News

Education Notebook: Northwest Ohio school district celebrates new career tech center

A northwest Ohio school district recently celebrated the grand opening of a career and technical education center that’s expected to enhance student learning in areas including industrial arts, advanced manufacturing and skilled trades, a news release said. The Bryan City Schools ribbon-cutting ceremony last week also included the new junior high gymnasium and weight room, […]

Plans to improve Michigan’s K‑12 schools depend on how the state funds public education

Whether the goal is improving literacy, attracting and retaining teachers or expanding student supports related to health and safety, the success of any vision for Michigan’s schools will ultimately depend on how schools are funded. We conduct research on K-12 education policy and finance at the Education Policy Innovation Collaborative at Michigan State University. Our work examines how school funding shapes educational […]

A More Reliable Way to Manage District Policy

For over 45 years, Neola has helped Districts navigate complex policy challenges. We believe your technology should provide a reliable way to manage and access policy with confidence.  That’s why we’re excited to introduce the Neola Policy Publishing Tool, built specifically for the needs of Neola clients. This is more than an update. It’s a […]

Operational Considerations for Superintendents: Implementing Florida Senate Bill 0178

Florida Senate Bill 0178 (2026), commonly referred to as the “Teddy Bridgewater Act,” authorizes high school athletic coaches to provide limited financial or material assistance to student-athletes for essential needs such as meals, transportation, and recovery-related services. While the legislation is rooted in student support, its success will depend largely on how effectively school districts […]

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 […]