Florida Department of Education Thanks Governor DeSantis for Continuing His Commitment to Education in the Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget
February 4, 2025
FDOE Press Office
850-245-0413
DOEPressOffice@fldoe.org
Florida Department of Education Thanks Governor DeSantis for Continuing His Commitment to Education in the Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget
Tallahassee, Fla., February 04, 2025 –Today, the Florida Department of Education and Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. applaud Governor Ron DeSantis for his continued commitment to funding Florida’s nation-leading education system. The Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget continues to raise teacher pay for the 6th year in a row, investing an additional $246.7 million for teacher and instructional personnel salaries, providing a record $1.5 billion for Fiscal year 2025-2026. The Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget raises the per-student allocation to $9,205 per full-time student. Additionally, the Governor is recommending $300 million for the Safe Schools Allocation.
“Governor DeSantis has been steadfast in his support of Florida’s students, teachers, and their families,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “I thank the Governor for his continued investments in education that have led to Florida’s rank of #1 in the nation for education.”
The Governor’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 highlights the success that Florida’s students have achieved and Florida’s continued commitment to ensuring that every student can access the educational option that works best for them:
- Governor DeSantis is recommending an additional $246.7 million for raising teacher pay, representing a record $1.5 billion total investment dedicated to teacher and other instructional personnel salaries.
- Governor DeSantis has ensured that our youngest students are set up for future educational success through investing in important programs like Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) and School Readiness. The Governor is recommending $465.8 million for the VPK program and over $1.2 billion for the School Readiness Program.
- Governor DeSantis has been steadfast in his support of expanding civics education for all students. The Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget includes $10 million for the Florida Civics Seal of Excellence program to provide bonuses for teachers that earn the endorsement.
- To ensure that Florida remains the number one state for workforce education, the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Budget recommendations maintain $100 million for Workforce Development Capitalization Incentive Grant Program.
- To continue to invest in our nursing and healthcare professionals talent pipeline, the Governor recommends an investment of $84 million for Nursing Education for state colleges and technical colleges and centers, including $60 million for Prepping Institutions, Programs, Employers, and Learners Through Incentives for Nursing Education program (PIPELINE) and $24 million for the Linking Industry to Nursing Education Fund (LINE).
- Governor DeSantis has remained committed to keeping Florida schools safe. The Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget recommends $300 million for the Safe Schools Allocation, an increase of $10 million over the current year. The Governor’s budget proposal also maintains $42 million in funding for the School Hardening Grant Program.
- The Governor and First Lady Casey DeSantis have continued to highlight the importance of resiliency and supporting the mental health needs of our students. The Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget recommends $190 million for the Mental Health Allocation, an increase of $10 million over the current year.