[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6073132,"mediaKeyId","2995315-101b70f60c30f026b175d3e2d88a0a51","parentId",2995315,"title","Committee advances Schools of Hope bill to allow co-location and expand eligibility; public commenters raise equity concerns","audioSeconds",5397,"startMs",123000,"endMs",5520000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2995315-101b70f60c30f026b175d3e2d88a0a51&start=123&end=5520","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2995315-101b70f60c30f026b175d3e2d88a0a51/thumbnail_123000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6073132/Florida/Committee-advances-Schools-of-Hope-bill-to-allow-co-location-and-expand-eligibility-public-commenters-raise-equity-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073132-6b4a54bf15cd80b5eb3e8471e10aca8a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452994&Signature=WrSFRdKLq2QhBgZ3zgc8jrnnG09c52uevs61ay8NBJ1SmFKu6SdHqZgwHe13AQL4Bbk25gEKvmpBnk1qzTBFiZHWQkWgChflaxQvw14ccQbKwze8nKEsv1HjnKIplU2NfuyAQwyY3oPcFSMnNmg3DWFiCBpEO0PVvthEwRhs1GQCWO5QnrqaCyzd~nmC~HWIBf-dB~xBuAt~lrqLG6gC6EzGPBv5V6BLwQ7UxkoBJnlLtPz7t0-SesmP-8L~FRNqIMo4TnC7aW8IsAK7hUuzTT-Ko5ZUI-WNGDkxRzx~0ohLkxi6luK~DHDPlfufS1KTgutNz85ne1tGE~Tlko9OcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Florida Legislature","date","2025-04-15T00:00:00Z","article","The PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday reported favorably on CS for SB 1708, a bill by Senator Collado that would expand eligibility for Schools of Hope and create a statutory framework allowing co-location — the operation of multiple schools within one public school facility — in certain underused buildings.

Senator Collado, the bill sponsor, said the bill revises the definition of persistently low-performing schools by changing the statutory test so that a school in the bottom 10 percent in either math OR reading (rather than both) could trigger eligibility for a School of Hope. “If a school is in the bottom 10% of student performance statewide in either math or reading, we should be acknowledging that,” Collado said.

Collado described co-location as a tool to increase options for students where facilities are underused. She told the committee the bill would create a “statewide structural framework” for co-location agreements and listed elements statutorily required in the agreements, including grade-level delineation, student and school safety requirements, supervision authority, applicable school board rules and emergency shelter protocols.

Senators pressed Collado on operational questions. President Gates asked whether a “school within a school” would require dedicated space and Collado said eligible facilities would be those that are at least half-vacant or have at least 500 student stations available, citing the Department of Education FISH report as a demonstration tool.

Vice Chair Pizzo and others raised concerns about whether co-location and expanded eligibility could create two-tier systems inside one building and how students would be selected. Collado clarified during her closing remarks that the Schools of Hope performance plan required in statute \"must have recruitment of students from low performing schools or opportunity zones and are exempt from lottery.\" She also told members the bill requires a facility payment of $600 per student to the host district to cover facility utilization, and that the district would still receive the applicable FTE funding associated with students enrolled in the co-located charter.

More than two dozen members of the public — parents, students and school employees largely from Sarasota and other districts — testified in opposition during a lengthy public comment period. Speakers argued the bill would divert space and limited operational resources from public schools, exacerbate inequities, and allow charter operators to occupy public facilities without adequate accountability. Representative public comments included:

- Allen Romero (Sarasota), who said public schools are “barely staying afloat,” and urged a no vote because the bill “tips” the playing field rather than leveling it.
- Anya Dennison (college student, Sarasota), who said the bill would force public schools to “give away their space and services for free to outside charters.”
- Multiple high school students and parents expressed concern that co-location would increase class sizes and reduce support for public-school students.

Senator Collado said Miami‑Dade County Public Schools has worked with her on contract elements and she emphasized the bill would initially apply to Miami‑Dade and to facilities meeting the vacancy thresholds; she also said only high-performing charter operators designated as Schools of Hope would be eligible for the co-location path.

The committee recorded one recorded no vote by Senator Osgood during the roll call on the committee substitute; the bill was reported favorably. Committee members who voiced support said the bill is intended to create more options for low-performing students and to make use of underutilized public facilities; opponents and public commenters said it risks weakening already strained public schools.

