Senator “disturbed” by claims of Pinellas County Sheriff in regard to school safety law

The chairman of the state’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission is making some claims about local school districts that one state senator calls “disturbing” if they are true.  Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, who chairs the commission, testified before the Senate and House Education committees on Tuesday and accused school districts of…

Gualtieri to lawmakers: schools need more armed staff, punish districts that move too slow

When Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri stood up to give his presentation to the House Education committee on Tuesday, he had harsh words for school districts whom he said are “not moving fast enough” and are “playing games” with SB 7026, the law passed last year in response to the Parkland shooting that mandated sweeping…

*VIDEO* – FSBA Legislative Weekly – Interim Committee Week 2

Tallahassee, FL – With Florida’s 2019 Legislative Session Interim Committee weeks underway, Executive Director Andrea Messina provides members with a video update of Week 2’s events: Education related bills, Inauguration activities, and more.  Be sure to visit the  2019 Legislative Session page for in-depth summaries, resources, bill tracking and more.

Jose Oliva names ed policy subcommittee chairs (via Florida Politics)

Jose Oliva names ed policy subcommittee chairs By Drew Wilson on December 14, 2018 House Speaker Jose Oliva has selected Republican state Reps. Cord Byrd, Byron Donalds and Ralph Massulo to chair the House education policy subcommittees, according to a list of assignments first obtained by Florida Politics. Byrd, a second-term Republican representing Nassau and Duval counties, will chair… READ…

School Board member term limits moves forward in Florida Constitution Revision Commission

Term limits for school board members — one of the most popular proposals before the Florida Constitution Revision Commission — took a step closer to the November ballot on Wednesday.  The measure, which would hold board members to two consecutive terms if approved, won strong support from the commission. It voted 27-6 to advance the…

Gov. Rick Scott signs gun, school security legislation over NRA opposition

After extensive discussions with the families of victims, Gov. Rick Scott signed new gun restrictions Friday in response to last month’s massacre that took 17 lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.  Scott, a Republican who has long enjoyed the political support of the National Rifle Association, approved a three-day waiting period for…

FSBA Session Spotlight — February 25, 2018

As we enter the 8th week of the Legislative Session, several very important issues are pending including, most notably, legislation to address student safety and school security.  As we alerted you last week, Governor Scott, the Senate, and the House have all recommended legislation on student safety and school security.  We have posted information on…