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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National organizers said the goal was to encourage voter participation, build community and make sure every eligible voter has a plan to cast their ballot. -
The number of students OCPS classifies as immigrants fell from 18,517 in October 2025 to 13,211 this October, a loss of more than 5,300 students. -
The Florida Department of Education sent a memo to district superintendents and charter school leaders in September, reminding them that school boards are responsible for the materials available to students. -
Orange County Public Schools is working to comply with new Florida rules governing AI in public schools, including parent opt-ins, employee training and student data storage. District officials and board members said the requirements could add work and costs even as OCPS looks for ways to reduce spending. -
The Florida Department of Education released its first comprehensive rewrite of science learning standards in nearly two decades, with the last one adopted in 2008. -
It was part of a code red drill at Choices in Learning Elementary Charter School in Winter Springs, where staff are testing a new wearable crisis alert button designed to speed up emergency responses. -
With diesel prices averaging a little over $6 a gallon in Orlando, Orange County Public Schools is taking steps to reduce how much fuel its transportation fleet uses. -
The decision comes more than a month after the board delayed a vote following public outcry from parents, teachers and students. -
Six weeks into the school year, nearly 100 Orange County Public Schools employees are facing possible layoffs as the district grapples with the financial squeeze of shrinking enrollment.
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The Florida Board of Education voted Wednesday to require public school districts and charter schools to add artificial intelligence requirements to their internet safety policies. -
Florida public safety leaders raised concerns about Amendment 3, saying changes to the homestead exemption could leave local governments with less money for police, fire and emergency response. -
The removals were reported in just 10 of Florida’s 67 school districts. Three are in Central Florida: Orange, Polk and Sumter counties.
