This bill amends Florida Statutes concerning education, specifically targeting lab schools and charter schools. It permits lab schools to use discretionary capital improvement funds for various purposes, such as purchasing real property, constructing facilities, and maintaining school properties, as long as the expenditures are at or below the appraised value. The bill defines "appraised value" and requires that documentation of this value be submitted to the Department of Education upon request.

For charter schools, the bill introduces several key changes, including deadlines for operations and the authority for governing boards to establish their own codes of student conduct that must meet or exceed sponsor standards. It allows charter schools to increase enrollment under certain conditions and mandates that sponsors provide specific services and performance data. Additionally, it clarifies that charter schools are not exempt from certain statutes and restricts specific individuals from serving on governing boards. The bill also includes provisions for high-performing charter schools, allowing them to increase enrollment and expand grade levels more flexibly, and it modifies language regarding facility capacity to emphasize compliance. The bill is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 822 Filed: 1002.331
S 822 c2: 1002.331