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2010 Florida Statutes
K-20 GOVERNANCE
STATE-LEVEL GOVERNANCE
SCHOOL DISTRICT GOVERNANCE
FLORIDA COLLEGE SYSTEM INSTITUTIONS
STATE UNIVERSITIES
STATE-LEVEL GOVERNANCE
State Board of Education
Commissioner of Education
Department of Education
State Board of Education
State Board of Education; generally.
—The State Board of Education is established as a body corporate. The state 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. Members of the state 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.
The State 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.
Four members of the State Board of Education shall constitute a quorum. No business may be transacted at any meeting unless a quorum is present.
s. 19, ch. 2002-387.
General powers of State Board of Education.
—The State Board of Education is the chief implementing and coordinating body of public education in Florida except for the State University System, and it shall focus on high-level policy decisions. It has authority to adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of law conferring duties upon it for the improvement of the state system of K-20 public education except for the State University System. Except as otherwise provided herein, it may, as it finds appropriate, delegate its general powers to the Commissioner of Education or the directors of the divisions of the department.
The State Board of Education has the following duties:
To adopt comprehensive educational objectives for public education except for the State University System.
To adopt comprehensive long-range plans and short-range programs for the development of the state system of public education except for the State University System.
To exercise general supervision over the divisions of the Department of Education as necessary to ensure coordination of educational plans and programs and resolve controversies and to minimize problems of articulation and student transfers, to ensure that students moving from one level of education to the next have acquired competencies necessary for satisfactory performance at that level, and to ensure maximum utilization of facilities.
To adopt, in consultation with the Board of Governors, and from time to time modify, minimum and uniform standards of college-level communication and computation skills generally associated with successful performance and progression through the baccalaureate level and to identify college-preparatory high school coursework and postsecondary-level coursework that prepares students with the academic skills necessary to succeed in postsecondary education.
To adopt and submit to the Governor and Legislature, as provided in s. 216.023, a coordinated K-20 education budget that estimates the expenditure requirements for the Board of Governors, as provided in s. 1001.706, the State Board of Education, including the Department of Education and the Commissioner of Education, and all of the boards, institutions, agencies, and services under the general supervision of the Board of Governors, as provided in s. 1001.706, or the State Board of Education for the ensuing fiscal year. The State Board of Education may not amend the budget request submitted by the Board of Governors. Any program recommended by the Board of Governors or the State Board of Education which will require increases in state funding for more than 1 year must be presented in a multiyear budget plan.
To hold meetings, transact business, keep records, adopt a seal, and, except as otherwise provided by law, perform such other duties as may be necessary for the enforcement of laws and rules relating to the state system of public education.
To approve plans for cooperating with the Federal Government.
To approve plans for cooperating with other public agencies in the development of rules and in the enforcement of laws for which the state board and such agencies are jointly responsible.
To review plans for cooperating with appropriate nonpublic agencies for the improvement of conditions relating to the welfare of schools.
To create such subordinate advisory bodies as are required by law or as it finds necessary for the improvement of education.
To constitute any education bodies or other structures as required by federal law.
To assist in the economic development of the state by developing a state-level planning process to identify future training needs for industry, especially high-technology industry.
To assist in the planning and economic development of the state by establishing a clearinghouse for information on educational programs of value to economic development.
To adopt cohesive rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54, within statutory authority.
To authorize the allocation of resources in accordance with law and rule.
To contract with independent institutions accredited by an agency whose standards are comparable to the minimum standards required to operate a postsecondary educational institution at that level in the state. The purpose of the contract is to provide those educational programs and facilities which will meet needs unfulfilled by the state system of public postsecondary education.
To recommend that a district school board take action consistent with the state board’s decision relating to an appeal of a charter school application.
To enforce systemwide education goals and policies except as otherwise provided by law.
To establish a detailed procedure for the implementation and operation of a systemwide K-20 technology plan that is based on a common set of data definitions.
To establish accountability standards for existing legislative performance goals, standards, and measures, and order the development of mechanisms to implement new legislative goals, standards, and measures.
To adopt criteria and implementation plans for future growth issues, such as new 1community colleges and 1community college campus mergers, and to provide for cooperative agreements between and within public and private education sectors.
To develop, in conjunction with the Board of Governors, and periodically review for adjustment, a coordinated 5-year plan for postsecondary enrollment and annually submit the plan to the Legislature.
The State Board of Education shall adopt a strategic plan that specifies goals and objectives for the state’s public schools and 1community colleges. The plan shall be formulated in conjunction with plans of the Board of Governors in order to provide for the roles of the universities and 1community colleges to be coordinated to best meet state needs and reflect cost-effective use of state resources. The strategic plan must clarify mission statements and identify degree programs to be offered at each 1community college in accordance with the objectives provided in this subsection. The strategic plan must cover a period of 5 years, with modification of the program lists after 2 years. Development of each 5-year plan must be coordinated with and initiated after completion of the master plan. The strategic plans must specifically include programs and procedures for responding to the educational needs of teachers and students in the public schools of this state. The state board shall submit a report to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives upon modification of the plan.
The State Board of Education and the Board of Governors shall jointly develop long-range plans and annual reports for financial aid in this state. The long-range plans shall establish goals and objectives for a comprehensive program of financial aid for Florida students and shall be updated every 5 years. The annual report shall include programs administered by the department as well as awards made from financial aid fee revenues, any other funds appropriated by the Legislature for financial assistance, and the value of tuition and fees waived for students enrolled in a dual enrollment course at a public postsecondary educational institution. The annual report shall include an assessment of progress made in achieving goals and objectives established in the long-range plans and recommendations for repealing or modifying existing financial aid programs or establishing new programs. A long-range plan shall be submitted by January 1, 2004, and every 5 years thereafter. An annual report shall be submitted on January 1, 2004, and in each successive year that a long-range plan is not submitted, to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The State Board of Education shall:
Provide for each 1community college to offer educational training and service programs designed to meet the needs of both students and the communities served.
Specify, by rule, procedures to be used by the 1community college boards of trustees in the annual evaluations of presidents and review the evaluations of presidents by the boards of trustees.
Establish, in conjunction with the Board of Governors, an effective information system that will provide composite data concerning the 1community colleges and state universities and ensure that special analyses and studies concerning the institutions are conducted, as necessary, for provision of accurate and cost-effective information concerning the institutions.
Establish criteria for making recommendations for modifying district boundary lines for 1community colleges.
Establish criteria for making recommendations concerning all proposals for the establishment of additional centers or campuses for 1community colleges.
Examine the annual administrative review of each 1community college.
Specify, by rule, the college credit courses that may be taken by 1community college students concurrently enrolled in college-preparatory instruction.
Adopt and submit to the Legislature a 3-year list of priorities for fixed-capital-outlay projects. The State Board of Education may not amend the 3-year list of priorities of the Board of Governors.
The State Board of Education is responsible for reviewing and administering the state program of support for the 1community colleges and, subject to existing law, shall establish the tuition and out-of-state fees for college-preparatory instruction and for credit instruction that may be counted toward an associate in arts degree, an associate in applied science degree, or an associate in science degree.
The State Board of Education shall prescribe minimum standards, definitions, and guidelines for 1community colleges that will ensure the quality of education, coordination among the 1community colleges and state universities, and efficient progress toward accomplishing the 1community college mission. At a minimum, these rules must address:
Personnel.
Contracting.
Program offerings and classification, including college-level communication and computation skills associated with successful performance in college and with tests and other assessment procedures that measure student achievement of those skills. The performance measures must provide that students moving from one level of education to the next acquire the necessary competencies for that level.
Provisions for curriculum development, graduation requirements, college calendars, and program service areas. These provisions must include rules that:
Provide for the award of an associate in arts degree to a student who successfully completes 60 semester credit hours at the 1community college.
Require all of the credits accepted for the associate in arts degree to be in the statewide course numbering system as credits toward a baccalaureate degree offered by a state university or a 1community college.
Require no more than 36 semester credit hours in general education courses in the subject areas of communication, mathematics, social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences.
The rules should encourage 1community colleges to enter into agreements with state universities that allow 1community college students to complete upper-division-level courses at a 1community college. An agreement may provide for concurrent enrollment at the 1community college and the state university and may authorize the 1community college to offer an upper-division-level course or distance learning.
Student admissions, conduct and discipline, nonclassroom activities, and fees.
Budgeting.
Business and financial matters.
Student services.
Reports, surveys, and information systems, including forms and dates of submission.
s. 20, ch. 2002-387; s. 68, ch. 2007-217.
Section 21, ch. 2010-70, directs the Division of Statutory Revision to prepare a reviser’s bill to substitute the term “Florida College System institution” for the terms “Florida college,” “community college,” and “junior college” where those terms appear in the Florida K-20 Education Code.
Specific powers of State Board of Education.
—PUBLIC K-12 CURRICULAR STANDARDS.—The State Board of Education shall adopt and periodically review and revise the Sunshine State Standards in accordance with s. 1003.41.
DIRECT-SUPPORT ORGANIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.—The State Board of Education shall govern issues relating to use of property, facilities, and personal services between the Department of Education and its direct-support organization and shall certify that the organization operates at all times in a manner consistent with the goals and best interest of the department, pursuant to s. 1001.24.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATES.—The State Board of Education shall classify school services, designate the certification subject areas, establish competencies, including the use of technology to enhance student learning, and certification requirements for all school-based personnel, and prescribe rules in accordance with which the professional, temporary, and part-time certificates shall be issued by the Department of Education to applicants who meet the standards prescribed by such rules for their class of service, as described in chapter 1012. The state board shall adopt rules that give part-time and full-time nondegreed teachers of career programs, pursuant to s. 1012.39(1)(c), the opportunity to earn a reading credential equivalent to a content-area-specific reading endorsement.
PROFESSIONAL TEACHER ASSOCIATIONS.—The State Board of Education shall ensure that not-for-profit, professional teacher associations that offer membership to all teachers, noninstructional personnel, and administrators, and that offer teacher training and staff development at no fee to the district, shall be given equal access to voluntary teacher meetings, be provided access to teacher mailboxes for distribution of professional literature, and be authorized to collect voluntary membership fees through payroll deduction.
IDENTIFICATION OF CRITICAL TEACHER SHORTAGE AREAS.—The State Board of Education shall identify critical teacher shortage areas pursuant to s. 1012.07.
CAPITAL OUTLAY BOND AND MOTOR VEHICLE TAX ANTICIPATION CERTIFICATE RESOLUTIONS.—The State Board of Education shall issue bonds and approve resolutions regarding the expenditure of funds for capital projects and purposes pursuant to the State Constitution and other applicable law.
ARTICULATION ACCOUNTABILITY.—The State Board of Education shall develop articulation accountability measures that assess the status of systemwide articulation processes, in conjunction with the Board of Governors regarding the State University System, and shall establish an articulation accountability process in accordance with the provisions of chapter 1008, in conjunction with the Board of Governors regarding the State University System.
SYSTEMWIDE ENFORCEMENT.—The State Board of Education shall enforce compliance with law and state board rule by all school districts and public postsecondary educational institutions, except for the State University System, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1008.32.
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION DATABASES.—The State Board of Education, in conjunction with the Board of Governors regarding the State University System, shall continue to collect and maintain, at a minimum, the management information databases for state universities, and all other components of the public K-20 education system as such databases existed on June 30, 2002.
COMMON PLACEMENT TESTING FOR PUBLIC POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION.—The State Board of Education, in conjunction with the Board of Governors, shall develop and implement a common placement test to assess the basic computation and communication skills of students who intend to enter a degree program at any 1community college or state university.
MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR NONPUBLIC POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION.—The State Board of Education shall adopt minimum standards relating to nonpublic postsecondary education and institutions, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 1005.
COMMON POSTSECONDARY DEFINITIONS.—The State Board of Education shall adopt, by rule, common definitions for associate in science degrees and for certificates.
CYCLIC REVIEW OF POSTSECONDARY ACADEMIC PROGRAMS.—The State Board of Education shall provide for the cyclic review of all academic programs in 1community colleges at least every 7 years. Program reviews shall document how individual academic programs are achieving stated student learning and program objectives within the context of the institution’s mission. The results of the program reviews shall inform strategic planning, program development, and budgeting decisions at the institutional level.
UNIFORM CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FOR SCHOOL DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE AND MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL.—The State Board of Education shall maintain a uniform classification system for school district administrative and management personnel that will facilitate the uniform coding of administrative and management personnel to total district employees.
1COMMUNITY COLLEGE BACCALAUREATE DEGREE PROGRAMS.—The State Board of Education shall provide for the review and approval of proposals by 1community colleges to offer baccalaureate degree programs pursuant to s. 1007.33. A 1community college, as defined in s. 1000.21, that is approved to offer baccalaureate degrees pursuant to s. 1007.33 remains under the authority of the State Board of Education and the 1community college’s board of trustees.
s. 21, ch. 2002-387; s. 6, ch. 2006-74; s. 69, ch. 2007-217; s. 6, ch. 2007-246; s. 4, ch. 2008-235.
Section 21, ch. 2010-70, directs the Division of Statutory Revision to prepare a reviser’s bill to substitute the term “Florida College System institution” for the terms “Florida college,” “community college,” and “junior college” where those terms appear in the Florida K-20 Education Code.
Commissioner of Education
Commissioner of Education; general powers and duties.
—The Commissioner of Education is the chief educational officer of the state and the sole custodian of the K-20 data warehouse, and is responsible for giving full assistance to the State Board of Education in enforcing compliance with the mission and goals of the K-20 education system except for the State University System.
The commissioner’s office shall operate all statewide functions necessary to support the State Board of Education, including strategic planning and budget development, general administration, assessment, and accountability.
To facilitate innovative practices and to allow local selection of educational methods, the State Board of Education may authorize the commissioner to waive, upon the request of a district school board, State Board of Education rules that relate to district school instruction and school operations, except those rules pertaining to civil rights, and student health, safety, and welfare. The Commissioner of Education is not authorized to grant waivers for any provisions in rule pertaining to the allocation and appropriation of state and local funds for public education; the election, compensation, and organization of school board members and superintendents; graduation and state accountability standards; financial reporting requirements; reporting of out-of-field teaching assignments under s. 1012.42; public meetings; public records; or due process hearings governed by chapter 120. No later than January 1 of each year, the commissioner shall report to the Legislature and the State Board of Education all approved waiver requests in the preceding year.
The Department of Education shall provide technical assistance to school districts, charter schools, the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, and private schools that accept scholarship students under s. 1002.39 or s. 1002.395 in the development of policies, procedures, and training related to employment practices and standards of ethical conduct for instructional personnel and school administrators, as defined in s. 1012.01.
The Department of Education shall provide authorized staff of school districts, charter schools, the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, and private schools that accept scholarship students under s. 1002.39 or s. 1002.395 with access to electronic verification of information from the following employment screening tools:
The Professional Practices’ Database of Disciplinary Actions Against Educators; and
The Department of Education’s Teacher Certification Database.
This subsection does not require the department to provide these staff with unlimited access to the databases. However, the department shall provide the staff with access to the data necessary for performing employment history checks of the instructional personnel and school administrators included in the databases.
Additionally, the commissioner has the following general powers and duties:
To organize and name the structural units of the Department of Education and appoint staff necessary to carry out duties and functions of the department in a manner that meets legislative intent and promotes both efficiency and accountability.
To advise and counsel with the State Board of Education on all matters pertaining to education; to recommend to the State Board of Education actions and policies as, in the commissioner’s opinion, should be acted upon or adopted; and to execute or provide for the execution of all acts and policies as are approved.
To keep such records as are necessary to set forth clearly all acts and proceedings of the State Board of Education.
To have a seal for his or her office with which, in connection with his or her own signature, the commissioner shall authenticate true copies of decisions, acts, or documents.
To recommend to the State Board of Education policies and steps designed to protect and preserve the principal of the State School Fund; to provide an assured and stable income from the fund; to execute such policies and actions as are approved; and to administer the State School Fund.
To take action on the release of mineral rights based upon the recommendations of the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund.
To submit to the State Board of Education, on or before October 1 of each year, recommendations for a coordinated K-20 education budget that estimates the expenditures for the Board of Governors, the State Board of Education, including the Department of Education and the Commissioner of Education, and all of the boards, institutions, agencies, and services under the general supervision of the Board of Governors or the State Board of Education for the ensuing fiscal year. Any program recommended to the State Board of Education that will require increases in state funding for more than 1 year must be presented in a multiyear budget plan.
To develop and implement a plan for cooperating with the Federal Government in carrying out any or all phases of the educational program and to recommend policies for administering funds that are appropriated by Congress and apportioned to the state for any or all educational purposes. The Commissioner of Education shall submit to the Legislature the proposed state plan for the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act before the proposed plan is submitted to federal agencies. The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall appoint members of the appropriate education and appropriations committees to serve as a select committee to review the proposed plan.
To develop and implement policies for cooperating with other public agencies in carrying out those phases of the program in which such cooperation is required by law or is deemed by the commissioner to be desirable and to cooperate with public and nonpublic agencies in planning and bringing about improvements in the educational program.
To prepare forms and procedures as are necessary to be used by district school boards and all other educational agencies to assure uniformity, accuracy, and efficiency in the keeping of records, the execution of contracts, the preparation of budgets, or the submission of reports; and to furnish at state expense, when deemed advisable by the commissioner, those forms that can more economically and efficiently be provided.
To implement a program of school improvement and education accountability designed to provide all students the opportunity to make adequate learning gains in each year of school as provided by statute and State Board of Education rule based upon the achievement of the state education goals, recognizing the following:
The district school board is responsible for school and student performance.
The individual school is the unit for education accountability.
The 2community college board of trustees is responsible for 2community college performance and student performance.
To maintain a Citizen Information Center responsible for the preparation, publication, and dissemination of user-friendly materials relating to the state’s education system, including the state’s K-12 scholarship programs and the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program.
To prepare and publish annually reports giving statistics and other useful information pertaining to the state’s K-12 scholarship programs and the Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program.
To have printed or electronic copies of school laws, forms, instruments, instructions, and rules of the State Board of Education and provide for their distribution.
To develop criteria for use by state instructional materials committees in evaluating materials submitted for adoption consideration. The criteria shall, as appropriate, be based on instructional expectations reflected in curriculum frameworks and student performance standards. The criteria for each subject or course shall be made available to publishers of instructional materials pursuant to the requirements of chapter 1006.
To prescribe procedures for evaluating instructional materials submitted by publishers and manufacturers in each adoption.
To enter into agreement with Space Florida to develop innovative aerospace-related education programs that promote mathematics and science education for grades K-20.
s. 23, ch. 2002-387; s. 67, ch. 2006-60; s. 7, ch. 2006-74; s. 70, ch. 2007-217; s. 3, ch. 2007-234; s. 7, ch. 2008-108; s. 12, ch. 2010-24.
Section 20, ch. 2010-24, provides that “[t]he Department of Revenue is authorized and all conditions are deemed met, to adopt emergency rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54, Florida Statutes, to administer the provisions of this act. The emergency rules shall remain in effect for 6 months after the rules are adopted and the rules may be renewed during the pendency of procedures to adopt permanent rules addressing the subject of the emergency rules.”
Section 21, ch. 2010-70, directs the Division of Statutory Revision to prepare a reviser’s bill to substitute the term “Florida College System institution” for the terms “Florida college,” “community college,” and “junior college” where those terms appear in the Florida K-20 Education Code.
Commissioner of Education; other duties.
—The Commissioner of Education must independently perform the following duties:
Cooperate with and coordinate responses to requests from the members of the Legislature.
Serve as the primary source of information to the Legislature, including the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, concerning the State Board of Education and the K-20 education system.
In cooperation with the Board of Governors, develop and implement a process for receiving and processing requests, in conjunction with the Legislature, for the allocation of PECO funds for qualified postsecondary education projects.
Integrally work with the boards of trustees of the 1community colleges.
Monitor the activities of the State Board of Education and provide information related to current and pending policies to the members of the boards of trustees of the 1community colleges and state universities.
Ensure the timely provision of information requested by the Legislature from the State Board of Education, the commissioner’s office, and the Department of Education.
The Commissioner of Education shall annually report the state’s educational performance on state and national measures and shall recommend to the State Board of Education performance goals addressing the educational needs of the state.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Commissioner of Education, in conjunction with the Legislature, and the Board of Governors regarding the State University System, must recommend funding priorities for the distribution of capital outlay funds for public postsecondary educational institutions, based on priorities that include, but are not limited to, the following criteria:
Growth at the institutions.
