By Brandon Larrabee News Service of Florida The Broward County School Board voted Wednesday to move ahead with legal action against a sweeping new education law, an initial step toward a court clash over one of the legislative session’s most controversial bills. During a special meeting called to discuss the[Read More…]
Tag: 2017 legislative session
Fla. governor signs massive education bill
ORLANDO, Fla. – Big changes are coming to Florida’s public education system. Flanked by House Republican leaders and special needs children, Gov. Rick Scott signed legislation that equalizes funding for Florida’s charter schools, transforms the state’s system for turning around struggling public schools, and boosts funding for special needs scholarships —[Read More…]
Fla. Senate avoids changes to massive education bill
Attempts to modify or remove funding from parts of a major piece of education legislation fizzled today in the Florida Senate. As a result, all $419 million in House Bill 7069, including the House’s signature program to draw top charter school operators to academically struggling areas of the state, will likely[Read More…]
Fla. Senator proposes education funding overhaul (Updated)
The Florida Senate this morning has teed up debate on an overhaul of the school funding plan lawmakers approved last month. Proposals on the agenda would strip all the funding out of House Bill 7069 — the wide-ranging, $419 million education measure that’s been the center of controversy — except for one item:[Read More…]
Major Fla. education legislation looms over special session (Updated)
The fate of the biggest education issues facing Florida this year could be decided late next week, as lawmakers return to Tallahassee for a special session. Gov. Rick Scott vetoed the main, $11.5 billion state operating budget for public schools, as well as $409.2 million in other spending items. He issued[Read More…]
In some Florida school districts, charter school politics get tricky
Hillsborough County has joined the growing list of Florida school districts where charter schools might help absorb enrollment growth. The Tampa Bay Times reports this has created some awkward politics around a massive piece of education legislation many district officials loathe. The same district leaders who complain about the Legislature[Read More…]
Scholarship parents weigh in on education legislation with Fla. governor
As Florida Gov. Rick Scott weighs the fate of a massive piece of education legislation in the face of a heated public campaign, parents of special needs children have emerged as a key group urging support. They’re advocating for Gardiner Scholarships to help them better afford access to private schools,[Read More…]
Miami schools chief: Fund charter schools, but not from district dollars
If Gov. Rick Scott vetoes a wide-ranging education bill, as a growing number of Florida school district officials want, the state’s charter schools would see their facilities funding plummet to historic lows. The contentious bill, HB 7069, would steer an estimated $146 million to the state’s charter schools. Nearly two-thirds[Read More…]