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Superintendent warns proposed House bill would cut advanced‑program funding, costing Osceola about $5 million
Summary
Superintendent Shanoff told the board that House Bill 5101 would reduce weighting for advanced academic programs (AP, IB, dual enrollment, career education) and could translate to roughly $5 million less annually in student‑generated funding for Osceola. He urged families to contact legislators.
In remarks to the Osceola County School Board on April 8, Superintendent Doctor Shanoff warned that House Bill 5101, then moving through the Florida Legislature, proposed cuts to funding weights for advanced academic programs including Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual enrollment and career education. He said the district estimates the change could translate into approximately $5 million in lost student‑generated funding for Osceola.
Shanoff described the proposed cut as more than a bonus reduction; he said the district relies on weighted funding for these programs because base formula funding is chronically insufficient. He told the community that cuts could reduce access to advanced courses, make it harder to attract or retain specialized teachers, and weaken the district’s competitiveness in preparing students for college and careers. Shanoff urged community members to contact legislators and expressed the view that the issue is both educational and economic for the county.
No district action was taken at the meeting on HB 5101; the comments were informational and intended to encourage civic engagement.
