The bill CS/CS/HB 1115 amends Florida Statutes to improve the financial transparency and operational oversight of charter schools and schools of hope. It mandates that school districts share certain surtax revenues with eligible charter schools based on enrollment figures and requires districts to provide annual funding information to charter schools. Additionally, the bill introduces a standardized monitoring tool for charter school sponsors and redefines the relationship between charter schools and their sponsoring entities, shifting some responsibilities from school districts to these entities. It also ensures that unencumbered funds from dissolved charter schools revert to the sponsor, promoting accountability in public fund usage.

Moreover, the bill establishes new requirements for performance-based agreements between sponsoring entities, such as state universities and Florida College System institutions, and hope operators. These agreements must include indemnification clauses and clarify financial obligations that do not fall on the state or sponsoring entities. The legislation emphasizes transparency by requiring schools of hope to submit quarterly financial statements and annual audits, while the State Board of Education is tasked with adopting standardized agreements to facilitate operations and resolve disputes. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 1115 Filed: 1002.33, 1011.62
H 1115 c1: 1002.33
H 1115 c2: 1002.33