Schools & Kids
Saturday, May 9, 2026 · The Roads
The Roads High Graduation Set for May 20 at Auditorium
More than 400 seniors from The Roads High School are set to receive their diplomas on May 20 in a ceremony at the school auditorium. The event will be live-streamed for families unable to attend in person. Principal Maria Gonzalez announced details in a recent school newsletter.
Roads High School College Fair Draws 50+ Universities Wednesday
The Roads High School will host a major college and career fair Wednesday, connecting local students with over 50 universities and employers. The event comes as Miami-Dade County continues expanding dual enrollment and early college pathways for high school students.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
Polk Commissioners OK School Tax Referendum for Nov. Ballot
Polk County commissioners have approved a one-mill property tax increase referendum for the November 2026 ballot to fund schools, projecting $76-82 million annually for teacher pay and programs. The measure, if passed, would cost The Roads homeowners about $260 yearly. Voters in The Roads and across Polk will decide its fate amid rising state education debates.
Saturday, May 9, 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.
Saturday, May 9, 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.
Saturday, May 9, 2026