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Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion - DeSantis's reign of terror on education is Trump's model
If Americans want a glimpse of Trump-style education policy in action, they should look to Florida. Over the last six years, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has turned the state into a laboratory for a hard-right agenda, disguised as 'parental rights' but aimed at systematically dismantling public education. Under the banner of culture wars, Florida has censored classroom discussions, politicized school boards and driven teachers out of the profession, undermining not just what students learn but whether they learn at all. It's a blueprint for control, not for education. Start with book-banning. Florida leads the country in book-banning, with 4,561 books banned in schools in 33 of the state's 67 school districts. Banned books, including award-winning authors like Maya Angelou, Saul Bellow and Toni Morrison, classics from Proust to Ovid, bestselling authors like Patricia Cornwell and James Patterson, and left-leaning social commentators like Jon Stewart. This wave of book-bans aligns with broader efforts in Florida to reshape school curricula. The state's new educational standards include language suggesting that enslaved people may have developed skills that 'could be applied for their personal benefit.' The state also placed limits on African American studies programs, claiming an Advanced Placement African American Studies course lacked educational value and violated state law. Gay and transgender students and educators have come under increased scrutiny. Legislation and administrative rules have imposed restrictions on which bathrooms transgender students may use and have limited how gender identity and sexual orientation can be discussed in classrooms. Under laws signed by DeSantis, teachers face legal risks for using the preferred pronouns of transgender students without explicit parental consent. One notable case occurred in Brevard County, where a beloved veteran teacher's contract was not renewed because she referred to a student by a name chosen several years prior to the adoption of the rule. Meanwhile, new laws require parental consent for basic services like nurses' visits, accessing library books and watching PG films like 'Frosty the Snowman.' Because of these rules, tens of thousands of Florida students lose out because their parents have not filled out consent forms. School nurses risk losing their jobs for something as simple as putting a bandage on a scraped knee without prior parental consent. The burden falls heavily on parents, who must navigate a maze of new forms, and on school staff, who are overwhelmed by the surge in paperwork. Many frontline educators and support workers live in fear of backlash from activist groups like Moms for Liberty, whose influence has turned everyday decisions into political flashpoints. DeSantis has also gone to war with higher education, including the takeover of the New College of Florida. High-ranking administrators were fired and diversity programs eliminated. Scores of faculty have quit. DeSantis's hostility toward public education knows no limits. His state ranks dead last in teacher pay, Florida just posted the worst national test scores in more than 20 years and Florida has a universal school voucher program that disproportionately benefits higher-income students. None of this has escaped the attention of Trump, whose executive orders explicitly encourage states to turn federal block grants into voucher programs. His latest proposed budget also slashes $4.5 billion in support for low-income students, undermining programs that help with high school completion, college access and work-study opportunities. He proposes cutting teacher quality initiatives, funding for Howard University, the Office for Civil Rights and bilingual student programs. His proposed budget explicitly prohibits funding for progressive nonprofits and DEI programs. Will Republicans in Congress realize that Trump's assault on education hurts the very institutions their communities rely on? Schools and universities aren't just economic drivers in their districts, they're centers of local pride, identity and opportunity. In places like Brevard County, where we recently held a town hall, hope is being replaced by fear. Parents, educators, students and community leaders all expressed shame and fury at the actions of their local school board and state policymakers. Trump and DeSantis have taken the bullying approach to governing to new extremes. There is no honest debate, no give and take, no compromise. It is a relentless drive to push, divide and control. Cruelty is the point, and the negative consequences of children, families and educators aren't a side effect — it's a strategy. Forty-two years ago, Republican President Ronald Reagan sounded the alarm on the state of American education by releasing 'A Nation at Risk.' Today, that title applies to much more than our schools: our economy, our democracy, our environment, our global standing and our moral compass. But no one is more vulnerable than 50 million American school children living under an immoral, unethical and criminal president. They cannot vote. They have no lobby. They are counting on us to fight back. Jennifer Jenkins is a former Brevard County School Board member and chairwoman of Educated We Stand, a nonprofit committed to resisting right-wing extremism in Florida schools. Arne Duncan is a former U. S. Secretary of Education. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hill
DeSantis's reign of terror on education is Trump's model
