Legislative Priorities

Support legislation that reduces red tape and unnecessary regulations, allowing the school district to innovate and compete, operate more efficiently, and maintain cost-effectiveness.

Support the increase of per student funding by at least 5%, from $8,959 in FY25 to $9,431 in FY26, to further ensure that our students are provided the educational programs and services required to improve student achievement, to increase teacher compensation, and to enhance cybersecurity threat mitigation services, including Security Education, Training, and Awareness (SETA) programs.

Support increasing funding for workforce education programs to ensure students gain the skills and certifications needed to meet local labor market demands, promote economic mobility, and address skill gaps in high-demand industries.

Allow Districts to establish school start times based on the input from parents and families with students attending district school.

Support an increase in the Safe Schools’ Allocation in the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) to ensure funds are available for student safety initiatives.

Support the recommendations of school safety officers, guardians, and law enforcement to address any unintended consequences from the implementation of HB 1473 (School Safety), which was passed during the 2024 legislative session.

Request a specific appropriation of $2.9 million for school safety for upgrading critical security systems and the hardening of school facilities.

Amend Section 1012.55(b), Florida Statute, to exclude School Social Workers from the instructional staff that must take and pass the Professional Education Exam - Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE), a Professional Examination for Teachers, to maintain employment in a public school.

Support the streamlining of the requirements for individuals who want to renew their teaching certificate but are not currently employed by a Florida school district.

To ensure that funding follows students in real time, request the Department of Education to issue an R.F.I. (Request for Information) to identify potential solutions for real-time student and financial tracking.

Request an increase in the mental health allocation to better address the growing needs of students and staff.

Support the funding of the High Growth District Capital Outlay Assistance Grant Program for districts with a 5-year average of increasing student enrollment. This would help districts manage over-enrollment by funding the construction of additional schools to address ongoing overcrowding issues.

Include all Pre-Kindergarten classes and programs in the Department of Education’s (DOE) Florida Inventory of School Houses (FISH) calculations to ensure that all students receiving instruction in Florida School Districts are accurately counted by and receive adequate funding from the DOE.