Kayla Kissel
Education ReporterKayla Kissel is an audio journalist with Central Florida Public Media, where she focuses on conversation-driven storytelling projects that bring Central Floridians closer to one another through sound. She’s driven by a sense of curiosity and a lifelong instinct to ask questions.
Kayla currently works on projects like StoryCorps’ One Small Step conversations and other narrative-focused audio pieces.
As a recent broadcast journalism and political science graduate from the University of Central Florida, she’s excited to continue serving the Central Florida community.
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In a memo sent to families Tuesday night, Orange County Public Schools said it is making another $8.5 million in budget cuts after its 10-day enrollment count last week showed about 7,672 fewer students than projected. -
The Eatonville Town Council considered Tuesday whether to double the fine from $250 to $500 a day. Instead, council members decided to meet with the developer before making a decision. -
Linda and Scott Ebner are back in the classroom at UCF, taking a history course alongside students decades younger. -
Superintendent Maria Vazquez told the school board Tuesday that, as part of the district’s 10th-day enrollment count, OCPS is currently showing about 7,672 fewer students than last year. It’s more than the district anticipated. -
The search comes nearly a month after Superintendent Maria Vazquez announced she plans to retire at the end of the school year after more than 30 years with OCPS, with plans for a new superintendent in place by June 2027. -
In Orange County, about 22,000 young people turn 18 every year. Just 33% of 18-year-olds are registered to vote, compared with 76% of people aged 45 and older. -
Gallo defeated fellow board member Alicia Farrant to become the next chair of the Orange County School Board. -
The debate fund investment aims to expand speech and debate opportunities for students across Florida. -
Winter Park city commissioners are considering new rules for e-bikes, e-scooters and other micromobility devices, including safety education requirements for riders under 16. -
MCPS also approved a “Future-Focused Operations Plan,” which calls for reducing the number of elementary schools by four over the next five years. -
Students across several Central Florida counties are heading back to class Monday with new safety measures present for some of those students this year. -
The conversation around AI usage was primarily about what students couldn’t do with it. Now, some Central Florida districts are spending more time figuring out where it fits into a student’s learning.
