AGP Executive Report

Immigration & Higher Ed: The Florida State Board of Education voted 6-1 to bar undocumented students from enrolling in the state’s 28 public colleges and adult education programs, requiring applicants to prove U.S. citizenship or “lawfully present” status before enrollment; the change could affect about 50,000 potential students and cost the state an estimated $15 million in tuition revenue. Local Governance: A new Florida law pushes local governments toward more budget transparency, including publishing a hypothetical 10% spending cut plan, posting employee salary information quarterly, and requiring a supermajority vote to raise property tax rates above the rollback rate. Community & Civic Life: Tallahassee’s “The Alley” neighborhood near FAMU marked America’s 250th with a Fourth of July reunion spotlighting the historic Black community’s legacy and everyday memories. Book Bans & Academic Freedom: A new discussion piece highlights how book bans are expanding in public education, targeting materials tied to LGBTQIA+ themes, racism, and people of color. Environment & Research: University of Florida scientists are testing “robo-bunny” decoys to lure and capture invasive Burmese pythons in the Everglades, aiming to speed up removal and protect native wildlife. UF Leadership: Florida’s Board of Governors approved Stuart Bell as University of Florida president. School Funding Policy: A Sarasota-area school tax fee proposal signed into law requires counties to either pay tax-collector fees on school taxes or waive them for now, settling a dispute over a 2% commission tied to an extra 1-mill school tax.

School Accountability Update: Florida released 2025-26 school grades, with 76% of graded schools earning an “A” or “B” and the share of “D”/“F” schools dropping to 31 from 70 the year before; district results improved too, with all 67 districts graded “A,” “B,” or “C” and no district earning a “D” or “F.” Local District Spotlight: Palm Beach County again hit an “A,” citing 93.5% graduation and strong participation in college-level coursework, including AP/IB/AICE/dual enrollment. Undocumented Students in College: Florida’s new rule requiring proof of citizenship or “lawfully present” status for public college enrollment is drawing legal pushback, with advocates vowing to challenge the policy. Vouchers Accountability Debate: A state audit raises concerns about private school voucher mismanagement and weak tracking, renewing calls for tighter transparency and consistent accountability. Policy & Safety: A new law changes when prosecutors can charge failure to report suspected child abuse, and Florida expanded swim lesson vouchers for younger kids to improve water safety. Higher Ed/Workforce: Florida’s education spending and voucher oversight remain central as lawmakers and candidates roll out new K-12 and workforce proposals.

Immigration & College Access: Florida’s state board approved a policy barring undocumented students from enrolling in the Florida College System, requiring proof of U.S. citizenship or “lawfully present” status—an estimated hit of about $15 million in lost tuition and fees. Campus & Civil Rights: Gov. DeSantis designated CAIR and other groups as “terrorist” organizations under a new state law, with potential consequences for public funding and university discipline. Student Safety: Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, YMCA of South Florida and the Florida Panthers urged drowning prevention ahead of the Fourth of July, warning that drownings are fast and silent. School Innovation: Manatee County School Board accepted a $37,500 classroom robot donation for Manatee Technical College’s advanced manufacturing program, plus approved $1.5 million for theater stage lighting upgrades. Student Mental Health: Braveminds Academy highlighted how teen boys’ depression can show up as anger, withdrawal and school refusal—urging earlier clinical evaluation. Rare Blood Need: A South Florida teen with sickle cell disease needs 50 units of specially matched rare blood donors to move forward with a bone marrow transplant.

State Budget Vetoes: Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed more than $800 million from Florida’s 2026-27 budget, including $3.5 million for The College of the Florida Keys’ chiller plant infrastructure project—an air-conditioning upgrade tied to the Key West campus. District Report Cards: Florida released 2025-26 school grades, with Monroe County earning an “A” and Lee County receiving $1 million to modernize student transportation with GPS/GIS tracking; Charlotte County also landed its first “A” in 15 years. Charter Leadership Recognition: Ocean Studies Charter School assistant principal Jessica Martinez won a statewide Charter School Champion of the Year Award. College Safety Moves: USF announced new safety standards for off-campus housing providers after the April murders of two doctoral students. Student Access & Support: Clay County set 2026-27 free-and-reduced meal policies, including updated lunch/breakfast prices and CEP participation lists. First Responder Training: Barry University received a $100,000 Moss Foundation grant to expand emergency services education. Policy & Rights Fight: DeSantis’ administration moved forward with a new state terrorism designation law, with CAIR suing over its listing.

