The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Fiscal Policy
BILL: CS/SB 7002
INTRODUCER: Fiscal Policy Committee; Education Pre-K – 12 Committee; and Senator Hutson
SUBJECT: Deregulation of Public Schools/School District Finance and Budgets, Facilities, and
Administration and Oversight
DATE: December 13, 2023
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
Brick/Jahnke/
Sabitsch
Bouck
ED Submitted as Comm. Bill/Fav
1. Brick/Jahnke/
Sabitsch
Yeatman
FP
Fav/CS
Please see Section IX. for Additional Information:
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE - Substantial Changes
I. Summary:
CS/SB 7002 builds on the deregulation of public schools provisions in House Bill 1 (Ch. 2023-
16, Laws of Fla.) and removes unnecessary and burdensome regulations on school districts to
advance efficient administrative processes, enhance facilities management, and simplify
financial requirements.
The bill advances efficiency for school board administrative processes. Specifically, the bill:
Simplifies school board rulemaking and policy development procedures to follow a single
process that focuses on open meetings with public input.
Authorizes required advertisements regarding school board meetings to be posted on the
district school board website.
Authorizes a school district and parent to agree on alternate notifications regarding
suspensions and dropout prevention.
Provides flexibility for school districts to decide whether to make up days lost because of a
bona fide emergency.
Removes the obligation for school boards to provide surplus property for charter schools on
the same basis as other public schools.
Removes requirements for school boards to provide:
o Parents with an economic security report.
o An annual report on district guidance services.
REVISED: BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 2
The bill simplifies financial requirements for school boards. The bill:
Provides flexibility for school boards to use federal funds.
Specifies that school districts identified in State Board of Education rule as having a financial
concern would be subject to monthly reporting. All others would be subject to less frequent
reporting.
Provides that charter schools are to receive and respond to monitoring questions from the
Department of Education regarding the charter school’s cost report.
Provides flexibility in the use funds generated from civil penalties relating to school bus
infraction detection systems.
To enhance the ability of school boards to plan for and manage their facilities, the bill:
Supports flexible funding for all facets of the educational environment, from classrooms to
transportation hubs by expanding the use of anticipated revenues to payments for auxiliary
facilities and ancillary plants.
Provides autonomy for school boards to plan for facilities in accordance with local long-term
needs instead of state-specified assessments over 5-year, 10-year, and 20-year periods.
Removes the requirement for each district school board to conduct an educational plant
survey.
Clarifies and expands construction flexibility under the state requirements for educational
facilities.
Modifies school district duties for emergency shelters from a requirement to staff such
shelters, to instead provide access to shelters subject to local emergency management plans.
The bill also removes from statute:
Cost per student station limitations on projects funded with state funds or discretionary
millage.
The caps on the amount from the discretionary levy that school boards may use for school
board vehicles and property insurance.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2024.
II. Present Situation:
The present situation for the relevant portions of the bill is discussed under the Effect of
Proposed Changes of this bill analysis.
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
Education Administration and Oversight
Present Situation
State-Level Regulation
The State Board of Education (SBE) is the chief implementing and coordinating body of public
education in Florida except for the State University System, and it is required to focus on high- BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 3
level policy decisions.
1
The SBE has authority to adopt rules pursuant to the Administrative
Procedures Act (APA)
2
to implement its statutory duties to improve the state system of Early
Learning-20 public education except for the State University System. The SBE is authorized to
delegate its general powers to the Commissioner of Education (commissioner) or the directors of
the divisions of the Department of Education (DOE).
3
The APA provides uniform procedures for the exercise of specified government authority.
4
An
agency is required to comply with the APA rulemaking procedures when developing rules.
5
A “rule” under the APA is defined as each agency statement of general applicability that
implements, interprets, or prescribes law or policy or describes the procedure or practice
requirements of an agency and includes any form which imposes any requirement or solicits any
information not specifically required by statute or by an existing rule. The term also includes the
amendment or repeal of a rule.
6
The SBE is required to adopt cohesive rules pursuant to the APA, within statutory authority.
7
An
agency may adopt only rules that implement or interpret the specific powers and duties granted
by the enabling statute. No agency is authorized to adopt a rule only because it is reasonably
related to the purpose of the enabling legislation.
8
An invalid exercise of delegated legislative
authority means action that goes beyond the powers, functions, and duties delegated by the
Legislature.
9
The DOE is the administrative and supervisory agency under the implementation direction of the
SBE.
10
The commissioner is appointed by the SBE and serves as the executive director of the
DOE.
11
The DOE assists in providing professional leadership and guidance and in carrying out
the policies, procedures, and duties authorized by law or by the SBE.
12
District School Board Policymaking
District school boards derive from the Florida Constitution the authority to operate, control and
supervise all free public schools within the school district and determine the rate of school
district taxes.
13
Rulemaking requirements under the APA only apply to district school boards
when acting pursuant to powers other than those derived from the State Constitution.
14
Policy
1
Section 1001.02(1), F.S. The Florida Constitution provides that the state board of education is a body corporate and have
such supervision of the system of free public education as is provided by law. FL. CONST. art. 9, s. 2.
2
Chapter 120, F.S.
3
Section 1001.02(1), F.S.
4
Section 120.515, F.S.
5
Section 120.54(1)(a), F.S.
6
Section 120.52(16), F.S.
7
Section 1001.02(2)(n), F.S.
8
Section 120.52(8), F.S.
9
Section 120.52(8), F.S.
10
Section 1001.20(1), F.S.
11
Section 20.15(2), F.S.
12
Section 1001.20(2), F.S.
13
FLA. CONST. art. IX, s. 4(b).
14
See s. 120.52(1)(a) and (6), F.S. See also Escambia Cnty. Sch. Bd. v. Warren, 337 So. 3d 496, 500-502 (Fla. 1st DCA
2022) (Tanenbaum, J., concurring). BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 4
developed pursuant to constitutional authority is subject to review by a judicial tribunal, such as
the local circuit court.
15
The Legislature also identifies the general powers of district school boards. These include, for
example, the power to:
16
Determine policies and programs consistent with state law and rule deemed necessary by it
for the efficient operation and general improvement of the district school system.
Adopt rules pursuant to the APA to implement the provisions of law conferring duties upon it
to supplement those prescribed by the SBE and the commissioner.
Prescribe and adopt standards and policies to provide each student the opportunity to receive
a complete education program, including language arts, mathematics, science, social studies,
health, physical education, foreign languages, and the arts, as defined by the state academic
standards.
When promulgating rules under the APA, district school boards are required to notify the
public:
17
By publication in a newspaper in the affected area or on a publicly accessible website;
By mail to all persons who have made requests for advance notice of its proceedings and to
organizations representing persons affected by the proposed rule; and
By posting in appropriate places so that those particular classes of persons to whom the
intended action is directed may be duly notified.
The APA also provides a process for any substantially affected person to seek a declaratory
statement regarding an agency's opinion as to the applicability of a statutory provision, or of any
rule or order of the agency, as it applies to the petitioner's particular set of circumstances.
18
The
petition seeking a declaratory statement must state with particularity the petitioner's set of
circumstances and specify the statutory provision, rule, or order that the petitioner believes may
apply to the set of circumstances.
19
The agency is required to give notice of the filing of each petition in the next available issue of
the Florida Administrative Register and transmit copies of each petition to the Administrative
Procedures Committee.
20
The agency must issue a declaratory statement or deny the petition
within 90 days after the filing of the petition and notice the statement in the next available issue
of the Florida Administrative Register. Agency disposition of petitions are final agency action.
21
Charter schools are not required to follow rulemaking procedures prescribed by the APA.
22
15
See Escambia Cnty. Sch. Bd. v. Warren, 337 So. 3d 496, 500-502 (Fla. 1st DCA 2022) (Tanenbaum, J., concurring).
16
Section 1001.41, F.S.
17
Section 120.81(1)(d), F.S.
18
Section 120.565(1), F.S.
19
Section 120.565(2), F.S.
20
Section 120.565(3), F.S. The term “Administrative Procedures Committee” means a committee designated by joint rule of
the Legislature or by agreement between the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Section
1.01(16), F.S.
21
Section 120.565(3), F.S.
22
Section 1002.33(16), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 5
General Powers of District School Superintendent
Each school district must have a superintendent of schools who is elected at a general election
for a term of four years; or, when provided by resolution of the district school board, or by
special law, approved by vote of the electors, is employed by the district school board.
23
The
district school superintendent has the authority, and when necessary for the more efficient and
adequate operation of the district school system, the responsibility, to:
24
Oversee the district school system.
Advise and counsel with the district school board on all educational matters.
Recommend to the district school board for adoption such policies pertaining to the district
school system as are necessary for its more efficient operation.
Submit to the district school board for adoption rules to contribute to the efficient operation
of any aspect of education in the district.
Submit to the district school board for adoption minimum standards relating to the operation
of any phase of the district school system.
Perform duties and exercise responsibilities as are assigned to the district school
superintendent by law and by rules of the State Board of Education.
