Schools & Kids
Friday, June 19, 2026 · Polk County
Lee County Schools Hit 98% On-Time Bus Arrivals After Staggered Start Times
Lee County Schools achieved a 98% on-time bus arrival rate during the 2025-2026 school year, up 15 percentage points, by staggering start times across three tiers and optimizing routes.
UF offers dual enrollment to Lee County high schoolers
Lee County high schoolers can now take free University of Florida courses for college credit. Sixty-eight students have already signed up for the program launching in August.
Friday, June 19, 2026
Center scientists aim to solve devastating citrus greening, first, then other crop diseases
University of Florida scientists are joining forces at the new Crop Transformation Center to combat pests and diseases threatening Florida’s crops, starting with citrus greening.
Friday, June 19, 2026
UF Eyes $500M Engineering Boom to Tackle Florida Tech Shortage
The University of Florida is pushing for $500 million in state funding to expand engineering facilities, aiming to supercharge STEM education amid Florida's booming tech sector. The proposal targets workforce gaps in high-demand fields like data science and advanced manufacturing. With Gainesville at the epicenter, UF's multibillion-dollar building spree could reshape the state's innovation landscape.
Friday, June 19, 2026
Florida Senate OKs Bill Capping Teacher Tenure at 4 Years
In a bold move to elevate classroom performance, the Florida Senate has passed legislation limiting teacher tenure to just four years while mandating merit-based evaluations. The measure, aimed at statewide public school gains, reignites a decade-old debate on accountability versus job security. Backed by GOP leaders, it heads to the House amid teacher union pushback.
Friday, June 19, 2026