FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
JIM HORNE
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
SALLY BRADSHAW
LINDA J. EADS, ED.D.
CHARLES PATRICK GARCÍA
JULIA L. JOHNSON
WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, PH.D.
CONTACT PERSONS
Name: Kay Kammel
Phone: (850) 245-0847
Suncom: 205-0847
Email: kay.kammel@fldoe.org
Name: Jon Hamrick
Phone: (850) 245-9230
Suncom: 205-9230
Email: jon.hammrick@fldoe.org
MEMORANDUM
To:
District School Superintendents
From:
Jim Warford
Date:
December 12, 2003
Subject:
Florida Business and Education in School Together Program-SENATE BILL 30A
The 2003 Legislature created the Florida Business and Education in School Together Program in
order to increase business partnerships in education, to reduce school and classroom
overcrowding throughout the state, and to offset the high costs of educational facilities
construction. The Legislature intends to encourage the formation of partnerships between
business and education. There are existing partnerships between school districts and businesses
and this legislation is intended to increase these partnerships.
Listed below is the specific language in Senate Bill 30A regarding this program and the initial
requirements for districts are in
bold print
.
JIM WARFORD
K – 12 Chancellor
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org
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Each school board shall, through advertisements in local media and other means,
request proposals from area businesses to allow the operation of a business and
education partnership school in facilities owned or operated by the business.
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Each school district shall establish a Florida BEST school evaluation committee.
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The committee shall be appointed by the school board and be composed of one school
district administrator, at least one member of the business community, and at least one
member of a local chamber of commerce.
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The committee shall evaluate the feasibility of each proposal, including the operating
cost, number of students to be served, proposed student-to-teacher ratio, proposed
number of years the satellite school would operate, and any other operational or
facilities considerations the school board or committee deems appropriate.
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The committee shall recommend to the school board those proposals for satellite schools
which the committee deems viable and worthy of being established. The school board
must take official action on the recommendation of the committee within 60 days after
receipt of the recommendation.
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A "Florida Business and Education in School Together (Florida BEST) school" is defined as
a public school offering instruction to students from kindergarten through third grade. The
school may offer instruction in any single grade level or for multiple grade levels. Florida
BEST schools shall comply with the constitutional class size requirements.
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First priority for admission of students to the Florida BEST school shall be given to the
children of owners and employees of the host business. If additional student capacity
remains after those children are admitted, the host business may choose which other
neighboring businesses may also participate to generate a viable number of students for
the school. The school board shall make the necessary arrangements to accommodate
students from other school districts whose parents are associated with the host business
or business partners.
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Parents shall be responsible for providing transportation to and from school for the
students.
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A multiyear contract for operation of the Florida BEST school may be entered into between
the school district and the host business. The contract must at least include provisions
relating to any cost of facilities modifications, provide for the assignment or waiver of
appropriate insurance costs, specify the number of students expected to be served, provide
grounds for canceling the lease, and specify the advance notice required before the school
may be closed.
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The school board shall be responsible for providing the appropriate instructional
support, administrative staff, textbooks, materials, and supplies. The school district may
also agree to operate or contract for the operation of a before school and after school
program using the donated facilities.
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The host business shall provide the appropriate types of space for operating the school. If
special facilities, such as restrooms or dining, recreational, or other areas are required,
the district may contribute a part of the cost of the construction, remodeling, or
renovation for such facilities from capital outlay funds of the district. A multiyear lease
for operation of the facility must be agreed to if the school district contributes to the cost
of such construction.
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Notwithstanding any local government ordinance or regulation any business or corporation
may expand the square footage or floor area of its current or proposed facility to
accommodate a Florida Business and Education in School Together (Florida BEST) school.
Facilities constructed to house a Florida BEST school must comply with the State Uniform
Building Code for Educational Facilities Construction adopted pursuant to section 1013.37,
Florida Statutes, the Florida Building Code including Section 423, the Florida Fire
Prevention Code and must meet state and local health, environmental, and safety laws and
codes.
Please email Kay Kammel at kay.kammel@fldoe.org with the name of a contact person from your
district for this important program. If you have any questions, please call Kay or Jon Hamrick,
whose information is listed at the beginning of this memo. The Florida Department of Education
looks forward to working with you to implement this crucial program.
JW/kk
cc:
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Assistant Superintendents
Facilities Directors