Included among the specific powers of the superintendent is the duty to recommend to the
district school board for adoption such policies pertaining to the district school system as are
necessary for its more efficient operation.
25
Student Online Personal Information Protection Act
Schools and district school boards typically use hundreds of companies to provide services every
school year. Edtech companies perform widely varying tasks for schools and districts, such as
data storage, educational games, learning management systems, attendance tracking, and many
other school functions.
26
The privacy protections that each company must implement can vary
based on the type and sensitivity of student data they hold and how it is collected, used, or
shared.
27
Contracting individually with each service provider to ensure this protection is often
extremely difficult for both district school boards and companies.
28
The Student Online Personal Information Protection Act
29
resolves this problem by substantially
restricting the operator of a website, online service, or online application that is used for K-12
school purposes from collecting, disclosing, or selling student data, or from using student data to
23
FLA. CONST. art. 9, s. 5.
24
Section 1001.49, F.S.
25
Section 1001.49(3), F.S.
26
Student Privacy Compass, The First National Model Student Data Privacy Agreement Launches,
https://studentprivacycompass.org/the-first-national-model-student-data-privacy-agreement-launches/ (last visited Nov. 10,
2023).
27
Student Privacy Compass, The First National Model Student Data Privacy Agreement Launches,
https://studentprivacycompass.org/the-first-national-model-student-data-privacy-agreement-launches/ (last visited Nov. 10,
2023).
28
Student Privacy Compass, The First National Model Student Data Privacy Agreement Launches,
https://studentprivacycompass.org/the-first-national-model-student-data-privacy-agreement-launches/ (last visited Nov. 10,
2023).
29
Section 1006.1494, F.S. BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 6
engage in targeted advertising.
30
Any violation of the Act is a deceptive and unfair trade practice
and constitutes a violation of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, part II of
chapter 501. The Department of Legal Affairs is the sole entity authorized to bring an
enforcement action against an entity that violates the Act.
31
An SBE rule requires that all contracts or agreements executed by or on behalf of a school
district or charter school with a third-party vendor or a third-party service provider must protect
the privacy of education records and a student’s personally identifiable information contained
therein.
32
Any agreement that provides for the disclosure or use of student’s personally
identifiable information must require vendors to ensure compliance with the Student Online
Personal Information Protection Act.
33
District Guidance Report
Each district school board is required to annually submit a district guidance report to the
commissioner by June 30.
34
The guidance report must include:
35
Examination of student access to certified school counselors.
Degree to which a district has adopted or implemented a guidance model program.
Evaluation of the information and training available to certified school counselors and career
specialists to advise students on areas of critical need, labor market trends, and technical
training requirements.
Progress toward incorporation of best practices for advisement as identified by the
department.
Consideration of alternative guidance systems or ideas, including, but not limited to, a
teacher-advisor model, mentoring, partnerships with the business community, web-based
delivery, and parental involvement.
A guidance plan for the district.
This report is no longer necessary as district school boards provide this information in their
annual Mental Health Assistance Allocation Plan and the Mental Health Assistance Allocation
Outcomes and Expenditures Report.
36
School Bus Infraction Detection Systems
District school boards are required to post high-visibility reflective signage on the rear of each
school bus in which a school bus infraction detection system is installed and operational.
37
The
signage must be in the form of one or more signs or stickers and must contain, in the same form:
The words “STOP WHEN RED LIGHTS FLASH” or “DO NOT PASS WHEN RED
LIGHTS FLASH.”
30
Section 1006.1494, F.S.
31
Section 1006.1494(7), F.S.
32
Rule 6A-1.09550(4)(a), F.A.C.
33
Rule 6A-1.09550(4)(a)3., F.A.C.
34
Section 1006.025(1), F.S.
35
Section 1006.025(2), F.S.
36
Florida Department of Education, Recommendations to Reduce Regulation in Public Schools (Nov. 1, 2023), available at
https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/Show/ED/MeetingPacket/5953/10483_MeetingPacket_5953_2.pdf, at 17.
37
Section 316.173(2)(a), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 7
The words “CAMERA ENFORCED.”
A graphic depiction of a camera.
Motor vehicle operators must stop when approaching a school bus that displays a stop signal.
38
The civil penalties assessed and collected for violating this requirement as enforced by a school
bus infraction detection system must be remitted to the school district in which the violation
occurred.
39
Such civil penalties must be used for the installation or maintenance of school bus
infraction detection systems on school buses, for any other technology that increases the safety
of the transportation of students, or for the administration and costs associated with the
enforcement of violations of school bus stop sign requirements.
40
Effect of Proposed Changes
State-Level Regulation
The bill modifies s. 1001.02, F.S., to clarify that the SBE is authorized to adopt rules within
statutory authority as specifically provided in law.
The bill expands s. 1001.23, F.S., to add to the specific powers and duties of the DOE. The
additional requirements may provide clarity to district school boards in the implementation of
state law. The bill requires the DOE to annually:
By August 1, inform district school superintendents that they may receive a declaratory
statement pursuant to the APA regarding the DOE’s opinion as to the applicability to a
school district of a statutory or rule provision as it applies to the district's particular set of
circumstances.
Maintain and make available to school districts a list of all requirements in statute and rule
relating to required actions by district school boards or superintendents. The list must
include, but is not limited to, required parent notifications; information that must be posted to
the district website; and reporting, filing, and certification requirements.
District School Board Policy
The bill modifies s. 120.81, F.S., to provide that district school boards are not subject to the
requirements for rules in the APA when exercising their powers and duties identified in the
Education Code to formulate policy with public input at a public meeting. This will provide
consistency and clarity in the manner of district school board policy development.
General Powers of District School Superintendent
The bill amends s. 1001.49, F.S., to authorize the district school board to delegate to the
superintendent the authority to establish a process for the review and approval of district-wide
policies and procedures to improve efficiency. This may allow the school board and the
superintendent to be more responsive to the needs of students.
38
Section 316.172(1)(a)-(b), F.S.
39
Section 316.173(7), F.S.
40
Section 316.173(7), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 8
Student Online Personal Information Protection Act
The bill modifies s. 1006.1494, F.S., to clarify that nothing in the Student Online Personal
Information Protection Act requires a K-12 school, school district, or district school board to
include any additional provisions in contracts with operators or vendors.
District Guidance Report
The bill repeals s. 1006.025, F.S., relating to the requirement for district school boards to submit
to the commissioner a district guidance report.
School Bus Infraction Detection Systems
The bill modifies s. 316.173, F.S., to provide flexibility to district school boards to post signage
on the rear of each school bus in which a school bus infraction detection system is installed and
operational that is not high-visibility reflective signage. Without this revision, district school
boards that install school bus infraction detection systems will incur costs to replace current
signage with highly reflective material.
41
The bill also authorizes the civil penalties collected for violations of school bus stop sign
requirements to be used to provide financial awards to recruit or retain school bus drivers in the
school district in which the civil penalties are assessed and collected.
Finance and Budget
Present Situation
The Florida Legislature established the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) in 1973 to
equalize funding for educational programs and services for all students in the K-12 public school
system, regardless of geographic or local economic factors.
42
The FEFP is the primary
mechanism for funding the operating costs of Florida school districts.
43
Charter schools also receive funding through the FEFP. Students enrolled in a charter school,
regardless of the sponsorship, are funded as if they are in a basic program or a special program,
the same as students enrolled in other public schools in a school district.
44
Emergency Make-up Days
To receive state funding through the FEFP, district school boards are required to meet minimum
requirements, including operating all schools for a term of 180 actual teaching days or the
equivalent on an hourly basis each school year.
45
The SBE may alter this requirement during a
national, state, or local emergency as it may apply to an individual school or schools in any
41
Florida Department of Education, Recommendations to Reduce Regulation in Public Schools (Nov. 1, 2023), available at
https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/Show/ED/MeetingPacket/5953/10483_MeetingPacket_5953_2.pdf, at 10.
42
Section 1011.62, F.S.; Florida Department of Education, 2022-23 Funding for Florida School Districts, (2022), available
at http://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7507/urlt/Fefpdist.pdf, at 4.
43
Id.
44
Section 1002.33(17), F.S.
45
Section 1011.60(2), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 9
district or districts if, in the opinion of the SBE, it is not feasible to make up lost days or hours.
46
The apportionment from the FEFP may, at the discretion of the commissioner, and if the board
determines that the reduction of school days or hours is caused by the existence of a bona fide
emergency, be reduced for such district or districts in proportion to the decrease in the length of
term in any such school or schools.
47
Equity in School-Level Funding
Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA),
48
as amended by the
Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015,
49
is a federal funding program to provide all children
significant opportunity to receive a fair, equitable, and high-quality education, and to close
educational achievement gaps.
50
For the 2022-2023 fiscal year, Florida received approximately
$1.01 billion for Title I programs.
51
Part A of Title I focuses on improving basic programs operated by local educational agencies,
including district school boards and eligible charter schools within the school district.
52
District school boards must allocate Title I-A funds first to serve schools in areas with poverty
rates of at least 75 percent, or 50 percent for high schools.
