Governor Rick Scott Proposes Historic Education Funding In The “KEEP FLORIDA WORKING” Budget

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

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Governor Rick Scott Proposes Historic Education Funding In The “KEEP FLORIDA WORKING” Budget

Tallahassee, Fla., January 28, 2015 – Governor Rick Scott’s “KEEP FLORIDA WORKING” budget increases K-12 funding to a historic level of $19.75 billion, an increase of $261 per student over last year and $50 per student over the previous record in 2007-2008. In addition, the Governor’s budget also includes $20 million to create a Rapid Response Start-up Grant program for technical centers, $5 million to incentivize $10,000 STEM degrees at Florida Colleges, $80 million for Digital Classroom plans, and $23.5 million to expand Bright Futures to cover summer term courses. 

Governor Scott said, “We want Florida to be the global leader for jobs, and we must have a skilled workforce to reach that goal. That is why I am proposing the highest level of funding in Florida history. Investing in education is the best way to ensure our students are gaining the knowledge they need to meet the needs of tomorrow's employers. Thanks to Florida’s hard-working teachers and school leaders, our students already rank among the best in the nation, and we will keep working to provide record investments in education so our students have the resources they need to succeed."

Governor Scott’s proposed budget includes:

• $19.75 billion in total funding for K-12 public schools, an increase of $842.5 million;
• $7,176 per student funding, an increase of $261 over the current school year and $50 above Florida’s previous record in 2007-2008;
• $20 million to create a Rapid Response Start-up Grant program for technical centers;
• $5 million to incentivize $10,000 STEM degrees at Florida Colleges;
• $1 million to facilitate partnerships with high-tech Florida companies;
• $80 million to assist districts in implementing their Digital Classroom plans;
• $164.6 million for maintenance, repair, and renovation of public schools educational facilities;
• $100 million for maintenance, repair, and restoration of charter schools;
• $23.5 million to expand Bright Futures to cover summer term courses; and
• The elimination of sales tax on college textbooks.

Education Commissioner Pam Stewart said, "I applaud Governor Scott for his focus on education in the ‘KEEP FLORIDA WORKING’ budget. Florida families deserve access to high-quality education opportunities, and his focus on technical centers, STEM education, and digital classroom initiatives is critical to help prepare Florida students for success in college, career and life. I am confident that this investment will pay off for years to come as the students who benefit from this funding will be able to contribute greatly to Florida's economy once they enter the workforce.”

Gary Chartrand, State Board of Education Chairman, said, "Florida's future depends on making key investments that give students the 21st century skills necessary to become a highly qualified workforce. By increasing K-12 per student and total funding, giving technical centers the ability to respond to the evolving workforce needs of their communities, helping districts implement Digital Classroom Plans and investing in charter school facilities, Florida is poised to remain a national leader in education and workforce development. I thank Governor Scott for his leadership in making education a top priority in Florida."

"I applaud Governor Scott for his commitment to education in the proposed ‘KEEP FLORIDA WORKING’ budget and for recognizing the importance of our classrooms and the impacts they have on our economy," said Broward Schools Superintendent Robert W. Runcie. “At Broward County Public Schools we believe in educating today’s students to succeed in tomorrow’s world."

Ken Haiko, chairman of Renaissance Charter Schools, Inc. said, “Florida families value school choice and the charter schools that give them high-quality education choices. Governor Scott’s increase in fixed capital outlay for charter schools is a great first step that will allow Florida families to continue to have access to a variety of educational options that best fit their needs.”

Jennifer Grove, Community Development Manager, Gulf Power, and CareerSource Florida Board of Directors Strategic Policy Council Chairman said, “Governor Scott has proven to be focused on addressing the needs of our workforce. The Rapid Response Grant funding for Florida’s technical schools will put us head and shoulders above other states in matching the training of our state’s workforce to the ever-changing needs of industry.”

Christie Bassett, 2015 Florida Teacher of the Year, said, “Governor Scott’s long-standing commitment to education is reinforced in his ‘KEEP FLORIDA WORKING’ budget. His increases in per-pupil funding and total K-12 funding will help educators best prepare students for success now and in the future.”

Sandy Shugart, President of Valencia College, said, "The Governor's budget for the Florida College System features a significant commitment to performance-based funding, a direction long supported by Valencia College and an essential feature of the state's funding model going forward. I look forward to working with the Governor's team and the legislature both to make performance funding a reality and to assure that all of the colleges in the system are competing for these funds on a level playing field."

To learn more about the “KEEP FLORIDA WORKING” budget, visit www.keepfloridaworking.com. 

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