Approve Submissions for the Florida School Boards Association 2010 Legislative Platform Items

Each year the Florida School Boards Association (FSBA) requests input from school boards throughout the state regarding possible legislative priorities for inclusion into the FSBA Legislative Platform. Based on Board input and staff recommendations, draft priorities are developed for Board approval.

1. Modify Florida Statute 1001.42(4)(f) – Powers and Duties of District School Board – to return the non-restricted authority of setting the opening and closing dates of schools to school boards.
2. Establish additional funding sources for public education by eliminating obsolete sales tax exemptions, eliminating tax loopholes, and identifying dedicated tax sources.
3. Provide flexibility in meeting the class-by-class Class Size Reduction mandate.
4. Maintain and fully fund the Merit Award Program (MAP).
5. Maintain the weighted funding for Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses.
6. Restore the use of Lottery dollars for the School Advisory Council

There is no financial impact to the District.