A 51-year-old exceptional student education teacher at Old Kings Elementary school was arrested on a felony charge of drug possession after allegedly stealing prescription pills from a colleague at work.
Schools
Landowners Rushing to Convert Farms Into Subdivisions as Florida Law Shifts Control to Tallahassee
Florida developers are racing to take advantage of a fast-track approval process for turning rural land into subdivisions, a process that state lawmakers expanded this year in their latest move to shift control over Florida’s sprawling growth from local governments to Tallahassee.
County Fire Rescue Hires Three Graduates of Flagler Schools’ Fire Academy
A trio of fire rescue specialists from Flagler Schools is putting their education and training to work in service to their community. Flagler Palm Coast High School (FPC) graduates Joseph Mione, Bradley Loughran, and Victoria King, began their careers with Flagler County Fire Rescue.
AI Is Killing an Important Necessity: Writing as a Struggle
Writing professors face a new challenge as generative AI makes academic work frictionless. Students often use these tools to shortcut the essential intellectual struggle required for deep learning. This reliance leads to laziness and cognitive offloading. Educators should act as guides, encouraging students to write without AI first. By doing so, students develop foundational trust in their own thinking. Discernment begins by sitting with the messiness of original thought.
Best National Universities Ranking Marks Major Milestone For Stetson University
Stetson University has achieved a significant institutional milestone, earning recognition among the Best National Universities in the 2027 U.S. News & World Report rankings. The designation marks Stetson’s transition from the Regional Universities category to the National Universities category, placing the university among institutions that offer extensive undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs while emphasizing research and scholarly achievement.
The Ideological Sack of Florida’s New College
DeSantis is aggressively dismantling traditional university governance across Florida by installing political loyalists, suppressing speech, and imposing rigid ideological curricula. Students and filmmakers are fighting back through protests, legal challenges and documentaries, exposing institutional decline, rising costs, and plummeting academic rankings.
Judge Says Charges Against History Teacher Over Charlie Kirk ‘Karma’ Post Should Be Dropped
The state should drop charges, including an allegation of gross immorality, against a Duval County teacher who posted about Charlie Kirk after he was killed, an administrative law judge has recommended. The decision came last week, addressing charges against Hope McMath, who was an advanced placement art history teacher at a magnet high school in Jacksonville, when Kirk, the extremist polemicist, was killed in Utah in September 2025.
Jackson Magee of FPC is Flagler Schools’ Lone National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist
Flagler Palm Coast High School announced scholar Jackson Magee as a Semifinalist in the 2027 National Merit Scholarship Program.
Florida’s Public School Enrollment Falls as Taxpayer-Funded Vouchers for Private Schooling Soar
The significant drop in enrollment is caused, in part, by the 2023 expansion of Florida’s Family Empowerment Scholarships, or voucher program, for home and private school students and students with disabilities, now available regardless of income. In major metropolitan school districts across the state, keeping students in public schools has become progressively challenging.
Flagler County Memories of 9/11, pt. 2:
‘A Day Remembered for Unimaginable Courage and Sacrifice’
In the second of two parts commemorating the 25th anniversary of 9/11, 19 prominent members of the Flagler County community remember that day and reflect on how it changed them, and how it changed the nation. Today’s contributors are Bobby Bossardet, Colleen Walsh Conklin, Ty Miller, Howard Holley, Jonathan Lord, Lance Blanchette, Jay Livingston, Kyle Berryhill, Michael Rodriguez, Brynn Newton, Kyle Totten, Jane Mealy, Michael McGlothlin, David Ayres, Jeff Douglas, Rick de Yampert, Linda Hansen, Alvin Jackson and Monica Campana.
‘No One Here But Us’: The Prisoners Behind a New Art Exhibit at Stetson University
The Homer and Dolly Hand Art Center at Stetson University presents its upcoming exhibition, “No One Here But Us,” a dynamic selection of artworks, including folk and outsider art curated by students–state prisoners–enrolled in Stetson’s Community Education Project (CEP).
Florida Is Forcing Textbook Publishers to Remove Climate Change Content
Florida education officials asked science textbook publishers to remove words like “climate change” and references to coal plants as “polluting,” either watered down or eliminating content about the climate crisis, an investigation found. These revelations come as the state is quietly updating its science standards for the first time since 2008. Academic standards outline what knowledge and skills a student should master in each grade and subject.
Undocumented Students Now Banned from All Florida Colleges and Universities
Students must be lawfully in the United States to attend Florida’s universities, the board that oversees the university system voted Thursday. The measure received no debate or discussion, except from members of the public during public comment. The Board of Governors approved the measure, on the consent agenda, after receiving preliminary approval during a meeting in June.
