Florida School Boards Association
A long line of frustrated parents prompted Florida Rep. Debbie Mayfield to file a bill that would banish the state Board of Education and turn the commissioner of education into an elected cabinet position. Mayfield, a Vero Beach Republican, said she made her decision to file HB 767 Friday afternoon after spending hours in her…
Increasing students’ school options remains a high priority for several Florida lawmakers, who continue to file bills aiming to accomplish that goal. The latest in a string of measures is Rep. Chris Sprowls’ revival of his spring effort to codify student transfers across district boundaries. Last time, school district officials picked holes in the proposal,…
Florida school districts dramatically increased their use of a loophole in the state’s class size law last year, according to newly released Department of Education data that’s bolstering lawmakers’ call for changes to the rule. By the numbers, districts identified 56 percent more of their schools as “schools of choice” in 2014-15 than a year…
Florida continues to earn kudos for its liberal Sunshine Laws, which keep most government records and meetings open for public inspection.… Read full article
The size, shape, number and even the politics of Florida’s school districts could change dramatically if voters support a constitutional amendment proposed by two South Florida lawmakers. Sen. Jeff Brandes and state Rep. Matt Caldwell introduced legislation that would empower the Legislature to abolish existing school districts. It also would present the opportunity to create…
Local state senator Don Gaetz sponsored a proposed bill for the 2016 Legislative Session that would loosen athletic eligibility restrictions. And it would significantly impact at least one local school district’s transfer regulations. Santa Rosa County — which serves around 27,000 students and includes Central, Gulf Breeze, Jay, Milton, Navarre and Pace high schools —…
MEDIA ADVISORY FROM DR. LAWRENCE FELDMAN The Mexican-American Council recently honored School Board Vice Chair Dr. Lawrence Feldman with The Champion of Education Farmworkers Award in recognition of his generosity, support and leadership in promoting education equality for farmworker children during the Farmworker Celebration Luncheon. The event celebrated at Rancho Victoria honored local and state…
Florida’s school districts would face fundamental changes in the way they operate under a newly filed bill by a Pinellas County lawmaker. Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-St. Petersburg, has joined Rep. Matt Caldwell, R-Fort Myers, to propose a constitutional amendment ending the requirement that all counties have independent school districts. If approved, the measure would result…
Former one-term state Rep. Tom Grady, a Naples Republican and friend of Gov. Rick Scott, has won Scott’s nod to sit on the Florida Board of Education. During his brief tenure in the House, Grady was notable for billing taxpayers for flying on private planes owned by a campaign donor. He also pushed for tax…