The Florida Senate

1001.20  Department under direction of state board.--

(1)  The Department of Education shall be organized consistently with the requirements of s. 20.15, and shall act as an administrative and supervisory agency under the implementation direction of the State Board of Education.

(2)  The department is to be located in the offices of the Commissioner of Education and shall assist in providing professional leadership and guidance and in carrying out the policies, procedures, and duties authorized by law or by the State Board of Education or found necessary by it to attain the purposes and objectives of this code.

(3)  The Department of Education shall maintain an Office of the Commissioner of Education that includes the general areas of operation that are common to all delivery sectors, such as administration, communication, legal services, financial aid, and government and public relations, in order to increase efficiency, improve service delivery to students, and fully support the operational needs of the State Board of Education.

(4)  The Department of Education shall establish the following offices within the Office of the Commissioner of Education which shall coordinate their activities with all other divisions and offices:

(a)  Office of Technology and Information Services.--Responsible for developing a systemwide technology plan, making budget recommendations to the commissioner, providing data collection and management for the system, and coordinating services with other state, local, and private agencies. The office shall develop a method to address the need for a statewide approach to planning and operations of library and information services to achieve a single K-20 education system library information portal and a unified higher education library management system. The Florida Virtual School shall be administratively housed within the office.

(b)  Office of Workforce and Economic Development.--Responsible for evaluating the role of each sector of education in Florida's workforce and economic development, assessing the specific work skills and variety of careers provided, and reporting to the State Board of Education the effectiveness of each sector.

(c)  Office of Educational Facilities and SMART Schools Clearinghouse.--Responsible for validating all educational plant surveys and verifying Florida Inventory of School Houses (FISH) data. The office shall provide technical assistance to public school districts when requested.

(d)  Office of Student Financial Assistance.--Responsible for providing access to and administering state and federal grants, scholarships, and loans to those students seeking financial assistance for postsecondary study pursuant to program criteria and eligibility requirements.

(e)  Office of Inspector General.--Organized using existing resources and funds and responsible for promoting accountability, efficiency, and effectiveness and detecting fraud and abuse within school districts, community colleges, and state universities in Florida. If the Commissioner of Education determines that a district school board or public postsecondary educational institution board is unwilling or unable to address substantiated allegations made by any person relating to waste, fraud, or financial mismanagement, the office shall conduct, coordinate, or request investigations into substantiated allegations made by any person relating to waste, fraud, or financial mismanagement within school districts, community colleges, and state universities in Florida. The office shall have access to all information and personnel necessary to perform its duties and shall have all of its current powers, duties, and responsibilities authorized in s. 20.055

History.--s. 26, ch. 2002-387.