The Florida Senate

229.004  Florida Board of Education.--

(1)(a)  In accordance with the implementation process in s. 229.0072, the Florida Board of Education is established as a body corporate. The board shall be a citizen board consisting of seven members who are residents of the state appointed by the Governor to staggered 4-year terms, subject to confirmation by the Senate, provided, however, that Senate confirmation is not required for the members of the Florida Board of Education to perform the duties as prescribed in this education governance reorganization implementation act. Members of the board shall serve without compensation, but shall be entitled to reimbursement of travel and per diem expenses in accordance with s. 112.061. Members may be reappointed by the Governor for additional terms not to exceed 8 years of consecutive service.

(b)  The Governor shall appoint the first chair of the Florida Board of Education who shall serve for 2 years. After expiration of the 2-year term and at the first regular meeting of the board after July 1, the Florida Board of Education shall select a chair and a vice chair from its appointed members. The chair shall serve a 2-year term and may be reselected for one additional consecutive term.

(2)  The primary duties of the board shall be to establish education goals and objectives consistent with the policies and guiding principles of s. 229.002 and the mission and goals of s. 229.007 and, together with the Commissioner of Education, to oversee the implementation of and enforce compliance with the education policies established by the Legislature. The board, through its secretary, and the commissioner shall establish, operate, and maintain optimal efficiency of an Office of the Commissioner of Education pursuant to s. 229.0061(2)(c) in accordance with the guidelines of ss. 229.0061 and 229.0073.

(3)  In performing its duties, the board, together with the Commissioner of Education, shall:

(a)  Ensure accountability and responsiveness to Florida's citizens, including the establishment of a Citizen Information Center that utilizes quick response and customer-friendly methodologies.

(b)  Establish and aggressively enforce efficient and effective performance management objectives.

(c)  Maximize the effectiveness of local, state, and federal education linkages and funds.

(d)  Issue guidelines for the development of legislative budget requests for operations and fixed capital outlay for the coordinated K-20 system.

(e)  Recommend a coordinated budget and long-range program plans based on consistent policies for a seamless kindergarten through graduate school education.

(f)  Adopt cohesive rules, within statutory authority, for education systemwide issues, including rules governing systemwide access to educational opportunities, and ensure that rules adopted for the various education delivery systems are compatible.

(g)  Ensure articulation and coordination within and across the entire education delivery system.

(h)  Provide ongoing public information regarding performance results for the entire kindergarten through graduate school education system and each of its components.

(4)  The board, through its secretary, with the Commissioner of Education, shall be responsible for:

(a)  The work of the Chancellor of Public Schools to establish, and maintain optimal efficiency of, a Division of Public Schools, within the guidelines of ss. 229.0061 and 229.0073, and to achieve the mission and goals of s. 229.007.

(b)  The work of the Chancellor of Colleges and Universities to establish, and maintain optimal efficiency of, a Division of Colleges and Universities, within the guidelines of ss. 229.0061 and 229.0073, and to achieve the mission and goals of s. 229.007.

(c)  The work of the Chancellor of Community Colleges to establish, and maintain optimal efficiency of, a Division of Community Colleges, within the guidelines of ss. 229.0061 and 229.0073, and to achieve the mission and goals of s. 229.007.

(d)  The work of the Executive Director of Independent Education to establish, and maintain optimal efficiency of, a Division of Independent Education, within the guidelines of ss. 229.0061 and 229.0073.

History.--s. 4, ch. 2000-321; s. 5, ch. 2001-170.