Need for specific skills statewide.
Need for maintaining and repairing existing facilities.
The commissioner shall develop and implement an integrated K-20 information system for educational management in accordance with the requirements of chapter 1008.
The commissioner shall design and implement a statewide program of educational assessment that provides information for the improvement of the operation and management of the public schools, including schools operating for the purpose of providing educational services to youth in Department of Juvenile Justice programs, in accordance with the requirements of chapter 1008.
The commissioner is responsible for implementing and maintaining a system of intensive school improvement and stringent education accountability, in accordance with the requirements of chapter 1008.
The commissioner shall make prominently available on the department’s website the following: links to the Internet-based clearinghouse for professional development regarding physical education; the school wellness and physical education policies and other resources required under s. 1003.453(1) and (2); and other Internet sites that provide professional development for elementary teachers of physical education as defined in s. 1003.01(16). These links must provide elementary teachers with information concerning current physical education and nutrition philosophy and best practices that result in student participation in physical activities that promote lifelong physical and mental well-being.
s. 24, ch. 2002-387; s. 1, ch. 2007-28; s. 71, ch. 2007-217; s. 173, ch. 2008-4.
Section 21, ch. 2010-70, directs the Division of Statutory Revision to prepare a reviser’s bill to substitute the term “Florida College System institution” for the terms “Florida college,” “community college,” and “junior college” where those terms appear in the Florida K-20 Education Code.
Department of Education
Department under direction of state board.
—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.
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.
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.
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:
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, assisting school districts in securing Internet access and telecommunications services, including those eligible for funding under the Schools and Libraries Program of the federal Universal Service Fund, 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.
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.
Office of Educational Facilities.—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.
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.
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, the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, and 1community colleges in Florida. If the Commissioner of Education determines that a district school board, the Board of Trustees for the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, or a 1community college board of trustees is unwilling or unable to address substantiated allegations made by any person relating to waste, fraud, or financial mismanagement within the school district, the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, or the 1community college, the office shall conduct, coordinate, or request investigations into such substantiated allegations. 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.
s. 26, ch. 2002-387; s. 2, ch. 2004-331; s. 72, ch. 2007-217; s. 2, ch. 2009-59; s. 12, ch. 2010-70.
Section 21, ch. 2010-70, directs the Division of Statutory Revision to prepare a reviser’s bill to substitute the term “Florida College System institution” for the terms “Florida college,” “community college,” and “junior college” where those terms appear in the Florida K-20 Education Code.
Office of Private Schools and Home Education Programs.
—The state recognizes the contributions of private schools and home education programs in providing alternatives to public school education. These nongovernmental educational systems serve the public, but are not considered to be a part of the public system of education.
The Office of Private Schools and Home Education Programs is established within the Department of Education. The Department of Education and the Commissioner of Education have no authority over the institutions or students served by the office. The office shall:
Serve the interests of students and the parents of students in private schools and home education programs.
Serve the interests of private institutions.
Provide general information to the public about private and home education delivery systems.
The Commissioner of Education shall appoint an executive director for the office who shall:
Serve as a source of communication between private schools, home education programs, the Commissioner of Education, and the State Board of Education.
Evaluate pending policy to ensure that the policy does not subject private schools and home education programs to additional regulation or mandates.
Establish a clearinghouse of information for the public.
Foster a collaborative spirit and working relationship among private schools, home education programs, and the public sector.
Identify and convey the best practices of private schools and home education programs for the benefit of the public and private education delivery sectors.
Represent issues and concerns relating to home education programs and private schools on all applicable ad hoc advisory bodies.
s. 27, ch. 2002-387.
Just Read, Florida! Office.
—There is created in the Department of Education the Just Read, Florida! Office. The office shall be fully accountable to the Commissioner of Education and shall:
Train highly effective reading coaches.
Create multiple designations of effective reading instruction, with accompanying credentials, which encourage all teachers to integrate reading instruction into their content areas.
Train K-12 teachers and school principals on effective content-area-specific reading strategies. For secondary teachers, emphasis shall be on technical text. These strategies must be developed for all content areas in the K-12 curriculum.
Provide parents with information and strategies for assisting their children in reading in the content area.
Provide technical assistance to school districts in the development and implementation of district plans for use of the research-based reading instruction allocation provided in s. 1011.62(9) and annually review and approve such plans.
Review, evaluate, and provide technical assistance to school districts’ implementation of the K-12 comprehensive reading plan required in s. 1011.62(9).
Work with the Florida Center for Reading Research to provide information on research-based reading programs and effective reading in the content area strategies.
Periodically review the Sunshine State Standards for reading at all grade levels.
Periodically review teacher certification examinations, including alternative certification exams, to ascertain whether the examinations measure the skills needed for research-based reading instruction and instructional strategies for teaching reading in the content areas.
Work with teacher preparation programs approved pursuant to s. 1004.04 to integrate research-based reading instructional strategies and reading in the content area instructional strategies into teacher preparation programs.
Administer grants and perform other functions as necessary to meet the goal that all students read at grade level.
s. 8, ch. 2006-74; s. 174, ch. 2008-4.
Commission for Independent Education.
—The Commission for Independent Education shall authorize granting of certificates, diplomas, and degrees for independent postsecondary educational institutions pursuant to chapter 1005.
s. 28, ch. 2002-387.
Specific powers and duties of the Department of Education.
—In addition to all other duties assigned to it by law or by rule of the State Board of Education, the department shall:
Adopt the statewide kindergarten screening in accordance with s. 1002.69.
Implement a training program to develop among state and district educators a cadre of facilitators of school improvement in accordance with the provisions of chapter 1008.
Identify the needs of the state system of public education as they relate to the development and production of materials used in instruction, in accordance with the requirements of chapter 1006.
After complying with the provisions of s. 257.37, the Department of Education may:
Photograph, microphotograph, or reproduce on film or prints, documents, records, data, and information of a permanent character and destroy any of the documents after they have been photographed and after audit of the department has been completed for the period embracing the dates of the instruments. Photographs or microphotographs in the form of film or prints made in compliance with the provisions of this subsection shall have the same force and effect as the originals would have, and shall be treated as originals for the purpose of their admissibility in evidence. Duly certified or authenticated reproductions of such photographs or microphotographs shall be admitted in evidence equally with the original photographs or microphotographs.
Destroy general correspondence that is over 3 years old; records of bills, accounts, vouchers, and requisitions that are over 5 years old and copies of which have been filed with the Chief Financial Officer; and other records, papers, and documents over 3 years old that do not serve as part of an agreement or understanding and do not have value as permanent records.
s. 29, ch. 2002-387; s. 1943, ch. 2003-261; s. 12, ch. 2004-484.
Direct-support organization; use of property; board of directors; audit.
—DEFINITIONS.—For the purposes of this section, the term:
“Department of Education direct-support organization” means an organization:
That is a corporation not for profit that is incorporated under the provisions of chapter 617 and approved by the Department of State.
That is organized and operated exclusively to receive, hold, invest, and administer property and to make expenditures to or for the benefit of public prekindergarten through 12th grade education in this state.
That the State Board of Education, after review, has certified to be operating in a manner consistent with the goals and best interest of the Department of Education.
“Personal services” includes full-time or part-time personnel, as well as payroll processing.
USE OF PROPERTY.—The State Board of Education:
May permit the use of property, facilities, and personal services of the department by the direct-support organization, subject to the provisions of this section.
Shall prescribe by rule conditions with which the direct-support organization must comply in order to use property, facilities, or personal services of the department. Such rules shall provide for budget and audit review and for oversight by the department.
Shall not permit the use of property, facilities, or personal services of the direct-support organization if such organization does not provide equal employment opportunities to all persons, regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, age, or religion.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS.—The board of directors of the department direct-support organization shall be appointed by the commissioner and shall include representation from business, industry, and other components of Florida’s economy.
ANNUAL AUDIT.—Each direct-support organization shall provide for an annual financial audit in accordance with s. 215.981. The identity of donors who desire to remain anonymous shall be protected, and that anonymity shall be maintained in the auditor’s report. All records of the organization other than the auditor’s report, management letter, and any supplemental data requested by the Auditor General and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability shall be confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1).
s. 30, ch. 2002-387.
Educational television.
—ESTABLISHMENT AND UTILIZATION OF NETWORK.—The department may establish a television network connecting such communities or such stations as it designates. For this purpose, it may lease facilities in the name of the state from communications’ common carriers and use such transmission channels as are necessary; however, if the department decides, upon investigation, that it could more economically construct and maintain such transmission channels, it may design, construct, operate, and maintain them, including a television microwave network. The network shall be utilized primarily for the instruction of students at existing and future public and private educational institutions and of the general public, as practical. The origination and transmission of all programs over such networks shall be as directed under policies approved by the State Board of Education. The department may cooperate with and assist all local and state educational agencies in making surveys pertaining to the use and economics of educational television in the fields of primary, elementary, secondary, or college level education and in the field of adult education, and may assist all public agencies in the planning of programs calculated to further the education of the state’s citizens.
POWERS OF DEPARTMENT.—
The department may encourage:
The extension of educational television network facilities.
The coordination of Florida’s educational television with that of other states and with the Federal Government.
The further development of educational television within the state.
The department shall provide through educational television and other electronic media a means of extending educational services to all the state system of public education, except the state universities, which provision by the department is limited by paragraph (c) and by s. 1001.26(1). The department shall recommend to the State Board of Education rules necessary to provide such services.
The department may provide equipment, funds, and other services to extend and update both the existing and the proposed educational television and radio systems of tax-supported and nonprofit, corporate-owned facilities. All stations funded must be qualified by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. New stations eligible for funding shall provide a first service to an audience that is not currently receiving a broadcast signal or provide a significant new program service as defined by State Board of Education rules. Funds appropriated to the department for educational television and funds appropriated to the department for educational radio may be used by the department for either educational television or educational radio, or both.
PROHIBITED USE, PENALTY.—
None of the facilities, plant, or personnel of any educational television system that is supported in whole or in part by state funds shall be used directly or indirectly for the promotion, advertisement, or advancement of any political candidate for any municipal, county, legislative, congressional, or state office. However, fair, open, and free discussion between political candidates for municipal, county, legislative, congressional, or state office may be permitted in order to help materially reduce the excessive cost of campaigns and to ensure that the state’s citizens are fully informed about issues and candidates in campaigns. The provisions of this paragraph apply to the advocacy for, or opposition to, any specific program, existing or proposed, of governmental action which includes, but is not limited to, constitutional amendments, tax referenda, and bond issues. The provisions of this paragraph shall be in accordance with rules of the State Board of Education.
Violation of any prohibition contained in this section is a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
DUTY OF DEPARTMENT.—The department is responsible for identifying the needs of the state system of public education as they relate to the development and production of materials used in instruction. When such identified needs are considered to be best satisfied by the production of new materials, the department may commission or contract for the production of such materials.
s. 31, ch. 2002-387; s. 167, ch. 2007-5.
Public broadcasting program system.
—There is created a public broadcasting program system for the state. The department shall administer this program system pursuant to rules adopted by the State Board of Education. This program system must complement and share resources with the instructional programming service of the Department of Education and educational UHF, VHF, ITFS, and FM stations in the state. The program system must include:
Support for existing Corporation for Public Broadcasting qualified program system educational radio and television stations and new stations meeting Corporation for Public Broadcasting qualifications and providing a first service to an audience that does not currently receive a broadcast signal or providing a significant new program service as defined by rule by the State Board of Education.
Maintenance of quality broadcast capability for educational stations that are part of the program system.
Interconnection of all educational stations that are part of the program system for simultaneous broadcast and of such stations with all universities and other institutions as necessary for sharing of resources and delivery of programming.
Establishment and maintenance of a capability for statewide program distribution with facilities and staff, provided such facilities and staff complement and strengthen existing or future educational television and radio stations in accordance with paragraph (a) and s. 1001.25(2)(c).
Provision of both statewide programming funds and station programming support for educational television and educational radio to meet statewide priorities. Priorities for station programming need not be the same as priorities for programming to be used statewide. Station programming may include, but shall not be limited to, citizens’ participation programs, music and fine arts programs, coverage of public hearings and governmental meetings, equal air time for political candidates, and other public interest programming.
The Department of Education is responsible for implementing the provisions of this section pursuant to s. 282.702 and may employ personnel, acquire equipment and facilities, and perform all duties necessary for carrying out the purposes and objectives of this section.
The department shall provide through educational television and other electronic media a means of extending educational services to all the state system of public education. The department shall recommend to the State Board of Education rules necessary to provide such services.
The department is authorized to provide equipment, funds, and other services to extend and update both the existing and the proposed educational television and radio systems of tax-supported and nonprofit, corporate-owned facilities. All stations funded must be qualified by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. New stations eligible for funding shall provide a first service to an audience that is not currently receiving a broadcast signal or provide a significant new program service as defined by State Board of Education rules. Funds appropriated to the department for educational television and funds appropriated to the department for educational radio may be used by the department for either educational television or educational radio, or for both.
The State Board of Education shall adopt rules for the proper enforcement and carrying out of these provisions.
s. 32, ch. 2002-387; s. 24, ch. 2004-41; s. 34, ch. 2009-80.
State satellite network.
—There is created a state satellite network, which shall provide one-way video and audio transmissions with regional access for all Floridians, state agencies, county and municipal governments, business and industry, and other public and private entities to participate in classroom instruction, continuing education, special events programs, and one-way video teleconferencing.
The network shall consist of compatible satellite receiving equipment at public educational institutions in each of the 28 1community college regions.
The department, in consultation with the Department of Management Services, shall implement the provisions of this section and coordinate the network. Specifically, the department shall:
Provide for technical analysis of suitable existing satellite receiving equipment at Florida public postsecondary educational institutions for inclusion in the network.
Acquire by competitive sealed bid and place appropriate receiving equipment in those 1community college regions of the state in which such equipment is presently not available at a public postsecondary educational institution.
Develop an implementation plan that provides for designation of a site in each 1community college region for inclusion in the initial network. Criteria for selection shall include:
Accessibility to a substantial portion of the population of the region.
Demonstrated institutional commitment to support and encourage use of the network both within the region and statewide.
Willingness to complement state support with matching institutional resources.
Evidence of cooperation and coordinated planning with other postsecondary educational institutions in the region.
Availability of existing telecommunications equipment which is compatible or adaptable for use in the network.
Identify additional sites for inclusion in the network in the event that demand exceeds the capacity of the initial network.
Coordinate scheduling and encourage use of the network.
Develop operating procedures for the system and recommend fee schedules for both public and private entities wishing to transmit or receive programming through the network. Scheduling procedures shall assign the highest priority to educational programming.
Provide training for institutional, state agency, and other personnel in effective techniques for the use of the network.
Provide initial startup support for operations, maintenance, and publicity costs of the network. Continuation costs in these areas shall be recovered through user fees and local resources.
All audio components of this system that are not transmitted simultaneously with video to a domestic satellite shall be transmitted through common carriers regulated pursuant to chapter 364.
The State Board of Education may adopt any rules necessary for the implementation of this section.
This section shall be implemented only to the extent specifically authorized and funded by law.
s. 33, ch. 2002-387.
Section 21, ch. 2010-70, directs the Division of Statutory Revision to prepare a reviser’s bill to substitute the term “Florida College System institution” for the terms “Florida college,” “community college,” and “junior college” where those terms appear in the Florida K-20 Education Code.
Florida Information Resource Network.
—Upon requisition by school districts, 1community colleges, universities, or other eligible users of the Florida Information Resource Network, the Commissioner of Education shall purchase the nondiscounted portion of Internet access services, including, but not limited to, circuits, encryption, content filtering, support, and any other services needed for the effective and efficient operation of the network. For the 2009-2010 fiscal year, each school district, the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, and the regional educational consortia eligible for the e-rate must submit a requisition to the Commissioner of Education for at least the same level of Internet access services used through the Florida Information Resource Network contract in the 2008-2009 fiscal year. Each user shall identify in its requisition the source of funds from which the commissioner is to make payments.
s. 3, ch. 2009-59.
Section 21, ch. 2010-70, directs the Division of Statutory Revision to prepare a reviser’s bill to substitute the term “Florida College System institution” for the terms “Florida college,” “community college,” and “junior college” where those terms appear in the Florida K-20 Education Code.
Distance learning duties.
—The duties of the Department of Education concerning distance learning include, but are not limited to, the duty to:
Facilitate the implementation of a statewide coordinated system and resource system for cost-efficient advanced telecommunications services and distance education which will increase overall student access to education.
Coordinate the use of existing resources, including, but not limited to, the state’s satellite transponders, the Florida Information Resource Network (FIRN), the Florida Knowledge Network, and distance learning initiatives.
Assist in the coordination of the utilization of the production and uplink capabilities available through Florida’s public television stations, eligible facilities, independent colleges and universities, private firms, and others as needed.
Seek the assistance and cooperation of Florida’s cable television providers in the implementation of the statewide advanced telecommunications services and distance learning network.
Seek the assistance and cooperation of Florida’s telecommunications carriers to provide affordable student access to advanced telecommunications services and to distance learning.
Coordinate partnerships for development, acquisition, use, and distribution of distance learning.
Secure and administer funding for programs and activities for distance learning from federal, state, local, and private sources and from fees derived from services and materials.
Manage the state’s satellite transponder resources and enter into lease agreements to maximize the use of available transponder time. All net revenue realized through the leasing of available transponder time, after deducting the costs of performing the management function, shall be recycled to support the public education distance learning in this state based upon an allocation formula of one-third to the Department of Education, one-third to 1community colleges, and one-third to state universities.
Hire appropriate staff which may include a position that shall be exempt from part II of chapter 110 and is included in the Senior Management Service in accordance with s. 110.205.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to abrogate, supersede, alter, or amend the powers and duties of any state agency, district school board, 1community college board of trustees, university board of trustees, the Board of Governors, or the State Board of Education.
s. 34, ch. 2002-387; s. 73, ch. 2007-217; s. 4, ch. 2009-59.
Section 21, ch. 2010-70, directs the Division of Statutory Revision to prepare a reviser’s bill to substitute the term “Florida College System institution” for the terms “Florida college,” “community college,” and “junior college” where those terms appear in the Florida K-20 Education Code.
Operating Trust Fund.
—The Operating Trust Fund, FLAIR number 48-2-510, is created within the Department of Education.
The fund is established for use as a depository for funds to be used for program operations funded by program revenues. Moneys to be credited to the trust fund include, but are not limited to, revenues received from the leasing of available transponder time for the state’s satellite transponder resources.
Notwithstanding s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust fund at the end of any fiscal year shall remain in the trust fund at the end of the year and shall be available for carrying out the purpose of the trust fund.
In accordance with s. 19(f)(2), Art. III of the State Constitution, the Operating Trust Fund shall, unless terminated sooner, be terminated on July 1, 2012. Before its scheduled termination, the trust fund shall be reviewed as provided in s. 215.3206(1) and (2).
s. 1, ch. 2007-20.
Administrative Trust Fund.
—The Administrative Trust Fund, FLAIR number 48-2-021, is created within the Department of Education.
The fund is established for use as a depository for funds to be used for management activities that are department-wide in nature and funded by indirect cost earnings or assessments against trust funds. Moneys to be credited to the trust fund include indirect cost reimbursements from grantors, administrative assessments against trust funds, interest earnings, and other appropriate administrative fees.
Notwithstanding s. 216.301 and pursuant to s. 216.351, any balance in the trust fund at the end of any fiscal year shall remain in the trust fund at the end of the year and shall be available for carrying out the purpose of the trust fund.
In accordance with s. 19(f)(2), Art. III of the State Constitution, the Administrative Trust Fund shall, unless terminated sooner, be terminated on July 1, 2012. Before its scheduled termination, the trust fund shall be reviewed as provided in s. 215.3206(1) and (2).
s. 1, ch. 2007-21.
Discounted computers and Internet access for students.
—There is created a program to offer computers and Internet access at a discounted price to students enrolled in grades 5 through 12 in a public school, including a charter school, or a home education program in the state.
The Department of Education shall negotiate with computer manufacturers and with nonprofit corporations that obtain reconditioned computer hardware concerning:
The prices of discounted computers and whether computer accessories such as printers or scanners will be offered to the students at reduced prices.
Specialized software and hardware packages, including, but not limited to:
A word processor.
Software and hardware necessary to enable broadband Internet access.
An operating system.
The type of warranty that is to be provided to the students and whether an extended warranty will be available to the students and under what terms.
