Florida School Boards Association
Florida is one of only two states that hasn’t changed its sales tax laws since consumers began fleeing to the world wide web for gifts, groceries and other everyday needs. But that could change next year. A pair of bills have been filed for the 2020 Legislative Session that would require online retailers to collect and remit…
One state lawmaker wants to double the length of Florida’s annual back-to-school tax holiday to 10 days in 2020. Gainesville Republican Sen. Keith Perry’s proposed holiday (SB 542) would run from Friday, July 31 through Sunday, Aug. 9 next year before the earliest classes begin on Aug. 10. Read More
Florida managed care plans that participate in Medicaid and the state’s KidCare program fall below the national median in follow-up hospitalizations for mental illnesses for children, according to study findings released last week by the Trump administration. Read More
The Legislature will hold a 5th week of Interim Committee Meetings this week. Several bills of interest will be under consideration, including bills relating to funding, health and safety, public records, and ethics. In addition, the State Board of Education will be meeting on Friday in Brunnell, Florida. The agenda includes review district turnaround option…
The Legislature will hold a 4th week of Interim Committee Meetings this week. The schedule is relatively light since none of the main education related committees or subcommittees will be meeting. However, bills and topics of interest that will be considered this week include public safety, facilities, the Florida Kidcare Program, and public records. The…
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday that passing his proposal to gives teachers a raise as well as requiring employers to verify their hires’ immigration status are two of his top priorities for the 2020 state legislative session. Read More
A bill is back in the Florida House for 2020 that would require a supermajority vote for a local tax referendum. HJR 477 would, if passed, allow a referendum to let voters decide whether to require a two-thirds majority for any municipality or subsidiary form of government to raise taxes. Read More
On a recent day at Celebration Baptist Kinderschool, the 4-year-olds gathered with their legs crisscrossed on their multicolored carpet to listen to a book about bats. “What’s that big word we learned?” the teacher asked, referencing a previous lesson about owls. “Nocturnal!” the toddlers shouted back. Read More
Florida teachers who are armed on campus will now be covered under the state’s liability insurance, so long as they act within their duties outlined in state law. The policy change was quietly made by department officials on August 17, representing a reversal after the department had specifically excluded armed teachers from its policy. Read…
The Legislature will hold a third round of Interim Committee Meetings this week. Education related Committees and Subcommittees will receive information on educator professional development, health concerns for student athletes, workforce development issues, and teacher compensation. Committees also will consider a few bills of interest, including bills relating to public records, athletic trainers, homelessness, and…