The big story: The State Board of Education in Florida has been a strong supporter of school vouchers for years. They usually work with two outside organizations to handle the funds. Recently, they considered ending their contract with AAA, a smaller scholarship group. The main issue was that AAA did not want to approve all the expenses listed in the state purchasing guide for students with special needs.
Kim Dyson, the CEO of AAA, expressed concerns about approving reimbursements for items like desks and chairs, which she said should not be considered instructional materials under the law. This stance frustrated board members, especially since the purchasing guide was created by experts to ensure fairness for parents. There have been ongoing questions about what expenses qualify since mid-2023.
Board chairperson Ben Gibson told Dyson he could not vote to renew AAA’s contract without assurance that they would comply with the law. Education commissioner Manny Diaz Jr., who helped write the voucher laws as a senator, voiced his frustration as well. “If a parent is satisfied with the cost from Florida Virtual School, it’s your duty to pay it,” he reminded Dyson.
As a result, the board put AAA’s renewal on hold, hoping they could resolve the issues before the next meeting. They quickly approved the contract for Step Up for Students, a larger organization managing most of Florida’s vouchers. However, many parents have raised concerns about Step Up’s services, and officials say they are working on improvements.
In other business… The State Board decided to give Cox Elementary in Pasco County an extra year to improve student performance. Cedar Grove Elementary in Bay County received similar relief. Additionally, Warrington Middle School in Escambia County won an extension for its turnaround plan while collaborating with a charter operator.
Hot topics
Campus closures: Hillsborough County has closed several schools recently but has yet to determine what to do with them. In Collier County, many students and teachers rallied against the potential closure of Lorenzo Walker Technical High School.
Cellphones: The Sarasota County school board will restart discussions on when students can use cellphones in schools.
Charter schools: Hialeah has approved a local charter school’s expansion into a nearby park despite opposition from neighbors.
Discipline: Brevard County school board members are examining potential reforms for alternative learning centers in the district.
School board politics: A Moms for Liberty leader in Volusia County called for the resignation of a school board member over controversial remarks made at an event.
Student vaccinations: Fewer Florida students are entering kindergarten with the required vaccinations, raising concerns among health officials.
Superintendents: Alachua County’s interim superintendent, Kamela Patton, has offered to extend her contract to allow the board more time to find a permanent replacement.
Check out this related article: Fixing the Schools’ SEND Crisis: Effective Solutions for a Better Future
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