Immigration & Higher Ed: Florida’s State Board of Education approved a rule barring undocumented students from enrolling in the state’s 28 public colleges and extending the limits to adult programs like GED and English-language courses, drawing backlash from pro-immigration groups that call it “cruel,” potentially illegal, and costly to enrollment. School Accountability: Florida released district grades, with Duval County holding its “A,” St. Johns still topping the state, and several Central Florida districts maintaining “A” ratings while Marion fell to “C.” University Leadership: The Florida Board of Governors confirmed Stuart Bell as the University of Florida’s next president, with questions focused on student success, research, governance, free speech, and state DEI policies. Student Safety & Access: Florida expanded its Swimming Lesson Voucher Program, widening eligibility to ages 1–7 to boost water-safety training. Campus Climate & Law: A lawsuit challenges a Miami-Dade firing of a prominent Black football coach tied to an ineligible-player finding, alleging race-based discrimination and retaliation. Civic Learning: The 100 Black Men of South Florida ran a middle-school summer law program with mock trials and attorney-led lessons to build legal and public-speaking skills.

UF Leadership: The University of Florida Board of Trustees unanimously tapped Stuart Bell as UF’s 14th president, ending a two-year search that drew heavy political pushback over DEI and public-record rules. Immigration & College Access: Florida’s Board of Education approved a policy barring undocumented students from public college admissions and state-funded GED/adult education, with opponents warning of legal challenges. Student Loan Relief Shift: The SAVE student loan plan is ending for more than 7 million borrowers; they must choose new repayment options by Sept. 29 or be moved to standard repayment. K-12 Curriculum: Florida now requires cursive for third through fifth graders starting the 2026-27 school year, with proficiency expected by the end of fifth grade. School Performance: Florida’s district grades are out: Indian River, Martin, Palm Beach and St. Lucie earned “A” ratings, while Okeechobee landed at “C.” Higher Ed Policy: Florida’s state colleges also face tighter “lawfully present” requirements, reinforcing the broader crackdown on undocumented enrollment.

New STEM magnet: Sarasota County Schools is advertising seats for a reimagined 6-8 STEM school, Gulf Coast Academy of Innovation & Technology (formerly Brookside Middle), with University of South Florida support for hands-on pathways in AI, cybersecurity, robotics and marine sciences. Workforce funding: Charlotte County Public Schools secured $2.275M for trades training—$1.5M for a welding facility at the Southwest Florida Advanced Manufacturing Training Center and $775K for a water management program at Lemon Bay High School. District report cards: Charlotte County earned its first Florida “A” district rating in 15 years, while the Treasure Coast kept its “A” for a second straight year and Escambia County Public Schools also hit an “A” district grade. UF leadership: The Florida Board of Governors confirmed Dr. Stuart Bell as the University of Florida’s 14th president, ending a long search and raising questions about how his Alabama record will shape UF priorities. July 1 education law changes: New state rules took effect, including mandatory cursive instruction for grades 3-5 and expanded options for earning PE credits through marching band, performing arts, or Special Olympics participation. Meals for students: Indian River County schools added more sites to a federal free-meals program, with select campuses offering free breakfast and/or lunch to all students.

