Representative warns "Schools of Hope" language risks private takeover of public campuses

A Broward state representative warned that recently enacted implementation language for the state's "Schools of Hope" initiative risks allowing charter operators to take over high-performing public school sites and claimed the change was inserted in the budget last session without adequate safeguards.

Representative Robin Bartleman told the delegation the bill language would effectively permit operators to claim buildings with apparent space under capacity metrics and argued the measure lacks protections for existing programs and special-education centers. "They are asking for the A schools. And they're gonna disrupt the whole campus," she said, describing the language as a "real estate grab."

Why it matters: Bartleman and others said the provision could transfer control of school buildings (including technical centers and ESE facilities) to charter operators on a first-come, first-served basis, potentially disrupting services for current students and imposing costs on traditional public schools.

Details: The representative said the measure died in committee but was added to budget implementing language on the final night of session. She said the change would require a leadership-led fix in the next session and urged parents and local coalitions to press for legislative guardrails.

Ending: Bartleman said she is working with coalitions to file amendments next session to restore protections for existing public-school campuses and to prevent opportunistic transfers of school property.