Florida School Board Pushes Back Against Charter School 'Co-location' Law

Hillsborough County School Board's Stance

• 🏫 The Hillsborough County School Board has passed a proclamation urging state lawmakers to reconsider a new law that allows for-profit charter schools, known as "Schools of Hope," to co-locate in public school classrooms.
• 💰 Under the current law, these charter schools can use underutilized public school facilities for free, with taxpayers covering the costs.

Concerns Over the New Law

• ⚠️ District leaders argue that charter schools receiving public funds should be accountable and transparent, and at a minimum, pay for the services their students use.
• 📚 The board also wants state lawmakers to provide clearer definitions for "underutilized schools" and establish guardrails to protect public school students and newly constructed facilities.
• 🗣️ The proclamation aims to address confusion and concerns raised by districts and parents across Florida regarding the co-location process.

Opposition and Potential Changes

• 📢 The Florida Commissioner of Education has defended the "Schools of Hope" initiative and reportedly threatened to penalize districts that do not cooperate, despite facing boos from some attendees at a recent conference.
• 🤝 One board member voted against the proclamation, believing in collaborative efforts with Tallahassee to find common ground for students' best interests.
• ⏳ A state senator has proposed a bill to repeal the expansion of the "Schools of Hope" law, but its support is uncertain. Co-location under the current law would not be possible until at least 2027.