The big story: Florida lawmakers are moving ahead with plans to create a “Bill of Rights” for county school board members.
They called the measure (HB 1073) ridiculous as they advanced it out of the House Education Administration subcommittee with little opposition.
“This is a bill we should not have to file,” said sponsor Rep. Traci Koster, R-Tampa.
Yet they found it necessary to guarantee board members’ right to have timely access to all district documents without having to file a public records request or pay for staff time and copying costs. The bill also authorizes board members to consult with top district officials about the budget and have line item details about spending, and bars district administrators from requiring employees to sign nondisclosure or confidentiality agreements.
“It’s sad that we have to pass this,” said Rep. Jose Alvarez, D-Kissimmee.
The impetus came from Volusia County, where school board member Donna Brosemer said she was told to pay thousands of dollars for district information she requested, and ran into more than 100 employees who would not provide information after signing NDA’s with the district. Volusia later withdrew the agreements.
Brosemer told the panel that her district also did not provide line item specifics from its budget, citing as an example that officials could not tell her exactly how much had been spent on legal fees.
“This bill addresses all the challenges I have faced,” she said.
Several lawmakers expressed amazement that a public school district would have its employees sign confidentiality agreements.
“I don’t think that any leader of any agency should fear transparency,” Rep. Fabián Basabe, R-Miami Beach, said in support of the legislation.
Neither should district administrators stand in the way of elected officials getting information, said Rep. Rob Long, D-Delray Beach, a former city commission member whose wife served on the county school board. “It doesn’t allow us to do our job.”
The bill passed 15-3, with opponents raising concerns about the possibility of board members trying to extend their authority into daily operations.
“I am not trying to pit our superintendents against our school board members. This is trying to do the opposite,” Koster said. “Let’s all do the job we were hired to do, and we can’t do that without transparency.”
The bill next heads to the Education and Employment Committee. A Senate companion has been assigned to three committees.
Hot topics
Campus conversions: Pasco County’s smallest elementary school is getting a chance to grow with a proposal to add middle school grades. “We believe in the work happening here and see an opportunity to build on that strong foundation to better support our students long-term,” principal Latoya Jordan said.
Foreign workers: State university officials are weighing the possibility of a yearlong hiring freeze on all international workers in the country on an H1-B visa.
Free speech: The University of Miami is investigating antisemitic statements a student made during a campus event, the Miami Herald reports.
Legal counsel: State lawmakers advanced a bill that would allow the Duval County school district to hire its own lawyer, something the area’s consolidated government leadership opposes, Florida Politics reports.
Music lessons: Jennifer Jimenez, band director at South Miami Senior High, is the 2026 Grammy Music Educator award winner, CBS reports.
Religion in school: Religious leaders are raising the yellow flag on legislation aimed at protecting religious freedom in public schools, the Miami Herald reports. They worry about selective enforcement and the possibility of bringing ideology into classrooms.
Rezoning: The Alachua County school district will seek public feedback on proposed new school boundaries, WCJB reports.
Security: The Orange County school district will test a weapons detection system at one of its high schools, WESH reports.
Spending cuts: Some Leon County school board members criticized the timing of superintendent Rocky Hanna’s unveiling budget proposals, but agreed they have tough decisions ahead, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.
University presidents: The Board of Governors formally approved the appointment of Manny Diaz Jr. as the next University of West Florida president, the Pensacola News-Journal reports. He was the only candidate, prompting one member to oppose the action. • The president of Polk State College is in consideration to become interim president at the University of North Florida, the Ledger reports.
From the police blotter … A former Nassau County school bookkeeper was arrested on allegations of stealing more than $100,000 from the school, WJXT reports.
Hot takes
“Closing public schools in a state with a booming population feels off. So many people are moving in, yet our classrooms are emptying out?” — Columnist Graham Brink in the Tampa Bay Times
“As Superintendent Jose Dotres prepares to retire after more than four decades of distinguished public service, the Miami-Dade School Board faces a defining moment. The decision it makes in the coming months will be among the most consequential leadership choices for Miami’s next generation.” — Jaret L. Morris, Partnership for Miami board member, in the Miami Herald
“The use of seclusion and restraint is a civil rights, human rights and disability rights issue. There are no federal laws governing the use of these practices in schools, but there should be.” — Guy Stephens, Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint executive director, in The 74
Quick quiz
A former University of West Florida educator has terminated the Criminal Justice Scholarship in Diversity that he and his wife endowed at the school, after the school planned to strip the word “diversity” from the award. What will the family do next?
a) Sue the university
b) Donate the money to arts education for low-income children
c) Leave Florida
Read all about it from the Pensacola News-Journal.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.
Jeffrey S. Solochek is a reporter covering education as a member of the Tampa Bay Times Education Hub. You can contribute to the hub through our journalism fund by clicking here.
