Florida Senate proposes changes to school funding system

The Florida Senate has introduced a new plan to address school funding amid the growth of school voucher programs. On Friday, the Senate Pre-K-12 Education Appropriations Committee announced a bill that aims to improve how funding is managed as students transfer between schools. The committee will review this bill, known as SPB 7030, on Wednesday. Senator Don Gaetz, a Republican from Niceville, emphasized the need for better tracking of students throughout the school year. He highlighted that as students move between educational providers, funding should follow them efficiently. The bill aims to enhance transparency and streamline the funding process for families. One of the key components of the bill is the creation of a specific budget fund for the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program, a significant voucher initiative. This "categorical" funding is designed for specific educational programs. Additionally, the legislation seeks to introduce an "educational enrollment stabilization program" which provides extra funding to schools during changes in student enrollment. Chairman Danny Burgess, also a Republican, noted that as school choice options expand, managing mid-year transitions has become challenging. Parents using voucher programs have raised concerns about the reimbursement process, which can be slow and complicated. This new legislation aims to address these issues based on experiences from recent years.