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St. Johns leaders warn proposed state budget would halve accelerated and CTE add-on funding
Summary
Superintendent Forsen told the school board that House Bill 5101 and Senate Bill 2510 would cut district add-on FTE funding for accelerated courses and career/technical education by roughly half, threatening programs, exam fees, teacher training and career pathways.
Superintendent Forsen warned the St. Johns County School Board that proposed state budget language in House Bill 5101 and Senate Bill 2510 would sharply reduce so-called add-on FTE funding that supports accelerated academic and career-technical education programs.
The superintendent said the district currently receives about $8.7 million in accelerated-program funding and about $4.7 million for career and technical education (CTE). “If you take that down one half, you’re talking about a more than a $4,000,000 cut to the school district,” Forsen said, adding that the bills as written would also cut some digital-tool and middle-school program funding.
The budget language targets add-on funding for programs such as Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, ACE and career-readiness academies. Forsen listed uses for the funds: exam fees; teacher training and bonuses tied to exam passage rates; specialized instructional materials for labs and art portfolios; technology and software; field studies and travel for competitions; and additional counseling and staffing to guide students through program pathways.
“These funds have been vital to schools as a strategy to fill the gaps left because of an underfunded FEFP,” Forsen said, referring to Florida’s Education Finance Program. He told the board that some district nurses, transportation costs and school-safety spending already rely on general revenue because FEFP does not fully fund those areas.
Board members across the dais urged parents, employees and business leaders to contact legislators. Board member Lau said school districts statewide are “deeply concerned,” and urged the public to press local delegates. Board member Pereira and Dr. Thompson warned that even students not enrolled in advanced courses would feel the effect if schools divert general classroom dollars to cover mandated services.
Forsen and board members said the bills remain in play and that there is time to influence the final conference budget after Easter. Forsen said he planned to produce written material summarizing the district’s concerns for distribution to parents and community stakeholders.
The board did not take a formal vote on the matter during the meeting; members instead discussed outreach and asked staff to prepare materials for the public and legislators.
