Lawmakers call for changes to Florida's school voucher funding

Yahoo

24-03-2025

The big story: As Florida's voucher program has grown, school district officials have raised concerns about their ability to keep track of students and funding as they move in and out of classrooms.
The state Senate has proposed changing the education funding program to streamline the process. Sponsors say the measure also should help improve the reimbursement model that has frustrated many voucher recipients.
'With input from stakeholders across the spectrum of school choice, this bill creates reasonable timeframes and mechanisms to improve both transparency and efficiency in education funding,' Sen. Don Gaetz said in a news release. Here's the bill, which is scheduled to be presented in committee on Wednesday. Read more from News Service of Florida.
Today in Tallahassee ... The Senate Appropriations Committee on PreK-12 Education will hear four bills including SB 1470 on security when it meets at 1:30 p.m. • The Senate Appropriations Committee on Higher Education will consider two bills and appointments to the board of 10 colleges and universities when it meets at 4 p.m. • The House Commerce Committee will take up its version of a rural communities improvement bill (HB 1427) when it meets at 4 p.m.
Running the Ringling: Many museum supporters are questioning the ability of New College to handle the complex operations of the Ringling Museum if it were to take over, as Gov. Ron DeSantis has suggested, Suncoast Searchlight reports.
Merger proposal: A plan to merge Tallahassee State College and Lively Technical College will not move forward, WFSU reports.
Federal programs: South Florida education leaders are exploring the potential impacts of dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, the Miami Herald reports. More reaction from WFSU, Central Florida Public Media, Florida Phoenix.
Environmental education: Pinellas County has approved $2.7 million to refurbish the education centers at two nature preserves, Suncoast News reports.
Diversity, equity and inclusion: Florida lawmakers are continuing Florida's efforts to remove diversity, equity and inclusion programs from K-12 schools, local and state governments, and health care, Politico Florida reports.
Classroom technology: Broward County schools are working on a better way to keep inventory after the disappearance of several computers bought for student use during the pandemic, the Sun-Sentinel reports.
Civil rights investigations: Seven other Florida universities offer the same scholarship that the University of South Florida faces a federal investigation over, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Choices: The Santa Rosa County school district has begun offering virtual courses for students who receive vouchers, Navarre Press reports.
Campus leadership: Escambia County commissioners are asking the state Senate to reject Scott Yenor as a trustee for the University of West Florida, saying his views on women in the workplace are a threat for their community, WEAR reports.
Bus safety: The Polk County Sheriff's Office is paid $84 an hour to review school bus camera footage for possible passing violations, the Ledger reports.
From the police blotter ... A St. Lucie County school bus aide was arrested on accusations of aggressively shaking a student with special needs, TC Palm reports. • The Citrus County Sheriff's Office is investigating a complaint that the school district was scammed out of a large amount of money, the Citrus County Chronicle reports.
Don't miss a story. Here's a link to Friday's roundup.
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