The committee did not adopt any amendments to SB 1708 during the hearing. The sponsor asked colleagues to continue working on language to ensure low-income and low-performing students are prioritized for seats in co-located Schools of Hope.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Appropriations Committee on PreK-12 Education 4/15/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday reported favorably on CS for SB 1708, a bill that would expand Schools of Hope eligibility and create a statutory framework for co-locating charter operators inside underused public school facilities.","taxTitle","PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee, House, Legislative, Florida","taxId",25419,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6073137,"Panel advances bill to remove unrelated exam requirement for school social workers",75,58000,133000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2995315-101b70f60c30f026b175d3e2d88a0a51&start=58&end=133","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2995315-101b70f60c30f026b175d3e2d88a0a51/thumbnail_58000.jpg","/articles/6073137/Florida/Panel-advances-bill-to-remove-unrelated-exam-requirement-for-school-social-workers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073137-6686f4ac2a75da884a101f981c296ccb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452994&Signature=JACZZGReRI4s2V-NtZlXMjn-UkXaRV9DffKYFaifT9yg5ZyB80IRyBODNPJZepwg5iQbTOk5un9WSIHzxl9vks8lz0cKLgaIgZ-OW~WdBVnLOEJx4NnIfVFZ2dnlR58jf8Mprw8tFI~OGsVybfRJiF1J-mx~YChyBNEls8~GcAKN1ugahg3hWOK1ElRyvA~QIQD99xYQwlxXA9MPHOgQbYKMzIWSPb-GEu~2dqAK2g~Odfu-nNqhkDiypSLjiTCD~CBVoUDyXLYBxr47wdbWzGs5fzOBlvV22YORWoneR5JDW7mvdagLCBgPKdJpWQn5gFYPE4Zg2nBFtjDZu2QAIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday voted to report favorably on CS for SB 1150, a bill that would remove what the sponsor described as an unnecessary exam barrier for school social workers.

Senator Kalati, sponsor of SB 1150, told the committee the change is intended to “enable our school districts to retain highly skilled and qualified school social workers by eliminating the unnecessary barrier of an exam unrelated to their profession.”

The bill drew no questions or public testimony during committee consideration, and Senator Kalati closed by saying, “That is the bill, Mr. Chair.” After a brief procedural exchange the committee clerk called the roll and the committee reported the committee substitute favorably.

Chair Burgess opened the meeting and presided over the roll call. There was no recorded debate or amendment on the floor during the panel discussion. The roll call on the committee substitute recorded affirmative votes from Senators Bridal, Kalati, Gates, Osgood, Simon, Yarbrough, Vice Chair Pizzo and Chair Burgess; Senator Jones was excused from the meeting.

The committee’s action is procedural: reporting the committee substitute favorably to the next committee or to the floor as required under the chamber’s process. No implementation language beyond the sponsor’s description was discussed at the hearing.

The committee moved on to other bills after the vote; there were no public comments on SB 1150 recorded in the hearing.

Votes at a glance: CS for SB 1150 — reported favorably (affirmative recorded by roll: Bridal; Kalati; Gates; Osgood; Simon; Yarbrough; Pizzo; Burgess).","The PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee reported favorably on CS/ SB 1150, a bill sponsored by Senator Kalati that would eliminate an exam described in testimony as unrelated to school social work licensing so districts can retain qualified school social workers.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6073122,"Committee approves bill to align charter school administrative timelines and data sharing with districts",0,5452000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2995315-101b70f60c30f026b175d3e2d88a0a51&start=5452&end=5452","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2995315-101b70f60c30f026b175d3e2d88a0a51/thumbnail_5452000.jpg","/articles/6073122/Florida/Committee-approves-bill-to-align-charter-school-administrative-timelines-and-data-sharing-with-districts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073122-eb80e7ae033207432f0265997af26518/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452994&Signature=bSDUdT5pITzFjsgobyf1jzgIBA78wothDr5XI3qj8gRrJ98DAzLAlDP270J7XocmqPie50WQ2xLTolbLGeYyJ~aQ~ZZqFiCyCLsKvtGlF2sayTTqWfn3mq4ytTN07GiVG8Mes4TEhZv6IwLpuwchvKAzOtDhPHQjzmVhoq9OBxr99uUU7xx5ptALtBG-ZkW~uwUey6-gHfjFMDnQmssYlI2losgZI4NAFM-oxuyFMxNQ-yFFhXDikGvz9JBSIBJiDwWkfDgfsRXveV81-68aOp42bdqq4~d1xEldeS-EaMegWPaUXFhnkAcHFnB6K-X~S4KWzXr086WkuqdZWz5TxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday reported favorably on CS for SB 822, legislation sponsored by Senator Rodriguez intended to align administrative timelines and data sharing between charter schools and their sponsoring districts.

Senator Rodriguez told the committee the bill “brings essential updates to how charter schools are governed and operated,” including limiting district deadlines that require charter schools to meet reporting and audit timelines earlier than districts themselves use, prohibiting districts from imposing enrollment caps below a school’s documented facility capacity, and improving timely sharing of student and assessment data between districts, the Department of Education and charter operators.

Ken Kneetman of the Florida Charter School Alliance testified in support, representing more than 406,000 students attending Florida’s charter schools and praising the bill as a means to ensure “equity, efficiency, and fairness” in district‑charter relationships. Kneetman cited three concrete issues: aligning audit deadlines, preventing arbitrary enrollment caps that undermine a charter’s financial stability, and ensuring timely student/assessment data to place and support students.