The Department of Education shall negotiate with broadband Internet access providers concerning the prices of discounted broadband Internet access packages. In areas in which broadband Internet access is not currently available, the department shall negotiate with non-broadband Internet access providers.
The State Board of Education shall adopt rules concerning:
How to integrate into this program the provision of computer or technical training to students in their respective school districts.
How parents and students may be notified of the discounted computer and Internet access choices available.
The distribution of eligibility certificates to the students, the locations at which discounted computers and Internet access services are available for purchase, and how students may obtain and pay for the equipment and services covered by this program.
s. 1, ch. 2006-137.
Discounted computers and Internet access for low-income students; pilot project.
—The Digital Divide Council, in consultation with the Department of Education, shall implement a pilot project to assist low-income students to purchase discounted computers and Internet access services as negotiated by the department. The council shall identify counties, grade levels, and low-income eligibility criteria for participation in the pilot project.
The pilot project shall be funded in an amount to be determined in the General Appropriations Act. The Digital Divide Council is authorized to accept grants from additional public and private sources to implement the pilot project.
s. 2, ch. 2006-137.
SCHOOL DISTRICT GOVERNANCE
District unit.
—Each county shall constitute a school district and shall be known as the school district of County, Florida. Each district shall constitute a unit for the control, organization, and administration of schools. The responsibility for the actual operation and administration of all schools needed within the districts in conformity with rules and minimum standards prescribed by the state, and also the responsibility for the provision of any desirable and practicable opportunities authorized by law beyond those required by the state, are delegated by law to the school officials of the respective districts.
s. 36, ch. 2002-387.
Scope of district system.
—A district school system shall include all public schools, classes, and courses of instruction and all services and activities directly related to education in that district which are under the direction of the district school officials. A district school system may also include alternative site schools for disruptive or violent youth. Such schools for disruptive or violent youth may be funded by each district or provided through cooperative programs administered by a consortium of school districts, private providers, state and local law enforcement agencies, and the Department of Juvenile Justice. Pursuant to cooperative agreement, a district school system shall provide instructional personnel at juvenile justice facilities of 50 or more beds or slots with access to the district school system database for the purpose of accessing student academic, immunization, and registration records for students assigned to the programs. Such access shall be in the same manner as provided to other schools in the district.
s. 37, ch. 2002-387.
Management, control, operation, administration, and supervision.
—The district school system must be managed, controlled, operated, administered, and supervised as follows:
DISTRICT SYSTEM.—The district school system shall be considered as a part of the state system of public education. All actions of district school officials shall be consistent and in harmony with state laws and with rules and minimum standards of the state board. District school officials, however, shall have the authority to provide additional educational opportunities, as desired, which are authorized, but not required, by law or by the district school board.
DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD.—In accordance with the provisions of s. 4(b) of Art. IX of the State Constitution, district school boards shall operate, control, and supervise all free public schools in their respective districts and may exercise any power except as expressly prohibited by the State Constitution or general law.
DISTRICT SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.—Responsibility for the administration and management of the schools and for the supervision of instruction in the district shall be vested in the district school superintendent as the secretary and executive officer of the district school board, as provided by law.
SCHOOL PRINCIPAL OR HEAD OF SCHOOL.—Responsibility for the administration of any school or schools at a given school center, for the supervision of instruction therein, and for providing leadership in the development or revision and implementation of a school improvement plan required by s. 1001.42(18) shall be delegated to the school principal or head of the school or schools in accordance with rules established by the district school board.
s. 38, ch. 2002-387; s. 25, ch. 2004-41; s. 8, ch. 2008-108.
Schools under control of district school board and district school superintendent.
—Except as otherwise provided by law, all public schools conducted within the district shall be under the direction and control of the district school board with the district school superintendent as executive officer.
s. 39, ch. 2002-387; s. 28, ch. 2003-391; s. 9, ch. 2006-74.
District School Boards
District School Superintendents
School Principals
District School Boards
Membership of district school board.
—Each district school board shall be composed of not less than five members. Each member of the district school board shall be a qualified elector of the district in which she or he serves, shall be a resident of the district school board member residence area from which she or he is elected, and shall maintain said residency throughout her or his term of office.
s. 41, ch. 2002-387.
Term of office.
—District school board members shall be elected at the general election in November for terms of 4 years.
s. 42, ch. 2002-387.
District school board member residence areas.
—For the purpose of electing district school board members, each district shall be divided into at least five district school board member residence areas, which shall be numbered one to five, inclusive, and which shall, as nearly as practicable, be equal in population.
For those school districts, which have seven district school board members, the district may be divided into five district school board member residence areas, with two district school board members elected at large, or the district may be divided into seven district school board member residence areas. In the latter case, the residence areas shall be numbered one to seven inclusive and shall be equal in population as nearly as practicable.
For those school districts which have seven district school board members, the number of district school board member residence areas shall be determined by resolution passed by a majority vote of the district school board.
Any district school board may make any change that it deems necessary in the boundaries of any district school board member residence area at any meeting of the district school board, provided that such changes shall be made only in odd-numbered years and that no change that would affect the residence qualifications of any incumbent member shall disqualify such incumbent member during the term for which he or she is elected.
Such changes in boundaries shall be shown by resolutions spread upon the minutes of the district school board, shall be recorded in the office of the clerk of the circuit court, and shall be published at least once in a newspaper published in the district within 30 days after the adoption of the resolution, or, if there be no newspaper published in the district, shall be posted at the county courthouse door for 4 weeks thereafter. A certified copy of this resolution shall be transmitted to the Department of State.
s. 43, ch. 2002-387.
Election of board by districtwide vote.
—Notwithstanding any provision of local law or any county charter, the election of members of the district school board shall be by vote of the qualified electors of the entire district in a nonpartisan election as provided in chapter 105. Each candidate for district school board member shall, at the time she or he qualifies, be a resident of the district school board member residence area from which the candidate seeks election. Each candidate who qualifies to have her or his name placed on the ballot shall be listed according to the district school board member residence area in which she or he resides. Each qualified elector of the district shall be entitled to vote for one candidate from each district school board member residence area. The candidate from each district school board member residence area who receives the highest number of votes in the general election shall be elected to the district school board.
s. 44, ch. 2002-387.
Alternate procedure for the election of district school board members to provide for single-member representation.
—This section shall be known and may be referred to as “The School District Local Option Single-Member Representation Law of 1984.”
District school board members shall be elected to office in accordance with the provisions of ss. 1001.36 and 1001.361, or as otherwise provided by law, unless a proposition calling for single-member representation within the residence areas of the district is submitted to and approved by a majority of the qualified electors voting on such proposition in the manner provided in subsection (3).
If the district school board is composed of five members, such proposition shall provide that the five members shall reside one in each of five residence areas, the areas together covering the entire district and as nearly equal in population as practicable, pursuant to s. 1001.36, each of whom shall be elected only by the qualified electors who reside in the same residence area as the member.
If the district school board is composed of seven members, at the option of the school board, such proposition shall provide that:
Five of the seven members shall reside one in each of five residence areas, the areas together covering the entire district and as nearly equal in population as practicable, pursuant to s. 1001.36, each of whom shall be elected only by the qualified electors who reside in the same residence area as the member, and two of the seven members shall be elected at large; or
All seven members shall reside one in each of seven residence areas, the areas together covering the entire district and as nearly equal in population as practicable, pursuant to s. 1001.36, each of whom shall be elected only by the qualified electors who reside in the same residence area as the member.
All members shall be elected for 4-year terms, but such terms shall be staggered so that, alternately, one more or one less than half of the members elected from residence areas and, if applicable, one of the members elected at large from the entire district are elected every 2 years. Any member may be elected to an initial term of less than 4 years if necessary to achieve or maintain such system of staggered terms.
A proposition calling for single-member representation within the residence areas of the district shall be submitted to the electors of the district at any primary, general, or otherwise-called special election, in either manner following:
The district school board may adopt a formal resolution directing an election to be held to place the proposition on the ballot.
The electors of the school district may petition to have the proposition placed on the ballot by presenting to the school board petitions signed by not less than 10 percent of the duly qualified electors residing within the school district. The number of signatures required shall be determined by the supervisor of elections according to the number of registered electors in the district as of the date the petitioning electors register as a political committee as provided in subsection (4).
The electors petitioning to have the proposition placed on the ballot shall register as a political committee pursuant to s. 106.03, and a specific person shall be designated therein as chair of the committee to act for the committee.
Each petition form circulated for single-member representation within the residence areas of a district where the school board is composed of five members shall include the wording: “As a registered elector of the school district of County, Florida, I am petitioning for a referendum election to determine whether the five school board members of said district shall be elected from single-member residence areas by electors residing in each of those areas only.”
Each petition form circulated for single-member representation within the residence areas of a district where the district school board is composed of seven members, none of whom are to be elected at large, shall include the wording: “As a registered elector of the school district of County, Florida, I am petitioning for a referendum election to determine whether the seven members of said district shall be elected from single-member residence areas by electors residing in each of those areas only.”
Each petition form circulated for single-member representation within the residence areas of a district where the school board is composed of seven members, two of whom are to be elected at large, shall include the wording: “As a registered elector of the school district of County, Florida, I am petitioning for a referendum election to determine whether five of the seven district school board members of said district shall be elected from single-member residence areas by electors residing in each of those areas only, with the two remaining members being elected at large.”
The petition shall also include space for the signature and address of the elector. Each signature obtained shall be dated when made and is valid for a period of 4 years following that date.
Upon the filing of the petitions with the district school board by the chair of the committee, the district school board shall submit the petitions to the supervisor of elections for verification of the signatures. Within a period of not more than 30 days, the supervisor of elections shall determine whether the petitions contain the required number of valid signatures. The supervisor of elections shall be paid by the committee seeking verification the sum of 10 cents for each name checked.
If it is determined that the petitions have the required signatures, the supervisor of elections shall certify the petitions to the district school board, which shall adopt a resolution requesting that an election date be set to conform to the earliest primary, general, or otherwise-called special election that occurs not less than 30 days after certification of the petitions. If it is determined that the petitions do not contain the required signatures, the supervisor of elections shall so notify the district school board, which shall file the petitions without taking further action, and the matter shall be at an end. No additional names may be added to the petitions, and the petitions may not be used in any other proceeding.
No special election may be called for the sole purpose of presenting the proposition to the vote of the electors.
Any district adopting any of the propositions set forth in this section may thereafter return to the procedures otherwise provided by law by following the same procedure outlined in subsection (3).
No district school board member elected prior to or at the election that approves any revision as permitted herein shall be affected in his or her term of office. The resolution adopted by the district school board under paragraph (3)(a) or subsection (7) which presents the proposed revision to the electorate for approval shall specify an orderly method and procedure for implementing the revision contemplated in the resolution.
s. 45, ch. 2002-387.
District school board members to represent entire district.
—Each district school board of each district shall represent the entire district. Each member of the district school board shall serve as the representative of the entire district, rather than as the representative of a district school board member residence area.
s. 46, ch. 2002-387.
Alternate procedure for election of district school board chair.
—The district school board chair shall be elected in accordance with the provisions of s. 1001.371 unless a proposition calling for the district school board chair to be elected as an additional school board member by districtwide vote is submitted to and approved by a majority of the qualified electors voting on such proposition in the manner provided in subsection (2).
A proposition calling for the district school board chair to be elected by districtwide vote shall be submitted to the electors of the school district at any primary, general, or otherwise-called special election in either of the following manners:
The district school board may adopt a formal resolution directing that the proposition be placed on the ballot; or
The electors of the school district may petition to have the proposition placed on the ballot by presenting to the district school board petitions signed by not less than 10 percent of the duly qualified electors residing within the school district. The number of signatures required shall be determined by the supervisor of elections according to the number of registered electors in the school district as of the date the petitioning electors register as a political committee as provided in subsection (3).
The electors petitioning to have the proposition placed on the ballot shall register as a political committee pursuant to s. 106.03, and a specific person shall be designated therein as chair of the committee to act for the committee.
Each petition form circulated shall include the following wording:
As a registered elector of the school district of County, Florida, I am petitioning for a referendum election to determine whether the district school board chair shall be elected by districtwide vote.
The petition shall also include space for the signature and address of the elector. Each signature obtained shall be dated when made and is valid for a period of 4 years after that date.
Upon the filing of the petitions with the district school board by the chair of the committee, the district school board shall submit the petitions to the supervisor of elections for verification of the signatures. Within a period of not more than 30 days, the supervisor of elections shall determine whether the petitions contain the required number of valid signatures. The supervisor of elections shall be paid by the committee seeking verification the sum of 10 cents for each signature checked.
If it is determined that the petitions have the required signatures, the supervisor of elections shall certify the petitions to the district school board, which shall adopt a formal resolution requesting that an election date be set to conform to the earliest primary, general, or otherwise-called special election that occurs not less than 30 days after certification of the petitions. If it is determined that the petitions do not contain the required signatures, the supervisor of elections shall so notify the district school board, which shall file the petitions without taking further action, and the matter shall be at an end. No additional signatures may be added to the petitions, and the petitions may not be used in any other proceeding.
No special election may be called for the sole purpose of presenting the proposition to the vote of the electors.
Any school district adopting the proposition set forth in this section may thereafter return to the procedure otherwise provided by law by following the same procedure outlined in subsection (2).
If a proposition submitted to the electors under subsection (2) calling for the district school board chair to be elected by districtwide vote is approved by vote of the qualified electors, the office of district school board chair shall be filled at the next general election.
The vice chair of the district school board shall be elected by the members of the district school board as provided in s. 1001.371.
This section applies only to those counties organized by charter that have a population of between 800,000 and 900,000 according to the last federal decennial census.
s. 2, ch. 2006-256.
Votes by district school board chair and district school board members.
—Unless otherwise provided by law, in the event of a tie vote of the district school board chair and district school board members acting in any capacity, the side on which the district school board chair voted shall be deemed to prevail. For purposes of any vote of the district school board chair and district school board members acting in any capacity, action taken pursuant to that side of a tie vote on which the district school board chair voted satisfies the requirement that action be taken by a “majority” vote or a “simple majority” vote. This section applies only to those counties organized by charter that have a population of between 800,000 and 900,000 according to the last federal decennial census.
s. 3, ch. 2006-256.
District school board members shall qualify.
—Before entering upon the duties of office after being elected, or, if appointed, within 10 days after receiving notice of appointment, each member of the district school board shall take the prescribed oath of office.
s. 47, ch. 2002-387.
Organization of district school board.
—On the third Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each year, the district school board shall organize by electing a chair. It may elect a vice chair, and the district school superintendent shall act ex officio as the secretary. If a vacancy should occur in the position of chair, the district school board shall proceed to elect a chair at the next ensuing regular or special meeting. At the organization meeting, the district school superintendent shall act as chair until the organization is completed. The chair and secretary shall then make and sign a copy of the proceedings of organization, including the schedule for regular meetings and the names and addresses of all district school officers, and annex their affidavits that the same is a true and correct copy of the original, and the secretary shall file the document within 2 weeks with the Department of Education. This section does not apply to any school district with a district school board chair who is elected by districtwide vote.
s. 48, ch. 2002-387; s. 4, ch. 2006-256.
District school board meetings.
—REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS.—The district school board shall hold not less than one regular meeting each month for the transaction of business according to a schedule arranged by the district school board and shall convene in special sessions when called by the district school superintendent or by the district school superintendent on request of the chair of the district school board, or on request of a majority of the members of the district school board; provided that actions taken at special meetings shall have the same force and effect as if taken at a regular meeting; and provided further that in the event the district school superintendent should fail to call a special meeting when requested to do so, as prescribed herein, such a meeting may be called by the chair of the district school board or by a majority of the members of the district school board by giving 2 days’ written notice of the time and purpose of the meeting to all members and to the district school superintendent, in which event the minutes of the meeting shall set forth the facts regarding the procedure in calling the meeting and the reason therefor and shall be signed either by the chair or by a majority of the members of the district school board.
PLACE OF MEETINGS.—
Except as provided in paragraph (b), all regular and special meetings of the district school board shall be held in the office of the district school superintendent or in a room convenient to that office and regularly designated as the district school board meeting room.
Upon the giving of due public notice, regular or special meetings of the district school board may be held at any appropriate public place in the county.
For purpose of this section, due public notice shall consist of publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or in each county where there is no newspaper of general circulation in the county an announcement over at least one radio station whose signal is generally received in the county, a reasonable number of times daily during the 48 hours immediately preceding the date of such meeting, or by posting a notice at the courthouse door if no newspaper is published in the county, at least 2 days prior to the meeting.
REMOVAL OF PERSONS INTERFERING WITH MEETINGS.—The presiding officer of any district school board may order the removal, from a public meeting held by the district school board, of any person interfering with the expeditious or orderly process of such meeting, provided such officer has first issued a warning that continued interference with the orderly processes of the meeting will result in removal. Any law enforcement authority or a sergeant-at-arms designated by the officer shall remove any person ordered removed pursuant to this subsection.
MAJORITY A QUORUM.—A majority shall constitute a quorum for any meeting of the district school board. No business may be transacted at any meeting unless a quorum is present, except that a minority of the district school board may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum is present.
s. 49, ch. 2002-387; s. 26, ch. 2004-41.
Vacancies; how filled.
—The office of any district school board member shall be vacant when the member removes his or her residence from the district school board member residence area from which he or she was elected. All vacancies on the district school board shall be filled by appointment by the Governor.
s. 50, ch. 2002-387.
District school board members; travel expenses.
—In addition to the salary provided in s. 1001.395, each member of a district school board shall be allowed, from the district school fund, reimbursement of travel expenses as authorized in s. 112.061, except as provided in subsection (2). Any travel outside the district shall also be governed by the rules of the State Board of Education.
Each district school board may reimburse a district school board member for travel expenses for travel from the member’s residence incurred in the performance of a public purpose authorized by law to be performed by the district school board, including, but not limited to, attendance at regular and special board meetings. Mileage allowance in the amount provided by law for reimbursement of travel expenses, when authorized, shall be computed from the member’s place of residence to the place of the meeting or function and return.
s. 51, ch. 2002-387.
District school board members; compensation.
—Each member of the district school board shall receive a base salary, the amounts indicated in this section, based on the population of the county the district school board member serves. In addition, compensation shall be made for population increments over the minimum for each population group, which shall be determined by multiplying the population in excess of the minimum for the group times the group rate. The product of such calculation shall be added to the base salary to determine the adjusted base salary. The adjusted base salaries of district school board members shall be increased annually as provided for in s. 145.19.
Pop. Group | County Pop. Range | Base Salary | Group Rate | |
Minimum | Maximum | |||
I | -0- | 9,999 | $5,000 | $0.08330 |
II | 10,000 | 49,999 | 5,833 | 0.020830 |
III | 50,000 | 99,999 | 6,666 | 0.016680 |
IV | 100,000 | 199,999 | 7,500 | 0.008330 |
V | 200,000 | 399,999 | 8,333 | 0.004165 |
VI | 400,000 | 999,999 | 9,166 | 0.001390 |
VII | 1,000,000 | 10,000 | 0.000000 | |
Notwithstanding the provisions of this section or s. 145.19, district school board members may reduce their salary rate on a voluntary basis.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this section and s. 145.19, for the 2010-2011 fiscal year, the salary of each district school board member shall be the amount calculated pursuant to subsection (1) or the district’s beginning salary for teachers who hold baccalaureate degrees, whichever is less.
s. 52, ch. 2002-387; s. 4, ch. 2007-234; s. 175, ch. 2008-4; s. 1, ch. 2009-3; s. 95, ch. 2009-21; s. 5, ch. 2009-59; s. 3, ch. 2010-154.
District school board to constitute a corporation.
—The governing body of each school district shall be a district school board. Each district school board is constituted a body corporate by the name of “The School Board of County, Florida.” In all suits against district school boards, service of process shall be had on the chair of the district school board or, if he or she cannot be found, on the district school superintendent as executive officer of the district school board or, in the absence of the chair and the district school superintendent, on another member of the district school board.
s. 53, ch. 2002-387.
General powers of district school board.
—The district school board, after considering recommendations submitted by the district school superintendent, shall exercise the following general powers:
Determine policies and programs consistent with state law and rule deemed necessary by it for the efficient operation and general improvement of the district school system.
Adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of law conferring duties upon it to supplement those prescribed by the State Board of Education and the Commissioner of Education.
Prescribe and adopt standards and policies to provide each student the opportunity to receive a complete education program, including language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, health, physical education, foreign languages, and the arts, as defined by the Sunshine State Standards. The standards and policies must emphasize integration and reinforcement of reading, writing, and mathematics skills across all subjects, including career awareness, career exploration, and career and technical education.
