House Bill 1815

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    Florida House of Representatives - 2000                HB 1815

        By Representative Posey






  1                      A bill to be entitled

  2         An act relating to the Florida School for

  3         Science and Technology; establishing the

  4         Florida School for Science and Technology;

  5         assigning responsibility for the administration

  6         and operation of the school to the

  7         Technological Research and Development

  8         Authority (TRDA); requiring the TRDA to appoint

  9         a board of trustees for the school; authorizing

10         the TRDA to delegate responsibilities to the

11         board of trustees; providing exemptions from

12         certain statutes; providing for funding;

13         providing an effective date.

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15  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:

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17         Section 1.  Florida School for Science and

18  Technology.--There is established the Florida School for

19  Science and Technology under the auspices of the Technological

20  Research and Development Authority (TRDA), created by s. 2,

21  chapter 87-455, Laws of Florida.

22         (1)  The Florida School for Science and Technology

23  shall be a residential public school located in Brevard

24  County, the attendance area for which shall be the entire

25  state. The Florida School for Science and Technology shall

26  offer accelerated programs in the areas of math, science, and

27  technology to students in grades 9 through 12 who meet the

28  eligibility requirements established according to this

29  section.

30         (2)  The TRDA shall be responsible for the

31  administration and operation of the Florida School for Science

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    Florida House of Representatives - 2000                HB 1815

    532-243-00






  1  and Technology. However, the board of directors of the TRDA

  2  shall appoint a board of trustees to which the TRDA may

  3  delegate responsibility for any aspect of the operation or

  4  administration of the school, including, but not limited to:

  5         (a)  The appointment of a director of the school.

  6         (b)  The determination of reasonable fees for room and

  7  board.

  8         (c)  The determination of student eligibility

  9  requirements.

10         (d)  The establishment of a student application

11  process.

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13  In exercising any delegated responsibility, the board of

14  trustees shall remain accountable to the TRDA for its actions.

15         (3)  In order to facilitate innovative practices, the

16  Florida School for Science and Technology shall be exempt from

17  those requirements of chapters 230 through 239 of the Florida

18  School Code relating to curriculum and operations, except

19  those pertaining to civil rights and student health, safety,

20  and welfare.  The Academy shall not be exempt from chapter

21  119, Florida Statutes, relating to public records, and s.

22  286.011, Florida Statutes, relating to public meetings and

23  records, public inspection, and penalties.

24         (4)  The TRDA shall serve as the fiscal agent of the

25  Florida School for Science and Technology, which shall be

26  funded by state appropriations, private contributions and

27  endowments, and reasonable student fees for room and board.

28  Funds generated through the Florida Education Finance Program

29  and categorical funds by students enrolled in the school shall

30  be provided to the TRDA in the same manner as funds are

31  provided to a district school board for students enrolled in

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    Florida House of Representatives - 2000                HB 1815

    532-243-00






  1  traditional public schools. Funds for the residential

  2  component of the Florida School for Science and Technology

  3  shall annually be included in the General Appropriations Act.

  4         Section 2.  This act shall take effect July 1, 2000.

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  7                          HOUSE SUMMARY

  8
      Establishes the Florida School for Science and
  9    Technology. Assigns responsibility for the administration
      and operation of the school to the Technological Research
10    and Development Authority (TRDA).  Requires the TRDA to
      appoint a board of trustees for the school to which it
11    may delegate responsibilities.  Provides exemptions from
      certain statutes.  Provides for funding.
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