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HB 641 — Funds for the Operation of Schools
by Reps. Plasencia and Overdorf (SB 836 by Senator Simmons)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Education Committee (ED)
The bill establishes the Teacher Salary Increase Allocation within the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP). The allocation:
- Requires school districts and charter schools to use the allocation to increase the minimum base salary for full-time classroom teachers to at least $47,500, or to the maximum amount achievable and as specified in the General Appropriations Act (GAA).
- Provides for salary increases for full-time classroom teachers who did not receive a salary increase or who received an increase of less than two percent, or as specified in the GAA, and other full-time instructional personnel.
- Establishes reporting requirements for district school boards, charter school governing boards, and the Department of Education (DOE).
The bill also:
- Repeals the Florida Best and Brightest Teacher Program, Florida Best and Brightest Principal Program, and the Florida Best and Brightest Teacher and Principal Allocation.
- Provides the DOE with flexibility to establish timeframes for the advertisement and submission of bids for the 2020 instructional materials adoption cycle.
- Provides school district bonus funding through the FEFP for students who receive an Advanced Placement Capstone Diploma and meet the requirements for a standard high school diploma.
- Removes the limit of 30 postsecondary semester credit hours that a student may be awarded for successfully completing International Baccalaureate or Advanced International Certificate of Education course examinations.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2020, except for the provision related to the 2020 instructional materials adoption cycle, which takes effect upon becoming law.
Vote: Senate 39-0; House 112-0