FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
John L. Winn
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
LINDA K. TAYLOR
M E M O R A N D U M
Contact Information
Name:
Pamela Stewart
Phone:
850/245-0509, SC 205-0509
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June 13, 2006
Email:
Pamela.stewart@fldoe.org
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Name:
Kathy Hebda
TO:
District School Superintendents
Phone:
850/245-0435, SC 205-0435
District Personnel Directors
Email:
Kathy.hebda@fldoe.org
Directors of Charter Schools
K12#:
2
006-82
FROM:
John L. Winn
SUBJECT: 2006-07 SPECIAL TEACHERS ARE REWARDED (STAR) APPROPRIATION
I am pleased to announce that the 2006 Florida Legislature’s 2006-07 budget includes an appropriation of
$147.5 million within the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) for the Special Teachers Are
Rewarded (STAR) performance pay plan. This plan is provided as a method for districts and charter schools
to implement performance pay provisions of section 1012.22, Florida Statutes, and to access their portion of
the funds in the appropriation. The Legislation also suspended the State Board of Education Performance
Pay Rule (E-Comp). Those requirements no longer apply, and districts have more flexibility in complying
with the Performance Pay Statute from 2001.
Each school district is required under s. 1012.22, F.S. to (1) adopt a salary schedule that bases a portion of
and to (2) adopt a performance-pay policy for school
administrators and instructional personnel. Both the salary schedule and the performance pay policy are
based upon employee performance as demonstrated in the district’s performance assessment system required
in section 1012.34, F.S. Charter schools may participate through the local school district or by submitting a
plan for separate review and approval.
Approval of the district’s STAR plan by the State Board of Education is required to receive STAR funds, and
districts will receive feedback from the Department within 45 days of receipt. I encourage you to submit
revises its instructional personnel assessment system as a result of developing a STAR plan should submit
the revised assessment system with the STAR plan for review. The Department will review both and provide
feed back simultaneously.
325 W. GAINES STREET • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0505 •
www.fldoe.org
STAR Memorandum and Technical Assistance
June 13, 2006
Page Two
Attached to this memorandum are (1) the technical assistance information for developing STAR plans
(instructional and administrative), templates highlighting items required in the proviso language, and (2) a
sample plan to aid districts in meeting with State Board approval.
As you recall, a memo was sent to superintendents in January regarding each district’s current performance
pay plan and how it compared to the requirements of 1012.34, F.S. At that time it was indicated that no
district plan met the requirements. Also, last June the State Board of Education noted that current plans were
out of accord with law.
Following is a timeline of critical dates that must be met for funds to be awarded:
December 31, 2006 – Comprehensive STAR plan must be submitted to the State Board for approval
March 1, 2007 – Revised STAR plan must be submitted in the event the State Board determines a
plan needs revisions
April 1, 2007 – Deadline for a district to adopt its State Board approved STAR plan to receive funds
from the appropriation
We will provide further guidance as we continue receiving input from you and the Advisory Council
regarding non-core subject areas, other forms of assessments, and revising salary schedules to base a portion
of each instructional employee’s salary on performance pursuant to 1012.22, F.S.
We will continue to be available to respond any request for assistance you might have. I look forward to
working with you as we implement this law. You may contact Kathy Hebda or Pam Stewart, as shown in the
contact information box, if you need further clarification.
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