Contract, sue, and be sued. The district school board shall constitute the contracting agent for the district school system.
Perform duties and exercise those responsibilities that are assigned to it by law or by rules of the State Board of Education or the Commissioner of Education and, in addition thereto, those that it may find to be necessary for the improvement of the district school system in carrying out the purposes and objectives of the education code.
Assign students to schools.
Enter into agreements for accepting credit card, charge card, and debit card payments as compensation for goods, services, tuition, and fees, as authorized by law.
s. 54, ch. 2002-387; s. 10, ch. 2006-74.
Powers and duties of district school board.
—The district school board, acting as a board, shall exercise all powers and perform all duties listed below:
REQUIRE MINUTES AND RECORDS TO BE KEPT.—Require the district school superintendent, as secretary, to keep such minutes and records as are necessary to set forth clearly all actions and proceedings of the school board.
Minutes, recording.—The minutes of each meeting shall be reviewed, corrected if necessary, and approved at the next regular meeting, provided that this action may be taken at an intervening special meeting if the district school board desires. The minutes shall be kept as a public record in a permanent location.
Minutes, contents.—The minutes shall show the vote of each member present on all matters on which the district school board takes action. It shall be the duty of each member to see to it that both the matter and his or her vote thereon are properly recorded in the minutes. Unless otherwise shown by the minutes, it shall be presumed that the vote of each member present supported any action taken by the district school board in either the exercise of, violation of, or neglect of the powers and duties imposed upon the district school board by law or rule, whether such action is recorded in the minutes or is otherwise established. It shall also be presumed that the policies, appointments, programs, and expenditures not recorded in the minutes but made and actually in effect in the district school system were made and put into effect at the direction of the district school board, unless it can be shown that they were done without the actual or constructive knowledge of the members of the district school board.
CONTROL PROPERTY.—Subject to rules of the State Board of Education, control property and convey the title to real and personal property.
ADOPT SCHOOL PROGRAM.—Adopt a school program for the entire school district.
ESTABLISHMENT, ORGANIZATION, AND OPERATION OF SCHOOLS.—Adopt and provide for the execution of plans for the establishment, organization, and operation of the schools of the district, including, but not limited to, the following:
Schools and enrollment plans.—Establish schools and adopt enrollment plans that may include school attendance areas and open enrollment provisions.
Elimination of school centers and consolidation of schools.—Provide for the elimination of school centers and the consolidation of schools.
Adequate educational facilities for all children without tuition.—Provide adequate educational facilities for all children without payment of tuition.
Cooperate with school boards of adjoining districts in maintaining schools.—Approve plans for cooperating with school boards of adjoining districts in this state or in adjoining states for establishing school attendance areas composed of territory lying within the districts and for the joint maintenance of district-line schools or other schools which are to serve those attendance areas. The conditions of such cooperation shall be as follows:
Establishment.—The establishment of a school to serve attendance areas lying in more than one district and the plans for maintaining the school and providing educational services to students shall be effected by annual resolutions spread upon the minutes of each district school board concerned, which resolutions shall set out the territorial limits of the areas from which children are to attend the school and the plan to be followed in maintaining and operating the school.
Control.—Control of the school or schools involved shall be vested in the district school board of the district in which the school or schools are located unless otherwise agreed by the district school boards.
Settlement of disagreements.—In the event an agreement cannot be reached relating to such attendance areas or to the school or schools therein, the matter may be referred jointly by the cooperating district school boards or by either district school board to the Department of Education for decision under rules of the State Board of Education, and its decision shall be binding on both school boards.
Classification and standardization of schools.—Provide for the classification and standardization of schools.
Opening and closing of schools; fixing uniform date.—Adopt policies for the opening and closing of schools and fix uniform dates; however, beginning with the 2007-2008 school year, the opening date for schools in the district may not be earlier than 14 days before Labor Day each year.
Observance of school holidays and vacation periods.—Designate the observance of school holidays and vacation periods.
Career classes and schools.—Provide for the establishment and maintenance of career schools, departments, or classes, giving instruction in career education as defined by rules of the State Board of Education, and use any moneys raised by public taxation in the same manner as moneys for other school purposes are used for the maintenance and support of public schools or classes.
District school boards may establish public evening schools.—Have the authority to establish public evening schools.
Cooperate with other agencies in joint projects.—Cooperate with other agencies in joint projects.
Planning time for teachers.—May adopt rules for planning time for teachers in accordance with the provisions of chapter 1012.
Exceptional students.—Provide for an appropriate program of special instruction, facilities, and services for exceptional students as prescribed by the State Board of Education as acceptable in accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.57.
Alternative education programs for students in residential care facilities.—Provide, in accordance with the provisions of s. 1003.58, educational programs according to rules of the State Board of Education to students who reside in residential care facilities operated by the Department of Children and Family Services.
Educational services in detention facilities.—In accordance with the provisions of chapter 1006, offer services to students in detention facilities.
PERSONNEL.—
Designate positions to be filled, prescribe qualifications for those positions, and provide for the appointment, compensation, promotion, suspension, and dismissal of employees, subject to the requirements of chapter 1012. A district school board is encouraged to provide clerical personnel or volunteers who are not classroom teachers to assist teachers in noninstructional activities, including performing paperwork and recordkeeping duties. However, a teacher shall remain responsible for all instructional activities and for classroom management and grading student performance.
Notwithstanding s. 1012.55 or any other provision of law or rule to the contrary and consistent with adopted district school board policy relating to alternative certification for school principals, have the authority to appoint persons to the position of school principal who do not hold educator certification.
STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT FOR INSTRUCTIONAL PERSONNEL AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS.—Adopt policies establishing standards of ethical conduct for instructional personnel and school administrators. The policies must require all instructional personnel and school administrators, as defined in s. 1012.01, to complete training on the standards; establish the duty of instructional personnel and school administrators to report, and procedures for reporting, alleged misconduct by other instructional personnel and school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student; and include an explanation of the liability protections provided under ss. 39.203 and 768.095. A district school board, or any of its employees, may not enter into a confidentiality agreement regarding terminated or dismissed instructional personnel or school administrators, or personnel or administrators who resign in lieu of termination, based in whole or in part on misconduct that affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student, and may not provide instructional personnel or school administrators with employment references or discuss the personnel’s or administrators’ performance with prospective employers in another educational setting, without disclosing the personnel’s or administrators’ misconduct. Any part of an agreement or contract that has the purpose or effect of concealing misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student is void, is contrary to public policy, and may not be enforced.
DISQUALIFICATION FROM EMPLOYMENT.—Disqualify instructional personnel and school administrators, as defined in s. 1012.01, from employment in any position that requires direct contact with students if the personnel or administrators are ineligible for such employment under s. 1012.315. An elected or appointed school board official forfeits his or her salary for 1 year if:
The school board official knowingly signs and transmits to any state official a report of alleged misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student and the school board official knows the report to be false or incorrect; or
The school board official knowingly fails to adopt policies that require instructional personnel and school administrators to report alleged misconduct by other instructional personnel and school administrators, or that require the investigation of all reports of alleged misconduct by instructional personnel and school administrators, if the misconduct affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student.
STUDENT WELFARE.—
In accordance with the provisions of chapters 1003 and 1006, provide for the proper accounting for all students of school age, for the attendance and control of students at school, and for proper attention to health, safety, and other matters relating to the welfare of students.
In accordance with the provisions of ss. 1003.31 and 1003.32, fully support the authority of each teacher and school bus driver to remove disobedient, disrespectful, violent, abusive, uncontrollable, or disruptive students from the classroom and the school bus and the authority of the school board to place such students in an alternative educational setting, when appropriate and available.
COURSES OF STUDY AND OTHER INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS.—Provide adequate instructional materials for all students in accordance with the requirements of chapter 1006.
TRANSPORTATION OF STUDENTS.—After considering recommendations of the district school superintendent, make provision for the transportation of students to the public schools or school activities they are required or expected to attend; authorize transportation routes arranged efficiently and economically; provide the necessary transportation facilities, and, when authorized under rules of the State Board of Education and if more economical to do so, provide limited subsistence in lieu thereof; and adopt the necessary rules and regulations to ensure safety, economy, and efficiency in the operation of all buses, as prescribed in chapter 1006.
SCHOOL PLANT.—Approve plans for locating, planning, constructing, sanitating, insuring, maintaining, protecting, and condemning school property as prescribed in chapter 1013 and as follows:
School building program.—Approve and adopt a districtwide school building program.
Sites, buildings, and equipment.—
Select and purchase school sites, playgrounds, and recreational areas located at centers at which schools are to be constructed, of adequate size to meet the needs of projected students to be accommodated.
Approve the proposed purchase of any site, playground, or recreational area for which district funds are to be used.
Expand existing sites.
Rent buildings when necessary.
Enter into leases or lease-purchase arrangements, in accordance with the requirements and conditions provided in s. 1013.15(2), with private individuals or corporations for the rental of necessary grounds and educational facilities for school purposes or of educational facilities to be erected for school purposes. Current or other funds authorized by law may be used to make payments under a lease-purchase agreement. Notwithstanding any other statutes, if the rental is to be paid from funds received from ad valorem taxation and the agreement is for a period greater than 12 months, an approving referendum must be held. The provisions of such contracts, including building plans, shall be subject to approval by the Department of Education, and no such contract shall be entered into without such approval. As used in this section, “educational facilities” means the buildings and equipment that are built, installed, or established to serve educational purposes and that may lawfully be used. The State Board of Education may adopt such rules as are necessary to implement these provisions.
Provide for the proper supervision of construction.
Make or contract for additions, alterations, and repairs on buildings and other school properties.
Ensure that all plans and specifications for buildings provide adequately for the safety and well-being of students, as well as for economy of construction.
Maintenance and upkeep of school plant.—Provide adequately for the proper maintenance and upkeep of school plants, so that students may attend school without sanitary or physical hazards, and provide for the necessary heat, lights, water, power, and other supplies and utilities necessary for the operation of the schools.
Insurance of school property.—Carry insurance on every school building in all school plants including contents, boilers, and machinery, except buildings of three classrooms or less that are of frame construction and located in a tenth class public protection zone as defined by the Florida Inspection and Rating Bureau, and on all school buses and other property under the control of the district school board or title to which is vested in the district school board, except as exceptions may be authorized under rules of the State Board of Education.
Condemnation of buildings.—Condemn and prohibit the use for public school purposes of any building that can be shown for sanitary or other reasons to be no longer suitable for such use and, when any building is condemned by any state or other government agency as authorized in chapter 1013, see that it is no longer used for school purposes.
FINANCE.—Take steps to assure students adequate educational facilities through the financial procedure authorized in chapters 1010 and 1011 and as prescribed below:
Provide for all schools to operate 180 days.—Provide for the operation of all public schools, both elementary and secondary, as free schools for a term of 180 days or the equivalent on an hourly basis as specified by rules of the State Board of Education; determine district school funds necessary in addition to state funds to operate all schools for such minimum term; and arrange for the levying of district school taxes necessary to provide the amount needed from district sources.
Annual budget.—Cause to be prepared, adopt, and have submitted to the Department of Education as required by law and rules of the State Board of Education, the annual school budget, such budget to be so prepared and executed as to promote the improvement of the district school system.
Tax levies.—Adopt and spread on its minutes a resolution fixing the district school tax levy, provided for under s. 9, Art. VII of the State Constitution, necessary to carry on the school program adopted for the district for the next ensuing fiscal year as required by law, and fixing the district bond interest and sinking fund tax levy necessary for districts against which bonds are outstanding; and adopt and spread on its minutes a resolution suggesting the tax levy provided for in s. 9, Art. VII of the State Constitution, found necessary to carry on the school program adopted for the district for the next ensuing fiscal year.
School funds.—Require that an accurate account is kept of all funds that should be transmitted to the district school board for school purposes at various periods during the year from all sources and, if any funds are not transmitted promptly, take the necessary steps to have such funds made available.
Borrow money.—Borrow money, as prescribed in ss. 1011.12-1011.16, when necessary in anticipation of funds reasonably to be expected during the year as shown by the budget.
Financial records and accounts.—Provide for keeping of accurate records of all financial transactions.
Approval and payment of accounts.—Implement a system of accounting and budgetary control to ensure that payments do not exceed amounts budgeted, as required by law; make available all records for proper audit by state officials or independent certified public accountants; and have prepared required periodic statements to be filed with the Department of Education as provided by rules of the State Board of Education.
Bonds of employees.—Fix and prescribe the bonds, and pay the premium on all such bonds, of all school employees who are responsible for school funds in order to provide reasonable safeguards for all such funds or property.
Contracts for materials, supplies, and services.—Contract for materials, supplies, and services needed for the district school system. No contract for supplying these needs shall be made with any member of the district school board, with the district school superintendent, or with any business organization in which any district school board member or the district school superintendent has any financial interest whatsoever.
Purchasing regulations to be secured from Department of Management Services.—Secure purchasing regulations and amendments and changes thereto from the Department of Management Services and prior to any purchase have reported to it by its staff, and give consideration to the lowest price available to it under such regulations, provided a regulation applicable to the item or items being purchased has been adopted by the department. The department should meet with educational administrators to expand the inventory of standard items for common usage in all schools and postsecondary educational institutions.
Protection against loss.—Provide for adequate protection against any loss or damage to school property or loss resulting from any liability for which the district school board or its officers, agents, or employees may be responsible under law. In fulfilling this responsibility, the district school board may purchase insurance, to be self-insured, to enter into risk management programs managed by district school boards, school-related associations, or insurance companies, or to have any combination thereof in any area to the extent the district school board is either authorized or required by law to contract for insurance. Any risk management program entered into pursuant to this subsection shall provide for strict accountability of all funds to the member district school boards and an annual audit by an independent certified public accountant of all receipts and disbursements.
Internal auditor.—May employ an internal auditor to perform ongoing financial verification of the financial records of the school district. The internal auditor shall report directly to the district school board or its designee.
Financial and performance audits.—In addition to the audits required by ss. 11.45 and 218.39, may contract with an independent certified public accountant to conduct a financial or performance audit of its accounts and records retained by it and paid from its public funds.
RECORDS AND REPORTS.—Provide for the keeping of all necessary records and the making of all needed or required reports, as follows:
Forms, blanks, and reports.—Require all employees to keep accurately all records and to make promptly in the proper form all reports required by law or by rules of the State Board of Education.
Reports to the department.—Require that the district school superintendent prepare all reports to the Department of Education that may be required by law or rules of the State Board of Education; see that all such reports are promptly transmitted to the department; withhold the further payment of salary to the superintendent or employee when notified by the department that he or she has failed to file any report within the time or in the manner prescribed; and continue to withhold the salary until the district school board is notified by the department that such report has been received and accepted, provided that when any report has not been received by the date due and after due notice has been given to the district school board of that fact, the department, if it deems necessary, may require the report to be prepared by a member of its staff, and the district school board shall pay all expenses connected therewith. Any member of the district school board who is responsible for the violation of this provision is subject to suspension and removal.
Reports to parents.—Require that, at regular intervals, reports are made by school principals or teachers to parents, apprising them of the progress being made by the students in their studies and giving other needful information.
COOPERATION WITH OTHER DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARDS.—May establish and participate in educational consortia that are designed to provide joint programs and services to cooperating school districts, consistent with the provisions of s. 4(b), Art. IX of the State Constitution. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules providing for the establishment, funding, administration, and operation of such consortia.
ENFORCEMENT OF LAW AND RULES.—Require that all laws and rules of the State Board of Education or of the district school board are properly enforced.
SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM.—Assume such responsibilities and exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be assigned to it by law or as may be required by rules of the State Board of Education or, as in the opinion of the district school board, are necessary to ensure school lunch services, consistent with needs of students; effective and efficient operation of the program; and the proper articulation of the school lunch program with other phases of education in the district.
PUBLIC INFORMATION AND PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM.—
Adopt procedures whereby the general public can be adequately informed of the educational programs, needs, and objectives of public education within the district, including educational opportunities available through the Florida Virtual School.
Adopt rules to strengthen family involvement and empowerment pursuant to s. 1002.23. The rules shall be developed in collaboration with school administrators, parents, teachers, and community partners.
Develop and disseminate a parent guide to successful student achievement which addresses what parents need to know about their child’s educational progress and how they can help their child to succeed in school.
Develop and disseminate a checklist for parents to assist parents in becoming involved in their child’s educational progress.
Encourage teachers and administrators to keep parents informed of student progress, student programs, student attendance requirements pursuant to ss. 1003.26, 1003.27, 414.1251, and 984.151, and availability of resources for academic assistance.
IMPLEMENT SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY.—Maintain a state system of school improvement and education accountability as provided by statute and State Board of Education rule. This system of school improvement and education accountability shall be consistent with, and implemented through, the district’s continuing system of planning and budgeting required by this section and ss. 1008.385, 1010.01, and 1011.01. This system of school improvement and education accountability shall comply with the provisions of ss. 1008.33, 1008.34, 1008.345, and 1008.385 and include the following:
School improvement plans.—The district school board shall annually approve and require implementation of a new, amended, or continuation school improvement plan for each school in the district.
Public disclosure.—The district school board shall provide information regarding the performance of students and educational programs as required pursuant to ss. 1008.22 and 1008.385 and implement a system of school reports as required by statute and State Board of Education rule which shall include schools operating for the purpose of providing educational services to youth in Department of Juvenile Justice programs, and for those schools, report on the elements specified in s. 1003.52(19). Annual public disclosure reports shall be in an easy-to-read report card format and shall include the school’s grade, high school graduation rate calculated without GED tests, disaggregated by student ethnicity, and performance data as specified in state board rule.
School improvement funds.—The district school board shall provide funds to schools for developing and implementing school improvement plans. Such funds shall include those funds appropriated for the purpose of school improvement pursuant to s. 24.121(5)(c).
LOCAL-LEVEL DECISIONMAKING.—
Adopt policies that clearly encourage and enhance maximum decisionmaking appropriate to the school site. Such policies must include guidelines for schools in the adoption and purchase of district and school site instructional materials and technology, the implementation of student health and fitness standards, staff training, school advisory council member training, student support services, budgeting, and the allocation of staff resources.
Adopt waiver process policies to enable all schools to exercise maximum flexibility and notify advisory councils of processes to waive school district and state policies.
Develop policies for periodically monitoring the membership composition of school advisory councils to ensure compliance with requirements established in s. 1001.452.
Adopt policies that assist in giving greater autonomy, including authority over the allocation of the school’s budget, to schools designated with a grade of “A,” making excellent progress, and schools rated as having improved at least two grades.
OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS.—Adopt policies allowing students attending schools that have been designated with a grade of “F,” failing to make adequate progress, for 2 school years in a 4-year period to attend a higher performing school in the district or an adjoining district or be granted a state opportunity scholarship to a private school, in conformance with s. 1002.38 and State Board of Education rule.
AUTHORITY TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.—May declare an emergency in cases in which one or more schools in the district are failing or are in danger of failing and negotiate special provisions of its contract with the appropriate bargaining units to free these schools from contract restrictions that limit the school’s ability to implement programs and strategies needed to improve student performance.
SCHOOL-WITHIN-A-SCHOOL.—In order to reduce the anonymity of students in large schools, adopt policies to encourage any large school to subdivide into schools-within-a-school that shall operate within existing resources in accordance with the provisions of chapter 1003.
FLORIDA VIRTUAL SCHOOL.—Provide students with access to enroll in courses available through the Florida Virtual School and award credit for successful completion of such courses. Access shall be available to students during or after the normal school day and through summer school enrollment.
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS.— A district school board may not enter into an employment contract that requires the district to pay from state funds an employee an amount in excess of 1 year of the employee’s annual salary for termination, buyout, or any other type of contract settlement. This subsection does not prohibit the payment of earned leave and benefits in accordance with the district’s leave and benefits policies which were accrued by the employee before the contract terminates.
ADOPT RULES.—Adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement this section.
s. 55, ch. 2002-387; s. 3, ch. 2003-118; s. 29, ch. 2003-391; s. 27, ch. 2004-41; s. 3, ch. 2004-255; s. 8, ch. 2004-333; s. 71, ch. 2004-357; s. 11, ch. 2006-74; s. 9, ch. 2008-108; s. 2, ch. 2009-3; s. 6, ch. 2009-59; s. 2, ch. 2009-144; s. 198, ch. 2010-102.
Supplemental powers and duties of district school board.
