Florida Department of Education
04/17/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/17/2024 13:48
State Board of Education Upholds District Accountability and Clarifies Professional Conduct Expectations for School Principals
April 17, 2024
FDOE Press Office
850-245-0413
[email protected]
State Board of Education Upholds District Accountability and Clarifies Professional Conduct Expectations for School Principals
Tallahassee, Fla., April 17, 2024 - Today, Florida's State Board of Education acknowledged Broward County Schools and the Broward County School Board's decision to comply with state law and pay more than $80 million owed to charter schools in their district. The State Board and Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Jr., have taken necessary actions to hold the district accountable and bring it into compliance, resulting in a resolution and payment plan. The State Board and the Florida Department of Education will continue to monitor the agreement to ensure its full implementation.
In addition, the State Board of Education clarified the ethical responsibility of school principals to provide students with access to appropriate educational materials and that failure to do so could result in disciplinary actions.
"I'm pleased that an agreement was reached in Broward County, and I look forward to how it will support students and families in that district," said Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. "Accountability has been a cornerstone of Florida's educational success, and districts have a responsibility to comply with state law. Moreover, clarifying ethical expectations for school principals will go a long way toward supporting effective school leadership."
Bringing Broward County Schools Into Compliance
The State Board of Education acknowledged that the Broward County School Board opted to comply with section 1002.33(17), Florida Statutes, regarding revenue the district collected under a local ad valorem tax. In 2018, Broward County voters passed a referendum to provide additional funding to public schools, and the Broward County School District failed to share those dollars with the Broward charter schools. On March 27, 2024, the State Board found that the Broward County School Board was not in compliance with its obligation to share more than $80 million of those funds and gave it until today's meeting to reach a resolution with Broward charter schools and present their plan for compliance. The Broward County School Board agreed to a full repayment plan on April 16, 2024.
Clarifying Ethical Expectations for School Principals
The State Board of Education approved an amendment that revises the current Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida. The amendment prohibits a certificate holder serving as a school principal from preventing, directing anyone to prevent or allowing anyone to prevent students from accessing educational materials unless he or she determines the material violates Florida Statutes or school board policies.
Florida's Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession establish the ethical principles to which educators must adhere. If violated, the Commissioner of Education may take disciplinary action against an educator's certificate or pursue other penalties as provided by law. Today's amendment ensures that principals understand their responsibility to provide students with access to appropriate educational materials and that students are not denied access due to improper conduct relating to school library and classroom book review processes. See the Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida.
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