Senator Osgood questioned the testimony and asked for specific examples after Kneetman used strong language (the witness described some district requests as “almost to the point of harassment”). Kneetman said he would follow up with concrete examples and acknowledged he did not have specific personnel names in the hearing. Vice Chair Pizzo and President Gates asked clarifying operational questions. Several organizations and individuals either waved in support (Academica, Foundation for Florida’s Future) or opposition (Florida Education Association and others listed as waving against) on the appearance forms.

The sponsor closed by saying the bill brings parity to timelines and processes between charter schools and districts; the committee then recorded a roll call and reported the CS favorably. The roll call recorded no votes by Senator Osgood and Vice Chair Pizzo (both recorded as “No” in the roll); other recorded votes included Senator Bradley (Yes), Senator Kalati (Yes), Senator Simon (Yes), Senator Yarbrough (Yes) and Chair Burgess (Yes). The committee substitute was reported favorably.","CS for SB 822 would limit certain district administrative deadlines for charter schools, prohibit arbitrary enrollment caps below documented facility capacity, and require timely student and assessment data sharing; the committee voted to report the bill favorably after testimony from charter advocates and brief questioning from senators.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6073127,"Panel OKs school anaphylaxis measure with amendments to require FDA‑approved epinephrine and K–8 applicability",343,665000,1008000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2995315-101b70f60c30f026b175d3e2d88a0a51&start=665&end=1008","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2995315-101b70f60c30f026b175d3e2d88a0a51/thumbnail_665000.jpg","/articles/6073127/Florida/Panel-OKs-school-anaphylaxis-measure-with-amendments-to-require-FDAapproved-epinephrine-and-K8-applicability","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6073127-462d92c458e684a8cd37ea826c1d6201/orig.mp4?Expires=1770452994&Signature=SDHh4jEd1lXMXu6l0SNlLcgW7K-3NyVas78UOfrJUHnbrhW8W-DUrVvxRCEomRcPe-tM4h00Cq183vsFqrggFgIXAHR4IlnsI6z0Iz01SnJA1ylqf1oq~JQ0tqrvZnwjhRJbkhxJechAUPIHDFZYzGt2sxI0SawamMogUwDzNS9kEIQjqbd6eqjA0Xk~eMpGxDR0uSOSKD5B0WwTI36CZDmiKt4osBTC8jcvuXFUYgEH5PGX-Da~ce5DjX8tuOi7UI4UKJsFkHWfXjomnXztan8kswbjior07Lzfl4YWue13r0TqZ5a3SJkXqSABm2ZXUmRwTtN-oFXDuCEOelsJaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The PreK-12 Appropriations Subcommittee on Tuesday reported favorably on CS for CS for SB 1514, a bill sponsored by Senator Smith that establishes minimum standards for responding to anaphylaxis in public schools and clarifies training and applicability rules.

Senator Smith told the committee anaphylaxis is a “severe life-threatening allergic reaction” and that prompt use of an epinephrine auto‑injector can be critical. She cited Department of Education figures reported in the staff analysis that roughly 76,000 students in Florida have life-threatening allergies and an additional 12,000 students diagnosed with asthma may be at risk of severe allergic reactions when exposed to allergens.

The sponsor presented a delete‑all amendment that, among other changes, places the anaphylaxis policy in Florida statute section 1002.2, narrows applicability to K–8 schools, and requires training for an “adequate number” of school personnel and contracted personnel so emergency action plans are accessible at all times while a student is on campus. The committee also considered and adopted a late amendment to the amendment clarifying that epinephrine devices must be FDA‑approved and provide an appropriate pre‑measured, weight‑based dose for the recipient.

Senator Smith said staff analysis estimated training costs as indeterminate but “likely insignificant,” and that free and low‑cost training programs are available. The committee received an appearance form indicating Orange County Public Schools was “waving in support” of the bill; there was no recorded debate opposing the amendments on the floor.

After the sponsor closed, the clerk called the roll on the committee substitute for the committee substitute. The roll recorded affirmative votes from Senators Bradley, Collado (Rodriguez/Collado spelling appears in transcript), Gates, Jones, Simon, Yarbrough, Vice Chair Pizzo and Chair Burgess; CS for CS for SB 1514 was reported favorably.

The bill now moves forward with the amendments enacted in committee: statutory placement in section 1002.2, K–8 applicability, training requirements for an adequate number of personnel (including contracted personnel), and the requirement that emergency epinephrine devices be FDA‑approved, weight‑based auto‑injectors.","CS for CS for SB 1514, sponsored by Senator Smith, would establish minimum standards for responding to anaphylactic reactions in public schools, require emergency action plans and training for personnel, and—per an adopted amendment—limit the statute to K–8 schools and require FDA‑approved, weight‑based epinephrine devices.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee advances Schools of Hope bill to allow co-location and expand eligibility; public commenters raise equity concerns

Panel advances bill to remove unrelated exam requirement for school social workers

Committee approves bill to align charter school administrative timelines and data sharing with districts

Panel OKs school anaphylaxis measure with amendments to require FDA‑approved epinephrine and K–8 applicability