The big story: The committee structure for Florida’s upcoming legislative session continues to take shape, with House Speaker Daniel Perez announcing membership of the panels that will oversee education policy and funding for the coming year.
There are several new faces on the committees, though a few more veteran members including newly minted Republican Rep. Susan Valdés of Tampa and educators Rep. Alex Rizo, R-Hialeah, and Rep. John Temple, R-Wildwood, remain in the mix. Perez also has revamped the committees, with some getting different names and focuses.
Gone, for example, are the subcommittees on Choice and Innovation, and Education Quality. They’ve been replaced with subcommittees on Education Administration and Student Academic Success.
Read on for the House lawmakers who will be leading the education conversation.
Higher Education Budget Subcommittee — Chair: Demi Busatta Vice Chair: Michael Caruso Republicans: • Omar Blanco • Mike Giallombardo • Peggy Gossett Seidman • Jeff Holcomb • Kim Kendall • Alex Rizo • Judson Sapp • David Smith • John Temple Democrats: • Wallace Aristide • LaVon Bracy Davis • Daryl Campbell • Gallop Franklin
PreK 12 Budget Subcommittee — Chair: Jenna Persons Mulicka Vice Chair: Dana Trabulsy Republicans: • Erika Booth • Robert Brackett • Anne Gerwig • Fiona McFarland • Kiyan Michael • Danny Nix • Toby Overdorf • John Snyder • Brad Yeager Democrats: • Kimberly Daniels • Jervonte Edmonds • Ashley Gantt • Johanna Lopez
Education & Employment Committee — Chair: Jennifer Canady Vice Chair: Taylor Yarkosky Whip: Kim Berfield Republicans: • Anne Gerwig • Berny Jacques • Kim Kendall • Fiona McFarland • Kiyan Michael • Danny Nix • Jenna Persons Mulicka • Judson Sapp • Paula Stark • John Temple • Dana Trabulsy • Susan Valdés • Brad Yeager Democrats: • Wallace Aristide • Kimberly Daniels • Lisa Dunkley • Jervonte Edmonds • Jennifer Harris • Yvonne Hinson
Careers & Workforce Subcommittee — Chair: Berny Jacques Vice Chair: Rachel Plakon Republicans: • Jessica Baker • Doug Bankson • Kim Berfield • Nan Cobb • Chad Johnson • Kim Kendall • Jennifer Kincart Jonsson • Traci Koster • Patt Maney • Lauren Melo • Paula Stark Democrats: • Dan Daley • Ashley Gantt • Mitch Rosenwald • Leonard Spencer • Allison Tant
Education Administration Subcommittee — Chair: Dana Trabulsy Vice Chair: Dean Black Republicans: • Jon Albert • Fabian Basabe • Peggy Gossett Seidman • Jeff Holcomb • Debbie Mayfield • Jim Mooney • Danny Nix • Juan Porras • Judson Sapp • Susan Valdés • Meg Weinberger Democrats: • Jose Alvarez • Wallace Aristide • LaVon Bracy Davis • Angie Nixon • Marie Woodson
Student Academic Success Subcommittee — Chair: Fiona McFarland Vice Chair: Doug Bankson Republicans: • Yvette Benarroch • Kim Berfield • Omar Blanco • Anne Gerwig • Kiyan Michael • Vanessa Oliver • Michael Owen • Alex Rizo • Kevin Steele • John Temple • Taylor Yarkosky Democrats: • Bruce Antone • Lisa Dunkley • Yvonne Hinson • Johanna Lopez • Debra Tendrich
Efforts to guide discussion on education bills already has begun, with several organizations completing their legislative agendas. The Florida Education Association set teacher pay raises as its top 2025 legislative priority, Florida Politics reports.
Hot topics
Security: The Pinellas County school district adopted a new panic alert system that officials say will make it easier for teachers to report campus emergencies. • The Brevard County district is looking into using an AI weapon detection system on its campuses, WKMG reports.
Superintendents: The Monroe County school board aims to have a replacement for retiring superintendent Theresa Axford in place by July, Keys News reports.
School board politics: An Alachua County school board member resigned effective immediately to take over operations at a charter school she founded and previously ran, MainStreet Daily News reports. • Two newly elected Flagler County school board members raised pointed questions about the board’s efforts to replace its legal counsel, Flagler Live reports.
Pay raises: The Hillsborough County school board approved teacher and staff raises using the revenue generated by the district’s new local-option property tax, WTSP reports.
Educator discipline: A Duval County school board member has asked the state to reopen an investigation into a teacher accused of sexual battery against a student, Jacksonville Today reports.
Choice: Micro-schools are popping up across South Florida, and they’re becoming increasingly popular, the Miami Herald reports.
Campus signage: The Broward County school board voted to bar religious and political advertising on school campuses, WTVJ reports.
Budget cuts: The Union County school district cut employee cellphone stipends and contract completion bonuses, and closed its child care center for teachers, on its way toward slashing spending by $1 million, WCJB reports.
Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to yesterday’s roundup.
Before you go … It’s a very penguin Christmas.