Like 4 Other Florida Universities, UNF Gets to Pick from a List of One for President
One finalist, University of North Georgia President Michael Shannon, has emerged for the University of North Florida presidency, following a trend of state institutions relying on an “exceptional circumstances” carveout to state policy that otherwise requires three or more finalists. The university received 152 applications.
Flagler County School Board Expands Participation Rights For Student Representatives After February Dispute
The Flagler County School Board revised its policy to ensure that student representatives have greater participation during public meetings. Two board members previously attempted to restrict student voices to limited comments. The new guidelines reassert students’ authority to engage fully in discussions alongside elected members.
DSC’s Culinary Student Cezar Nita Is 2026 Phi Theta Kappa Global Leaders of Promise Scholar
Daytona State College culinary student Cezar Nita has been selected as one of 220 Phi Theta Kappa members nationwide to receive a 2026 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholarship. For the recognition, he will also receive a $1,000 award.
Florida Wants To Abolish 4 Vaccine Requirements for Schoolchildren
The state of Florida wants to remove four immunizations from entry requirements for PreK-12 public and private schools. The Florida Department of Health is proposing a rule to remove Hepatitis B, varicella (chicken pox), Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines for public school attendance, a move that has been in play for almost a year after Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo announced his intent to get rid of all vaccine mandates in the state.
Flagler County Is Not As Red As You Think
Last Tuesday’s primary in Flagler County clearly demonstrated that voters are exhausted by toxic political demagoguery, reactionary extremism and political theater. THat’s especially so on the School Board, where Will Furry was dispatched, Jill Woolbright was stopped from returning, and Christy Chong is hanging by a mumble.
For 12th Straight Year, Stetson Is a Princeton Review ‘Best College’
Stetson University once again has earned national recognition from The Princeton Review as one of America’s Best 392 Colleges, joining an elite group of about 14% of colleges nationwide.
Judge Says Teacher Who Made Critical Comment on Charlie Kirk Should Be Reinstated
Division of Administrative Hearings Judge Andrew Manko found that a derisive remark about Charlie Kirk after his assassination, posted on Facebook by Mariah Roller, an educator at Three Oaks Middle School in Fort Myers, caused “minimal” disruption to the Lee County School Board, and that she should be reinstated and paid back wages.
Board Proposes 3,000-Sq-Ft, $1.2 Million Addition to Palm Coast Library for Events and Voting
Eight months after opening the Bunnell branch library known as the Nexus Center, the Flagler County Public Library Board of Trustees is proposing a $1.2 million, 3,000-square-foot addition at the Palm Coast library to meet surging demand for event space.
Record Early Voting in Flagler Primary Marred by Illegal Text Smear in School Board Race
Flagler County saw a record early voting turnout in its primary election but also sharply declining mail-in ballots. An anonymous and illegal text message masquerading as a campaign advertisement targeted School Board candidates days before the election.
S.T.U.F.F. Bus and Education Foundation Equip Flagler Students for the New School Year
Flagler Education Foundation staff, volunteers, donors, businesses, and community partners joined to provide school supplies, backpacks, clothing, resources, and support to students and families across Flagler County.
Smaller Florida School Districts Are Banding Together to Lower Health Costs
As many Florida school districts look to close schools to cope with declining enrollment, leading to budget cuts, some are banding together to reduce health insurance premiums through the Florida Educator Health Trust (FLEHT), a nonprofit organization under the umbrella of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents.
Stetson School of Music Announces Opening Concert for New Season
The Stetson School of Music invites the community to its opening concert of the 2026-27 Concert Season. The Friends of Music concert will take place Friday, Aug. 21, at 7:30 p.m. in Lee Chapel in Elizabeth Hall on Stetson’s campus. The concert is free and open to the public.
FPC’s Bobby Bossardet’s 1st Day Welcome: Celebrate, and Be ‘Better for Each Other and Our Kids’
In his now-traditional day-before-new-school year letter to his faculty and staff, Flagler Palm Coast High School Principal Bobby Bossardet warmly welcomes students and staff, emphasizing a sense of celebration for the school’s A, but also cautioning against resting on laurels. Bossardet encourages the faculty to build strong relationships with every student and remember that not everyone is happy to be back.
Schools Finally Rethink One-To-One Student Laptop Fad
School districts and state lawmakers across the nation are rethinking one-to-one laptop programs. New policies restrict classroom screen time for young children and emphasize hands-on learning as educational research shows technology improves learning only when students actively use devices to analyze information, solve complex problems, and think critically.