53
If funds remain, the school board
may serve schools in rank order according to the percentage of children from low-income
families in the area, but a school board may only serve schools in areas with a poverty rate of
less than 35 percent if the per student allocation of state and local funds is 125 percent greater
than the per student amount received under Title I-A.
54
Florida law limits the threshold for identifying eligible schools to the threshold established by a
district school board for the 2016-2017 school year or the statewide percentage of economically
disadvantaged students, as determined annually, which was 56.6 percent
55
in 2021.
56
Prior to the allocation of Title I funds to eligible schools, Florida law authorizes a district school
board to withhold funds only as follows:
57
One percent for parent involvement, in addition to the one percent the district must reserve
under federal law for allocations to eligible schools for parent involvement;
46
Section 1011.60(2), F.S.
47
Section 1011.60(2), F.S.
48
Pub. L. No. 89-10, 79 Stat. 27 (Apr. 11, 1965).
49
Pub. L. 114-95, 129 Stat 1802 (Dec. 10, 2015).
50
20 U.S.C. s. 6301.
51
Florida Department of Education, Finance Data Base: Fiscal Year 2022-2023, available at
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7507/urlt/StateTotalBUD2223.pdf, at 8.
52
20 U.S.C. s. 6311, et. seq. Local educational agencies are public boards of education and include district school boards. 34
C.F.R. s. 303.23. See also s. 1011.69(2), F.S., specifying that an eligible school includes a charter school that is eligible to
receive Title I funds.
53
20 U.S.C. s. 6313(a)(3).
54
34 C.F.R. s. 200.78(b).
55
FLHealthCharts, Elementary School Students Eligible for Free/Reduced Lunch,
https://www.flhealthcharts.gov/ChartsDashboards/rdPage.aspx?rdReport=NonVitalIndNoGrp.Dataviewer&cid=497 (last
visited Nov. 8, 2023).
56
Section 1011.69(4), F.S.
57
Section 1011.69(4)(a), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 10
A necessary and reasonable amount for administration which includes the district's indirect
cost rate, not to exceed a total of ten percent;
A reasonable and necessary amount to provide:
o Homeless programs;
o Delinquent and neglected programs;
o Prekindergarten programs and activities;
o Private school equitable services; and
o Transportation for foster care children to their school of origin or choice programs; and
A necessary and reasonable amount, not to exceed one percent, for eligible schools to
provide educational services in accordance with the approved Title I plan.
Title I also authorizes district school boards to provide up to five percent of the Title I-A
allocation to provide financial incentives and rewards to teachers who serve in eligible schools
that are identified for comprehensive support and improvement activities or targeted support and
improvement activities for the purpose of attracting and retaining qualified and effective
teachers.
58
The DOE requires all recruitment, retention, and reward incentives under the ESEA,
including Title I-A and Title II
59
, to be based on the state value-added model or an alternative
state-approved student growth model.
60
The grades and subject areas for which value added student growth models are available are
limited by available student growth measurements.
61
Any alternative state-approved student
growth model is required to identify the student assessment tool used to calculate the growth
model and assure that it measures at least a one year snapshot of student growth. For example,
the pre- and post-measurement should be at least seven months apart and should demonstrate an
average of at least a year’s worth of growth. These requirements limit the subjects and grades in
which these measurements are available.
Under the ESEA, the state education agency must liquidate all obligations incurred under the
Federal award not later than 120 calendar days after the end date of the period of availability.
Under section 412(b) of the General Education Provisions Act
62
, also known as the Tydings
Amendment, grants issued for a fiscal year may be made available for obligation on the basis of
an academic or school basis.
63
As a result of these requirements, many Federal programs –
58
20 U.S.C. s. 6313(c)(4).
59
Florida’s Title II allocation was approximately $103.6 million for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Florida Department of
Education, Finance Data Base: Fiscal Year 2022-2023, available at
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7507/urlt/StateTotalBUD2223.pdf, at 8.
60
Florida Department of Education, K12 ESEA Federal Programs, 2023-24 Elementary and Secondary Education Act
(ESEA) Federal Programs Application Companion Guide, available at https://www.floridacims.org/downloads, at 61.
61
Florida VAM Course List 6A-5.0411, incorporated by reference in Rule 6A-5.0411, F.A.C., available at
https://www.flrules.org/gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14061.
62
Pub. L. No. 90-247.
63
20 U.S.C. s. 1225b. BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 11
including the Title I, Title II,
64
and Title III
65
programs – have a total period of availability of 27
months (from July 1st of the award year to September 30th of the carryover year) and a
subsequent liquidation period of 120 days (October 1st through approximately January 28).
66
In
addition, a state educational agency is required to award each subgrant for school improvement
for a period of not more than 4 years, which may include a planning year.
67
School District Fiscal Transparency
District school boards are required to post on their websites a plain language version of each
proposed, tentative, and official budget which describes each budget item in terms that are easily
understandable to the public and includes a link to the web-based fiscal transparency tool
developed by the DOE to enable taxpayers to evaluate the financial efficiency of the school
district and compare the financial efficiency of the school district with other similarly situated
school districts.
68
The plain language version must also include graphical representations of:
69
Summary financial efficiency data.
Fiscal trend information for the previous 3 years on:
o The ratio of full-time equivalent students to full-time equivalent instructional personnel.
o The ratio of full-time equivalent students to full-time equivalent administrative personnel.
o The total operating expenditures per full-time equivalent student.
o The total instructional expenditures per full-time equivalent student.
o The general administrative expenditures as a percentage of total budget.
o The rate of change in the general fund's ending fund balance not classified as restricted.
The district school board website should contain links to:
70
Help explain or provide background information on various budget items that are required by
state or federal law.
Allow users to navigate to related sites to view supporting details.
Enable taxpayers, parents, and education advocates to send e-mails asking questions about
the budget and enable others to view the questions and responses.
Charter schools are exempt from these requirements.
71
64
Title II of the ESEA provides grants to state educational agencies and subgrants to local educational agencies to increase
student achievement consistent with the challenging State academic standards; improve the quality and effectiveness of
teachers, principals, and other school leaders; increase the number of teachers, principals, and other school leaders who are
effective in improving student academic achievement in schools; and provide low-income and minority students greater
access to effective teachers, principals, and other school leaders. 20 U.S.C. s. 6601.
65
Title III of the ESEA is the English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement Act. 20
U.S.C. s. 6811.
66
US Department of Education, Florida Consolidated Performance Review Report FY 2023, available at
https://oese.ed.gov/files/2023/04/FDOE-2023-Performance-Report.pdf, at 11.
67
20 U.S.C. s. 6303(c).
68
Section 1011.035(2), F.S.
69
Section 1011.035(2)(a), F.S.
70
Section 1011.035(4), F.S.
71
Section 1002.33(16), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 12
Financial Accounting and Expenditures
All funds accruing to a school district must be received, accounted for, and expended in
compliance with state laws and rules of the SBE.
72
For example, district school boards are
prohibited from using funds to purchase transportation equipment and supplies at prices which
exceed those determined by the DOE to be the lowest which can be obtained.
73
At least monthly,
school district superintendents are required to submit a financial statement to the DOE in a
format specified by the school board.
74
Charter schools are exempt from this requirement.
75
Cost Accounting and Reporting
Each school district must account for expenditures of all state, local, and federal funds on a
school-by-school and a district-aggregate basis in accordance with the manual developed by the
DOE or as provided by law.
76
Each district must report on a district-aggregate basis expenditures
for inservice training and categorical programs; and on a school-by-school basis and aggregate
district basis for each program funded by the state for the operation of schools, total operating
costs, and expenditures for classroom instruction.
77
The DOE is required to categorize all public
schools and districts into appropriate groups based primarily on average FTE student enrollment,
calculate specified expenditure information for each public school, school district, and the state;
and develop a web-based fiscal transparency tool that identifies public schools and districts that
produce high academic achievement based on the ratio of classroom instruction expenditures to
total expenditures.
78
Generally, the DOE will communicate with the school district with
monitoring questions or concerns regarding the cost reports, including questions regarding
charter school expenditures. The commissioner must present to the Legislature a district-by-
district report of the expenditures reported.
79
All district school boards are required to conduct an annual financial audit of their accounts and
records.
80
School districts receiving annual federal, state, and local funds in excess of $500
million are required to employ an internal financial auditor.
81
Effect of Proposed Changes
Emergency Make-up Days
The bill modifies s. 1011.60, F.S., to remove the required threshold of infeasibility that a district
school board must demonstrate in order to be released from making up days lost because of a
72
Section 1010.02, F.S.
73
Section 1011.68(4), F.S.
74
Rules 6A-1.008, F.A.C.
75
Section 1002.33(16), F.S.
76
Section 1010.20(1), F.S. Florida Department of Education, Financial & Program Cost Accounting & Reporting For
Florida Schools, https://www.fldoe.org/finance/fl-edu-finance-program-fefp/financial-program-cost-accounting-repo.stml
(last visited Nov. 08, 2023).
77
Section 1010.20(2)(a)-(b), F.S.
78
Section 1010.20(c), F.S.
79
Section 1010.20(d), F.S.