—The district school board may exercise the following supplemental powers and duties as authorized by this code or State Board of Education rule.
STUDENT MANAGEMENT.—The district school board may adopt programs and policies to ensure the safety and welfare of individuals, the student body, and school personnel, which programs and policies may:
Prohibit the possession of weapons and drugs on campus, student hazing, and other activities that could threaten the operation of the school or the safety and welfare of the student body or school personnel.
Require uniforms to be worn by the student body, or impose other dress-related requirements, if the district school board finds that those requirements are necessary for the safety or welfare of the student body or school personnel. However, students may wear sunglasses, hats, or other sun-protective wear while outdoors during school hours, such as when students are at recess.
Provide procedures for student dismissal precautions and for granting permission for students to leave school grounds during school hours, including releasing a student from school upon request by a parent or for public appearances of school groups.
Provide procedures for managing protests, demonstrations, sit-ins, walk-outs, or other acts of civil disobedience.
Provide procedures for detaining students and for readmission of students after expulsion.
Regulate student automobile use and parking.
FISCAL MANAGEMENT.—The district school board may adopt policies providing for fiscal management of the school district with respect to school purchasing, facilities, nonstate revenue sources, budgeting, fundraising, and other activities relating to the fiscal management of district resources, including, but not limited to, the policies governing:
Sales calls and demonstrations by agents, solicitors, salespersons, and vendors on campus; local preference criteria for vendors; specifications for quantity purchasing; prioritization of awards for bids; declining bid awards; and purchase requisitions, approvals, and routing.
Sales by booster clubs; marathon fundraisers; and student sales of candy, paper products, or other goods authorized by the district school board.
Inventory and disposal of district property; use of safe-deposit boxes; and selection of real estate appraisers.
Payment of contractors and other service providers.
Accounting systems; petty cash accounts procedures and reporting; school activities funds procedures and reporting; management and reporting of grants from private sources; and management of funds, including auxiliary enterprise funds.
District budgeting system, including setting budget deadlines and schedules, budget planning, and implementation and determination of budget priorities.
Use of federal funds to purchase food when federal program guidelines permit such use.
INSTRUCTIONAL AIDS.—The district school board may adopt policies providing for innovative teaching techniques, teaching programs and methods, instructional aids and objectives, extracurricular and interscholastic activities, and supplemental programs including, but not limited to, policies providing for:
Use of technology, including appropriate use of the Internet as a tool for learning.
Instructional priorities and objectives, pilot projects and evaluations, curriculum adoption and design, and lesson planning.
Extracurricular and interscholastic activities, including field trips, publishing a student newspaper and other publications, and special programs relating to the arts, music, or other topics of current interest.
Participation in physical education programs, including appropriate physical education attire and protective gear; programs for exceptional students; summer school; and the Title I program, including comparability procedures.
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT.—The district school board may adopt policies providing for management of the physical campus and its environs, including, but not limited to, energy conservation measures; building and ground maintenance; fencing, landscaping, and other property improvements; site acquisition; new construction and renovation; dedication and rededication or naming and renaming of district buildings and other district facilities; and development of facilities management planning and priorities.
SCHOOL COMMUNITY RELATIONS.—The district school board may adopt policies governing public gifts and donations to schools; input from the community concerning instruction resources; advertising in schools; participation in community affairs, including coordination with local governments and planning authorities; protocols for interagency agreements; business community partnerships; community use of school facilities; public solicitations in schools, including the distribution and posting of promotional materials and literature; visitors to the school campus; school advisory councils; and parent volunteers and chaperones.
LEGAL ISSUES.—The district school board may adopt policies and procedures necessary to implement federal mandates and programs, court orders, and other legal requirements of the state.
FIRST AID AND EMERGENCIES.—The district school board may adopt programs and policies to ensure appropriate response in emergency situations; the provision of first aid to individuals, the student body, and school personnel; and the effective management of student illness, which programs and policies may include, but are not limited to:
The provision of first aid and emergency medical care and the provision of school health care facilities and services.
The provision of school safety patrol.
Procedures for reporting hazards, including threats of nature, bomb threats, threatening messages, and similar occurrences, and the provision of warning systems including alarm systems and other technical devices.
Procedures for evacuating the classrooms, playground, or any other district facility.
Procedures for reporting accidents, including traffic accidents and traffic violations involving district-owned vehicles.
Student insurance programs.
STUDENT ASSESSMENT AND AFFAIRS.—The district school board may adopt policies and procedures governing attendance monitoring and checks; truancy; graduation requirements and graduation exercises; fees, fines, and charges imposed on students; evaluation of student records and transcripts; transfer of student records; grading and academic evaluation of students; tests and examinations, including early examinations; guidance and counseling; and student participation in competitions, student performances and exhibitions, contests for students, and social events.
ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES.—The district school board may adopt policies and procedures governing purchase of property insurance, including comprehensive general liability insurance; transportation of students for extracurricular activities and special events, including transportation of students in privately owned vehicles; transportation of district personnel, including personal use of district owned vehicles; computer security and computer room access and computer database resources; mail and delivery services, including use of couriers; copyright compliance; and computerized data systems, including computer use, transmission of data, access to the Internet, and other technology-based services.
DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD GOVERNANCE AND OPERATIONS.—The district school board may adopt policies and procedures necessary for the daily business operation of the district school board, including, but not limited to, the provision of legal services for the district school board; conducting a district legislative program; district school board member participation at conferences, conventions, and workshops, including member compensation and reimbursement for expenses; district school board policy development, adoption, and repeal; district school board meeting procedures, including participation via telecommunications networks, use of technology at meetings, and presentations by nondistrict personnel; citizen communications with the district school board and with individual district school board members; collaboration with local government and other entities as required by law; and organization of the district school board, including special committees and advisory committees.
PERSONNEL.—The district school board may adopt policies and procedures necessary for the management of all personnel of the school system.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING.—A district school board may use portions of school sites purchased within the guidelines of the State Requirements for Educational Facilities, land deemed not usable for educational purposes because of location or other factors, or land declared as surplus by the board to provide sites for affordable housing for teachers and other district personnel and, in areas of critical state concern, for other essential services personnel as defined by local affordable housing eligibility requirements, independently or in conjunction with other agencies as described in subsection (5).
COOPERATION WITH 1COMMUNITY COLLEGES.—The district school board shall work with the 1community colleges in the district to ensure that the 1community college students have access to remedial education.
RECOGNITION OF ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT.—
The Legislature recognizes the importance of promoting student academic achievement, motivating students to attain academic achievement, and providing positive acknowledgment for that achievement. It is the intent of the Legislature that school districts bestow the same level of recognition to the state’s academic scholars as to its athletic scholars.
The district school board is encouraged to adopt policies and procedures to provide for a student “Academic Scholarship Signing Day” by declaring the third Tuesday in April each year as “Academic Scholarship Signing Day.” The “Academic Scholarship Signing Day” shall recognize the outstanding academic achievement of high school seniors who sign a letter of intent to accept an academic scholarship offered to the student by a postsecondary educational institution. District school board policies and procedures may include, but need not be limited to, conducting assemblies or other appropriate public events in which students offered academic scholarships assemble and sign actual or ceremonial documents accepting those scholarships. The district school board may encourage holding such events in an assembly or gathering of the entire student body as a means of making academic success and recognition visible to all students.
s. 56, ch. 2002-387; s. 26, ch. 2006-69; s. 13, ch. 2006-301; s. 33, ch. 2009-96; s. 1, ch. 2010-203.
Section 21, ch. 2010-70, directs the Division of Statutory Revision to prepare a reviser’s bill to substitute the term “Florida College System institution” for the terms “Florida college,” “community college,” and “junior college” where those terms appear in the Florida K-20 Education Code.
K-12 foreign language curriculum; plan submittal.
—Each district school board shall develop a plan for a K-12 foreign language curriculum and must submit its plan to the Commissioner of Education by June 30, 2004.
s. 1061, ch. 2002-387.
Career centers.
—DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD MAY ESTABLISH OR ACQUIRE CAREER CENTERS.—Any district school board, after first obtaining the approval of the Department of Education, may, as a part of the district school system, organize, establish and operate a career center, or acquire and operate a career center previously established.
DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARDS OF CONTIGUOUS DISTRICTS MAY ESTABLISH OR ACQUIRE CAREER CENTERS.—The district school boards of any two or more contiguous districts may, upon first obtaining the approval of the department, enter into an agreement to organize, establish and operate, or acquire and operate, a career center under this section.
CAREER CENTER PART OF DISTRICT SCHOOL SYSTEM DIRECTED BY A DIRECTOR.—
A career center established or acquired under provisions of law and minimum standards prescribed by the commissioner shall comprise a part of the district school system and shall mean an educational institution offering terminal courses of a technical nature, and courses for out-of-school youth and adults; shall be subject to all applicable provisions of this code; shall be under the control of the district school board of the school district in which it is located; and shall be directed by a director responsible through the district school superintendent to the district school board of the school district in which the center is located.
Each career center shall maintain an academic transcript for each student enrolled in the center. Such transcript shall delineate each course completed by the student. Courses shall be delineated by the course prefix and title assigned pursuant to s. 1007.24. The center shall make a copy of a student’s transcript available to any student who requests it.
s. 57, ch. 2002-387; s. 72, ch. 2004-357.
Regional consortium service organizations.
—In order to provide a full range of programs to larger numbers of students, minimize duplication of services, and encourage the development of new programs and services:
School districts with 20,000 or fewer unweighted full-time equivalent students, developmental research (laboratory) schools established pursuant to s. 1002.32, and the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind may enter into cooperative agreements to form a regional consortium service organization. Each regional consortium service organization shall provide, at a minimum, three of the following services: exceptional student education; teacher education centers; environmental education; federal grant procurement and coordination; data processing; health insurance; risk management insurance; staff development; purchasing; or planning and accountability.
Each regional consortium service organization that consists of four or more school districts is eligible to receive, through the Department of Education, an incentive grant of $50,000 per school district and eligible member to be used for the delivery of services within the participating school districts. The determination of services and use of such funds shall be established by the board of directors of the regional consortium service organization. The funds shall be distributed to each regional consortium service organization no later than 30 days following the release of the funds to the department.
Application for incentive grants shall be made to the Commissioner of Education by July 30 of each year for distribution to qualifying regional consortium service organizations by January 1 of the fiscal year.
Notwithstanding paragraph (a), the appropriation for the 2010-2011 fiscal year may be less than $50,000 per school district and eligible member. If the amount appropriated is insufficient to provide $50,000, the funds available must be prorated among all eligible districts and members. This paragraph expires July 1, 2011.
In order to economically provide programs and services to participating school districts and members, a regional consortium service organization may establish purchasing and bidding programs, including construction and construction management arrangements, in lieu of individual school district bid arrangements pursuant to policies exercised by its member districts. Participation in regional consortium service organization bids shall be accomplished by action of an individual district school board through a letter of intent to participate and shall be reflected in official district school board minutes.
A regional consortium service organization board of directors may elect to establish a direct-support organization pursuant to s. 1001.453 which is independent of its fiscal agent district.
s. 58, ch. 2002-387; s. 3, ch. 2005-56; s. 2, ch. 2006-27; s. 17, ch. 2006-301; s. 3, ch. 2008-142; s. 7, ch. 2009-59; s. 4, ch. 2010-154.
District and school advisory councils.
—ESTABLISHMENT.—
The district school board shall establish an advisory council for each school in the district and shall develop procedures for the election and appointment of advisory council members. Each school advisory council shall include in its name the words “school advisory council.” The school advisory council shall be the sole body responsible for final decisionmaking at the school relating to implementation of ss. 1001.42(18) and 1008.345. A majority of the members of each school advisory council must be persons who are not employed by the school district. Each advisory council shall be composed of the principal and an appropriately balanced number of teachers, education support employees, students, parents, and other business and community citizens who are representative of the ethnic, racial, and economic community served by the school. Career center and high school advisory councils shall include students, and middle and junior high school advisory councils may include students. School advisory councils of career centers and adult education centers are not required to include parents as members. Council members representing teachers, education support employees, students, and parents shall be elected by their respective peer groups at the school in a fair and equitable manner as follows:
Teachers shall be elected by teachers.
Education support employees shall be elected by education support employees.
Students shall be elected by students.
Parents shall be elected by parents.
The district school board shall establish procedures to be used by schools in selecting business and community members that include means of ensuring wide notice of vacancies and of taking input on possible members from local business, chambers of commerce, community and civic organizations and groups, and the public at large. The district school board shall review the membership composition of each advisory council. If the district school board determines that the membership elected by the school is not representative of the ethnic, racial, and economic community served by the school, the district school board shall appoint additional members to achieve proper representation. The commissioner shall determine if schools have maximized their efforts to include on their advisory councils minority persons and persons of lower socioeconomic status. Although schools are strongly encouraged to establish school advisory councils, the district school board of any school district that has a student population of 10,000 or fewer may establish a district advisory council which includes at least one duly elected teacher from each school in the district. For the purposes of school advisory councils and district advisory councils, the term “teacher” includes classroom teachers, certified student services personnel, and media specialists. For purposes of this paragraph, “education support employee” means any person employed by a school who is not defined as instructional or administrative personnel pursuant to s. 1012.01 and whose duties require 20 or more hours in each normal working week.
The district school board may establish a district advisory council representative of the district and composed of teachers, students, parents, and other citizens or a district advisory council that may be comprised of representatives of each school advisory council. Recognized schoolwide support groups that meet all criteria established by law or rule may function as school advisory councils.
For those schools operating for the purpose of providing educational services to youth in Department of Juvenile Justice programs, district school boards may establish a district advisory council with appropriate representatives for the purpose of developing and monitoring a district school improvement plan that encompasses all such schools in the district, pursuant to s. 1001.42(18)(a).
Each school advisory council shall adopt bylaws establishing procedures for:
Requiring a quorum to be present before a vote may be taken by the school advisory council. A majority of the membership of the council constitutes a quorum.
Requiring at least 3 days’ advance notice in writing to all members of the advisory council of any matter that is scheduled to come before the council for a vote.
Scheduling meetings when parents, students, teachers, businesspersons, and members of the community can attend.
Replacing any member who has two unexcused consecutive absences from a school advisory council meeting that is noticed according to the procedures in the bylaws.
Recording minutes of meetings.
The district school board may review all proposed bylaws of a school advisory council and shall maintain a record of minutes of council meetings.
DUTIES.—Each advisory council shall perform functions prescribed by regulations of the district school board; however, no advisory council shall have any of the powers and duties now reserved by law to the district school board. Each school advisory council shall assist in the preparation and evaluation of the school improvement plan required pursuant to s. 1001.42(18). With technical assistance from the Department of Education, each school advisory council shall assist in the preparation of the school’s annual budget and plan as required by s. 1008.385(1). A portion of funds provided in the annual General Appropriations Act for use by school advisory councils must be used for implementing the school improvement plan.
s. 1, ch. 2002-49; s. 59, ch. 2002-387; s. 73, ch. 2004-357; s. 10, ch. 2008-108; s. 5, ch. 2008-235.
Direct-support organization; use of property; board of directors; audit.
—DEFINITIONS.—For the purposes of this section, the term:
“District school board direct-support organization” means an organization that:
Is approved by the district school board;
Is a Florida corporation not for profit, incorporated under the provisions of chapter 617 and approved by the Department of State; and
Is organized and operated exclusively to receive, hold, invest, and administer property and to make expenditures to or for the benefit of public kindergarten through 12th grade education and adult career and community education programs in this state.
“Personal services” includes full-time or part-time personnel, as well as payroll processing.
USE OF PROPERTY.—A district school board:
Is authorized to permit the use of property, facilities, and personal services of the district by a direct-support organization, subject to the provisions of this section.
Shall prescribe by rule conditions with which a district school board direct-support organization must comply in order to use property, facilities, or personal services of the district. Adoption of such rules shall be coordinated with the Department of Education. The rules shall provide for budget and audit review and oversight by the district school board and the department.
Shall not permit the use of property, facilities, or personal services of a direct-support organization if such organization does not provide equal employment opportunities to all persons, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS.—The board of directors of the district school board direct-support organization shall be approved by the district school board.
ANNUAL AUDIT.—Each direct-support organization with more than $100,000 in expenditures or expenses shall provide for an annual financial audit of its accounts and records, to be conducted by an independent certified public accountant in accordance with rules adopted by the Auditor General pursuant to s. 11.45(8) and the Commissioner of Education. The annual audit report shall be submitted within 9 months after the fiscal year’s end to the district school board and the Auditor General. The Commissioner of Education, the Auditor General, and the Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability have the authority to require and receive from the organization or the district auditor any records relative to the operation of the organization. The identity of donors and all information identifying donors and prospective donors are confidential and exempt from the provisions of s. 119.07(1), and that anonymity shall be maintained in the auditor’s report. All other records and information shall be considered public records for the purposes of chapter 119.
s. 60, ch. 2002-387; s. 74, ch. 2004-357.
District School Superintendents
District school superintendent; election and term of office.
—The district school superintendent shall be elected for a term of 4 years or until the election or appointment and qualification of his or her successor.
s. 62, ch. 2002-387.
District school superintendent; procedures for making office appointive.
—Pursuant to the provisions of s. 5, Art. IX of the State Constitution, the district school superintendent shall be appointed by the district school board in a school district wherein the proposition is affirmed by a majority of the qualified electors voting in the same election making the office of district school superintendent appointive.
To submit the proposition to the electors, the district school board by formal resolution shall request an election that shall be at a general election or a statewide primary or special election. The board of county commissioners, upon such timely request from the district school board, shall cause to be placed on the ballot at such election the proposition to make the office of district school superintendent appointive.
Any district adopting the appointive method for its district school superintendent may after 4 years return to its former status and reject the provisions of this section by following the same procedure outlined in subsection (2) for adopting the provisions thereof.
s. 63, ch. 2002-387.
Oath of district school superintendent.
—Before entering upon the duties of his or her office, the district school superintendent shall take the oath of office prescribed by the State Constitution.
s. 64, ch. 2002-387.
Vacancy in office of district school superintendent.
—The office of district school superintendent in any district shall be vacant when the district school superintendent removes his or her residence from the district.
s. 65, ch. 2002-387.
District school superintendent to devote full time to office.
—The position of district school superintendent shall be considered a full-time position.
s. 66, ch. 2002-387.
District school superintendent; salary.
—Each elected district school superintendent shall receive as salary the amount indicated pursuant to this section. However, a district school board, by majority vote, may approve a salary in excess of the amount specified in this section.
Each elected district school superintendent shall receive a base salary, the amounts indicated in this subsection, based on the population of the county the elected superintendent serves. In addition, compensation shall be made for population increments over the minimum for each population group, which shall be determined by multiplying the population in excess of the minimum for the group times the group rate. The product of such calculation shall be added to the base salary to determine the adjusted base salary. Laws that increase the base salary provided in this subsection shall contain provisions on no other subject.
Pop. Group | County Pop. Range | Base Salary | Group Rate | |
Minimum | Maximum | |||
I | -0- | 49,999 | $21,250 | $0.07875 |
II | 50,000 | 99,999 | 24,400 | 0.06300 |
III | 100,000 | 199,999 | 27,550 | 0.02625 |
IV | 200,000 | 399,999 | 30,175 | 0.01575 |
V | 400,000 | 999,999 | 33,325 | 0.00525 |
VI | 1,000,000 | 36,475 | 0.00400 | |
The adjusted base salaries of elected district school superintendents shall be increased annually as provided for in s. 145.19. Any salary previously paid to elected superintendents, including the salary calculated for fiscal years 2002-2003 and 2003-2004, which was consistent with chapter 145 and s. 230.303, Florida Statutes (2001), is hereby ratified and validated.
There shall be an additional $2,000 per year special qualification salary paid by district school boards for each elected district school superintendent who has met the certification requirements established by the Department of Education. Any elected district school superintendent who is certified during a calendar year shall receive in that year a pro rata share of the special qualification salary based on the remaining period of the year.
In order to qualify for the special qualification salary provided by paragraph (a), the elected district school superintendent must complete the requirements established by the Department of Education within 6 years after first taking office.
After an elected district school superintendent meets the requirements of paragraph (a), in order to remain certified the district school superintendent shall thereafter be required to complete each year a course of continuing education as prescribed by the Department of Education.
The Department of Education shall provide a leadership development and performance compensation program for elected district school superintendents, comparable to chief executive officer development programs for corporate executive officers, to include:
A content-knowledge-and-skills phase consisting of: creative leadership models and theory, demonstration of effective practice, simulation exercises and personal skills practice, and assessment with feedback, taught in a professional training setting under the direction of experienced, successful trainers.
