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 Workforce Education.

(d)  Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

(e)  Division of Blind Services.

(f)  Division of Accountability, Research, and Measurement.

(g)  Division of Finance and Operations.

(4)  DIRECTORS.--The directors of all divisions shall be appointed by the commissioner subject to approval by the state board. The director of each division may be designated as "Deputy Commissioner" or "Chancellor."

(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 under the jurisdiction of the State Board of 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 community college boards of trustees must be appointed according to chapter 1001.

(8)  SUPPORT SERVICES.--The Department of Education shall continue to provide support to the Board of Governors of the State University System. At a minimum, support services provided to the Board of Governors shall include accounting, printing, computer and Internet support, personnel and human resources support, support for accountability initiatives, and administrative support as needed for trust funds under the jurisdiction of the Board of Governors.

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; s. 1, ch. 2006-74; s. 2, ch. 2007-217; s. 1, ch. 2007-234.

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