80
Section 218.39(1), F.S.
81
Section 1001.42(12)(l), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 13
bona fide emergency. This may provide more flexibility to district school boards in determining
whether the additional days are necessary for students to learn the required academic standards.
Equity in School-Level Funding
The bill modifies s. 1011.69, F.S., to remove the provision that prohibits a school district from
exceeding the poverty threshold established by a school district for the 2016-2017 school year, or
the statewide percentage of economically disadvantaged students determined annually. This may
afford discretion to the district school board to focus services on the schools with the highest
needs.
The bill also removes the cap of one percent of Title I funds that a district may withhold to
provide district educational services to Title I schools, including charter schools. This may
provide flexibility for a district school board to leverage district resources to provide programs
across all eligible schools, including eligible charter schools.
The bill authorizes district school boards to utilize up to 5 percent of its Title I allocation to
provide financial incentives and rewards to teachers who serve students in Title I schools,
including charter schools, identified for comprehensive support and improvement activities or
targeted support and improvement activities, for the purpose of attracting and retaining qualified
and effective teachers, including teachers of any subject or grade level for whom a state-
approved measurement of student performance is unavailable.
The bill clarifies that the DOE must make funds from Title I, Title II, and Title III programs
available to local education agencies for the full period of availability provided in federal law.
This may provide stability for district school boards in the implementation of Title I services.
School District Fiscal Transparency
The bill modifies s. 1011.035, F.S., to remove the requirement that the plain language of the
school board budget posted on its website include graphical representations of the budget. The
bill also removes the requirement that the links on the school board website:
Help explain or provide background information on various budget items that are required by
state or federal law.
Allow users to navigate to related sites to view supporting details.
Financial Accounting and Expenditures
The bill amends s. 1010.02, F.S., by requiring the SBE to adopt rules to establish criteria for
determining the financial status of school districts for financial reporting. The bill specifies that a
school district identified in SBE rule as having a financial concern would be required to submit
monthly financial reports. Additionally, the bill specifies that a school district not identified in
SBE rule as having a financial concern may be required to submit financial reports no more often
than once every quarter.
Cost Accounting and Reporting
The bill amends s. 1010.20, F.S., by requiring charter schools to receive and respond to
monitoring questions from the DOE regarding the charter school’s cost report. This amendment BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 14
allows charter schools to communicate directly with the DOE and relieves school districts from
being an intermediary between the DOE and charter schools.
The bill modifies s. 1011.68, F.S., to remove the restriction on district school boards purchasing
transportation supplies at a cost lower than the cost established by the DOE.
The bill modifies s. 1001.42, F.S., to remove the requirement that school districts receiving
annual federal, state, and local funds in excess of $500 million employ an internal financial
auditor. All school districts are required to have an annual financial audit.
Facilities Planning
Present Situation
District School Board Educational Facilities Plans
Annually, prior to the adoption of the district school budget, each district school board is
required to prepare a tentative district educational facilities plan that includes long-range
planning for facilities needs over 5-year, 10-year, and 20-year periods. Florida law enumerates
specific requirements that the district school board must evaluate at over the course of the plan,
including for 5-year, 10-year, and 20-year periods.
82
The plan is required to include a financially feasible district facilities work program for a 5-year
period. The work program is required to include:
83
A schedule of major repair and renovation projects necessary to maintain the educational
facilities and ancillary facilities of the district.
A schedule of capital outlay projects necessary to ensure the availability of satisfactory
student stations for the projected student enrollment in K-12 programs, with detailed
specifications set forth in state law.
The projected cost for each project identified in the district facilities work program, including
a schedule of cost comparisons for the planned cost of each new student station compared
with the low, average, and high cost of facilities constructed throughout the state.
A schedule of estimated capital outlay revenues from each currently approved source which
is estimated to be available for expenditure on the projects included in the district facilities
work program.
A schedule indicating which projects included in the district facilities work program will be
funded from current revenues.
A schedule of options for the generation of additional revenues by the district for expenditure
on projects identified in the district facilities work program which are not funded with
currently approved revenue sources.
Prototype construction and design to be used for the construction of two or more new schools
for students in the same grade group and program, such as elementary, middle, or high
school.
84
82
Section 1013.35(2)(a), F.S.
83
Section 1013.35(2)(b), F.S.
84
Section 1013.45(4), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 15
To the extent available, the tentative district educational facilities plan is required to be based on
information produced by the state demographic, revenue, and education estimating
conferences.
85
Not less than once every 5 years, the district school board must have an audit
conducted of the board’s educational planning and construction activities. An operational audit
conducted by the Auditor General satisfies this requirement.
86
Annually, the district school board is required to consider and adopt the tentative district
educational facilities plan. The adopted district educational facilities plan must:
87
Be a complete, balanced, and financially feasible capital outlay financial plan for the district.
Set forth the proposed commitments and planned expenditures of the district to address the
educational facilities needs of its students and to adequately provide for the maintenance of
the educational plant and ancillary facilities, including safe access ways from neighborhoods
to schools.
Charter schools share in district school board capital outlay funding but are not subject to any of
the facilities plan requirements.
88
Educational Plant Survey
Florida law includes systemwide definitions related to educational facilities.
89
An “educational
plant survey” is a systematic study of present educational and ancillary plants and the
determination of future needs to provide an appropriate educational program and services for
each student based on projected capital outlay FTE's approved by the DOE.
90
The “educational
plant” comprises the educational facilities, site, and site improvements necessary to
accommodate students, faculty, administrators, staff, and the activities of the educational
program of each plant.
91
“Educational facilities” are the buildings and equipment, structures, and special educational use
areas that are built, installed, or established to serve primarily the educational purposes and
secondarily the social and recreational purposes of the community.
92
“Auxiliary facilities” are
the spaces located at educational plants which are not designed for student occupant stations.
93
The “ancillary plant” is comprised of the building, site, and site improvements necessary to
provide such facilities as vehicle maintenance, warehouses, maintenance, or administrative
buildings necessary to provide support services to an educational program.
94
85
Section 1013.35(2)(c), F.S.
86
Section 1013.35(2)(f), F.S.
87
Section 1013.35(4), F.S.
88
Sections 1002.33(16)-(17) and 1013.62, F.S.
89
See s. 1013.01, F.S.
90
Section 1013.01, F.S.
91
Section 1013.01(7), F.S.
92
Section 1013.01(6), F.S.
93
Section 1013.01(2), F.S.
94
Section 1013.01(1), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 16
At least every 5 years, each board
95
is required to arrange for an educational plant survey to aid
in formulating plans for housing the educational program and student population, faculty,
administrators, staff, and auxiliary and ancillary services of the district or campus, including
consideration of the local comprehensive plan.
96
The plant survey and the facilities work
program are reviewed in the preparation of interlocal agreements between school boards and
local governments.
97
A survey recommendation is not required when a district uses local funds for educational,
auxiliary, and ancillary plant capital outlay purposes:
98
Even though the recommendation may
not be required, the school district’s survey must be submitted as a part of the district educational
facilities plan.
99
The DOE is required to conduct an onsite review of 5 percent of the facilities reported for each
school district completing a new survey that year.
100
If the DOE’s review finds the data reported
by a district is less than 95 percent accurate, within 1 year from the time of notification by the
DOE the district must submit revised reports correcting its data. If a district fails to correct its
reports, the commissioner may direct that future fixed capital outlay funds be withheld until such
time as the district has corrected its reports so that they are not less than 95 percent accurate.
101
The DOE is also annually required to perform an in-depth analysis of a representative sample of
each survey of recommended needs for 5 districts selected by the commissioner from among
districts with the largest need-to-revenue ratio. The need-to-revenue ratio is determined by
dividing the total 5-year cost of projects listed on the district survey by the total 5-year fixed
capital outlay revenue projections from state and local sources as determined by the DOE.
102
The
commissioner is authorized to direct fixed capital outlay funds provided from general revenue or
from state trust funds to be withheld from districts until such time as the survey accurately
projects facilities needs.
103
District school boards are required to periodically update their inventory of educational facilities
as new capacity becomes available and as unsatisfactory space is eliminated.
104
Unused District School Board Property
A district school board may dispose of any land or real property determined to be unnecessary
for educational purposes as recommended in an educational plant survey. The board must take
measures to dispose of such property in the best interests of the public.
105
Surplus tangible
95
“Board,” unless otherwise specified, means a district school board, a Florida College System institution board of trustees, a
state university board of trustees, and the Board of Trustees for the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind. Section
1013.01(3), F.S. It does not include charter school governing boards.
96
Section 1013.31(1), F.S.
97
Section 163.31777(2)(e)-(f) and (4), F.S.
98
Id. at (a) and (d).
99
Section 1013.31(1)(c)1., F.S.
100
Section 1013.31(1)(c)1., F.S.
101
Section 1013.31(1)(c)1., F.S.
102
Section 1013.31(1)(d), F.S.
103
Section 1013.31(1)(d), F.S.
104
Section 1013.31(1)(e), F.S.
