The Florida Senate

1013.501  Florida Business and Education in School Together (Florida BEST) Program.--

(1)  In order to increase business partnerships in education, to reduce school and classroom overcrowding throughout the state, and to offset the high costs of educational facilities construction, the Legislature intends to encourage the formation of partnerships between business and education by creating the Florida Business and Education in School Together (Florida BEST) Program.

(2)  Each school board shall, through advertisements in local media and other means, request proposals from area businesses to allow the operation of a business and education partnership school in facilities owned or operated by the business.

(3)  Each school district shall establish a Florida BEST school evaluation committee.

(a)  The committee shall be appointed by the school board and be composed of one school district administrator, at least one member of the business community, and at least one member of a local chamber of commerce.

(b)  The committee shall evaluate the feasibility of each proposal, including the operating cost, number of students to be served, proposed student-to-teacher ratio, proposed number of years the satellite school would operate, and any other operational or facilities considerations the school board or committee deems appropriate.

(c)  The committee shall recommend to the school board those proposals for satellite schools which the committee deems viable and worthy of being established. The school board must take official action on the recommendation of the committee within 60 days after receipt of the recommendation.

(4)  A "Florida Business and Education in School Together (Florida BEST) school" is defined as a public school offering instruction to students from kindergarten through third grade. The school may offer instruction in any single grade level or for multiple grade levels. Florida BEST schools shall comply with the constitutional class size requirements.

(a)  First priority for admission of students to the Florida BEST school shall be given to the children of owners and employees of the host business. If additional student capacity remains after those children are admitted, the host business may choose which other neighboring businesses may also participate to generate a viable number of students for the school. The school board shall make the necessary arrangements to accommodate students from other school districts whose parents are associated with the host business or business partners.

(b)  Parents shall be responsible for providing transportation to and from school for the students.

(5)  A multiyear contract for operation of the Florida BEST school may be entered into between the school district and the host business. The contract must at least include provisions relating to any cost of facilities modifications, provide for the assignment or waiver of appropriate insurance costs, specify the number of students expected to be served, provide grounds for canceling the lease, and specify the advance notice required before the school may be closed.

(a)  The school board shall be responsible for providing the appropriate instructional, support, and administrative staff and textbooks, materials, and supplies. The school district may also agree to operate or contract for the operation of a before-school and after-school program using the donated facilities.

(b)  The host business shall provide the appropriate types of space for operating the school. If special facilities, such as restrooms or dining, recreational, or other areas are required, the district may contribute a part of the cost of the construction, remodeling, or renovation for such facilities from capital outlay funds of the district. A multiyear lease for operation of the facility must be agreed to if the school district contributes to the cost of such construction.

History.--s. 21, ch. 2003-391.