This bill seeks to improve administrative efficiency and accountability within Florida's public schools by amending various sections of the Florida Statutes. Key provisions include exempting district school boards from certain rule adoption requirements, allowing them to adopt rules with public input at public meetings without adhering to previous requirements. The Department of Education is tasked with informing district superintendents about their ability to petition for declaratory statements and maintaining a list of statutory and rule requirements. The bill also removes the requirement for district school boards to employ an internal auditor under specific circumstances and eliminates the need for school financial reports to be included in student handbooks. Additionally, it introduces new funding categories and modifies the assessment schedule notification process, aiming to streamline operations and reduce regulatory burdens.

Further amendments focus on enhancing fiscal transparency and operational flexibility for school districts. The bill mandates that district school boards post plain language versions of their budgets online, removing previous requirements for graphical representations. It also allows for financial incentives for teachers in eligible schools and expands the purposes for which school boards can create obligations without pledging district credit. Other significant changes include the introduction of new definitions for instructional multiyear contracts, modifications to educator certification requirements, and updates to the planning and funding of educational facilities. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the effectiveness of school funding and personnel management while ensuring accountability through performance evaluations and improved support for underperforming schools.

Statutes affected:
S 320 Filed: 120.81, 1001.42, 1002.20, 1002.33, 1002.451, 1002.61, 1002.63, 1006.40, 1011.14, 1011.60, 1011.69, 1012.39, 1013.19, 1013.35, 1013.45, 163.3180, 1002.68, 1003.631, 1004.85, 1012.552, 1012.586, 1012.98, 1013.62