105
Section 1013.28(1)(a), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 17
personal property classified as such by a district school board shall be provided for a charter
school’s use on the same basis as it is made available to other public schools in the district. A
charter school receiving such property cannot sell or dispose of it without the written permission
of the school district.
106
District school boards are required to annually provide the DOE with the number of vacant
classrooms that they do not intend to use or project will not be needed for educational purposes
in the following school year. This information is part of the school board's 5-year work plan. The
DOE may then recommend that a district make such space available to an appropriate charter
school.
107
By January 1 each year, the DOE must provide district school boards with a list of all underused,
vacant, or surplus facilities owned or operated by the school district, as reported in the Florida
Inventory of School Houses.
108
School boards have 30 days to report any errors or omissions. By
April 1, the Department updates and publishes a final list based on information provided by each
school district. A "school of hope" may use an educational facility identified on this list at no
cost or at a mutually agreeable cost not to exceed $600 per student. If a "school of hope" uses
such a facility, it cannot sell or dispose of it without the written permission of the school
district.
109
Cost Per Student Station Limitation
In Florida, construction costs for traditional K-12 public school facilities are reported based on
the cost per student station.
110
In 2005, the DOE conducted a study on overall inflation of school
construction costs, including the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and other factors. The cost per
student station levels adopted in 2006 were based on the DOE’s study recommendations and is
adjusted to reflect increases and decreases in the CPI.
111
The DOE and the Office of Economic
and Demographic Research (EDR)
112
are required to work together to calculate and disseminate
new statutory caps.
113
The forecast by EDR for the July 2023 cost per student station limits are:
114
$27,455 for an elementary school.
$29,648 for a middle school.
$38,511 for a high school.
106
Section 1013.28(2)(a), F.S.
107
Section 1002.33(18)(g), F.S.
108
Section 1002.333(7)(d), F.S.
109
Section 1002.333(7)(d), F.S.
110
Section 1013.64(6), F.S.
111
Office of Economic and Demographic Research, Review of Florida’s Cost Per Student Station (January 2017), available
at http://edr.state.fl.us/content/special-research-projects/education/CostPerStudentStation.pdf. at 6.
112
The Office of Economic and Demographic Research is a research arm of the Legislature principally concerned with
forecasting economic and social trends that affect policy making, revenues, and appropriations. Office of Economic and
Demographic Research, Welcome, http://edr.state.fl.us/Content/ (last visited January 26, 2023).
113
Section 1013.64(6)(b)1., F.S.
114
Office of Economic and Demographic Research, Student Station Cost Factors (July 2022), available at
http://edr.state.fl.us/Content/conferences/peco/studentstation.pdf. BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 18
Except for certain educational facilities and sites subject to a lease-purchase agreement that may
be paid for by a district school board levy,
115
or funded solely through local impact fees, a
district school board may not use funds from any sources for new construction of educational
plant space with a total cost per student station that exceeds these amounts.
116
The cost per
student station includes, for example, contract costs, fees of architects and engineers, and the cost
of furniture and equipment.
117
The cost per student station specifically does not include the cost
of purchasing or leasing the site for the construction, legal and administrative costs, the cost of
related site or offsite improvements, and costs for school safety and hardening items and other
capital construction items approved by the school safety specialist to ensure building security for
new educational, auxiliary, or ancillary facilities.
118
An unfinished construction project for new construction of educational plant space that was
started on or before July 1, 2026, is exempt from the total cost per student station
requirements.
119
State Requirements for Educational Facilities
Florida school construction is guided by three major authorities. The Florida Building Code
governs all construction in the state and is administered by the Florida Building Commission at
the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
120
The Florida Building Code includes
specifications for enhanced hurricane protection areas and electrical and standby emergency
power systems.
121
The Florida Fire Prevention Code is administered by the Division of State Fire
Marshal, Department of Financial Services. The third major authority governing school
construction in the state is the State Requirements for Educational Facilities (SREF), which is
maintained by the DOE.
122
The requirements of the three authorities tend to increase the cost of
construction in the state relative to national averages.
123
Charter schools are not required to
comply with SREF.
124
The SREF is the uniform statewide building code for the planning and construction of public
educational facilities and ancillary plants.
125
District school boards must adhere to the SREF
115
Section 1011.71(2)(e), F.S., sets forth the guidelines for authorized district school board lease-purchase agreements.
116
Section 1013.64(6)(b)3., F.S.
117
Section 1013.64(6)(d), F.S.
118
Section 1013.64(6)(d), F.S. Such safety improvements include the cost for securing entries, checkpoint construction,
lighting specifically designed for entry point security, security cameras, automatic locks and locking devices, electronic
security systems, fencing designed to prevent intruder entry into a building, or bullet-proof glass. Id.
119
Section 1013.64(6)(e), F.S.
120
Section 553.73, F.S. The Florida Building Code, 7
th
Edition (2020) has been adopted by the Florida Building Commission.
Rule 61G20-1.001, F.A.C.
121
Sections 453.25.1.1 and 453.25.5, Florida Building Code, 7
th
Edition (2020).
122
Rule 6A-2.0010, F.A.C.
123
Florida Department of Education, Review and Adjustment for Florida’s Cost per Student Station (January 1, 2020),
available at http://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7738/urlt/2020AnnCSSR.pdf, at 14.
124
Section 1002.33(18), F.S.
125
The State Requirements for Educational Facilities (SREF) is incorporated in Rule 6A-2.0010, F.A.C., is are available at
http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-04664. The SREF is applicable to all public educational facilities and
plants: pre-kindergarten (pre-K) through grade 12, including conversion charter schools; area vocational educational schools;
area vocational/technical centers; adult education; Florida colleges and universities; the Florida School for the Deaf and the
Blind (FSDB), where referenced; ancillary plants; relocatables; factory-built structures, reconstructable facilities, modular BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 19
when planning and constructing new facilities. Generally, SREF standards are premised on
providing enhanced safety for occupants and increasing the life span of the extensive, publicly
funded infrastructure of Florida’s public school districts.
126
Florida law provides school districts
with the flexibility to adopt, through resolution, a number of exceptions to SREF requirements.
Exceptions include, for example, specifications for site lighting or the use of wood studs in
interior nonload-bearing walls.
127
The DOE, in consultation with school boards and county and state emergency management
offices, is required to develop public shelter design criteria that are incorporated as standards into
the Florida Building Code. These criteria must be designed to ensure that appropriate new
educational facilities can serve as public shelters for emergency management purposes.
128
If a regional planning council in which the county is located does not have a hurricane
evacuation shelter deficit as determined by the Division of Emergency Management, educational
facilities within the planning council region are not required to incorporate the public shelter
criteria.
129
By January 31 of each even-numbered year, the Division of Emergency Management
must prepare and submit a statewide emergency shelter plan to the Governor and Cabinet for
approval.
130
In addition to the requirement to construct emergency shelters as needed, district school boards
in an emergency area are required to provide facilities and necessary personnel to staff such
facilities.
131
Educational Facilities Contracting and Construction Techniques
District school boards may employ procedures to contract for construction of new facilities, or
for additions, remodeling, renovation, maintenance, or repairs to existing facilities, which
include, but are not limited to, day-labor contracts not exceeding $280,000 for construction,
renovation, remodeling, or maintenance of existing facilities. This amount is adjusted annually
based upon changes in the Consumer Price Index.
132
A "day-labor contract” means a project
constructed using persons employed directly by a board or by contracted labor.
133
District school boards are required to use the services of a registered architect for the
development of plans for the erection, enlargement, or alteration of any educational facility.
134
The services of a registered architect are not required, however, for a minor renovation project
buildings and manufactured buildings; lease and lease-purchase; and new construction, remodeling, renovation,
improvements and site-development projects. Id. The SREF does not apply to charter schools. Section 1002.33(18), F.S.
126
See, e.g., s. 1013.12, F.S. (casualty, safety, sanitation, and fire safety standards and inspection of property) and s.
1013.451, F.S. (life-cycle cost comparison).
127
See s. 1013.385(2), F.S.
128
Section 1013.372(1), F.S.
129
Id.
130
Section 1013.372(2), F.S.
131
Section 252.38(1)(d), F.S.
132
Section 1013.45(1)(e), F.S.
133
Section 1013.45(2), F.S.
134
Section 1013.45(4), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 20
for which the construction cost is less than $50,000 or for the placement or hookup of relocatable
educational facilities.
135
District school boards may authorize the superintendent or president or other designated
individual to approve change orders in the name of the board for preestablished amounts.
136
Approvals must be for the purpose of expediting the work in progress and be reported to the
board and entered in its official minutes. The district school board is required to monitor and
report the impact of change orders on its district educational facilities plan.
137
District school boards are authorized to purchase, own, convey, sell, lease, or encumber airspace
or any other interests in property above the surface of the land, provided the lease of airspace for
nonpublic use is for such reasonable rent, length of term, and conditions as the board in its
discretion may determine.
138
Proceeds from the alienation of airspace are required to be used for
the renovation of existing facilities or construction of new facilities.
139
District school boards are required to reduce the use of relocatables, and the Office of
Educational Facilities within the DOE is required to monitor school board facilities work
programs to measure the district commitment in reducing the use of relocatables.
