The Florida Senate

20.15  Department of Education.--There is created a Department of Education.

(1)  STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION.--In accordance with s. 2, Art. IX of the State Constitution, the State Board of Education is a body corporate and must supervise the system of free public education as is provided by law. The State Board of Education is the head of the Department of Education.

(2)  COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION.--The Commissioner of Education is appointed by the State Board of Education and serves as the Executive Director of the Department of Education.

(3)  DIVISIONS.--The following divisions of the Department of Education are established:

(a)  Division of Community Colleges.

(b)  Division of Public Schools.

(c)  Division of Colleges and Universities.

¹(d)  Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

(e)  Division of Blind Services.

(4)  DIRECTORS.--The directors of all divisions shall be appointed by the commissioner subject to approval by the state board.

(5)  POWERS AND DUTIES.--The State Board of Education and the Commissioner of Education shall assign to the divisions such powers, duties, responsibilities, and functions as are necessary to ensure the greatest possible coordination, efficiency, and effectiveness of education for students in K-20 education.

(6)  COUNCILS AND COMMITTEES.--Notwithstanding anything contained in law to the contrary, the commissioner shall appoint all members of all councils and committees of the Department of Education, except the Commission for Independent Education and the Education Practices Commission.

(7)  BOARDS.--Notwithstanding anything contained in law to the contrary, all members of the university and community college boards of trustees must be appointed according to chapter 1001.

History.--s. 15, ch. 69-106; s. 33, ch. 75-48; s. 1, ch. 75-302; ss. 2, 3, ch. 77-123; s. 1, ch. 77-259; s. 104, ch. 79-222; s. 1, ch. 81-56; s. 10, ch. 81-259; s. 9, ch. 83-326; s. 106, ch. 84-336; s. 25, ch. 86-225; s. 1, ch. 87-76; s. 4, ch. 91-45; s. 1, ch. 91-182; s. 13, ch. 94-232; s. 1316, ch. 95-147; s. 51, ch. 95-280; ss. 2, 3, ch. 95-327; s. 72, ch. 97-190; s. 7, ch. 97-307; s. 14, ch. 98-281; s. 26, ch. 98-421; ss. 2, 42, ch. 99-240; s. 21, ch. 99-398; s. 52, ch. 2000-165; s. 2, ch. 2000-301; s. 3(7), ch. 2000-321; s. 4, ch. 2001-60; s. 1, ch. 2002-22; s. 881, ch. 2002-387.

¹Note.--Section 34, ch. 2002-22, provides that "[b]efore the 2005 Regular Session of the Legislature, the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability shall conduct a review of and prepare a report on the progress of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation of the Department of Education."

Note.--Paragraph (3)(e) former s. 20.171(5)(c).