News from Tallahassee 03/09/16

The 2016 legislative session is down to its final days.

Today, the Florida Senate passed HB 7029, a wide-ranging education bill that includes several high-profile proposals, including added accountability measures for charter schools, and changes to the distribution formula for and use of capital funding by district-run and charter schools – directing funding to charter schools that mostly serve impoverished students or those who have disabilities. The bill would also require school districts to stay within a state-imposed cap on construction and maintenance project spending; and allow parents to transfer their children to any public school in the state that has available seats.

A slightly different version of the bill had passed the House last month.  The bill now goes back to the House for review (and possible modifications).  Both chambers must pass identical bills in order to send it to the Governor for signature. If the House and Senate can’t agree on 7029, the legislation will die.

The Legislature will vote on the $82.3 billion state budget this Friday.  The Education budget includes $20.2 billion for K-12 will,  an increase of 1 percent on per-pupil allocation.

FCSA continues to work in the Capitol on behalf of all our member schools and will keep you all posted on the final budget and any legislation that impacts our students and schools.

X