Florida School Boards Association
Half of a two-part effort to bridge differences between charter schools and traditional public schools over construction funding was approved Tuesday by a Senate committee — but the other measure was left to an uncertain future. The Senate Education Committee voted 6-2 to advance legislation (SB 376) that would require school districts to share construction…
How much Florida spends to recruit and keep quality teachers for its K-12 public schools could potentially quadruple next year — and maybe even reach as high as a quarter of a billion dollars — under tentative plans being crafted in private by Republican House and Senate leaders ahead of the 2017 session. Read More
In just a couple of weeks, Florida K-12 schools will begin the annual grueling three-month stretch of administering mandatory statewide student assessments. But next year, those tests might not happen until the end of the school year, if lawmakers pass a proposal this spring to reform Florida’s lengthy testing schedule. Read More
Florida is spending more than ever on education, yet the amount of money dedicated to each student is barely higher than in 2007. The state would have to spend an additional $1.86 billion over the next three years to offset inflation and cuts that have ravaged education funding since the Great Recession, according to the…
Warning of a state government shutdown, the Florida Senate could sue over a House rule that’s supposed to make the budget process more transparent by giving the public advanced notice on hometown spending projects. But the rule goes too far in the eyes of Florida Senate budget chief Jack Latvala, who said it unconstitutionally binds…
In the midst of change, redirection and refocus there is one goal that remains immutable, and that is protecting the safety, well-being, and future of children. Recent federal action affecting immigration policy has generated vigorous debate and civil unrest across the nation. Additionally, there is a sense of fear and anxiety in the hearts of…
The State Requirements for Educational Facilities (SREF) are part of the Florida Building Code. SREF requirements apply to construction, renovation, and remodeling of public educational facilities owned by district school boards and Florida College System boards of trustees. This review focused on K-12 public school construction. We did not identify a compelling reason to eliminate…
To better recruit and retain quality teachers for Florida’s K-12 public schools, Gov. Rick Scott wants the state to spend $58 million in the next budget year on a handful of initiatives — and those don’t include a controversial teacher bonus plan that lawmakers, with Scott’s support, have advanced in recent years. Read More
When Gov. Rick Scott unveils his proposed state budget to a room full of reporters and editors Tuesday morning in Tallahassee, the plan likely will include few new blockbuster programs. What will be more interesting to budget observers is how Scott manages to fit everything he wants into the budget. Read More
Despite a tight budget environment that will leave little room for extra spending, Gov. Rick Scott launched a media blitz Wednesday as he challenged lawmakers to slash taxes by $618 million. Scott launched his “Fighting for Florida’s Future” Tax Cut Tour in Jacksonville, the first of six stops planned as he pushes for reductions in…