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Lake Wales board hears proposal to open state capital outlay to conversion charter schools; staff estimates about $2.2M for five schools if bill passes
Summary
Board counsel and staff briefed trustees on a Florida Senate bill that would make 'conversion' charter schools eligible for state capital outlay; staff estimated about $2.2 million could flow to the system's five conversion schools if the measure becomes law.
Board counsel and staff told trustees that a Florida Senate bill has been filed to make conversion charter schools eligible for state capital outlay, an element of funding conversion schools currently lack, according to the board’s adviser. Counsel said the measure has the support of the Florida Department of Education and that trustees will be asked to coordinate outreach to local legislators.
“There has been a bill filed in the senate... which I think is gonna be very important to the board,” counsel (Speaker 1) said during the work session, describing the measure as aimed at allowing conversion charter schools to receive state capital-outlay dollars. Counsel said the system’s five conversion schools are among 22 statewide and noted the change would be funded with state — not local — dollars.
During the financial briefing, board staff (Speaker 6) estimated the system’s five conversion schools could receive roughly $2,200,000 in total if the bill passes and the legislature appropriates funds accordingly. “I could estimate possibly what the revenues would be, somewhere around $2,200,000 for the 5 schools,” Speaker 6 said; staff emphasized the figure is an early estimate and depends on legislative outcomes and which schools remain eligible.
Trustees asked about sponsor responsibility and permissible uses of those funds. Staff said sponsor maintenance responsibilities would not change and described likely allowable uses — including transportation services and 1-on-1 student technology — while noting capital-outlay statutes and bill language would determine precise restrictions. The board signaled support for outreach: staff said a meeting would be scheduled to provide trustees with suggested messages and contacts for their state legislators.
No formal board action on the state bill was taken; trustees approved local policy actions and financial reports at the meeting.
