The bill amends several sections of Florida Statutes related to education, specifically focusing on the provisions for "schools of hope of distinction." It establishes that these schools have the right to locate or co-locate with other public schools in certain facilities starting June 1, 2027, and mandates that specified services be provided to them at no cost. The bill also revises definitions related to persistently low-performing schools and introduces the concept of a "school of hope of distinction," which is defined as a school that has not received a grade lower than a B for at least two consecutive years. Additionally, it requires school districts to share unused or underused facilities equitably based on enrollment and exempts these facilities from certain local building requirements.

Furthermore, the bill mandates the Department of Education to selectively audit surveys from school districts and Florida College System institutions regarding facility needs, with the State Board of Education responsible for adopting rules related to these audits. The intent is to enhance transparency in the use of educational facilities. The effective date for the provisions outlined in the bill is set for July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 1708 Filed: 1002.33, 1013.31