If Americans want a glimpse of Trump-style education policy in action, they should look to Florida. Over the last six years, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has turned the state into a laboratory for a hard-right agenda, disguised as 'parental rights' but aimed at systematically dismantling public education. Under the banner of culture wars, Florida has censored classroom discussions, politicized school boards and driven teachers out of the profession, undermining not just what students learn but whether they learn at all. It's a blueprint for control, not for education. Start with book-banning. Florida leads the country in book-banning, with 4,561 books banned in schools in 33 of the state's 67 school districts. Banned books, including award-winning authors like Maya Angelou, Saul Bellow and Toni Morrison, classics from Proust to Ovid, bestselling authors like Patricia Cornwell and James Patterson, and left-leaning social commentators like Jon Stewart. This wave of book-bans aligns with broader efforts in Florida to reshape school curricula. The state's new educational standards include language suggesting that enslaved people may have developed skills that 'could be applied for their personal benefit.' The state also placed limits on African American studies programs, claiming an Advanced Placement African American Studies course lacked educational value and violated state law. Gay and transgender students and educators have come under increased scrutiny. Legislation and administrative rules have imposed restrictions on which bathrooms transgender students may use and have limited how gender identity and sexual orientation can be discussed in classrooms. Under laws signed by DeSantis, teachers face legal risks for using the preferred pronouns of transgender students without explicit parental consent. One notable case occurred in Brevard County, where a beloved veteran teacher's contract was not renewed because she referred to a student by a name chosen several years prior to the adoption of the rule. Meanwhile, new laws require parental consent for basic services like nurses' visits, accessing library books and watching PG films like 'Frosty the Snowman.' Because of these rules, tens of thousands of Florida students lose out because their parents have not filled out consent forms. School nurses risk losing their jobs for something as simple as putting a bandage on a scraped knee without prior parental consent. The burden falls heavily on parents, who must navigate a maze of new forms, and on school staff, who are overwhelmed by the surge in paperwork. Many frontline educators and support workers live in fear of backlash from activist groups like Moms for Liberty, whose influence has turned everyday decisions into political flashpoints. DeSantis has also gone to war with higher education, including the takeover of the New College of Florida. High-ranking administrators were fired and diversity programs eliminated. Scores of faculty have quit. DeSantis's hostility toward public education knows no limits. His state ranks dead last in teacher pay, Florida just posted the worst national test scores in more than 20 years and Florida has a universal school voucher program that disproportionately benefits higher-income students. None of this has escaped the attention of Trump, whose executive orders explicitly encourage states to turn federal block grants into voucher programs. His latest proposed budget also slashes $4.5 billion in support for low-income students, undermining programs that help with high school completion, college access and work-study opportunities. He proposes cutting teacher quality initiatives, funding for Howard University, the Office for Civil Rights and bilingual student programs. His proposed budget explicitly prohibits funding for progressive nonprofits and DEI programs. Will Republicans in Congress realize that Trump's assault on education hurts the very institutions their communities rely on? Schools and universities aren't just economic drivers in their districts, they're centers of local pride, identity and opportunity. In places like Brevard County, where we recently held a town hall, hope is being replaced by fear. Parents, educators, students and community leaders all expressed shame and fury at the actions of their local school board and state policymakers. Trump and DeSantis have taken the bullying approach to governing to new extremes. There is no honest debate, no give and take, no compromise. It is a relentless drive to push, divide and control. Cruelty is the point, and the negative consequences of children, families and educators aren't a side effect — it's a strategy. Forty-two years ago, Republican President Ronald Reagan sounded the alarm on the state of American education by releasing 'A Nation at Risk.' Today, that title applies to much more than our schools: our economy, our democracy, our environment, our global standing and our moral compass. But no one is more vulnerable than 50 million American school children living under an immoral, unethical and criminal president. They cannot vote. They have no lobby. They are counting on us to fight back. Jennifer Jenkins is a former Brevard County School Board member and chairwoman of Educated We Stand, a nonprofit committed to resisting right-wing extremism in Florida schools. Arne Duncan is a former U. S. Secretary of Education.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
A Beloved College Professor Died. Then She Stunned Her Former Students by Leaving Them Most of Her $2.8 Million Estate
