney Serita Beamon as the district’s next superintendent Monday night. “This is incredibly uncomfortable and awkward having to take a deeper dive into hiring decisions while balancing transparency,” School Board Vice Chair Amy Pennock said. A month earlier, board members voted 3-2 to select Lake County Assistant Superintendent Chad Farnsworth as the next superintendent. Despite Beamon’s lack of administration experience, other speakers praised her time as the school board attorney. Since the vote Monday night, 67 people have posted on the Seminole County School District’s Facebook page, most of them blasting the school board for its flip-flop.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – The Seminole County School Board voted Serita Beamon to be named the district’s next superintendent. Last month, board members voted 3-2 to select Farnsworth, the Lake County Assistant Superintendent, over Beamon. The school board confirmed Beamon submitted her resignation on Feb. 16 as the district’s attorney after she was not selected as the next superintendent. Beamon announced her resignation as Seminole County School Board Attorney after she was not selected during the first vote. To salvage this mess - the school board will need to bring their A-Game tonight.”Smith said the board’s indecision makes the school district look bad.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – The Seminole County School Board voted to revoke a decision on its next superintendent. On Feb. 9, the school board announced Chad Farnsworth would be the next superintendent of the district. The announcement came after Farnsworth received three votes and SCPS attorney Serita D. Beamon received two votes during a school board meeting on Feb. 9. A special school board meeting will be held Monday, March 1, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., according to the district. Farnsworth has been the assistant superintendent of the Lake County School District since 2017.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – In 1946, the civil rights activism of Brevard County educators Harry and Harriette Moore took their jobs. “The Brevard County Public School Board publicly acknowledges the unjust act of refusing to renew Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore’s teaching contracts by the serving School Board of 1946, and will forever recognize the Moores for their outstanding service and significant contributions ... to the Brevard County School District, State of Florida and the nation,” the resolution read. “There truly is no better way to celebrate Black History Month than with the signing of this proclamation recognizing these local civil rights heroes,” said teachers union President Anthony Colucci. He founded the Brevard County NAACP in 1934 and spent the next 15 years starting or aiding nascent chapters in towns across the state. In 1937, in consultation with the legendary civil rights attorney Thurgood Marshall, he filed a lawsuit against the Brevard School Board for equal pay for Black teachers, the first of its kind in the Deep South.

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – ***8:48 p.m. Feb. 23, 2021 UPDATE***During the middle of a school board meeting on Feb. 23, school board member Dr. Tina Calderone said there was not enough discussion on who should be the next superintendent. A special school board meeting will be held at a future date to announce the next superintendent. ***ORIGINAL***The Seminole County School Board announced Chad Farnsworth will be the next superintendent of the district. The announcement came after Farnsworth received three votes and SCPS attorney Serita D. Beamon received two votes during a school board meeting on Tuesday. Farnsworth has been the assistant superintendent of the Lake County School District since 2017.

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – A group of people gathered outside the Lake County School Board ahead of Monday’s school board meeting calling for the removal of school resource officers. Lake County resident Cassandra Brown has two daughters; she spoke at the meeting on Monday. “When was it OK for that man to pull out a taser and tase a child in front of everyone?” questioned Aryana Brown from Lake County. AdThe Lake County School Board Chairman said taxpayers recently voted to have more security in schools and they’ve also used the funding for more services. The Lake County Sheriff’s Office said they’re always working to better bridge the gap with kids and that law enforcement is needed in schools.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – The Brevard County School Board on Tuesday rejected a policy allowing it to rein in future changes to school mascots, over the objections of board member Matt Susin. High School is slated for a final vote on a controversial proposal to retire its longtime “Indian” mascot and nickname, according to Florida Today. “By putting it into policy, it’s solid and it has to take board action,” Susin said, calling administrative procedures a “netherworld.”“We, as School Board members, it’s our responsibility to govern,” he said. “I have a hard time with that, as a mascot is a community (and) school unifier, and that’s what we want from a mascot,” McDougall said. Susin asked to temporarily halt the Edgewood mascot change in September while the board considered formulating a policy, arguing it had the authority to intervene in the process.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – The Volusia County School Board on Tuesday is expected to discuss whether to create the district’s very own police force. Currently, the school district has 22 sworn officers on campuses and 80 school guardians. Under the proposal, some of the guardians would become sworn officers and members of the district’s own police force. Supporters say the move would help improve security at schools throughout the district and ease the burden placed on other law enforcement agencies. Tuesday’s meeting is set for 3:30 p.m.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – Volusia County School Board member Carl Persis found out on Sunday he received the COVID-19 vaccine as a participant in Moderna’s trial. But Persis said it was a blind trial, meaning that he didn’t know if the shots he received were the vaccine or placebos. On Sunday, Persis said he was told that he had, in fact, received the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. Volusia County School Board member Reuben Colon said he has contacted Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office, along with Oliva to ask for teachers to be prioritized for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – The Volusia County School District is urging Gov. Ron DeSantis to prioritize school employees for COVID-19 vaccinations. School Board Member Ruben Colon has joined the list of school letters who wrote to the governor and the Florida chancellor of K-12 education. News 6 also spoke with Volusia United Educators Union President Elizabeth Albert who said she agrees with the school board on prioritizing school employees for the vaccinations. So, we need to be aware of that, we need to be intentional and strategic about how we prioritize this vaccine,” said Albert.

Marion CountySchool Board District 1 SeatCandidates for the District 1 are now vying for the role in a runoff election. School Board District 5 SeatMichael “Mike” ScottScott is an Air Force veteran who was born and raised in Orlando. Osceola CountySchool Board District 2 SeatOsceola County voters will get to make the final call in a run-off race for school board. Julius MelendezMelendez is hoping to return to the Osceola County School Board after furthering his education in computer programming. Volusia CountySchool Board District 2 SeatPeople will once again select who they believe is fit to fill the District 2 school board seat.

Winter Springs High School teacher Jenn Devine spoke as a representative of the Seminole Education Association at the Seminole County School Board meeting Tuesday night. “The school board is not listening to us,” Devine said at the school board meeting. She said many teachers are tired and overwhelmed, especially those teaching both Seminole Connect and face-to-face at the same time. “We know it’s very difficult for the teachers, the ones that are teaching the hybrid, face-to-face and Connect,” he said. In the meantime, the Seminole Education Association is hoping to suggest ideas to get teachers to teach either purely in person or purely on Seminole Connect.

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A Volusia County School Board meeting that was set to start at 1 p.m. Tuesday was instead delayed when a group of maskless mothers refused to put on facial coverings. Volusia County School Board meeting off to an explosive start. Below are couple of parents/ demonstrators arguing with the school district that they can't be forced to wear a mask at the board meeting. LISTEN: School board attorney says they're now waiting for the district attorney on whether they can be here without a mask. #News6School board meeting is now starting.

School Board members defended the policy as critical to protect vulnerable staff at a time when positive test rates for COVID-19 continue to climb in the county. The group gathered outside School Board headquarters before the meeting to wave signs and rally against the move. Hall’s own group, “Brevard County Parents for Freedom of Choice,” has acquired more than 700 members in a little less than three weeks. You’re responsible for you.”Prior to the vote, School Board members said the rising infection rates and the need to protect their staff, along with preventing further disruptions to a school year already shaken by school closures and widespread quarantines, were behind the measure. “This is the first policy I’ve seen the board put into place that does not do that.”