FSBA Session Spotlight — February 20, 2018

Today, Governor Scott convened several workshops – an education workshop, a mental health and child welfare workshop, and a law enforcement workshop — that met throughout the day to examine the elements to improve student safety and school security. FSBA was well represented in these discussions by Dr. Terry Nichols, Jackson County School Board Chair,…

FSBA Session Spotlight — February 19, 2018

Today, we begin the 7th week of the Legislative Session with only a few more weeks remaining before the scheduled adjournment on March 9.  As we start the week, please be sure to watch our Legislative Weekly video which features FSBA Executive Director Andrea Messina offering heartfelt comments on the horrible tragedy at Marjory Stoneman…

A rattled Florida Legislature concedes it should do more to address mental health after Parkland school shooting

In the aftermath of the Parkland school shooting, Florida lawmakers vowed to push harder on an issue they acknowledged they had failed: mental health in schools.  Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, filed a mental health pilot program in schools early this year, which sets aside $40 million to connect students to community…

FSBA Session Spotlight — February 14, 2018

Our hearts go out to those touched by today’s terrifying and heartbreaking shooting at one of our public high schools. We are so grateful to the heroes – law enforcement and other first responders, school personnel, and so many others — who stepped up to protect and comfort our students in this tragic situation.  Please…

FSBA Session Spotlight — February 12, 2018

Now that we have started the 6th week of the Legislative Session, please be sure to watch our Legislative Weekly video featuring FSBA Executive Director Andrea Messina providing some highlights of our Day in the Legislature conference and a recap of the progress on the budget and bills that were considered last week.  Today, there…

FSBA Session Spotlight — February 6-8, 2018

The FSBA Day in the Legislature Conference has been in full swing this week with more than 125 school board members and other attendees in Tallahassee to participate in legislative briefings and advocacy training, network with education leaders, and meet with legislators to discuss issues of interest to school districts. This has been a particularly…

Should Florida private schools that take state vouchers have degreed teachers?

After reading an Orlando Sentinel series on the issue, Florida lawmakers came to the conclusion that they needed to stiffen oversight laws affecting private schools that accept state tax-credit scholarships.  They looked at a variety of areas, ranging from school inspections to owner financial status. In drafting his legislation on the subject, Sen. David Simmons also…

Battle royale: Florida House gears up for what could be its biggest debate of the session

It’s a debate worth about $26.9 billion, and involves the most fundamental, nagging question surrounding Florida’s education system: What does Florida owe its students in public education?  And it begins today — at least this year’s rendition.  The Florida House’s omnibus education bill, HB 7055, is slated to be heard on the floor Wednesday afternoon — an event that…

FSBA Session Spotlight — February 5, 2018

Today is the beginning of the 5th week – and the half-way mark — of the Legislative Session.  Please be sure to watch our Legislative Weekly video featuring FSBA Executive Director Andrea Messina providing a recap of bills considered last week and a preview of some of the issues coming up.  There were no legislative…

FSBA Session Spotlight — February 1, 2018

Although there were only a few legislative and Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) Committee meetings today, several topics of interest were considered, including a new proposed House bill and a CRC proposal that both addressed government ethics and integrity. Please click on the link below for our report on the outcome of consideration of these issues…