Over 30 people received the surprise of a lifetime when they learned that their former college professor had left them the majority of her life savings Professor Cris Hassold taught art history at the New College of Florida in Sarasota for over 50 years and had quietly amassed about $2.8 million in wealth The inheritance amounts ranged from about $26,000 to $560,000Thirty-one people got the surprise of a lifetime when they found out their former college professor had left them the majority of her life savings. Professor Cris Hassold taught art history at the New College of Florida in Sarasota for over 50 years. She was known for her unorthodox teaching style and for forging close, life-long bonds with her students, per The New York Times. 'She had a collection of students in the same way that she had endless collections of books,' recalled Dr. Nicole Archer, 49, one former student who now teaches at Montclair State University in New Jersey. When Hassold died in 2020 at the age of 89, a number of her former students received word that she had left them something in her will — though none knew what, exactly, the bequeathment would entail. What those former students didn't know is that Hassold — who never married or had children of her own — had amassed a $2.8 million estate over her lifetime, and that she opted to divide the amount among 36 people, 31 of whom were former students, per The Times. The Times states that Hassold allotted the amounts, which ranged from about $26,000 to $560,000, based on factors like how close she was to the student as well as how much she thought they needed it. Her former students have since used the money on everything from medical expenses to downpayments on homes. The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! Archer, who was one of the students who inherited money from Hassold, told The Times that she received a package from Sarasota in August of 2021 — and found a check for $100,000 inside. 'I truly, honestly believed that I read it wrong,' she told the outlet, adding, 'I remember following the number with my finger, making sure I understood how many zeros it was.' Archer went on to tell The Times that meeting Hassold as a college freshman was a life-changing experience. 'It was kind of like the most amazing moment I had ever had,' she recalled. 'She [was] just herself. It was a type of woman I had never met.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest was known to refer to her students as her kids, per The Times. She held long dinners at local restaurants, where she asked students about their dreams and aspirations — while also pushing them to think practically about exactly how they would achieve their goals. 'What do you want to do and how do you get there? Who do you like to read? Where do they teach? They teach abroad? How do you save up the money to go?' her past students recall her asking, per The Times. Other former students felt as though they received a kind of full-hearted acceptance from Hassold that they didn't necessarily get at home. Former New College student Katie Helms, 47, got emotional when remembering her old mentor. 'I'll never get the kind of acknowledgment from my parents that I got from her,' Helms, a queer woman, told The Times. 'I think about her almost every day." Read the original article on People
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former New College official now facing felonies after indecent exposure accusations
SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) — A former New College of Florida official and former spokesperson for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is now facing felony charges after authorities said he exposed himself to multiple people over the course of several months. Fredrick Piccolo Jr.'s charges were upgraded from misdemeanors to felonies this week, according to Sarasota County jail records. He faces three counts of exposure of sexual organs — each of which is considered a third-degree felony due to it being a second or subsequent offense. 'Pure evil': Lakeland man sets house on fire with roommates inside, Judd says The man who once played a prominent role in Florida politics was arrested by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office in April after deputies said he exposed himself to a woman while asking her for directions. He's also accused of exposing himself to multiple people at department stores in the University Town Center Mall in Sarasota. Court records show the incidents occurred between Aug. 22 and Sept. 4 of last year. Piccolo worked as the director of communications for DeSantis' office from August 2020 to December 2021 before he resigned over a controversial social media post. He also held leadership roles with the Florida Speaker of the House and New College in Sarasota. His father, Rick Piccolo, told News Channel 8 that a worsening medical condition has contributed to his son's 'impulsive and compulsive behaviors,' including 'hypersexual activities.' The Piccolo family provided a statement this week saying they have sought medical and mental health services to help him recover. The family's full statement is below. While our family is deeply saddened and surprised by the accusations contained in the arrest reports, our son Fred Jr. was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's disease about ten years ago. As the disease has progressed, he has had various and increasing medications for the affliction. One of the listed side effects of the medications, particularly the dopamine agonists he is taking, is impulsive and compulsive behaviors, including gambling and hypersexuality activities. We are very sorry that any individuals were subjected to any inappropriate conduct, and we have already started the medical and mental health services necessary to return him to the wonderful and caring individual we knew before this decade of doctor prescribed medication. Rick Piccolo Jail records show Piccolo Jr. was booked into jail on the upgraded charges on May 21, but bonded out two days later. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Florida A&M's new president doesn't define the university. We do.