Undocumented students barred from Florida colleges: The Florida Board of Education approved new rules requiring public colleges to verify students are U.S. citizens or “lawfully present,” and it also blocks undocumented students from adult education programs that prepare for the GED. The vote passed with one dissent. University leadership decision: The Florida Board of Governors is set to vote Wednesday on the University of Florida’s next president, after UF’s trustees previously approved Dr. Stuart Bell and the confirmation was delayed. FAU athletics and administration: Florida Atlantic’s rise is credited in part to new Virginia Tech AD Brian White, with details on how White helped boost FAU’s revenue and game-day experience. Public health letter: A nurse reader argues Florida’s move away from vaccine mandates for entry-level school children could harm community health, citing rising measles and other disease concerns. Student civics win: A Florida middle schooler won the state Civics Bee finals at Florida State University and will head to nationals in Washington, D.C. School safety training: Pensacola police held active-shooter drills at Workman Middle School with a stronger focus on rescue emergency medicine, using a University of Miami simulation center.

State Budget Watch: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the FY 2026–27 budget, and Key West says its submitted projects cleared the veto process—$750,000 each for a Wastewater Treatment Facility and College Road Outfalls, $1 million for a Duval Street Pump Station design, and $3 million for a Stock Island Landfill remediation study, with $2M–$4M still pending. Higher Ed Leadership: UF trustees approved interim president Stuart Bell’s one-year contract starting July 1, with a $2 million salary and performance metrics tied to hiring permanent leadership. K-12 Athletics Costs: A new Florida law taking effect Wednesday lets some schools charge student-athletes participation fees; Polk County already approved a $400 activity fee for certain non-traditional athletes. School Safety/Health: A study from UMiami and FAU finds Florida’s spring break period carries higher traffic fatality and injury risk than other times of year. Campus & Student Life: Florida’s permanent back-to-school sales tax holiday runs July 20–Aug. 20. Local Business Impact: Popeyes franchisee Sailormen Inc. is closing nearly 20 more Florida locations after failing to find buyers in bankruptcy auctions.

State Testing Results: Gov. Ron DeSantis says Florida’s progress monitoring system (FAST) shows more than 60% of students meeting or exceeding grade-level benchmarks in English language arts and math, with Palm Beach County reporting gains. Budget & Education Funding: DeSantis signed the $117.6B FY 2026-27 budget after vetoing about $800M in line items, including a $2.5M Santa Fe College renovation for its M Building and plans for a fabrication lab. Handwriting Requirement: A new Florida law taking effect Wednesday requires public school students to learn cursive and demonstrate mastery before moving on. Policy & Accountability Event: Brevard leaders are set for an Aug. 4 “State of the Schools” forum at Eastern Florida State College focused on education and workforce development. Censorship Watch: A new report alleges book bans are increasingly coordinated and institutionalized, with political groups and state policy changes driving challenges nationwide. Legal System Appointments: DeSantis announced five judicial appointments, including new judges across Florida’s circuits and county courts.

State Budget & Education Funding: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida’s $117.6B budget for 2026-27 after vetoing nearly $1.6B, including about $1.5B for teacher pay raises and $30B for education and workforce priorities. Local School Performance: Orange County Public Schools reported gains on Florida’s spring testing, with more students scoring Level 3+ in math and English and progress across multiple FAST and B.E.S.T. exams. School Choice Legal Fight: The Florida Education Association is challenging school choice under the state constitution’s “uniform” public education requirement, arguing scholarship and charter funding systems should follow the same rules as traditional public schools. Trans Care Access Guide: A new Orlando guide explains what Florida law does and doesn’t allow for gender-affirming care, noting limits for minors and ongoing legal uncertainty for families. Privacy & Kids’ Data: Florida and Roku settled a lawsuit over alleged collection and sale of children’s data, with Roku promising enhanced child-protection tools and parental controls. Public Safety Training: The College of the Florida Keys graduated Basic Law Enforcement Academy 94, continuing its pipeline for future Florida law enforcement officers.

Student Success & CTE: Monroe County School Board shared graduation gains and highlighted Career and Technical Education options, including improved outcomes for Exceptional Student Education students and English Language Learners. Higher Ed Access: A new federal student loan cap plan is raising questions for graduate students, with one Florida student saying the limits make top programs financially out of reach. Undocumented Students: Florida is moving forward with efforts to bar undocumented students from public universities, with university system leaders discussing enrollment and safety impacts. State Accountability: Florida’s FAST testing results and grade-level benchmarks are being used to tout statewide academic progress. Emergency Planning: DeSoto County’s health department is urging residents with disabilities or special needs to register for the Florida Special Needs Shelter Registry ahead of hurricane season. Sports & Youth Pathways: USATF U20 Championships in Oregon featured record-setting sprints and hurdles, with Florida-linked athletes and coaches in the broader national spotlight.

