Legislative Priorities

Request for all public schools to have the same statutory flexibility.
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Support the increase of per student funding by at least 5%, from $8,933 in FY24 to $9,380 in FY25, to further ensure that our students are provided the educational programs and services required to improve student achievement, to increase teacher compensation, and to enhance cybersecurity threat mitigation services, including Security Education, Training, and Awareness (SETA) programs.
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Request a specific appropriation project for $2.1 million to continue from phase I (architectural and engineering plans phase) to phase II (actual construction of building) toward the expansion of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at Cape Coral Technical College (CCTC). Programs planned for the expanded campus (two additional buildings) include Automotive Service Technology, Marine Service Technologies, HVAC/R, Welding Technology, Building Trades, and Nursing.
Download Detailed Information about Career and Technical Education Program Expansion - Cape Coral Technical College Construction Phase
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Request a specific appropriation project for $2.5 million to create a new Career and Technical Education College (CTEC) Annex at a future location in Lee County. The funds will be used for architectural/design services, engineering plans and other costs associated with pre-construction to build an annex campus for Fort Myers Technical College (FMTC). Career clusters planned for the expanded campus include Transportation, Distribution and Logistics, Architecture and Construction, Health Science, Hospitality and Culinary Arts, and Manufacturing.
Download Detailed information about Building a New Career and Technical Education Center in East Lee County
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Support an increase in the Safe Schools’ Allocation in the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) to ensure funds are available for student safety initiatives.
Download Detailed Information about Safe Schools' Allocation

Request a specific appropriation project for $500,000 to expand on the success of providing after school activities to ensure students are part of a safe and secure after school environment.
Download Detailed Information about Expanding Access to After School Activities
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Request a specific appropriation project of $1 million for the acquisition of fencing to fortify exterior corridors and premises of select school, an Incident Command Reunification Unit consisting of a vehicle to support continuity of operations on site during and after a critical incident, and an enclosed trailer containing materials necessary for the response and safe reunification process for the necessary support post incident.
Download Detailed Information about Enhancing Safety and Security
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Amend Section 1012.55(b), Florida Statute, to exclude School Social Workers from the instructional staff that must take and pass the Professional Education Exam - Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE), a Professional Examination for Teachers, to maintain employment in a public school.
Download Detailed Information about Removing the Florida Teacher Certification Exam for School Social Workers

Amend Section 121.091(9)(c), Florida Statute to permit retired classroom teachers and administrators to return to the classroom after two months rather than the current requirement of one year.
Download Detailed Information about Reentry of Retired Educators into the Classroom

The District is making great strides with Hurricane Ian recovery efforts. Seventy- five percent (75%) of repairs are complete. More than 50 properties suffered roof damages, which require architect and engineering assessments prior to performing repairs. The Legislature’s action last year to increase the continuing contracts threshold has reduced the length of the procurement lifecycle for roofing projects. Due to the magnitude of damaged roofs, the District requests a one year extension to the previously approved Legislative action found in Florida Statute 287.055(2)(g), so that roofing projects can proceed using prepositioned continuing contracts for the remaining recovery efforts.
Download Detailed Information about Post-Hurricane Ian Recovery Legislative Request

Include all Pre-Kindergarten classes and programs in the Department of Education’s (DOE) Florida Inventory of School Houses (FISH) calculations to ensure that all students receiving instruction in Florida School Districts are accurately counted by and receive adequate funding from the DOE.
Download Detailed Information about Pre-Kindergarten Classrooms in FISH Calculation