Since 1887, Florida A&M University in Tallahassee has stood as a beacon of excellence and resilience, nurturing generations of Black scholars and leaders who have shaped this country. That 138-year legacy isn't just worth honoring, but it's also worth protecting. I'm a proud alumnus of FAMU and, thus, watched the recent selection of Marva Johnson as the university's new president with great interest. Many people who love the university fall along a spectrum of emotions regarding the selection process and the selection of Johnson, as she does not have experience in higher education and is a political ally of Gov. Ron DeSantis. Others have complained that the process wasn't sufficiently transparent. And before Johnson was picked, some alumni reportedly threatened to stop supporting FAMU financially if she were selected. For many, the outpouring of concern and scrutiny surrounding FAMU's new president stem not from animosity, but from a place of profound love for the institution. When an entity holds such a significant place in hearts, every decision, every transition, is met with intense passion. This vocal engagement is not necessarily a sign of discord, but rather a powerful testament to the deep-seated affection and ownership the FAMU family feels. It is a reflection of how deeply this university resonates within the lives of its alumni, students, faculty and supporters. The frustration is also undoubtedly tied to the state's political climate in recent years. Too often, Florida has blurred the line between governance and interference — especially in the realm of higher education as Gov. DeSantis has installed political allies at the helm of institutions across the state, including New College of Florida and Florida International University. It is our hope and our expectation that FAMU remains focused on what matters most: its students, its mission and its independence. The strength and integrity of FAMU, like all institutions of higher learning, rely on its ability to operate free from undue political pressures, allowing it to prioritize academic excellence and the holistic development of its students. At the end of the day, political agendas should not drive FAMU's future. It's incumbent upon all of us who care about FAMU to use this moment as a time to recommit to safeguarding it. Holding leadership accountable and offering support aren't opposing ideas — they are two sides of responsible stewardship. This is not the time to disengage, divide or surrender. It's time to strategize and double down on our commitment to where we go from here. Regardless of how we arrived here, the stakes are too high to lose focus. If the president fails, the university fails. And FAMU cannot afford to fail — not for the more than 13,000 students who walk that campus every day, and not for the future generations who deserve the same opportunities we had. As a state lawmaker, my priority is ensuring our historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) receive the resources and funding they need, particularly in the face of uncertainty around federal funding and decades of being chronically underfunded. Nationwide, HBCUs are worried about survival, only increasing the importance of what happens at the state level. This moment calls for my fellow alumni — not just here in Florida, but also across the country — to stay engaged and keep speaking up. It's up to us to ensure that the voices and values of those who built the university into what it is today are reflected. Ultimately, no single president defines FAMU. The people do. We've seen leadership come and go, but the community has always held the line. It is the alumni who carry its legacy forward, the faculty who impart knowledge and wisdom, the staff who ensure its smooth operation and the students who embody its future. If we stay informed, stay involved and stay unified, we can ensure that the university's best days are still ahead. The institution's legacy is worth fighting for. It is our responsibility to safeguard the legacy of excellence, to uplift future generations of Rattlers and to ensure that Florida A&M University not only survives, but also flourishes for the next 138 years and beyond. This profound responsibility rests upon each and every member of the FAMU community. It is a burden and a privilege that must be carried together, with unwavering dedication and a shared vision for a vibrant and impactful future. This article was originally published on
