Determined to put the focus on educating students over enriching for-profit companies capitalizing on Florida’s public school system, state Senator Janet Cruz (D-Tampa) has filed SB 584 & SB 586 today in an effort improve the safety standards of Florida’s schools and ban for-profit management of Florida’s charter schools.
“Voters sent a message loud and clear in November – they want Florida’s public school system funded and protected,” said Senator Janet Cruz. “As members of the Florida Legislature, it is our responsibility to represent our constituents and ensure Florida’s traditional public school system is able to provide the quality public education our constitution requires and the people expect.”
SB 586 is a “bill of rights” for students, ensuring the right to attend school in a safe and maintained building, with structurally sound facilities and HVAC systems.
SB 584 defines what it means to manage a charter school, and bans for-profit entities from operating those schools. Charter schools themselves in Florida are not-for-profit but statute does not currently prevent those schools from being managed and operated by a for-profit company.
These pieces of legislation follow the filing of SJR 422 – a resolution to bring back the election of Florida’s Education Commissioner, ensuring accountability to the people.
The legislation has been filed for the upcoming 2019 legislative session.