140
District
school boards are required to submit to state leadership annual progress reports on a plan for the
use of existing relocatables.
141
Relocatables that fail to meet standards for relocatables after
completion of the approved plan may not be used as classrooms.
School boards may rent or lease educational facilities for one year or less, which should be
funded through the operations budget or millage proceeds.
142
Extensions or renewals of such
leases become multiple-year leases and can also be funded through operational funds or millage
proceeds.
143
A district school board may construct or place educational facilities and ancillary facilities on
land that is owned by any person after the board has acquired from the owner of the land a long-
term lease for the use of this land for a period of not less than 40 years or the life expectancy of
the permanent facilities constructed thereon, whichever is longer.
144
Construction of educational
facilities funded through an educational facilities benefit district or community development
district is also subject to the minimum lease term requirement.
145
135
Section 1013.45(4), F.S.
136
Section 1013.48, F.S.
137
Section 1013.48, F.S.
138
Section 1013.19, F.S.
139
Section 1013.19, F.S.
140
Section 1013.21, F.S.
141
Section 1013.20(1), F.S.
142
Section 1013.15(2)(a), F.S.
143
Section 1013.15(2)(a), F.S.
144
Section 1013.16, F.S.
145
Section 1013.356, F.S. BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 21
Effect of Proposed Changes
District School Board Educational Facilities Plans
The bill amends s. 1013.35, F.S. to replace the specifically enumerated requirements for school
board educational facilities plans and work programs with the general requirement that each
school board adopt a facilities plan to meet the needs of the district, with public participation.
The bill maintains the required 5-year audit of the board’s educational planning and construction
activities, and maintains the requirements for the general balanced nature of the plans, developed
through public participation and local cooperation.
The bill makes corresponding changes in ss. 1013.41 and 1013.68, F.S., to reflect the removal of
the requirement for district school boards to include a specific 5-year work program in the school
board educational facilities plan.
These changes may bring district school boards closer to the operational flexibility of charter
schools, which typically have more autonomy in facility planning and management.
Educational Plant Survey
The bill modifies s. 1013.31, F.S., to remove the requirement for each district school board to
complete an educational plant survey. Accordingly, the bill also removes the requirements for
the DOE to review and analyze educational plant surveys submitted by district school boards.
The bill makes conforming changes in s. 1013.64, F.S.
To enable the distribution of state funds for fixed capital outlay purposes, the bill maintains the
requirement for district school boards to periodically update their inventory of educational
facilities as new capacity becomes available and as unsatisfactory space is eliminated. The bill
authorizes the commissioner to condition state fixed capital outlay funds on a district school
board’s submission of an educational plant survey that accurately projects facilities needs as
indicated by the Florida Inventory of School Houses, as compared with the district's capital
outlay full-time equivalent enrollment.
Unused District School Board Property
The bill amends ss. 1002.33, 1002.333, and 1013.28, F.S., to remove the requirements that
surplus school board property be provided for a charter school’s use on the same basis as it is
made available to other public schools in the district.
Cost Per Student Station Limitation
The bill modifies s. 1013.64, F.S., to make the cost per student station exemption permanent and
remove cost per student station limitations on district school board construction projects. This
may enable district school boards to construct facilities that better meet the needs of its students.
The bill makes a conforming change in s. 1013.356, F.S., to remove the cost per student station
limitation for facilities projects funded by an educational facilities benefit district or community
development district.
BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 22
State Requirements for Educational Facilities
The bill amends s. 1013.385, F.S., to clarify the authority of district school boards to adopt
exceptions to SREF, provided that any exceptions to requirements for public shelter design
criteria, when applicable, remain subject to the concurrence of the applicable local emergency
management agency or the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
The bill also modifies s. 252.38, F.S., to replace the requirement for district school boards to staff
emergency facilities with the requirement to provide staff to access such facilities, or to perform
other duties related to the facilities subject to the county emergency management plan.
Educational Facilities Contracting and Construction Techniques
The bill modifies s. 1013.45, F.S., to authorize district school boards to employ day-labor
contracts without limits on the amount of the contract. The bill also removes the requirement for
school boards to employ an architect for the erection, enlargement, or alteration of any
educational facility in which the cost of construction is at least $50,000. District school boards
would follow requirements for the use of architects as specified in applicable building codes.
To align with the flexibility provided for district school board educational facilities plans, the bill
modifies s. 1013.48, F.S., to remove the requirement for the school board to monitor and report
the impact of change orders on its district educational facilities plan.
The bill modifies s. 1013.19, F.S., to remove the requirement that proceeds from the sale or lease
of airspace by school boards must be used for fixed capital outlay.
The bill modifies ss. 1013.20 and 1013.21, F.S., to remove outdated requirements regarding the
reduction in relocatables and the annual progress report on relocatables.
The bill also modifies s. 1013.15, F.S., to broaden the scope of properties that can be leased or
lease-purchased to include educational plants, ancillary plants, and auxiliary facilities instead of
only educational facilities. This allows district school boards to engage in lease or lease-purchase
agreements for a wider range of properties related to educational services.
The bill modifies ss. 1013.16 and 1013.356, F.S., to remove the requirement that a school board
must acquire a lease of at least 40 years to construct or place a facility, and retain the
requirement that the lease be as long as the lifespan of the facility.
Capital Outlay Funding for Education
Present Situation
Public Education Capital Outlay
The Florida Constitution authorizes certain revenues to be used by district school boards for
capital outlay purposes. Article XII, s. 9(d) of the Florida Constitution guarantees a stated
amount for each district annually from proceeds of licensing motor vehicles, referred to as BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 23
Capital Outlay and Debt Service (CO&DS) funds.
146
Additionally, Article XII, s. 9(a)(2) of the
Florida Constitution provides that school districts may share in the proceeds from gross receipts
taxes, referred to as Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) funds, as provided by legislative
appropriation.
147
PECO consists of revenues derived from the collection of the gross receipts tax on utilities,
including transfers from the Communications Services Tax, and through the issuance of bonds
supported by these revenues.
148
School districts, Florida colleges, state universities and other
education agencies receive PECO funds to construct new facilities or to perform maintenance,
renovation or repairs on existing facilities. These funds are also used for site acquisitions and
improvements.
149
Allocations to district school boards from PECO for funds for remodeling, renovation,
maintenance, repairs, and site improvement for existing satisfactory facilities are given priority
and distributed according to a specific statutory formula.
150
District school boards may not use
PECO funds to supplant funds in the current fiscal year approved operating budget.
151
At least
one-tenth of a board's annual allocation must be spent to correct unsafe, unhealthy, or unsanitary
conditions in its educational facilities, or a lesser amount sufficient to correct all deficiencies
cited in its annual comprehensive safety inspection reports.
152
After priority projects are funded, remaining PECO allocations are required to be calculated by
computing the capital outlay full time membership as determined by the DOE pursuant to a
statutory formula.
153
For the 2022-2023 fiscal year, approximately $196 million from PECO was appropriated to
charter schools, and approximately $11 million was appropriated to district schools.
154
The DOE operates the “Special Facility Construction Account” as a part of the PECO.
155
The
Special Facility Construction Account is used to provide necessary construction funds to school
districts which have urgent construction needs but which lack sufficient resources at present, and
cannot reasonably anticipate sufficient resources within the period of the next 3 years. A district
school board requesting funding from the Special Facility Construction Account may only
146
Florida Department of Education, 2022-2023 Funding for Florida School Districts, available at
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7507/urlt/fefpdist.pdf, at 6.
147
Id.
148
Florida Department of Education, 2022-2023 Funding for Florida School Districts, available at
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7507/urlt/fefpdist.pdf, at 29.
149
Florida Department of Education, 2022-2023 Funding for Florida School Districts, available at
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7507/urlt/fefpdist.pdf, at 29.
150
Section 1013.64(1)(a), F.S.
151
Section 1013.64(1)(b), F.S.
152
Section 1013.64(1)(f), F.S.
153
Section 1013.64(3), F.S. The capital outlay full-time equivalent membership shall be determined by counting the reported
unweighted full-time equivalent student membership for the second and third surveys with each survey limited to 0.5 full-
time equivalent student membership per student and comparing the results on a school-by-school basis with the Florida
Inventory of School Houses.
154
Florida Department of Education, 2022-2023 Funding for Florida School Districts, available at
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7507/urlt/fefpdist.pdf, at 29.
155
Section 1013.64(2)(a), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 24
submit one specific construction project to the Special Facility Construction Committee in any 3-
year period or while any portion of the district's participation requirement is outstanding.
156
The construction project must be recommended in the most recent educational plant survey
cooperatively prepared by the district school board and the DOE.
157
A project funded through the
Special Facility Construction Account must be deemed a critical need and must be recommended
for funding by the Special Facility Construction Committee.
158
Upon request for release of PECO funds for planning purposes, the district school superintendent
must certify to the DOE that the need for and location of the facility are in compliance with the
board-approved survey recommendations, that the project meets the definition of a PECO project
and the limiting criteria for expenditures of PECO funding, and that the plan is consistent with
the local government comprehensive plan.
