Community Chat Board - Colonial Oaks - Estero FL
Sep 12
We're committed to FiscalResponsibility & being smart stewards of your tax dollars. We're proud to have achieved a $114,667,599 budget reduction from the 24-25 to 25-26 school year, showing our dedication to efficiency while continuing to support student success.
Teachers Warned about Social Media Comments
Florida's Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas warned teachers not to make "despicable" comments on social media following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk this week.
"I will be conducting an investigation of every educator who engages in this vile, sanctionable behavior," Kamoutsas said.
A teacher at Ridgeview Elementary School in Clay County was suspended after posting on Facebook: "This may not be the obituary we were all hoping to wake up to, but this is a close second for me."
According to Kamoutsas, certified educators in Florida are subject to ethical guidelines, violations of …
Trump Launches RICO Probe into George Soros' Protest Funding
Last updated 10 minutes ago
President Donald Trump announced on Friday during a Fox & Friends interview that his administration will investigate billionaire George Soros for allegedly funding professional agitators involved in protests and riots, citing potential violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.
Florida Top State for Education Freedom
Florida is number one in education freedom for the fourth consecutive year, according to an annual study by the Heritage Foundation. Florida's universal school choice program and parental rights in education laws were cited as the reasons.
The Education Freedom Report Card began in 2022, and Florida has earned the top ranking every year since. The report ranks states using five categories: school choice, transparency, regulatory freedom, civic education, and spending.
The Sunshine State ranks No. 1 for civic education, academic transparency, and teacher freedom—due to alternative pathways to enter the teaching profession. See …
On Friday, a legislative budget panel will consider directing $1 million to projects as part of the state's America250FL campaign to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the 1776 signing of the Declaration of Independence. (More)
NATIONS BEST SPOT TO RETIRE
A new report names Orlando the top-ranked city in the U.S. for retirees. Miami (No. 4), Tampa (No. 5), and Fort Lauderdale (No. 7) were also in the top 10.
Seven other Sunshine State cities made the list, with St. Petersburg (No. 12) and Cape Coral (No. 20) in the top 20.
Donalds' Lead Grows in Gubernatorial Race
A poll conducted Sept. 4-5 with 800 likely Republican Primary voters shows U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds with a significant lead in the Republican race for governor.
Southwest Florida: Following a joint investigation in Collier and Charlotte counties, the sheriffs' offices dismantled a theft ring accused of stealing $2 million worth of construction equipment since 2021, with seven suspects arrested and nearly $1.1 million in stolen property recovered. (See Details)
Postal shipments to the U.S. from overseas are down 80% since the government ended the tariff exemption for packages valued at $800 or less. Over 80 international providers have suspended shipping while a system for paying tariffs on small packages is put in place. (More)
Opening Week Football Recap
Rivalry games and dramatic finishes headlined the first Sunday of the 2025 NFL regular season. Aaron Rodgers led a game-winning drive against the New York Jets in his Pittsburgh debut, while Tampa Bay rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka caught two touchdowns, including the last-minute winner against Atlanta. Indianapolis scored on every offensive drive en route to a 33-8 win over Miami. Sunday Night Football featured elite quarterbacks for Baltimore and Buffalo.
