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District Advisory Council mobilizes for advocacy as governor’s budget tightens ESE funding; board urged to amplify local voice
Summary
Jacqueline Steele reported that the District Advisory Council formed a legislative subgroup to respond to the governor’s budget proposals, focusing on concerns about a 13% decrease in ESE funding and local control of school start times (House Bill 261). The DAC plans local delegation outreach and will meet March 6 to track bills.
The Leon County School Board heard a report on Feb. 11 from Jacqueline Steele, chair of the District Advisory Council (DAC), who said a parent‑led subgroup is preparing district advocacy in response to the governor’s proposed budget and pending bills at the Florida Legislature.
Steele said the DAC’s subgroup convened after the governor’s budget release and focused on a proposed 13% reduction in funding tied to exceptional student education (ESE), which the DAC linked to gifted‑funding concerns. The group discussed what such reductions would mean for Leon County Schools and resolved to engage the local legislative delegation.
"One of the bills that we're also tracking is House Bill 261 on school start times — it removes that state mandate and brings it back to home rule," Steele said. She urged local voices to convey Leon County priorities, arguing that local stakeholders can explain district needs better than legislators who are in session part-time.
Steele told board members the DAC will reconvene March 6 and that their legislative committee planned meetings before that date to develop advocacy messages and specific requests. She said DAC members want to move beyond general support for school funding to targeted requests for how funds should be used locally.
Board members praised the DAC’s increased engagement and encouraged collaboration with the Florida School Boards Association (FSBA) and other local groups to strengthen advocacy. The board suggested the DAC compare its priorities with the FSBA legislative platform and noted FSBA’s legislative days in March as an opportunity for coordinated outreach.
Steele said the DAC will track other potential statutory changes affecting advisory councils and will promote increased parent and business involvement on advisory bodies.