159
Upon request for release of construction funds, the
superintendent must additionally certify to the DOE that the construction documents meet the
requirements of SREF or other applicable codes.
160
For the 2022-23 fiscal year, $64,445,244
161
was appropriated for Special Facilities projects for
six district school boards.
162
School Board Discretionary Millage Levy
Each district school board is authorized to levy 1.5 mills against the taxable value for public
school purposes to fund specific needs as identified in law, including, for example:
163
New construction, remodeling projects, sites and site improvement or expansion to new sites,
existing sites, auxiliary facilities, athletic facilities, or ancillary facilities.
Payments for educational facilities and sites due under a lease-purchase agreement.
Payment of costs of leasing relocatable educational facilities, of renting or leasing
educational facilities and sites, or of renting or leasing buildings or space within existing
buildings.
In addition, a district school board may expend up to $175 per unweighted FTE student from the
revenue generated by the millage levy to fund expenses for:
164
The purchase, lease-purchase, or lease of driver's education vehicles; motor vehicles used for
the maintenance or operation of plants and equipment; security vehicles; or vehicles used in
storing or distributing materials and equipment.
Payment of the cost of premiums property and casualty insurance necessary to insure school
district educational and ancillary plants.
156
Section 1013.64(2)(a), F.S.
157
Section 1013.64(2)(a)2., F.S.
158
Section 1013.64(2)(a)1., F.S.
159
Section 1013.31(2)(a), F.S.
160
Section 1013.31(2)(b), F.S.
161
This amount was contingent upon the state's award from the federal Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund.
162
Florida Department of Education, 2022-2023 Funding for Florida School Districts, available at
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7507/urlt/fefpdist.pdf, at 30.
163
Section 1011.71(2), F.S.
164
Section 1011.71(6), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 25
District school boards raised $3,453,738,766.07 in revenues through 1.5-mill levies in the 2021-
2022 fiscal year.
165
To raise funds for capital outlay purposes, district school boards are also authorized to:
Sell bonds for capital outlay projects to be repaid from local property taxes.
166
Levy a sales surtax of up to 0.5 percent for fixed capital outlay purposes if approval is
obtained by referendum.
167
Levy up to 0.25 mills for fixed capital outlay in lieu of levying an equivalent amount of the
0.748 discretionary operating millage for operations.
168
Short-Term Loans for Education Capital Outlay
District school boards may create obligations by way of anticipation of budgeted revenues
accruing on a current basis without pledging the credit of the district or requiring future levy of
taxes for certain purposes for a period of 1 year; however, such obligations may be extended
from year to year with the consent of the lender for a period not to exceed 4 years, or for a total
of 5 years including the initial year of the loan.
169
The purposes for which such obligations may
be incurred may include only the purchase of school buses, land, and equipment for educational
purposes; the erection of, alteration to, or addition to educational facilities; and the adjustment of
insurance on educational property on a 5-year plan, as provided by rules of the SBE.
170
District
school boards may only borrow money through this process if:
The proposed obligation does not exceed one-fourth of the revenue received during the
preceding year for the district school fund for operating expenses.
The school board adopts and includes in its minutes a resolution giving the nature of the
obligations to be incurred, stating the plan of payment, and providing that such funds will be
budgeted during the period of the loan from the current revenue to retire the obligations
maturing during the year.
The school board issues interest-bearing notes for the obligations that do not exceed the
maximum rate for government bonds.
Effect of Proposed Changes
Public Education Capital Outlay
The bill amends s. 1013.64, F.S., to modify requirements for projects funded through PECO. The
bill removes the requirement that at least one-tenth of a district school board’s PECO allocation
be spent to correct unsafe, unhealthy, or unsanitary conditions in its educational facilities.
165
Florida Department of Education, Finance Data Base: Fiscal Year 2022-2023, available at
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7507/urlt/StateTotalBUD2223.pdf, at 45.
166
Florida Department of Education, 2022-2023 Funding for Florida School Districts, available at
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7507/urlt/fefpdist.pdf, at 9. See Art. VII, s. 12, Fla. Const., s. 200.001(3)(e), F.S.,
and ss. 1010.40 through 1010.55, F.S.
167
Florida Department of Education, 2022-2023 Funding for Florida School Districts, available at
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7507/urlt/fefpdist.pdf, at 11. See s. 212.055(6), F.S.
168
Florida Department of Education, 2022-2023 Funding for Florida School Districts, available at
https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7507/urlt/fefpdist.pdf, at 9. See s. 1011.71(1), F.S.
169
Section 1011.14, F.S.
170
Section 1011.14(1), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 26
School Board Discretionary Millage Levy
The bill modifies s. 1011.71, F.S., to provide flexibility for the use of funds the district school
board receives through the authorized 1.5-mill levy. The bill expands the authorized use of funds
received to include payments for any educational plant space, ancillary plants, and auxiliary
facilities, due under a lease purchase agreement or lease.
The bill also removes the cap of $175 per unweighted FTE student for the purchase, lease-
purchase, or lease of certain district school board vehicles and property and casualty insurance
on school district educational and ancillary plants.
Short-Term Loans for Education Capital Outlay
The bill modifies s. 1011.14, F.S., to expand the scope of capital outlay that district school
boards are permitted to fund through the issuance of short-term debt instruments.
This bill authorizes district school boards to incur obligations not only for the construction and
renovation of educational facilities but also for the development and enhancement of support and
supplemental structures associated with the educational process, which include the entire
educational plant, ancillary plants, and auxiliary facilities.
By broadening the permissible use of anticipated revenue for these additional categories of
capital projects, the bill allows for a more comprehensive development of the educational
environment, acknowledging the role of various facilities in delivering a full spectrum of
educational services. The district school boards would remain bound by the existing fiscal
constraints—namely, the limitation of indebtedness to no more than one-fourth of the district ad
valorem tax revenue for operations for the preceding year and the requirement for a detailed
resolution outlining the nature and plan of repayment for the obligations.
District School Board Communications
Present Situation
Meeting Notices
Each district school board is required to publicly notice regular and special board meetings in a
county newspaper of general circulation at least two days prior to the meeting, or on a radio
station if no such newspaper exists.
171
Local governmental agencies, including district school boards, have the option to publish legal
notices on a publicly accessible website owned or designated by the county instead of in a print
newspaper under specified conditions.
172
A governmental agency located in a county that has a
population of fewer than 160,000 must first hold a public hearing and determine that its residents
have sufficient access to the internet by broadband service before publishing legally required
advertisements and public notices on the county website.
173
171
Section 1001.372, F.S.
172
Section 50.0311, F.S.
173
Section 50.0311(4), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 27
Before a district school board levies any millage, it must advertise its intent to adopt a tentative
budget in a newspaper of general circulation. Not less than 2 days or more than 5 days thereafter,
the district must hold a public hearing on the tentative budget.
174
The district school
superintendent is required to submit two copies of the adopted budget to the DOE.
175
The US Census Bureau and the Pew Research Center have reported that adults are more likely to
receive information through digital media than through print media.
176
District School Board Notifications
Dropout prevention and academic intervention programs are programs that may differ from
traditional educational programs and schools in scheduling, administrative structure, philosophy,
curriculum, or setting and employ alternative teaching methodologies, curricula, learning
activities, and diagnostic and assessment procedures in order to meet the needs, interests,
abilities, and talents of eligible students.
177
A student is eligible to receive services through the dropout prevention and academic
intervention program if the student:
178
Is academically unsuccessful.
Has a pattern of excessive absenteeism or has been identified as a habitual truant.
Has a history of disruptive behavior in school or has committed an offense that warrants out-
of-school suspension or expulsion from school.
Prior to placement in a dropout prevention and academic intervention program or the provision
of an academic service, the school principal or designee is required to notify the student’s parent
by certified mail.
179
The parent of the student must then sign an acknowledgment of the notice of
placement or service and return the signed acknowledgment to the principal within 3 days after
receipt of the notice.
180
The parents of a student assigned to such a dropout prevention and
academic intervention program are entitled to an administrative review by an informal hearing
officer or an administrative law judge for a formal hearing regarding any action by school
personnel relating to such placement.
181
The principal or the principal’s designee may suspend a student only in accordance with the rules
of the district school board.
182
The principal or the principal’s designee must make a good faith
effort to immediately inform a student’s parent by telephone of a student’s suspension and the
174
Section 200.065(2)(f)1., F.S.
175
Section 1011.03(3), F.S.
176
Florida Department of Education, Recommendations to Reduce Regulation in Public Schools (Nov. 1, 2023), available at
https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/Show/ED/MeetingPacket/5953/10483_MeetingPacket_5953_2.pdf, at 10.
177
Section 1003.53(1)(a), F.S.
178
Section 1003.53(1)(c), F.S.
179
Section 1003.53(5), F.S.
180
Section 1003.53(5), F.S.
181
Section 1003.53(5), F.S.
182
Section 1006.09(1)(b), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 28
reasons for the suspension.
183
Each suspension and the reasons for the suspension must be
reported in writing within 24 hours to the student’s parent by United States mail.