A competency-acquisition phase consisting of on-the-job application of knowledge and skills for a period of not less than 6 months following the successful completion of the content-knowledge-and-skills phase. The competency-acquisition phase shall be supported by adequate professional technical assistance provided by experienced trainers approved by the department. Competency acquisition shall be demonstrated through assessment and feedback.
Upon the successful completion of both phases and demonstrated successful performance, as determined by the department, an elected district school superintendent shall be issued a Chief Executive Officer Leadership Development Certificate, and the department shall pay an annual performance salary incentive of not less than $3,000 nor more than $7,500 based upon his or her performance evaluation.
An elected district school superintendent’s eligibility to continue receiving the annual performance salary incentive is contingent upon his or her continued performance assessment and followup training prescribed by the department.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this section and s. 145.19, elected district school superintendents may reduce their salary rate on a voluntary basis.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this section and s. 145.19, for the 2009-2010 fiscal year the salary of each elected district school superintendent calculated pursuant to this section shall be reduced by 2 percent.
s. 67, ch. 2002-387; s. 28, ch. 2004-41; s. 1, ch. 2006-301; s. 8, ch. 2009-59.
Secretary and executive officer of the district school board.
—The district school superintendent shall be the secretary and executive officer of the district school board, provided that when the district school superintendent is required to be absent on account of performing services in the volunteer forces of the United States or in the National Guard of the state or in the regular Army or Navy of the United States, when said district school superintendent shall be called into active training or service of the United States under an Act of Congress or pursuant to a proclamation by the President of the United States, the district school superintendent shall then be entitled to a leave of absence not to exceed the remaining portion of the term for which he or she was elected.
s. 68, ch. 2002-387.
General powers of district school superintendent.
—The district school superintendent shall have the authority, and when necessary for the more efficient and adequate operation of the district school system, the district school superintendent shall exercise the following powers:
GENERAL OVERSIGHT.—Exercise general oversight over the district school system in order to determine problems and needs, and recommend improvements.
ADVISE, COUNSEL, AND RECOMMEND TO DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD.—Advise and counsel with the district school board on all educational matters and recommend to the district school board for action such matters as should be acted upon.
RECOMMEND POLICIES.—Recommend to the district school board for adoption such policies pertaining to the district school system as the district school superintendent may consider necessary for its more efficient operation.
RECOMMEND AND EXECUTE RULES.—Prepare and organize by subjects and submit to the district school board for adoption such rules to supplement those adopted by the State Board of Education as, in the district school superintendent’s opinion, will contribute to the efficient operation of any aspect of education in the district. When rules have been adopted, the district school superintendent shall see that they are executed.
RECOMMEND AND EXECUTE MINIMUM STANDARDS.—From time to time prepare, organize by subject, and submit to the district school board for adoption such minimum standards relating to the operation of any phase of the district school system as are needed to supplement those adopted by the State Board of Education and as will contribute to the efficient operation of any aspect of education in the district and ensure that minimum standards adopted by the district school board and the state board are observed.
PERFORM DUTIES AND EXERCISE RESPONSIBILITIES.—Perform such duties and exercise such responsibilities as are assigned to the district school superintendent by law and by rules of the State Board of Education.
s. 69, ch. 2002-387.
Superintendents employed under Art. IX of the State Constitution.
—In every district authorized to employ a district school superintendent under Art. IX of the State Constitution, the district school superintendent shall be the executive officer of the district school board and shall not be subject to the provisions of law, either general or special, relating to tenure of employment or contracts of other school personnel. The district school superintendent’s duties relating to the district school system shall be as provided by law and rules of the State Board of Education.
The district school board of each of such districts shall enter into contracts of employment with the district school superintendent and shall adopt rules relating to his or her appointment; however, the district school board may not enter into an employment contract that requires the district to pay from state funds a superintendent an amount in excess of 1 year of the superintendent’s annual salary for termination, buyout, or any other type of contract settlement. This subsection does not prohibit the payment of earned leave and benefits in accordance with the district’s leave and benefits policies which were accrued by the superintendent before the contract terminates.
The district school board of each such district shall pay to the district school superintendent a reasonable annual salary. In determining the amount of compensation to be paid, the board shall take into account such factors as:
The population of the district.
The rate and character of population growth.
The size and composition of the student body to be served.
The geographic extent of the district.
The number and character of the schools to be supervised.
The educational qualifications and professional experience of the candidate for the position of district school superintendent.
A district school superintendent employed under the terms of this section may participate in the courses of continuing professional education provided in the special qualification certification program pursuant to s. 1001.47(4) and the leadership development and performance compensation program pursuant to s. 1001.47(5), as established by the department. Upon successful completion of the certification requirements for one or both of these programs, the district school board may use such certification or certifications as a factor in determining the amount of compensation to be paid.
Notwithstanding any other law, resolution, or rule to the contrary, a district school superintendent employed under this section may not receive more than $225,000 in remuneration annually from state funds. As used in this subsection, the term “remuneration” means salary, bonuses, and cash-equivalent compensation paid to a district school superintendent by his or her employer for work performed, excluding health insurance benefits and retirement benefits. Only compensation, as defined in s. 121.021(22), provided to a district school superintendent may be used in calculating benefits under chapter 121.
District school boards and superintendents employed pursuant to this section are encouraged to review the superintendent’s annual remuneration for the 2009-2010 fiscal year and mutually agree to a reduction of at least 5 percent.
s. 70, ch. 2002-387; s. 29, ch. 2004-41; s. 2, ch. 2006-301; s. 3, ch. 2009-3; s. 9, ch. 2009-59.
Duties and responsibilities of district school superintendent.
—The district school superintendent shall exercise all powers and perform all duties listed below and elsewhere in the law, provided that, in so doing, he or she shall advise and counsel with the district school board. The district school superintendent shall perform all tasks necessary to make sound recommendations, nominations, proposals, and reports required by law to be acted upon by the district school board. All such recommendations, nominations, proposals, and reports by the district school superintendent shall be either recorded in the minutes or shall be made in writing, noted in the minutes, and filed in the public records of the district school board. It shall be presumed that, in the absence of the record required in this section, the recommendations, nominations, and proposals required of the district school superintendent were not contrary to the action taken by the district school board in such matters.
ASSIST IN ORGANIZATION OF DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD.—Preside at the organization meeting of the district school board and transmit to the Department of Education, within 2 weeks following such meeting, a certified copy of the proceedings of organization, including the schedule of regular meetings, and the names and addresses of district school officials.
REGULAR AND SPECIAL MEETINGS OF THE DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD.—Attend all regular meetings of the district school board, call special meetings when emergencies arise, and advise, but not vote, on questions under consideration.
RECORDS FOR THE DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD.—Keep minutes of all official actions and proceedings of the district school board and keep such other records, including records of property held or disposed of by the district school board, as may be necessary to provide complete information regarding the district school system.
SCHOOL PROPERTY.—Act for the district school board as custodian of school property.
SCHOOL PROGRAM; PREPARE PLANS.—Supervise the assembling of data and sponsor studies and surveys essential to the development of a planned school program for the entire district and prepare and recommend such a program to the district school board as the basis for operating the district school system.
ESTABLISHMENT, ORGANIZATION, AND OPERATION OF SCHOOLS, CLASSES, AND SERVICES.—Recommend the establishment, organization, and operation of such schools, classes, and services as are needed to provide adequate educational opportunities for all children in the district.
PERSONNEL.—Be responsible, as required herein, for directing the work of the personnel, subject to the requirements of chapter 1012.
COURSES OF STUDY AND OTHER INSTRUCTIONAL AIDS.—Recommend such plans for improving, providing, distributing, accounting for, and caring for textbooks and other instructional aids as will result in general improvement of the district school system, as prescribed in chapter 1006.
TRANSPORTATION OF STUDENTS.—Provide for student transportation as prescribed in s. 1006.21.
SCHOOL PLANT.—Recommend plans, and execute such plans as are approved, regarding all phases of the school plant program, as prescribed in chapter 1013.
FINANCE.—Recommend measures to the district school board to assure adequate educational facilities throughout the district, in accordance with the financial procedure authorized in chapters 1010 and 1011 and as prescribed below:
Plan for operating all schools for minimum term.—Determine and recommend district funds necessary in addition to state funds to provide for at least a 180-day school term or the equivalent on an hourly basis as specified by rules adopted by the State Board of Education and recommend plans for ensuring the operation of all schools for the term authorized by the district school board.
Annual budget.—Prepare the annual school budget to be submitted to the district school board for adoption according to law and submit this budget, when adopted by the district school board, to the Department of Education on or before the date required by rules of the State Board of Education.
Tax levies.—Recommend to the district school board, on the basis of the needs shown by the budget, the amount of district school tax levy necessary to provide the district school funds needed for the maintenance of the public schools; recommend to the district school board the tax levy required on the basis of the needs shown in the budget for the district bond interest and sinking fund of each district; and recommend to the district school board to be included on the ballot at each district millage election the school district tax levies necessary to carry on the school program.
School funds.—Keep an accurate account of all funds that should be transmitted to the district school board for school purposes at various periods during the year and ensure, insofar as possible, that these funds are transmitted promptly and report promptly to the district school board any delinquencies or delays that occur in making available any funds that should be made available for school purposes.
Borrowing money.—Recommend when necessary the borrowing of money as prescribed by law.
Financial records and accounting.—Keep or have kept accurate records of all financial transactions.
Payrolls and accounts.—Maintain accurate and current statements of accounts due to be paid by the district school board; certify these statements as correct; liquidate district school board obligations in accordance with the official budget and rules of the district school board; and prepare periodic reports as required by rules of the State Board of Education, showing receipts, balances, and disbursements to date, and file copies of such periodic reports with the Department of Education.
Bonds for employees.—Recommend the bonds of all school employees who should be bonded in order to provide reasonable safeguards for all school funds or property.
Contracts.—After study of the feasibility of contractual services with industry, recommend to the district school board the desirable terms, conditions, and specifications for contracts for supplies, materials, or services to be rendered and see that materials, supplies, or services are provided according to contract.
Investment policies.—After careful examination, recommend policies to the district school board that will provide for the investment or deposit of school funds not needed for immediate expenditures which shall earn the maximum possible yield under the circumstances on such investments or deposits. The district school superintendent shall cause to be invested at all times all school moneys not immediately needed for expenditures pursuant to the policies of the district school board.
Protection against loss.—Recommend programs and procedures to the district school board necessary to protect the school system adequately against loss or damage to school property or against loss resulting from any liability for which the district school board or its officers, agents, or employees may be responsible under law.
Millage elections.—Recommend plans and procedures for holding and supervising all school district millage elections.
Budgets and expenditures.—Prepare, after consulting with the principals of the various schools, tentative annual budgets for the expenditure of district funds for the benefit of public school students of the district.
Bonds.—Recommend the amounts of bonds to be issued in the district and assist in the preparation of the necessary papers for an election to determine whether the proposed bond issue will be approved by the electors and, if such bond issue be approved by the electors, recommend plans for the sale of bonds and for the proper expenditure of the funds derived therefrom.
RECORDS AND REPORTS.—Recommend such records as should be kept in addition to those prescribed by rules of the State Board of Education; prepare forms for keeping such records as are approved by the district school board; ensure that such records are properly kept; and make all reports that are needed or required, as follows:
Forms, blanks, and reports.—Require that all employees accurately keep all records and promptly make in proper form all reports required by the education code or by rules of the State Board of Education; recommend the keeping of such additional records and the making of such additional reports as may be deemed necessary to provide data essential for the operation of the school system; and prepare such forms and blanks as may be required and ensure that these records and reports are properly prepared.
Reports to the department.—Prepare, for the approval of the district school board, all reports required by law or rules of the State Board of Education to be made to the department and transmit promptly all such reports, when approved, to the department, as required by law. If any reports are not transmitted at the time and in the manner prescribed by law or by State Board of Education rules, the salary of the district school superintendent must be withheld until the report has been properly submitted. Unless otherwise provided by rules of the State Board of Education, the annual report on attendance and personnel is due on or before July 1, and the annual school budget and the report on finance are due on the date prescribed by the commissioner.
Any district school superintendent who knowingly signs and transmits to any state official a report that the superintendent knows to be false or incorrect; who knowingly fails to investigate any allegation of misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators, as defined in s. 1012.01, which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student; or who knowingly fails to report the alleged misconduct to the department as required in s. 1012.796, forfeits his or her salary for 1 year following the date of such act or failure to act.
COOPERATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES.—
Cooperation with governmental agencies in enforcement of laws and rules.—Recommend plans for cooperating with, and, on the basis of approved plans, cooperate with federal, state, county, and municipal agencies in the enforcement of laws and rules pertaining to all matters relating to education and child welfare.
Identifying and reporting names of migratory children, other information.—Recommend plans for identifying and reporting to the Department of Education the name of each child in the school district who qualifies according to the definition of a migratory child, based on Pub. L. No. 95-561, and for reporting such other information as may be prescribed by the department.
ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS AND RULES.—Require that all laws and rules of the State Board of Education, as well as supplementary rules of the district school board, are properly observed and report to the district school board any violation that the district school superintendent does not succeed in having corrected.
COOPERATE WITH DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD.—Cooperate with the district school board in every manner practicable to the end that the district school system may continuously be improved.
VISITATION OF SCHOOLS.—Visit the schools; observe the management and instruction; give suggestions for improvement; and advise supervisors, principals, teachers, and other citizens with the view of promoting interest in education and improving the school conditions of the district.
CONFERENCES, INSTITUTES, AND STUDY COURSES.—Call and conduct institutes and conferences with employees of the district school board, school patrons, and other interested citizens; organize and direct study and extension courses for employees, advising them as to their professional studies; and assist patrons and people generally in acquiring knowledge of the aims, services, and needs of the schools.
PROFESSIONAL AND GENERAL IMPROVEMENT.—Attend such conferences for district school superintendents as may be called or scheduled by the Department of Education and avail himself or herself of means of professional and general improvement so that he or she may function most efficiently.
RECOMMEND REVOKING CERTIFICATES.—Recommend in writing to the Department of Education the revoking of any certificate for good cause, including a full statement of the reason for the district school superintendent’s recommendation.
MAKE RECORDS AVAILABLE TO SUCCESSOR.—Leave with the district school board and make available to his or her successor, upon retiring from office, a complete inventory of school equipment and other property, together with all official records and such other records as may be needed in supervising instruction and in administering the district school system.
RECOMMEND PROCEDURES FOR INFORMING GENERAL PUBLIC.—Recommend to the district school board procedures whereby the general public can be adequately informed of the educational programs, needs, and objectives of public education within the district.
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY.—Recommend procedures for implementing and maintaining a system of school improvement and education accountability as provided by statute and State Board of Education rule.
PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT.—Fully support and cooperate in the implementation of s. 1002.23.
ORDERLY CLASSROOMS AND SCHOOL BUSES.—Fully support the authority of each teacher and school bus driver to remove disobedient, disrespectful, violent, abusive, uncontrollable, or disruptive students from the classroom and the school bus and the authority of the school principal to place such students in an alternative educational setting, when appropriate and available.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.—Perform such other duties as are assigned to the district school superintendent by law or by rules of the State Board of Education.
s. 71, ch. 2002-387; s. 4, ch. 2003-118; s. 30, ch. 2003-391; s. 30, ch. 2004-41; s. 12, ch. 2006-74; s. 11, ch. 2008-108.
Reproduction and destruction of district school records.
—The purpose of this section is to reduce the present space required by the district school systems for the storage of their records and to permit the district school superintendent to administer the affairs of the district school system more efficiently.
After complying with the provisions of s. 257.37, the district school superintendent may photograph, microphotograph, or reproduce documents, records, data, and information of a permanent character which in his or her discretion he or she may select, and the district school superintendent may destroy any of the said documents after they have been reproduced and after audit of the district school superintendent’s office has been completed for the period embracing the dates of said instruments. Information made in compliance with the provisions of this section shall have the same force and effect as the originals thereof would have, and shall be treated as originals for the purpose of their admissibility into evidence. Duly certified or authenticated reproductions shall be admitted into evidence equally with the originals.
After complying with the provisions of s. 257.37, the district school superintendent may, in his or her discretion, destroy general correspondence that is over 3 years old and other records, papers, and documents over 3 years old that do not serve as part of an agreement or understanding and do not have value as permanent records.
s. 72, ch. 2002-387.
District school superintendent responsible for enforcement of attendance.
—The district school superintendent shall be responsible for the enforcement of the attendance provisions of chapters 1003 and 1006. In a district in which no attendance assistant is employed, the district school superintendent shall have those duties and responsibilities and exercise those powers assigned by law to attendance assistants.
s. 73, ch. 2002-387.
School Principals
Duties of school principals.
—A district school board shall employ, through written contract, public school principals.
The school principal has authority over school district personnel in accordance with s. 1012.28.
The school principal shall fully support the authority of each teacher and school bus driver to remove disobedient, disrespectful, violent, abusive, uncontrollable, or disruptive students from the classroom and the school bus and, when appropriate and available, place such students in an alternative educational setting.
Each school principal shall provide instructional leadership in the development, revision, and implementation of a school improvement plan pursuant to s. 1001.42(18).
Each school principal must make the necessary provisions to ensure that all school reports are accurate and timely, and must provide the necessary training opportunities for staff to accurately report attendance, FTE program participation, student performance, teacher appraisal, and school safety and discipline data.
Each school principal is responsible for the management and care of instructional materials, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 1006.
Each school principal shall fully support and cooperate in the implementation of s. 1002.23.
s. 75, ch. 2002-387; s. 5, ch. 2003-118; s. 31, ch. 2003-391; s. 13, ch. 2006-74; s. 12, ch. 2008-108.
FLORIDA COLLEGE SYSTEM INSTITUTIONS
Florida College System.
—PURPOSES.—In order to maximize open access for students, respond to community needs for postsecondary academic education and career degree education, and provide associate and baccalaureate degrees that will best meet the state’s employment needs, the Legislature establishes a system of governance for the Florida College System.
FLORIDA COLLEGE SYSTEM.—There shall be a single Florida College System comprised of the 1Florida colleges identified in s. 1000.21(3). A 1Florida college may not offer graduate degree programs.
The programs and services offered by1 Florida colleges in providing associate and baccalaureate degrees shall be delivered in a cost-effective manner that demonstrates substantial savings to the student and to the state over the cost of providing the degree at a state university.
With the approval of its district board of trustees, a 1Florida college may change the institution’s name set forth in s. 1000.21(3) and use the designation “college” or “state college” if it has been authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees pursuant to s. 1007.33 and has been accredited as a baccalaureate-degree-granting institution by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
With the approval of its district board of trustees, a 1Florida college that does not meet the criteria in subparagraph 1. may request approval from the State Board of Education to change the institution’s name set forth in s. 1000.21(3) and use the designation “college.” The State Board of Education may approve the request if the 1Florida college enters into an agreement with the State Board of Education to do the following:
Maintain as its primary mission responsibility for responding to community needs for postsecondary academic education and career degree education as prescribed in s. 1004.65(5).
Maintain an open-door admissions policy for associate-level degree programs and workforce education programs.
Continue to provide outreach to underserved populations.
Continue to provide remedial education.
Comply with all provisions of the statewide articulation agreement that relate to 2-year and 4-year public degree-granting institutions as adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant to s. 1007.23.
A district board of trustees that approves a change to the name of an institution under paragraph (b) must seek statutory codification of such name change in s. 1000.21(3) during the next regular legislative session.
A 1Florida college may not use the designation “university.”
LOCAL BOARDS OF TRUSTEES.—Each institution within the Florida College System shall be governed by a local board of trustees as provided in s. 1001.64. The membership of each local board of trustees shall be as provided in s. 1001.61.
s. 2, ch. 2008-52; s. 3, ch. 2009-228.
Section 21, ch. 2010-70, directs the Division of Statutory Revision to prepare a reviser’s bill to substitute the term “Florida College System institution” for the terms “Florida college,” “community college,” and “junior college” where those terms appear in the Florida K-20 Education Code.
1Community college boards of trustees; membership.
—1Community college boards of trustees shall be comprised of five members when a 1community college district is confined to one school board district; seven members when a 1community college district is confined to one school board district and the board of trustees so elects; and not more than nine members when the district contains two or more school board districts, as provided by rules of the State Board of Education. However, Florida State College at Jacksonville shall have an odd number of trustees.
