Seminole County Public Schools Superintendent Sarita Beeman and Seminole State College officials presented funding requests and policy asks to the delegation.

Beeman thanked lawmakers for prior support including a $500,000 appropriation for Lyman High School’s Academy of Engineering and asked the delegation to support three priorities: a $3.5 million infrastructure request and $650,000 for equipment to renovate the inactive Midway Elementary School into an early childhood center; reallocation of existing state computer‑science certification and bonus funds toward middle school STEM exploration because Seminole County said it had exceeded eligibility for the current bonuses; and statutory language changes to section 1012.22, Florida Statutes, to give districts greater flexibility on teacher compensation (collective bargaining and cost‑of‑living adjustments tied to years of service).

Seminole State College President (represented by Dr. Georgia LeVranz) thanked the delegation for past support and sought funding for a new building at the Altamonte Springs campus (referred to as Building B) to double nursing program capacity and expand other health‑care programs. Seminole State also joined a statewide request for $70 million in recurring operating funds for the Florida College System.

University of Central Florida representatives also thanked delegates for support and highlighted 2026 funding requests tied to UCF’s research and workforce initiatives, including preeminence metrics and investments in engineering, computing and health technology.

Why it matters: Local K‑12 and higher‑education leaders framed the requests as workforce and access investments — expanding early childhood slots, doubling nursing program output, and realigning STEM funds to strengthen the K‑12 pipeline. Delegation members acknowledged the requests and noted appropriation sponsors will carry projects during session.

No vote was taken; multiple appropriation requests will be subject to legislative budget process.