184
School grades are used to explain a school’s performance in a familiar, easy-to-understand
manner for parents and the public.
185
School grades are also used to determine whether a school
must select or implement a turnaround option
186
or whether a school is eligible for school
recognition funds as appropriated by the Legislature.
187
Parents of public school students have the right to an easy-to-read report card about the school’s
grade designation or, if applicable, the school’s improvement rating, and the school’s
accountability report, including the school financial report.
188
The school financial report must be
provided to the parents and indicate the average amount of money expended per student in the
school, which must also be included in the student handbook or a similar publication.
189
Each middle school and high school student or the student’s parent prior to registration is
required to be provided a two-page summary of the Department of Economic Opportunity’s
(DEO’s) economic security report of employment and earning outcomes and electronic access to
the report.
190
The information concerning the Economic Security Report is available to all
parents through the DOE’s Xello web portal, Florida’s official K-12 career planning and work-
based learning coordination tool.
191
Effect of Proposed Changes
Meeting Notices
The bill modifies s. 1001.372, F.S., to authorize district school boards to satisfy open meeting
notification requirements through publication on the official district school board website or
another publicly accessible website pursuant to statutory requirements. The bill does not remove
the option to publish such notices in a newspaper, radio station, or posting at a courthouse.
The bill amends s. 200.065, F.S., to authorize a district school board to advertise its proposed
budget, and levy millage, by advertising its intent to adopt a tentative budget on the district
school board website, so long as the district school board complies with the requirements to
ensure that the public has reasonable access to the website, and that the website would provide
reasonable notice.
The bill makes a conforming modification in s. 1011.03, F.S., to specify that district school
boards may advertise their budgets on the official district school board website instead of the
183
Section 1006.09(1)(b), F.S.
184
Section 1006.09(1)(b), F.S.
185
Section 1008.34(1), F.S.
186
See s. 1008.33(4), F.S.
187
See s. 1008.36, F.S.
188
Section 1002.20(16), F.S.
189
Section 1002.20(16), F.S.
190
Section 1002.20(24), F.S.
191
Florida Department of Education, Recommendations to Reduce Regulation in Public Schools (Nov. 1, 2023), available at
https://www.flsenate.gov/Committees/Show/ED/MeetingPacket/5953/10483_MeetingPacket_5953_2.pdf, at 13. BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 29
newspaper. The bill also removes the requirement for the district school superintendent to
transmit two copies of the adopted budget to the DOE.
District School Board Notifications
The bill modifies ss. 1003.53 and 1006.09, F.S., to authorize a district school board to adopt a
policy that allows a parent to agree to an alternative method of notification regarding a student’s
placement in a dropout prevention program or a suspension. The bill authorizes the agreement to
be made before the need for the notification arises or at the time the notification is required. The
bill includes conforming modifications in s. 1002.20, F.S.
The bill modifies s. 1002.20, F.S., to remove the requirement that the school financial report be
included in the student handbook or similar publication. The bill requires the DOE to produce the
easy-to-read report card about the school’s grade designation or improvement rating, the school’s
accountability report, and the school financial report and make the reports for each school
available on the DOE’s website in a prominent location. The bill requires each district school
board to provide a link to these reports for parent access. The bill also removes the requirement
that each middle and high school student be provided with a two-page summary of the DEO
economic security report, as this information is available by other means.
Maximum Class Size Requirements
Present Situation
Each year, on or before the October student membership survey, the following class size
maximum number of students assigned to each teacher who is teaching a core-curricula course
192
in a public school classroom may not exceed:
193
18 students in prekindergarten through grade 3;
22 students in grades 4 through 8; and
25 students in grades 9 through 12.
These class size maximums must be maintained after the October student membership survey.
District school boards have the flexibility to determine whether it is warranted to assign a student
enrolled after the October student membership survey to a class that will exceed the maximum
size. If determined by the district school board to exceed the class size maximums after the
October membership survey, the district school board is required to develop a plan to ensure that
the school will be in full compliance with the maximum class size limits by the next October
student membership survey. This plan is not required to be submitted to the Department of
Education (DOE).
194
The DOE must calculate compliance with class size maximums for traditional schools, charter
schools, and district-operated schools of choice using data from the October student membership
survey.
195
A memorandum is sent from the DOE to notify school districts and charter schools of
their class size compliance and the details of the process and timeline for appeals and submission
192
Section 1003.01(5), F.S.
193
Section 1003.03(1), F.S.
194
Section 1003.03(1)-(2)
195
Section 1003.03 (2). BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 30
of compliance plans.
196
In 2023, the Legislature repealed the class size reduction penalty
calculation for schools exceeding the class size limits.
197
The certified compliance plan school
districts and charter schools found out of compliance are required to submit to the DOE are used
to reduce their class size reduction penalty.
198
Effect of Proposed Changes
The bill modifies s. 1003.03, F.S., by removing the requirement that school districts exceeding
the maximum class size limits must submit a certified compliance plan to the DOE. The bill
maintains the requirement for school districts over the class size limits after the October student
membership survey to develop a plan to be in full compliance with the class size limits by the
following October student membership survey.
Electronic Transactions
Present Situation
Each district school board is required to adopt written policies prescribing the accounting and
control procedures under which any funds under their control are allowed to be moved by
electronic transaction for any purpose including direct deposit, wire transfer, investment, or
payment.
199
All district school board electronic transactions must comply with electronic
commerce state laws.
200
The Department of Management Services (DMS), in consultation with
governmental agencies (i.e. district school boards), is authorized to make certain specifications
for the use of electronic records and electronic signatures by governmental agencies.
201
Effect of Proposed Changes
The bill modifies s.1010.11, F.S., by excluding district school boards from consulting with the
DMS when establishing acceptance and usage standards for electronic records and electronic
signatures. This modification clarifies that district school boards are authorized to establish their
own acceptance and usage standards for electronic records and electronic signatures without
necessitating consultation with the DMS.
The bill takes effect July 1, 2024.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
196
Florida Department of Education, Class Size Reduction Memorandums, https://www.fldoe.org/finance/budget/class-
size/class-size-reduction-memorums.stml (last visited Nov. 7, 2023).
197
Ch. 2023-104, s. 1, Laws of Fla.
198
Florida Department of Education, Memorandum, Reallocation and Restoration Calculations for 2022-2023 Class Size
Operation Categorical Program (June 26, 2023), available at https://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7603/urlt/2022-23-
Class-Size-Operating-Categorical-Reallocation-and-Restoration-Calculations.pdf.
199
Section 1010.11, F.S.
200
Regulations for electronic commerce can be found in chapter. 668, Florida Statutes.
201
Section 668.50(18)(b), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 31
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
None.
C. Government Sector Impact:
There are no anticipated cost increases to the state or to school districts. However,
schools districts may realize cost savings for efficiencies created in the bill, reduced
reporting requirements, and for additional authority over the construction and renovation
of facilities.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill substantially amends the following sections of the Florida Statutes: 120.81, 163.31777,
163.3180, 200.065, 252.38, 316.173, 1001.02, 1001.23, 1001.372, 1001.42, 1001.49, 1002.20,
1002.31, 1002.33, 1002.333, 1003.03, 1003.53, 1003.621, 1003.631, 1006.09, 1006.1494,
1010.02, 1010.11, 1010.20, 1011.03, 1011.035, 1011.14, 1011.60, 1011.6202, 1011.68, 1011.69,
1011.71, 1011.73, 1012.555, 1013.15, 1013.16, 1013.19, 1013.20, 1013.28, 1013.31, 1013.35,
1013.356, 1013.385, 1013.41, 1013.45, 1013.48, 1013.62, 1013.64, and 1013.68. BILL: CS/SB 7002 Page 32
This bill repeals the following sections of the Florida Statutes: 1006.025 and 1013.21.
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Substantial Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
CS in Fiscal Policy on December 12, 2023:
The committee substitute:
Modifies the provision of the bill that replaces the requirement for a district school
board to staff emergency facilities with the requirement to only provide staff to access
such facilities to clarify that the extent of the staffing of public emergency shelter
facilities by district school board personnel remains dependent on the requirements of
the county emergency management plan.
Authorizes the civil penalties collected for violations of school bus stop signs
enforced by school bus infraction detection systems to be used to provide financial
awards to recruit or retain school bus drivers in the school district in which the civil
penalties are assessed and collected.
Restores existing law that provides options for district school boards to notice public
meetings and, to align with other provisions of the bill, additionally authorizes the
school board to publish meeting notices on the official district school board website.
Restores existing law requiring parental notifications for suspension and dropout
prevention to be made by United States or certified mail but additionally authorizes a
parent to agree to an alternative method of communication.
Clarifies that the schools which are eligible under the bill to receive district services
and teacher recruitment and retention incentives funded with federal Title 1 funds
include charter schools that are eligible under the federal Title 1 program.
Restores existing law that requires district school boards to compare life cycle costs
of specified materials when constructing facilities.
Removes from the bill the provision modifying critical need evaluations of projects
funded through the Special Facilities Trust Fund.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.