Young Alligator Exercising His Right to School Choice at Rymfire Elementary Is Shown the Pond
Rymfire Elementary Assistant Principal Abra Seay safely relocated a young alligator found under a teacher’s car at the end of a day of training this week, a few days before the resumption of school on Aug. 10. Seay, who grew up in Flagler County, used a broomstick to gently guide the animal into a nearby retention pond. The superintendent said the gator did not qualify for school choice.
Byron and Erika Donalds’ Gospel of ‘School Choice’ Would Turbocharge Vouchers and Privatization
Byron and Erika Donalds are leveraging their political influence and billionaire donations to drastically transform the public education system in Florida. The couple envisions a lucrative free-market educational economy prioritizing universal voucher programs and private charter schools. Critics argue their aggressive privatization agenda unconstitutionally drains essential taxpayer funds from struggling traditional public school districts.
Know Palm Coast’s New E-Bike Rules As You Ride Back to School
As students prepare to head back to school, the City of Palm Coast, Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, and Flagler Schools are reminding families that electric bicycles (e-bikes) remain a popular way to get to and from school—but they also come with important responsibilities. Officials are encouraging parents and riders to review Palm Coast’s e-bike ordinance and practice safe riding habits before the first day of school.
Uthmeier Takes on Catholic Church: Grant Vaccine Exemptions to Students, Or Else
Attorney General James Uthmeier is putting the Roman Catholic Church on notice – if they take taxpayer funded vouchers for their schools, they should accept vaccine exemptions for students, too. In a letter sent Friday to the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, Uthmeier, citing the Catholic Catechism, Pope Leo and scripture, argued Catholic doctrine does not allow its schools to reject vaccine exemptions for religious reasons.
Taxpayer-Funded Private School Students in Flagler Near 2,500, Diverting $17.3 Million from District
Flagler County school officials advanced a tentative budget reflecting yet another surge in state-mandated, taxpayer-supported subsidies for private and homeschool students. The total amount of students receiving public funds for private education spiked 28 percent. The state is diverting $17 million in public funds to those students, money that could otherwise be invested in the district. State lawmakers continue to lower school tax rates despite declining property values locally.
School Board’s Will Furry Pushes Controversial Anti-Abortion ‘Olivia’ Video for Inclusion In Curriculum
Flagler County School Board member Will Furry requested the board review an anti-abortion fetal development video known as “Meet Baby Olivia” for local curriculum integration. Led by activist Andrew Shirvell, public commenters urged adoption despite state-level rejections. Board members are split, with concerns over medical inaccuracies, pending workshop discussions scheduled after the upcoming election.
Florida Department Of Health Warns Against Prescribing Psychotropic Medications To Children And Teens
Florida health officials issued new guidelines discouraging doctors from prescribing psychotropic medications to children aged five to 17 for conditions like anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Aligning with federal Make America Healthy Again priorities, the state recommends therapy and behavioral intervention as primary treatments. Medical organizations like the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry are opposed.
Flagler Home Builders Association Outfits 96 Students with Backpacks for New School Year
The Flagler Home Builders Association gathered its members and sponsors to hand out 96 fully stocked backpacks to local students heading back to school, continuing an annual tradition aimed at easing the financial burden of classroom prep in Flagler County.
A Rare Florida Victory for ‘The Right To Tell People What They Don’t Want to Hear’
Judge Britt C. Grant described the DeSantis “Stop Woke Act” a breathtaking assertion of power aimed at banning unpopular ideas. Academic freedom requires open debate rather than state-mandated silence while suppressing critical discussions regarding race, gender, and history undermines the core educational mission of public universities across the state.
Moms for Liberty’s Influence on School Board Races Is Not What It Was in Florida, Its Home State
Moms for Liberty’s influence has been on a long decline in its home state as the organization faced a wave of resignations, chapter dissolutions and scandals among Moms for Liberty leadership.
Will Furry Abruptly Silences School Board Members Ruddy and Ramirez, Declaring Policy Discussion Over
Flagler County School Board Vice Chair Will Furry ended a policy workshop discussion abruptly, overruling requests from board members Janie Ruddy and Lauren Ramirez to continue deliberating proposed insurance requirements for school support organizations. Despite board attorney Ryan Hudak suggesting a five-minute extension, Furry forced the board to move on. Ruddy and Ramirez expressed sharp concerns over Furry’s manner.