Trustees shall be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate in regular session.
Members of the board of trustees shall receive no compensation but may receive reimbursement for expenses as provided in s. 112.061.
At its first regular meeting after July 1 of each year, each 1community college board of trustees shall organize by electing a chair, whose duty as such is to preside at all meetings of the board, to call special meetings thereof, and to attest to actions of the board, and a vice chair, whose duty as such is to act as chair during the absence or disability of the elected chair. It is the further duty of the chair of each board of trustees to notify the Governor, in writing, whenever a board member fails to attend three consecutive regular board meetings in any one fiscal year, which absences may be grounds for removal.
A 1community college president shall serve as the executive officer and corporate secretary of the board of trustees and shall be responsible to the board of trustees for setting the agenda for meetings of the board of trustees in consultation with the chair. The president also serves as the chief administrative officer of the 1community college, and all the components of the institution and all aspects of its operation are responsible to the board of trustees through the president.
s. 77, ch. 2002-387; s. 10, ch. 2009-228.
Section 21, ch. 2010-70, directs the Division of Statutory Revision to prepare a reviser’s bill to substitute the term “Florida College System institution” for the terms “Florida college,” “community college,” and “junior college” where those terms appear in the Florida K-20 Education Code.
Transfer of benefits arising under local or special acts.
—All local or special acts in force on July 1, 1968, that provide benefits for a 1community college through a district school board shall continue in full force and effect, and such benefits shall be transmitted to the 1community college board of trustees.
s. 78, ch. 2002-387.
Section 21, ch. 2010-70, directs the Division of Statutory Revision to prepare a reviser’s bill to substitute the term “Florida College System institution” for the terms “Florida college,” “community college,” and “junior college” where those terms appear in the Florida K-20 Education Code.
1Community college board of trustees; board of trustees to constitute a corporation.
—Each 1community college board of trustees is constituted a body corporate by the name of “The District Board of Trustees of (name of 1community college) , Florida” with all the powers and duties of a body corporate, including the power to adopt a corporate seal, to contract and be contracted with, to sue or be sued, to plead and be impleaded in all courts of law or equity, and to give and receive donations. In all suits against a board of trustees, service of process shall be made on the chair of the board of trustees or, in the absence of the chair, the corporate secretary or designee of the chair.
s. 79, ch. 2002-387.
Section 21, ch. 2010-70, directs the Division of Statutory Revision to prepare a reviser’s bill to substitute the term “Florida College System institution” for the terms “Florida college,” “community college,” and “junior college” where those terms appear in the Florida K-20 Education Code.
1Community college boards of trustees; powers and duties.
—The boards of trustees shall be responsible for cost-effective policy decisions appropriate to the 1community college’s mission, the implementation and maintenance of high-quality education programs within law and rules of the State Board of Education, the measurement of performance, the reporting of information, and the provision of input regarding state policy, budgeting, and education standards.
Each board of trustees is vested with the responsibility to govern its respective 1community college and with such necessary authority as is needed for the proper operation and improvement thereof in accordance with rules of the State Board of Education.
A board of trustees shall have the power to take action without a recommendation from the president and shall have the power to require the president to deliver to the board of trustees all data and information required by the board of trustees in the performance of its duties.
The board of trustees, after considering recommendations submitted by the 1community college president, may adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the provisions of law conferring duties upon it. These rules may supplement those prescribed by the State Board of Education if they will contribute to the more orderly and efficient operation of 1community colleges.
Each board of trustees is specifically authorized to adopt rules, procedures, and policies, consistent with law and rules of the State Board of Education, related to its mission and responsibilities as set forth in s. 1004.65, its governance, personnel, budget and finance, administration, programs, curriculum and instruction, buildings and grounds, travel and purchasing, technology, students, contracts and grants, or college property.
Each board of trustees shall have responsibility for the use, maintenance, protection, and control of 1community college owned or 1community college controlled buildings and grounds, property and equipment, name, trademarks and other proprietary marks, and the financial and other resources of the 1community college. Such authority may include placing restrictions on activities and on access to facilities, firearms, food, tobacco, alcoholic beverages, distribution of printed materials, commercial solicitation, animals, and sound.
Each board of trustees has responsibility for the establishment and discontinuance of program and course offerings in accordance with law and rule; provision for instructional and noninstructional community services, location of classes, and services provided; and dissemination of information concerning such programs and services. New programs must be approved pursuant to s. 1004.03.
Each board of trustees has responsibility for: ensuring that students have access to general education courses as identified in rule; requiring no more than 60 semester hours of degree program coursework, including 36 semester hours of general education coursework, for an associate in arts degree; notifying students that earned hours in excess of 60 semester hours may not be accepted by state universities; notifying students of unique program prerequisites; and ensuring that degree program coursework beyond general education coursework is consistent with degree program prerequisite requirements adopted pursuant to s. 1007.25(5).
Each board of trustees has authority for policies related to students, enrollment of students, student records, student activities, financial assistance, and other student services.
Each board of trustees shall govern admission of students pursuant to s. 1007.263 and rules of the State Board of Education. A board of trustees may establish additional admissions criteria, which shall be included in the district interinstitutional articulation agreement developed according to s. 1007.235, to ensure student readiness for postsecondary instruction. Each board of trustees may consider the past actions of any person applying for admission or enrollment and may deny admission or enrollment to an applicant because of misconduct if determined to be in the best interest of the 1community college.
Each board of trustees shall adopt rules establishing student performance standards for the award of degrees and certificates pursuant to s. 1004.68.
Boards of trustees are authorized to establish intrainstitutional and interinstitutional programs to maximize articulation pursuant to s. 1007.22.
Boards of trustees shall identify their core curricula, which shall include courses required by the State Board of Education, pursuant to the provisions of s. 1007.25(6).
Each board of trustees must adopt a written antihazing policy, provide a program for the enforcement of such rules, and adopt appropriate penalties for violations of such rules pursuant to the provisions of s. 1006.63.
Each board of trustees may establish a uniform code of conduct and appropriate penalties for violation of its rules by students and student organizations, including rules governing student academic honesty. Such penalties, unless otherwise provided by law, may include fines, the withholding of diplomas or transcripts pending compliance with rules or payment of fines, and the imposition of probation, suspension, or dismissal.
Each board of trustees pursuant to s. 1006.53 shall adopt a policy in accordance with rules of the State Board of Education that reasonably accommodates the religious observance, practice, and belief of individual students in regard to admissions, class attendance, and the scheduling of examinations and work assignments.
A board of trustees may contract with the board of trustees of a state university for the 1community college to provide college-preparatory instruction on the state university campus.
Each board of trustees shall establish fees pursuant to ss. 1009.22, 1009.23, 1009.25, 1009.26, and 1009.27.
Each board of trustees shall submit an institutional budget request, including a request for fixed capital outlay, and an operating budget to the State Board of Education for approval in accordance with guidelines established by the State Board of Education.
Each board of trustees shall account for expenditures of all state, local, federal and other funds in the manner described by the Department of Education.
Each board of trustees is responsible for the uses for the proceeds of academic improvement trust funds pursuant to s. 1011.85.
Each board of trustees shall develop a strategic plan specifying institutional goals and objectives for the 1community college for recommendation to the State Board of Education.
Each board of trustees shall develop an accountability plan pursuant to s. 1008.45.
Each board of trustees must expend performance funds provided for workforce education pursuant to the provisions of s. 1011.80.
Each board of trustees is accountable for performance in certificate career education and diploma programs pursuant to s. 1008.43.
Each board of trustees shall establish the personnel program for all employees of the 1community college, including the president, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 1012 and rules and guidelines of the State Board of Education, including: compensation and other conditions of employment; recruitment and selection; nonreappointment; standards for performance and conduct; evaluation; benefits and hours of work; leave policies; recognition; inventions and work products; travel; learning opportunities; exchange programs; academic freedom and responsibility; promotion; assignment; demotion; transfer; ethical obligations and conflict of interest; restrictive covenants; disciplinary actions; complaints; appeals and grievance procedures; and separation and termination from employment.
Each board of trustees shall appoint, suspend, or remove the president of the 1community college. The board of trustees may appoint a search committee. The board of trustees shall conduct annual evaluations of the president in accordance with rules of the State Board of Education and submit such evaluations to the State Board of Education for review. The evaluation must address the achievement of the performance goals established by the accountability process implemented pursuant to s. 1008.45 and the performance of the president in achieving the annual and long-term goals and objectives established in the 1community college’s employment accountability program implemented pursuant to s. 1012.86.
Each board of trustees is authorized to enter into contracts to provide a 1State Community College System Optional Retirement Program pursuant to s. 1012.875 and to enter into consortia with other boards of trustees for this purpose.
Each board of trustees is authorized to purchase annuities for its 1community college personnel who have 25 or more years of creditable service and who have reached age 55 and have applied for retirement under the Florida Retirement System pursuant to the provisions of s. 1012.87.
A board of trustees may defray all costs of defending civil actions against officers, employees, or agents of the board of trustees pursuant to s. 1012.85.
Each board of trustees has authority for risk management, safety, security, and law enforcement operations. Each board of trustees is authorized to employ personnel, including police officers pursuant to s. 1012.88, to carry out the duties imposed by this subsection.
Each board of trustees shall provide rules governing parking and the direction and flow of traffic within campus boundaries. Except for sworn law enforcement personnel, persons employed to enforce campus parking rules have no authority to arrest or issue citations for moving traffic violations. The board of trustees may adopt a uniform code of appropriate penalties for violations. Such penalties, unless otherwise provided by law, may include the levying of fines, the withholding of diplomas or transcripts pending compliance with rules or payment of fines, and the imposition of probation, suspension, or dismissal. Moneys collected from parking rule infractions shall be deposited in appropriate funds at each 1community college for student financial aid purposes.
Each board of trustees constitutes the contracting agent of the 1community college. It may when acting as a body make contracts, sue, and be sued in the name of the board of trustees. In any suit, a change in personnel of the board of trustees shall not abate the suit, which shall proceed as if such change had not taken place.
Each board of trustees is authorized to contract for the purchase, sale, lease, license, or acquisition in any manner, including purchase by installment or lease-purchase contract which may provide for the payment of interest on the unpaid portion of the purchase price and for the granting of a security interest in the items purchased, subject to the provisions of subsection (38) and ss. 1009.22 and 1009.23, of goods, materials, equipment, and services required by the 1community college. The board of trustees may choose to consolidate equipment contracts under master equipment financing agreements made pursuant to s. 287.064.
Each board of trustees shall be responsible for managing and protecting real and personal property acquired or held in trust for use by and for the benefit of such 1community college. To that end, any board of trustees is authorized to be self-insured, to enter into risk management programs, or to purchase insurance for whatever coverage it may choose, or to have any combination thereof, in anticipation of any loss, damage, or destruction. A board of trustees may contract for self-insurance services pursuant to s. 1004.725.
Each board of trustees is authorized to enter into agreements for, and accept, credit card, charge card, and debit card payments as compensation for goods, services, tuition, and fees. Each 1community college is further authorized to establish accounts in credit card, charge card, and debit card banks for the deposit of sales invoices.
Each board of trustees may provide incubator facilities to eligible small business concerns pursuant to s. 1004.79.
Each board of trustees may establish a technology transfer center for the purpose of providing institutional support to local business and industry and governmental agencies in the application of new research in technology pursuant to the provisions of s. 1004.78.
Each board of trustees may establish economic development centers for the purpose of serving as liaisons between 1community colleges and the business sector pursuant to the provisions of s. 1004.80.
Each board of trustees may establish a child development training center pursuant to s. 1004.81.
Each board of trustees is authorized to develop and produce work products relating to educational endeavors that are subject to trademark, copyright, or patent statutes pursuant to chapter 1004.
Each board of trustees shall administer the facilities program pursuant to chapter 1013, including but not limited to: the construction of public educational and ancillary plants; the acquisition and disposal of property; compliance with building and life safety codes; submission of data and information relating to facilities and construction; use of buildings and grounds; establishment of safety and sanitation programs for the protection of building occupants; and site planning and selection.
Each board of trustees may exercise the right of eminent domain pursuant to the provisions of chapter 1013.
Each board of trustees may enter into lease-purchase arrangements with private individuals or corporations for necessary grounds and buildings for 1community college purposes, other than dormitories, or for buildings other than dormitories to be erected for 1community college purposes. Such arrangements shall be paid from capital outlay and debt service funds as provided by s. 1011.84(2), with terms not to exceed 30 years at a stipulated rate. The provisions of such contracts, including building plans, are subject to approval by the Department of Education, and no such contract may be entered into without such approval.
Each board of trustees may purchase, acquire, receive, hold, own, manage, lease, sell, dispose of, and convey title to real property, in the best interests of the 1community college.
Each board of trustees is authorized to enter into short-term loans and installment, lease-purchase, and other financing contracts for a term of not more than 5 years, including renewals, extensions, and refundings. Payments on short-term loans and installment, lease-purchase, and other financing contracts pursuant to this subsection shall be subject to annual appropriation by the board of trustees. Each board of trustees is authorized to borrow funds and incur long-term debt, including promissory notes, installment sales agreements, lease-purchase agreements, certificates of participation, and other similar long-term financing arrangements, only as specifically provided in ss. 1009.22(6) and (9) and 1009.23(11) and (12). At the option of the board of trustees, bonds issued pursuant to ss. 1009.22(6) and (9) and 1009.23(11) and (12) may be secured by a combination of revenues authorized to be pledged to bonds pursuant to such subsections. Revenue bonds may not be secured by or paid from, directly or indirectly, tuition, financial aid fees, the 1Community College Program Fund, or any other operating revenues of a 1community college. Lease-purchase agreements may be secured by a combination of revenues as specifically authorized pursuant to ss. 1009.22(7) and 1009.23(10).
Each board of trustees shall prescribe conditions for direct-support organizations to be certified and to use 1community college property and services. Conditions relating to certification must provide for audit review and oversight by the board of trustees.
Each board of trustees may adopt policies pursuant to s. 1010.02 that provide procedures for transferring to the direct-support organization of that 1community college for administration by such organization contributions made to the 1community college.
The board of trustees shall exert every effort to collect all delinquent accounts pursuant to s. 1010.03.
Each board of trustees shall implement a plan, in accordance with guidelines of the State Board of Education, for working on a regular basis with the other 1community college boards of trustees, representatives of the university boards of trustees, and representatives of the district school boards to achieve the goals of the seamless education system.
Each board of trustees has responsibility for compliance with state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and requirements.
Each board of trustees may adopt rules, procedures, and policies related to institutional governance, administration, and management in order to promote orderly and efficient operation, including, but not limited to, financial management, budget management, physical plant management, and property management.
Each board of trustees may adopt rules and procedures related to data or technology, including, but not limited to, information systems, communications systems, computer hardware and software, and networks.
Each board of trustees may consider the past actions of any person applying for employment and may deny employment to a person because of misconduct if determined to be in the best interest of the 1community college.
A board of trustees may not enter into an employment contract that requires the 1community college to pay a 1community college president an amount from state funds in excess of 1 year of the president’s annual salary for termination, buyout, or any other type of contract settlement. This subsection does not prohibit the payment of leave and benefits accrued by the president in accordance with the 1community college’s leave and benefits policies before the contract terminates.
s. 80, ch. 2002-387; s. 75, ch. 2004-357; s. 4, ch. 2005-146; s. 74, ch. 2007-217; s. 1, ch. 2008-163; s. 2, ch. 2009-60.
Section 21, ch. 2010-70, directs the Division of Statutory Revision to prepare a reviser’s bill to substitute the term “Florida College System institution” for the terms “Florida college,” “community college,” and “junior college” where those terms appear in the Florida K-20 Education Code.
1Community college presidents; powers and duties.
—The president is the chief executive officer of the 1community college, shall be corporate secretary of the 1community college board of trustees, and is responsible for the operation and administration of the 1community college. Each 1community college president shall:
Recommend the adoption of rules, as appropriate, to the 1community college board of trustees to implement provisions of law governing the operation and administration of the 1community college, which shall include the specific powers and duties enumerated in this section. Such rules shall be consistent with law, the mission of the 1community college and the rules and policies of the State Board of Education.
Prepare a budget request and an operating budget pursuant to s. 1011.30 for approval by the 1community college board of trustees at such time and in such format as the State Board of Education may prescribe.
Establish and implement policies and procedures to recruit, appoint, transfer, promote, compensate, evaluate, reward, demote, discipline, and remove personnel, within law and rules of the State Board of Education and in accordance with rules or policies approved by the 1community college board of trustees.
Govern admissions, subject to law and rules or policies of the 1community college board of trustees and the State Board of Education.
Approve, execute, and administer contracts for and on behalf of the 1community college board of trustees for licenses; the acquisition or provision of commodities, goods, equipment, and services; leases of real and personal property; and planning and construction to be rendered to or by the 1community college, provided such contracts are within law and guidelines of the State Board of Education and in conformance with policies of the 1community college board of trustees, and are for the implementation of approved programs of the 1community college.
Act for the 1community college board of trustees as custodian of all 1community college property and financial resources. The authority vested in the 1community college president under this subsection includes the authority to prioritize the use of 1community college space, property, equipment, and resources and the authority to impose charges for the use of those items.
Establish the internal academic calendar of the 1community college within general guidelines of the State Board of Education.
Administer the 1community college’s program of intercollegiate athletics.
Recommend to the board of trustees the establishment and termination of programs within the approved role and scope of the 1community college.
Award degrees.
Recommend to the board of trustees a schedule of tuition and fees to be charged by the 1community college, within law and rules of the State Board of Education.
Organize the 1community college to efficiently and effectively achieve the goals of the 1community college.
Review periodically the operations of the 1community college in order to determine how effectively and efficiently the 1community college is being administered and whether it is meeting the goals of its strategic plan adopted by the State Board of Education.
Enter into agreements for student exchange programs that involve students at the 1community college and students in other institutions of higher learning.
Approve the internal procedures of student government organizations and provide purchasing, contracting, and budgetary review processes for these organizations.
Ensure compliance with federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and other requirements that are applicable to the 1community college.
Maintain all data and information pertaining to the operation of the 1community college, and report on the attainment by the 1community college of institutional and statewide performance accountability goals.
Certify to the department a project’s compliance with the requirements for expenditure of PECO funds prior to release of funds pursuant to the provisions of chapter 1013.
Provide to the law enforcement agency and fire department that has jurisdiction over the 1community college a copy of the floor plans and other relevant documents for each educational facility as defined in s. 1013.01(6). After the initial submission of the floor plans and other relevant documents, the 1community college president shall submit, by October 1 of each year, revised floor plans and other relevant documents for each educational facility that was modified during the preceding year.
Establish a committee to consider requests for waivers from the provisions of 2s. 1008.29 and approve or disapprove the committee’s recommendations.
Develop and implement jointly with school superintendents a comprehensive articulated acceleration program, including a comprehensive interinstitutional articulation agreement, for the students enrolled in their respective school districts and service areas pursuant to the provisions of s. 1007.235.
Have authority, after notice to the student of the charges and after a hearing thereon, to expel, suspend, or otherwise discipline any student who is found to have violated any law, ordinance, or rule or regulation of the State Board of Education or of the board of trustees of the 1community college pursuant to the provisions of s. 1006.62.
Submit an annual employment accountability plan to the Department of Education pursuant to the provisions of s. 1012.86.
Annually evaluate, or have a designee annually evaluate, each department chairperson, dean, provost, and vice president in achieving the annual and long-term goals and objectives of the 1community college’s employment accountability plan.
Have vested with the president or the president’s designee the authority that is vested with the 1community college.
s. 81, ch. 2002-387.
Section 21, ch. 2010-70, directs the Division of Statutory Revision to prepare a reviser’s bill to substitute the term “Florida College System institution” for the terms “Florida college,” “community college,” and “junior college” where those terms appear in the Florida K-20 Education Code.
Repealed by s. 21, ch. 2009-59.
STATE UNIVERSITIES
Board of Governors of the State University System.
—Pursuant to s. 7(d), Art. IX of the State Constitution, the Board of Governors is established as a body corporate comprised of 17 members as follows: 14 citizen members appointed by the Governor subject to confirmation by the Senate; the Commissioner of Education; the chair of the advisory council of faculty senates or the equivalent; and the president of the Florida student association or the equivalent. The appointed members shall serve staggered 7-year terms. In order to achieve staggered terms, beginning July 1, 2003, of the initial appointments, 4 members shall serve 2-year terms, 5 members shall serve 3-year terms, and 5 members shall serve 7-year terms.