Education Performance Milestone: Gov. Ron DeSantis says for the first time more than 60% of Florida students are at or above grade level in both English language arts and math, citing gains on end-of-year progress monitoring from 2023 to 2026. College Access & Aid: College of the Florida Keys is offering 100+ fall scholarship options (up to $4,000, some covering full tuition) with most applications due June 7. Student Support for Autism: The Florida Autism Services Grants Council will accept nonprofit applications for autism license plate funding from July 1–31. Local School Recognition: Denham Springs Junior High School in Louisiana was named a 2026 Model School, with its principal presenting at the Orlando conference. Teacher/Community Learning Events: UF/IFAS hosted its annual Native Plant Sale with 200+ species, curated by students and staff, drawing large crowds. Higher Ed Policy Watch: Florida is moving forward on a plan to bar undocumented students from public universities, with state leaders continuing to debate the change.

Water Conservation: Punta Gorda must keep conserving water as SWFWMD extended Modified Phase III restrictions through Oct. 1, 2026, keeping once-a-week lawn irrigation limits by street number and banning weekend watering. Housing & Education Community: Habitat for Humanity dedicated a new home in North Port for single mother Diana Garcia, highlighting required “sweat equity” and homeownership education. College Affordability: College of Central Florida will hold tuition flat for the 2026-27 year, keeping rates unchanged for new students. Early Childhood Recognition: Sarasota’s Laura Freedman, director of early childhood education at The Gan at Temple Sinai, received the Person of Valor Award for innovation and hurricane response. Student Support & Facilities: Peace River Wildlife Center in Punta Gorda is building a new education center expected to open in October, with donations nearing $4 million toward a $5 million goal. Athletics & Training: College of the Florida Keys swim program got an NJCAA Foundation grant for dryland training equipment to boost performance in and out of the pool. Leadership in Schools: Monroe County School District selected Edward C. Tierney as its top choice to become superintendent, pending contract talks.

FAST results & accountability: Gov. Ron DeSantis highlighted that more than 60% of Florida students met grade-level benchmarks on the state’s FAST progress monitoring system, pointing to gains in English language arts and math. Higher ed safety: USF announced new steps to protect students living in off-campus housing after the deaths of two doctoral students, including an Off-Campus Housing Network and safety guidance for property providers. Student support & community giving: Operation Hope is collecting backpacks and school supplies for 500 students ahead of an Aug. 1 distribution, aiming to ease back-to-school costs for struggling families. School meals: Palm Beach County schools announced a free and reduced-price meal policy for the upcoming school year. Civic engagement for students: Charlotte County’s “I Voted” sticker contest winners were honored, with designs tied to America’s 250th anniversary and the 2026 gubernatorial election. DeSantis vetoes education-adjacent bills: The governor vetoed measures affecting naturopathic medicine regulation and education/workforce development for inmates.

Florida Education Policy: Gov. Ron DeSantis says more than 60% of Florida students are now on or above grade level in both ELA and math on end-of-year progress monitoring, touting gains since 2023. Higher Ed & Access: UCF abruptly shut down its popular LibTech tech lending desk and related equipment rentals, leaving students who relied on free gear scrambling. Statewide School Finance: Monroe County School District adopted a tentative 7.3% property tax increase for 2025-26, setting a millage rate of 2.9470 and outlining next steps for safety and security budgeting. School Leadership: Monroe County highlighted a “full-circle moment” with three women principals leading its high schools, all alumni of their schools. Student Safety & Rules: DeSantis vetoed a bipartisan e-bike bill that would have set statewide rules, keeping enforcement largely in local hands. Coaching Pipeline: Special Olympics Florida is inviting coaches to a Feb. 7 conference in Key Largo with sport workshops and certification opportunities.