Metro: Public Schools - The Independent Florida Alligator

A sign in front of the Alachua County Public Schools district office building is seen Sunday, June 6, 2021.

Metro

Two Alachua County School Board members refuse to attend communication training

By Grace Larson | Feb. 4

It is unclear if the board will continue to pursue a “Way of Work” training session.

The outside of Newberry Elementary School, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026.

Metro

Newberry Community School to open in August despite legal disputes

By Grace Larson | Feb. 2

For ACPS, the problem with Newberry Community School stems from the state’s policies toward charter schools.

The walkway to the fence that surrounds the field of Glen Springs Elementary School in Gainesville, Fla., Friday, Jan. 23, 2026.

Metro

Parents upset after Alachua County Public Schools installs new fence near school

By Grace Larson | Jan. 25

With their route to school now blocked, the family has faced some challenges.

Teacher of the year winner Barbra Brock accepts her award at Trinity United Methodist Church in Gainesville, Fla., Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2026.

Metro

High Springs Community School teacher named 2026 Alachua County Teacher of the Year

By Grace Larson | Jan. 22

Brock will go on to represent Alachua County in the statewide Teacher of the Year program, which is normally held in late July.

Metro

Alachua County School Board denies school closure rumor, addresses ICE unrest

By Grace Larson | Jan. 21

The Alachua County School Board dismissed rumors of a school closure and addressed Immigration and Customs Enforcement policies at a meeting Tuesday.

Metro

Alachua County School Board elects new leadership

By Alexa Ryan | Nov. 19

The Alachua County School Board elected Thomas Vu as chairman and Leanetta McNealy as vice chairman at its annual organizational meeting today.

Tina Certain, Alachua County School Board member, poses for a portrait at her podium at the Alachua County School District on Wednesday, Feb. 15. Certain, who graduated from Gainesville High School and the University of Florida with an accounting degree, is one of two African American women who serve on the School Board. “If you’ve seen someone who’s done it, it sparks in your mind that you can do it,” Certain said.

Metro

State Board of Education zeroes in on Alachua County schools

By Logan McBride | Nov. 16

The Florida Board of Education turned its eye to Alachua County Public Schools Thursday as it grilled a school board member over her social media presence and announced an investigation into the school district’s disability services.

Public school teachers in Alachua County are getting a raise.

Metro

Alachua County raises teacher salary

By Teia Williams | Nov. 10

Alachua County teachers will receive a pay increase for the 2025-2026 school year after two months of negotiation.

Metro

Alachua County School Board approves rezoning, begins superintendent search

By Logan McBride | Nov. 9

Following its Tuesday meeting, the Alachua County School Board is beginning efforts to rezone schools and hire a new superintendent.

Alachua County Public School Board members convene during a school board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025.

Metro

State commissioner visits, scolds Alachua County School Board

By Logan McBride | Oct. 8

The Alachua County School Board shared updates on teacher salary negotiations and heard remarks from a state education commissioner during Tuesday’s meeting.

Metro

State board summons Alachua School Board member for Charlie Kirk comments

By Logan McBride | Sep. 24

For the second time in two months, an Alachua County School Board member has come under fire from the Florida Department of Education for a Facebook post about the death of a prominent conservative.

Metro

Alachua County School Board sets 2025-2026 final budget, millage rates

By Logan McBride | Sep. 11

The Alachua County School Board voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve its final budget and millage rate for the 2025-2026 school year.

Immigrant and bilingual children in Florida classrooms face uncertainty after the U.S. Department of Education rescinded 2015 guidance on English learner services, affecting more than 1,000 students in Alachua County.

Metro

Alachua teachers left ‘uncertain’ after national English language-learning rollbacks

By María José Cordero Castillo and Logan McBride | Sep. 4

On Aug. 20, the U.S. Department of Education rescinded a 2015 guidance on English learner services. The guidance served as a roadmap for how these tools are provided to nearly 5 million students nationwide, including more than 1,000 in Alachua County.

Metro

Alachua County School Board approves GPD camera surveillance in schools, sets testing calendar

By Logan McBride | Sep. 3

The Alachua County School Board voted unanimously Tuesday to provide the Gainesville Police Department with access to school security cameras.

Florida Board of Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas wrote the Alachua County School Board allegedly violated the civil liberties of a parent.

Metro

From Hulk Hogan to the hot seat: Alachua board chair faces state backlash

By Sara-James Ranta | Aug. 4

The commissioner’s rebuke about the death of celebrity wrestler Hulk Hogan caps off a volatile week for the Alachua County School Board – one that began with a Facebook post and ended in political condemnation, threats against Rockwell’s family and a board meeting that broke into chaos.

Alachua County school board members discuss the Newberry charter contract on Monday, June 9, 2025

Metro

Alachua County School Board responds to Hulk Hogan Facebook comment controversy

By Sara-James Ranta | Aug. 1

The Alachua County School Board addressed controversy over a comment on Hulk Hogan’s death and approved the tentative budget and millage rate at a budget hearing Thursday night.

Students received backpacks and safety resources at the Stop the Violence Back to School event.

Metro

‘See Something, Say Something’: Gainesville rally promotes safety ahead of school year

By Candy Fontana-Verde | July 28

Organized by People Against Violence Enterprises, the event provided 1,500 free backpacks filled with school supplies to local students, offering families a message of peace before the new school year begins Aug. 11.

Metro

Florida Attorney General warns Alachua County School Board about co-ed cabins at Camp Crystal Lake

By Sara-James Ranta | June 13

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier issued a warning to the Alachua County School Board Friday following a “credible complaint” alleging two “biological boys” were housed in a second-grade girls’ cabin at Camp Crystal Lake.

Metro

Alachua County School Board approves Newberry Community Charter contract

By Sara-James Ranta | June 9

The Alachua County School Board unanimously approved the Newberry Community Charter contract Monday morning. The five-year charter contract will give Newberry Community School Inc. the authority to operate the school starting July 1, 2026.

Alachua County Public Schools board member Sarah Rockwell watches a speaker as the clock hits one second on their allotted time during a board meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Gainesville, Fla.

Metro

Alachua County School Board discusses local literacy gaps, postpones vote on Newberry charter contract

By Sara-James Ranta | June 4

The Alachua County School Board heard reports from a local literacy needs assessment and voted to table the Newberry Charter contract at a meeting Tuesday night.