Cathy Moon, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Cathy Moon is one of two candidates for the Flagler County School Board, District 1, running against Jill Woolbright, who has declined to participate in the Live Interview. It is a non-partisan race: all registered voters regardless of party affiliation or non-party status may vote in the Aug. 18 primary, which will decide the winner, who will be sworn-in in November.
Jill Woolbright, Flagler County School Board Candidate: The Live Interview
Jill Woolbright is one of two candidates for Flagler County School Board, District 1, running against Cathy Moon. Woolbright, a former School Board member defeated in 2022, declined to participate, as she did in 2022. It is a non-partisan race: all registered voters regardless of party affiliation or non-party status may vote in the Aug. 18 primary, which will decide the winner, who will be sworn-in in November.
The Wild West of Unregulated Private Schools in Florida and Elsewhere That Collect Taxpayer Dollars
An average of 100 new private schools have launched in Florida each of the last five school years. Florida and other states are taking a hands-off approach to regulating private schools that receive public money. School founders — in one case, a Florida woman prosecuted for sexual abuse who lost her license — often aren’t screened. Some states can’t even say how many of these schools exist.
Month-Long Sales Tax ‘Holiday’ On School Supplies, Including Computers, Begins Monday
The discount holiday, first offered as a seven-day period in 1998 when sales taxes were lifted on only certain clothing valued $50 or less, was firmly put into state statutes last year as a recurring event to run throughout August.
DeSantis Blames Court for Calling Out His Overreach on Woke Act
Gov. Ron DeSantis called the 11th Circuit’s blocking of the “Stop WOKE Act” a “clear and unfortunate example of judicial overreach,” reacting to the second ruling this week against his anti “woke” agenda.
Florida’s ‘Stop WOKE Act’ at Universities Ruled Unconstitutional in Blunt Decision by Trump Appointee
A federal appeals court decisively ruled Florida’s Stop WOKE Act unconstitutional in public university classrooms. The Eleventh Circuit panel affirmed that the First Amendment protects academic freedom, preventing viewpoint discrimination by the state government. The ruling blocks Florida from restricting diverse classroom discussions regarding Critical Race Theory and marks a major constitutional legal defeat for the DeSantis administration’s efforts to control higher education classroom speech.
Teacher’s Career Hinges On First Amendment Battle After Her Firing Over Charlie Kirk Comments
Kelly Brock-Sanchez, a former Clay County public school teacher fired for making controversial Facebook comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk, is fighting to save her career after her private posts went viral. She filed a federal lawsuit claiming the punishment violates her First Amendment rights. An administrative hearing will determine whether she permanently loses her Florida teaching certificate.
Former Athens Theatre Director Craig Uppercue Steps Into Leadership Role At Flagler Auditorium Today
Craig Uppercue brings decades of theatrical and educational experience to his new role as director of the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center. Taking over for Amelia Fulmer, the veteran arts administrator plans to prioritize student programs and explore bringing live music and touring shows to the venue. He hopes to replicate the growth he previously helped to orchestrate at the vibrant Athens Theatre in DeLand.
‘Harmful’ and ‘Likely Illegal’: Immigration Groups Decry Florida Ban of Undocumented Students at Colleges
Florida’s pro-immigration groups blasted a new rule banning undocumented students from state colleges as “cruel” and potentially illegal. On a Zoom meeting, the coalition of legal entities and advocacy organizations called on the DeSantis administration to reconsider this week’s education change, which outright outlawed state colleges from enrolling undocumented students.
Flagler Schools Return to A Rating for 1st Time in 7 Years as FPC and Buddy Taylor Also Score 1st A in Eons
Flagler County schools earned a district-wide A rating for the first time in seven years as every single school within the district achieved an A or a B grade. Notable successes include Buddy Taylor Middle School and Flagler Palm Coast High School receiving A ratings for the first time in years. Superintendent LaShakia Moore, School Board Chair Christy Chong and principals credit the collective efforts of teachers, staff, students, parents, and the community.
Paul Burns Appointed Interim Education Commissioner
The Florida Board of Education appointed Paul Burns as interim education commissioner on Tuesday. Burns, a Department of Education senior chancellor, was unanimously approved to step into the role of commissioner as Anastasios Kamoutsas exits to become president of Polk State College.
Birthright Citizenship Survives, Trans Athletes and Campaign Finance Limits Lose in Trio of Landmark Decisions
The U.S. Supreme Court issued three landmark rulings today: A 6-3 decision protects birthright citizenship, striking down a Trump administration executive order. The court ruled 6-3 that schools may ban transgender athletes from female sports under Title IX. And the justices invalidated limits on coordinated political party expenditures, a move deregulating campaign finance and benefiting major donors over grassroots contributors.