Florida school officials seek answers to Trump’s funding freeze

The big story: School districts and other organizations that serve children continued to assess the impact of the Trump administration’s decision to freeze nearly $7 billion in education grant funding, including nearly $400 million to Florida. They have plenty of questions, and concerns.

Miami-Dade County school leaders said their $45 million loss could have catastrophic implications for the most fragile student populations if it stay in effect, the Miami Herald reports.

Federal officials have said they are looking into the uses of the money before deciding whether to release it. They have stated in budget request documents their inclination to permanently delete some of the funds.

“We are analyzing the full extent of this impact and will continue working closely with our federal lawmakers to restore these funds as quickly as possible,” Broward County schools spokesperson John J. Sullivan said to WPLG.

If the grants don’t get reinstated, “there absolutely will be layoffs and job loss. There will be programs that don’t feel the same, that cease to exist and are shut down,” Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida president Jamie Merrill told Central Florida Public Media.

Read more on the situation from Politico. Also see our past coverage.

Hot topics

Budgets: Proposed utility rates could force the Hendry County school district to cut teaching positions, WFTX reports.

Four-day weeks: An Okaloosa County charter school had its four-day class week proposal rejected by the state, so it’s adopting a four and a half day week instead, the Destin Log reports.

High school sports: Florida private school students have additional opportunities to participate in public school sports under a new law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, Spectrum 13 reports.

Literacy lessons: Some Duval County authors are offering summer reading programs to help students maintain skills they gained during the school year, Jacksonville Today reports.

Pronouns: A federal appeals court supported Florida’s law requiring educators to use pronouns that align with their sex at birth, News Service of Florida reports.

Student violence: Polk County schools saw an increase in violent student behavior during the past school year, the Ledger reports.

Teacher pay: St. Johns County teachers reached an agreement on how much money they’ll see in their paychecks from the school district’s voter-approved property tax referendum revenue, WJAX reports.

University presidents: University of South Florida leaders are asking for public input into the school’s search for a new president.

What’s in a name? Hillsborough (Community) College is rebranding after dropping its middle name, Tampa Bay Business Journal reports.

From the police blotter … A Broward County teacher was arrested on accusations of possessing child pornography, WTVJ reports.

From the court docket … Two Tallahassee women pleaded guilty to stealing thousands of dollars from other peoples’ Florida Prepaid College accounts, WCTV reports. • A USF student has appealed a Hillsborough County court decision rejecting her claim that the school should refund fees students were unable to use when the campus closed because of COVID-19, News Service of Florida reports.

Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.

Before you go … In recognition of Independence Day, our national march. Enjoy your long weekend.