Members of the Board of Governors shall receive no compensation but may be reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses as provided in s. 112.061.
The Board of Governors, in exercising its authority under the State Constitution and statutes, shall exercise its authority in a manner that supports, promotes, and enhances a K-20 education system that provides affordable access to postsecondary educational opportunities for residents of the state to the extent authorized by the State Constitution and state law.
s. 1, ch. 2003-392; s. 75, ch. 2007-217.
Responsibility for the State University System under s. 7, Art. IX of the State Constitution.
—DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this act, the term:
“Board of Governors” as it relates to the State University System and as used in s. 7, Art. IX of the State Constitution and Title XLVIII and other sections of the Florida Statutes is the Board of Governors of the State University System which belongs to and is part of the executive branch of state government.
“Institutions of higher learning” as used in the State Constitution and the Florida Statutes includes publicly funded state universities.
“Public officer” as used in the Florida Statutes includes members of the Board of Governors.
“State university” or “state universities” as used in the State Constitution and the Florida Statutes are agencies of the state which belong to and are part of the executive branch of state government. This definition of state universities as state agencies is only for the purposes of the delineation of constitutional lines of authority. Statutory exemptions for state universities from statutory provisions relating to state agencies that are in effect on the effective date of this act remain in effect and are not repealed by virtue of this definition of state universities.
CONSTITUTIONAL DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE STATE UNIVERSITY SYSTEM.—In accordance with s. 7, Art. IX of the State Constitution, the Board of Governors of the State University System has the duty to operate, regulate, control, and be fully responsible for the management of the whole publicly funded State University System and the board, or the board’s designee, has responsibility for:
Defining the distinctive mission of each constituent university.
Defining the articulation of each constituent university in conjunction with the Legislature’s authority over the public schools and 1community colleges.
Ensuring the well-planned coordination and operation of the State University System.
Avoiding wasteful duplication of facilities or programs within the State University System.
Accounting for expenditure of funds appropriated by the Legislature for the State University System as provided by law.
Submitting a budget request for legislative appropriations for the institutions under the supervision of the board as provided by law.
Adopting strategic plans for the State University System and each constituent university.
Approving, reviewing, and terminating degree programs of the State University System.
Governing admissions to the state universities.
Serving as the public employer to all public employees of state universities for collective bargaining purposes.
Establishing a personnel system for all state university employees; however, the Department of Management Services shall retain authority over state university employees for programs established in ss. 110.123, 110.1232, 110.1234, 110.1238, and 110.161, and in chapters 121, 122, and 238.
Complying with, and enforcing for institutions under the board’s jurisdiction, all applicable local, state, and federal laws.
CONSTITUTIONAL DUTIES OF THE LEGISLATURE.—In accordance with s. 3, Art. II of the State Constitution, which establishes the separation of powers of three branches of government; s. 1, Art. III of the State Constitution, which vests the legislative power of the state in the Legislature; s. 8, Art. III of the State Constitution, which provides the exclusive executive veto power of the Governor and the exclusive veto override power of the Legislature; s. 19, Art. III of the State Constitution, which requires the Legislature to enact state planning and budget processes and requirements for budget requests by general law; s. 1, Art. VII of the State Constitution, which requires that the authority to expend state funds be by general law enacted by the Legislature; and s. 1, Art. IX of the State Constitution, which requires the Legislature to make adequate provision by law for the “establishment, maintenance, and operation of institutions of higher learning,” the Legislature has the following responsibilities:
Making provision by law for the establishment, maintenance, and operation of institutions of higher learning and other public education programs that the needs of the people may require.
Appropriating all state funds through the General Appropriations Act or other law.
Establishing tuition and fees.
Establishing policies relating to merit and need-based student financial aid.
Establishing policies relating to expenditure of, accountability for, and management of funds appropriated by the Legislature or revenues authorized by the Legislature. This includes, but is not limited to, policies relating to: budgeting; deposit of funds; investments; accounting; purchasing, procurement, and contracting; insurance; audits; maintenance and construction of facilities; property; bond financing; leasing; and information reporting.
Maintaining the actuarial and fiscal soundness of centrally administered state systems by requiring state universities to continue to participate in programs such as the Florida Retirement System, the state group health insurance programs, and the state casualty insurance program.
Establishing and regulating the use of state powers and protections, including, but not limited to, eminent domain, certified law enforcement, and sovereign immunity.
Establishing policies relating to the health, safety, and welfare of students, employees, and the public while present on the campuses of institutions of higher learning.
s. 1, ch. 2005-285; s. 10, ch. 2010-78.
Section 21, ch. 2010-70, directs the Division of Statutory Revision to prepare a reviser’s bill to substitute the term “Florida College System institution” for the terms “Florida college,” “community college,” and “junior college” where those terms appear in the Florida K-20 Education Code.
Powers and duties of the Board of Governors.
—GENERAL PROVISIONS.—For each constituent university, the Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, shall be responsible for cost-effective policy decisions appropriate to the university’s mission, the implementation and maintenance of high-quality education programs within law, the measurement of performance, the reporting of information, and the provision of input regarding state policy, budgeting, and education standards.
REGULATORY AUTHORITY.—
Pursuant to s. 7, Art. IX of the State Constitution, the Board of Governors has the authority to regulate the State University System and may adopt a regulation development procedure for the Board of Governors and the university boards of trustees to use in implementing their constitutional duties and responsibilities.
The Board of Governors shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 120 when acting pursuant to statutory authority derived from the Legislature, except that the Board of Governors may adopt regulations if expressly authorized or required by law. Such regulations must be adopted pursuant to a development procedure that complies with paragraph (c). If the Board of Governors delegates a power or duty to a university board of trustees as the designee, the authority to adopt rules or regulations is included in the delegation. If the Board of Governors delegates a statutory power or duty to a university board of trustees, the university board of trustees shall be subject to the provisions of chapter 120 but may adopt regulations to the same extent as the Board of Governors under this subsection.
The development procedure for regulations authorized or required by law must provide for notice to the public of, and an opportunity for public comment on, the proposed adoption, amendment, or repeal of a regulation; a process for a substantially affected person to challenge a statement of general applicability that has not been properly adopted as a regulation; a process for a substantially affected person to challenge an unlawful regulation; and a process for the adoption of and challenges to emergency regulations that are necessary to protect the public interest in the emergency. Judicial review shall be sought in the appellate district in which the headquarters of the Board of Governors is located or in which the main campus of the state university is located, as applicable. The regulation development procedure shall be published prominently on the websites of the Board of Governors and the state universities.
POWERS AND DUTIES RELATING TO ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION OF STATE UNIVERSITIES.—
The Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, shall develop guidelines and procedures related to data and technology, including information systems, communications systems, computer hardware and software, and networks.
The Board of Governors shall develop guidelines relating to divisions of sponsored research, pursuant to the provisions of s. 1004.22, to serve the function of administration and promotion of the programs of research.
The Board of Governors shall prescribe conditions for direct-support organizations and university health services support organizations to be certified and to use university property and services. Conditions relating to certification must provide for audit review and oversight by the Board of Governors.
The Board of Governors shall develop guidelines for supervising faculty practice plans for the academic health science centers.
The Board of Governors shall ensure that students at state universities have access to general education courses as provided in the statewide articulation agreement, pursuant to s. 1007.23.
The Board of Governors shall approve baccalaureate degree programs that require more than 120 semester credit hours of coursework prior to such programs being offered by a state university. At least half of the required coursework for any baccalaureate degree must be offered at the lower-division level, except in program areas approved by the Board of Governors.
The Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, shall adopt a written antihazing policy, appropriate penalties for violations of such policy, and a program for enforcing such policy.
The Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, may establish a uniform code of conduct and appropriate penalties for violations of its regulations by students and student organizations, including regulations governing student academic honesty. Such penalties, unless otherwise provided by law, may include reasonable fines, the withholding of diplomas or transcripts pending compliance with regulations or payment of fines, and the imposition of probation, suspension, or dismissal.
POWERS AND DUTIES RELATING TO FINANCE.—
The Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, shall account for expenditures of all state, local, federal, and other funds. Such accounting systems shall have appropriate audit and internal controls in place that will enable the constituent universities to satisfactorily and timely perform all accounting and reporting functions required by state and federal law and rules.
The Board of Governors shall prepare the legislative budget requests for the State University System, including a request for fixed capital outlay, and submit them to the State Board of Education for inclusion in the K-20 legislative budget request. The Board of Governors shall provide the state universities with fiscal policy guidelines, formats, and instruction for the development of individual university budget requests.
The Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, shall establish tuition and fees pursuant to ss. 1009.24 and 1009.26.
The Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, is authorized to secure comprehensive general liability insurance pursuant to s. 1004.24.
POWERS AND DUTIES RELATING TO ACCOUNTABILITY.—
The Legislature intends that the Board of Governors shall align the missions of each constituent university with the academic success of its students; the national reputation of its faculty and its academic and research programs; the quantity of externally generated research, patents, and licenses; and the strategic and accountability plans required in paragraphs (b) and (c). The mission alignment and strategic plan shall consider peer institutions at the constituent universities. The mission alignment and strategic plan shall acknowledge that universities that have a national and international impact have the greatest capacity to promote the state’s economic development through: new discoveries, patents, licenses, and technologies that generate state businesses of global importance; research achievements through external grants and contracts that are comparable to nationally recognized and ranked universities; the creation of a resource rich academic environment that attracts high-technology business and venture capital to the state; and this generation’s finest minds focusing on solving the state’s economic, social, environmental, and legal problems in the areas of life sciences, water, sustainability, energy, and health care. A nationally recognized and ranked university that has a global perspective and impact shall be afforded the opportunity to enable and protect the university’s competitiveness on the global stage in fair competition with other institutions of other states in the highest Carnegie Classification.
The Board of Governors shall develop a strategic plan specifying goals and objectives for the State University System and each constituent university.
The Board of Governors shall develop an accountability plan for the State University System and each constituent university.
The Board of Governors shall maintain an effective information system to provide accurate, timely, and cost-effective information about each university. The board shall continue to collect and maintain, at a minimum, management information as such information existed on June 30, 2002.
If the Board of Governors of the State University System determines that a state university board of trustees is unwilling or unable to address substantiated allegations made by any person relating to waste, fraud, or financial mismanagement within the state university, the Office of the Inspector General shall investigate the allegations.
POWERS AND DUTIES RELATING TO PERSONNEL.—
The Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, shall establish the personnel program for all employees of a state university. The Board of Governors shall confirm the presidential selection by a university board of trustees as a means of acknowledging that system cooperation is expected.
The Department of Management Services shall retain authority over state university employees for programs established in ss. 110.123, 110.1232, 110.1234, 110.1238, and 110.161 and in chapters 121, 122, and 238. Unless specifically authorized by law, neither the Board of Governors nor a state university may offer group insurance programs for employees as a substitute for or as an alternative to the health insurance programs offered pursuant to chapter 110.
Except as otherwise provided by law, university employees are public employees for purposes of chapter 112 and any payment for travel and per diem expenses shall not exceed the level specified in s. 112.061.
The Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, may not enter into an employment contract that requires it to pay an employee an amount from state funds in excess of 1 year of the employee’s annual salary for termination, buyout, or any other type of contract settlement. This paragraph does not prohibit the payment of leave and benefits accrued by the employee in accordance with the board’s or designee’s leave and benefits policies before the contract terminates.
POWERS AND DUTIES RELATING TO PROPERTY.—
The Board of Governors shall develop guidelines for university boards of trustees relating to the acquisition of real and personal property and the sale and disposal thereof and the approval and execution of contracts for the purchase, sale, lease, license, or acquisition of commodities, goods, equipment, contractual services, leases of real and personal property, and construction. The acquisition may include purchase by installment or lease-purchase. Such contracts may provide for payment of interest on the unpaid portion of the purchase price. Title to all real property acquired prior to January 7, 2003, and to all real property acquired with funds appropriated by the Legislature shall be vested in the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund and shall be transferred and conveyed by it. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this subsection, each board of trustees shall comply with the provisions of s. 287.055 for the procurement of professional services as defined therein. Any acquisition pursuant to this paragraph is subject to the provisions of s. 1010.62.
The Board of Governors shall develop guidelines for university boards of trustees relating to the use, maintenance, protection, and control of university-owned or university-controlled buildings and grounds, property and equipment, name, trademarks and other proprietary marks, and the financial and other resources of the university. Such authority may include placing restrictions on activities and on access to facilities, firearms, food, tobacco, alcoholic beverages, distribution of printed materials, commercial solicitation, animals, and sound. The authority provided the board of trustees in this subsection includes the prioritization of the use of space, property, equipment, and resources and the imposition of charges for those items.
The Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, shall administer a program for the maintenance and construction of facilities pursuant to chapter 1013.
The Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, shall ensure compliance with the provisions of s. 287.09451 for all procurement and ss. 255.101 and 255.102 for construction contracts, and rules adopted pursuant thereto, relating to the utilization of minority business enterprises, except that procurements costing less than the amount provided for in CATEGORY FIVE as provided in s. 287.017 shall not be subject to s. 287.09451.
Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 253.025 but subject to the provisions of s. 1010.62, the Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, may, with the consent of the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund, sell, convey, transfer, exchange, trade, or purchase real property and related improvements necessary and desirable to serve the needs and purposes of the university.
The Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, may secure appraisals and surveys. The Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, shall comply with the rules of the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund in securing appraisals. Whenever the Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, finds it necessary for timely property acquisition, it may contract, without the need for competitive selection, with one or more appraisers whose names are contained on the list of approved appraisers maintained by the Division of State Lands in the Department of Environmental Protection.
The Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, may negotiate and enter into an option contract before an appraisal is obtained. The option contract must state that the final purchase price may not exceed the maximum value allowed by law. The consideration for such an option contract may not exceed 10 percent of the estimate obtained by the Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, or 10 percent of the value of the parcel, whichever is greater, unless otherwise authorized by the Board of Governors or the board’s designee.
This paragraph is not intended to abrogate in any manner the authority delegated to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund or the Division of State Lands to approve a contract for purchase of state lands or to require policies and procedures to obtain clear legal title to parcels purchased for state purposes. Title to property acquired by a university board of trustees prior to January 7, 2003, and to property acquired with funds appropriated by the Legislature shall vest in the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund.
The Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, shall prepare and adopt a campus master plan pursuant to s. 1013.30.
The Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, shall prepare, adopt, and execute a campus development agreement pursuant to s. 1013.30.
Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 216.351, the Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, may authorize the rent or lease of parking facilities provided that such facilities are funded through parking fees or parking fines imposed by a university. The Board of Governors, or the board’s designee, may authorize a university board of trustees to charge fees for parking at such rented or leased parking facilities.
COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, RULES, REGULATIONS, AND REQUIREMENTS.—The Board of Governors has responsibility for compliance with state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and requirements.
COOPERATION WITH OTHER BOARDS.—The Board of Governors shall implement a plan for working on a regular basis with the State Board of Education, the Commission for Independent Education, the university boards of trustees, representatives of the 1community college boards of trustees, representatives of the private colleges and universities, and representatives of the district school boards to achieve a seamless education system.
The Board of Governors is prohibited from assessing any fee on state universities, unless specifically authorized by law.
s. 76, ch. 2007-217; s. 3, ch. 2009-60; s. 1, ch. 2009-213; s. 11, ch. 2010-78.
Section 21, ch. 2010-70, directs the Division of Statutory Revision to prepare a reviser’s bill to substitute the term “Florida College System institution” for the terms “Florida college,” “community college,” and “junior college” where those terms appear in the Florida K-20 Education Code.
University boards of trustees; membership.
—Pursuant to s. 7(c), Art. IX of the State Constitution, each local constituent university shall be administered by a university board of trustees comprised of 13 members as follows: 6 citizen members appointed by the Governor subject to confirmation by the Senate; 5 citizen members appointed by the Board of Governors subject to confirmation by the Senate; the chair of the faculty senate or the equivalent; and the president of the student body of the university. The appointed members shall serve staggered 5-year terms. In order to achieve staggered terms, beginning July 1, 2003, of the initial appointments by the Governor, 2 members shall serve 2-year terms, 3 members shall serve 3-year terms, and 1 member shall serve a 5-year term and of the initial appointments by the Board of Governors, 2 members shall serve 2-year terms, 2 members shall serve 3-year terms, and 1 member shall serve a 5-year term. There shall be no state residency requirement for university board members, but the Governor and the Board of Governors shall consider diversity and regional representation.
Members of the boards of trustees shall receive no compensation but may be reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses as provided in s. 112.061.
University boards of trustees are a part of the executive branch of state government.
s. 1, ch. 2002-188; s. 83, ch. 2002-387; s. 2, ch. 2003-392; s. 77, ch. 2007-217.
University boards of trustees; boards to constitute a corporation.
—Each board of trustees shall be a public body corporate by the name of “The (name of university) Board of Trustees,” with all the powers of a body corporate, including the power to adopt a corporate seal, to contract and be contracted with, to sue and be sued, to plead and be impleaded in all courts of law or equity, and to give and receive donations. In all suits against a board of trustees, service of process shall be made on the chair of the board of trustees or, in the absence of the chair, on the corporate secretary or designee.
The corporation is constituted as a public instrumentality, and the exercise by the corporation of the power conferred by this section is considered to be the performance of an essential public function. The corporation is subject to chapter 119 and s. 24, Art. I of the State Constitution, subject to exceptions applicable to the corporation, and to the provisions of chapter 286; however, the corporation shall be entitled to provide notice of internal review committee meetings for competitive proposals or procurement to applicants by mail or facsimile rather than by means of publication. The corporation is not governed by chapter 607, but by the provisions of this part. The corporation shall maintain coverage under the State Risk Management Trust Fund as provided in chapter 284.
Each board of trustees constitutes the contracting agent of the university.
s. 84, ch. 2002-387; s. 78, ch. 2007-217; s. 12, ch. 2010-78.
University board empowered to act as trustee.
—Whenever appointed by any competent court of the state, or by any statute, or in any will, deed, or other instrument, or in any manner whatever as trustee of any funds or real or personal property in which any of the institutions or agencies under its management, control, or supervision, or their departments or branches or students, faculty members, officers, or employees, may be interested as beneficiaries, or otherwise, or for any educational purpose, a university board of trustees is hereby authorized to act as trustee with full legal capacity as trustee to administer such trust property, and the title thereto shall vest in said board as trustee. In all such cases, the university board of trustees shall have the power and capacity to do and perform all things as fully as any individual trustee or other competent trustee might do or perform, and with the same rights, privileges, and duties, including the power, capacity, and authority to convey, transfer, mortgage, or pledge such property held in trust and to contract and execute all other documents relating to said trust property which may be required for, or appropriate to, the administration of such trust or to accomplish the purposes of any such trust.
Deeds, mortgages, leases, and other contracts of the university board of trustees relating to real property of any such trust or any interest therein may be executed by the university board of trustees, as trustee, in the same manner as is provided by the laws of the state for the execution of similar documents by other corporations or may be executed by the signatures of a majority of the members of the board of trustees; however, to be effective, any such deed, mortgage, or lease contract for more than 10 years of any trust property, executed hereafter by the university board of trustees, shall be approved by a resolution of the Board of Governors; and such approving resolution may be evidenced by the signature of either the chair or the secretary of the Board of Governors to an endorsement on the instrument approved, reciting the date of such approval, and bearing the seal of the Board of Governors. Such signed and sealed endorsement shall be a part of the instrument and entitled to record without further proof.
Any and all such appointments of, and acts by, the 1Board of Regents as trustee of any estate, fund, or property prior to May 18, 1949, are hereby validated, and said board’s capacity and authority to act as trustee subject to the provisions of s. 1000.01(5)(a) in all of such cases is ratified and confirmed; and all deeds, conveyances, lease contracts, and other contracts heretofore executed by the 1Board of Regents, either by the signatures of a majority of the members of the board or in the board’s name by its chair or chief executive officer, are hereby approved, ratified, confirmed, and validated.
Nothing herein shall be construed to authorize a university board of trustees to contract a debt on behalf of, or in any way to obligate, the state; and the satisfaction of any debt or obligation incurred by the university board as trustee under the provisions of this section shall be exclusively from the trust property, mortgaged or encumbered; and nothing herein shall in any manner affect or relate to the provisions of s. 1013.78; and any mortgage, lease, or other agreement entered into pursuant to this section is subject to the provisions of s. 1010.62.
s. 85, ch. 2002-387; s. 168, ch. 2007-5; s. 79, ch. 2007-217.
Abolished by s. 3, ch. 2001-170.