Hendry County Sets New Standard for Florida Districts Through Comprehensive Compliance Partnership

State’s first District to launch the Compliance Continuum and a consolidated policy-to-practice technology ecosystem “By connecting policy, procedures, and daily practice into one unified system, we’re strengthening accountability, transparency, and trust across our schools and our community.” — Michael Swindle, Superintendent of Hendry County Schools Hendry County Schools is launching a new approach to school […]

Policy Management Strategies for School Districts Facing Increasing Regulatory Requirements

What school districts must do to move from reactive updates to proactive compliance readiness Compliance today is less about having a policy on file and more about having a structured, repeatable policy management process. Districts must show how policies are translated into daily practice.” — Dr. John Thomsen, Neola Director of Policy & Engagement As […]

Michigan Cell Phones and Social Media: What To Know

Ask any classroom teacher in the state of Michigan what is one of the biggest challenges they face in providing instruction and, inevitably, they will say “cell phones” or personal communication devices (PCD). And it’s not just Michigan. According to a Pew Research Center survey, one-third of public K-12 teachers say students being distracted by […]

Michigan Safe Home, Safe Schools Act

There are many responsibilities that Superintendents have. They range from the budget to facilities to transportation and so on. However, none of these responsibilities rise to the level of importance as safety. Last year, there were 336 school shooting incidents resulting in 276 instances where someone was wounded or killed. Sadly, this is the second […]

New for 2026: Helping Schools Boards Stay Ahead of Regulatory Change

By Dr. John Thomsen, Neola Director of Engagement and Policy “With complex regulations constantly evolving, how can public boards stay ahead of the game? And how can they be efficient and effective in their efforts?” Public-sector boards are facing an increasingly complex regulatory environment — and preparing for 2026 will require clarity, proactive planning, and […]

Florida’s 2026 Property Tax Reform Proposals: What They Are and What They Could Mean for Public Schools

As the 2026 legislative session approaches, Florida lawmakers have introduced a sweeping slate of proposals aimed at significantly reducing or restructuring property taxes – changes that could reshape how local services are funded.  What are the proposed changes? The core of the reform is a set of proposed House Joint Resolutions that must be passed […]

Neola and Husch Blackwell Present at the Education Law Association Annual Conference

Neola is proud to collaborate with our national education law partner, Husch Blackwell, at the Education Law Association (ELA) Annual Conference in Kansas City, MO. Together, our teams are leading multiple sessions focused on the most timely and complex legal and policy issues impacting schools today. The Education Law Association is dedicated to fostering thoughtful […]

No Phones, No Problem? Six Florida Districts Aim to Find Out

The presence of cell phones in K-12 schools has long been a topic of public and academic debate. Supporters of restrictions contend that limiting access during school hours reduces distractions, increases engagement, and fosters better social interaction, while critics warn of unintended consequences such as more disciplinary actions and reduced emergency communication options. Over the […]

Neola and Michigan Leadership Institute Announce Partnership to Support Michigan’s Education Leaders

Neola is proud to announce a new partnership with the Michigan Leadership Institute (MLI), designed to strengthen support for Michigan’s school leaders through policy-focused collaboration, professional learning, and leadership development. This partnership brings together two organizations deeply committed to advancing student-centered leadership and effective governance in Michigan’s public schools. Neola provides schools with current, compliant, […]

Neola Announces Partnership with the Oakland University Galileo Institute to Strengthen Future School Leadership Through Policy Education

Neola, a leader in customized, legally vetted school board policy development, is proud to announce a new partnership with the Oakland University Galileo Institute in Michigan. This collaboration aims to inform, educate, and inspire upcoming teacher leaders, principals, central office administrators and superintendents on the mission-critical role of policy before they step into their district […]