2010 Legislative Priorities
For more information or details about any of these priorities, please contact the Communications and Government Relations Department: (727) 774-2259 • (813) 794-2259 • (352) 524-2259.
Priority 1
Support full and flexible funding of education and oppose any new unfunded mandates
The District would like the Legislature to remain cognizant of the “funding cliff” that is projected after the federal stimulus funds are no longer available to supplement the state budget and develop a plan for sustaining education funding in the absence of these resources.
Priority 2
Address the issue of Class Size Implementation.
Two years ago, Pasco was very close to meeting class-by-class implementation of the constitutional mandate. With the shortfalls and budget cuts that have come in recent years, we raised class sizes to balance our budget. Districts that have made a good faith effort to comply, but have fallen short due to the difficult financial challenges, should not receive a financial penalty for non-compliance with the Class Size mandate.
Priority 3
Modify the Workforce Education Funding Formula to allow for more equitable distribution.
The current workforce education funding formula does not ensure an equitable distribution of resources based upon student enrollment figures (or more importantly- declines in student enrollment) as suggested by the Department of Education’s recommended funding model. This flawed formula results in a great disparity between the allocations of school districts across the state. Districts’ funding ranges from 21% to 468% of the recommended Florida DOE funding model. Districts who are currently receiving more than 100% of the recommended funding model should have their allocation reduced in an effort to bring under-funded districts up to the recommended level.
Priority 4
Raise Awareness of the Problem- Solving, Response to Intervention Framework and its long-term implications for both General and Exceptional Student Education.
Pasco County leads the state and nation with its implementation of the Problem-Solving, Response to Intervention framework. This problem-solving approach requires the use of data for making instructional decisions about students’ needs. The results of Pasco’s three-year pilot project have been quite powerful, as more students are receiving the support they need to achieve success in a general education environment.
As Pasco replicates this framework throughout the District, the Legislature should examine the success Pasco has experienced and begin discussions about the long-term implications for a decline in exceptional student education referrals.
Priority 5
The GED Exit Option Program is a valid educational option that provides incentives for at-risk students to stay in school, meet state requirements and graduate with their class. This highly-effective option should be preserved through legislative authority.
The Commissioner of Education has stated he does not have the statutory authority to allow the continuance of the GED Exit Option Program. This is a valuable program that meets the needs of certain students, promotes high standards of excellence and is greatly needed within the public education system. The Legislature should grant specific statutory authority to allow the continued use of this option.
Priority 6
Unemployment Compensation
Current economic conditions have increased the level of unemployment in Florida, and consequently, the amount of unemployment benefits that the State is paying to unemployed citizens.
The District is classified as a reimbursing employer. This means the District must pay the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund on a dollar-for-dollar basis for the benefits paid to its former employees.
There has been a significant increase both in the number of claims filed as well as the number of claimants receiving benefits from FY 07/08 to FY 08/09 and during the first quarter of this fiscal year.
The substantial increase in UC claims reimbursed by the District is the major factor for the increased expenditure by the District. Not all UC reimbursed by the District are a direct result of a separation of employment from the District itself.
A significant and increasing amount of claims paid, is due to former employees who have earned wages from the District in the base period, separating from a more current employer. Even though the District is not the most recent employer of these claimants, because they earned wages from the District during the base period, the District is responsible for reimbursing the State for a portion of the benefits paid.
Lobbyist Contact Information
Brewser Brown
522 E. Park Avenue, Suite 100
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 510-5644
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Eric Prutsman, Esq.
Prutsman & Associates, P.A.
P.O. Box 10448
Tallahassee, FL 32302-2248
(850) 894-6601 (office)
(850) 894-6604 (fax)
(850) 210-2525 (cell)
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About our Superintendent
Heather Fiorentino began her career with the District School Board of Pasco County in 1984. She taught several grade levels and subject areas, including drop-out prevention. She was named Pasco County District Teacher of the Year in 1994. In 1993, Fiorentino was elected to the New Port Richey City Council, where she served for five years...Read More!
Correspondence
Please use the following address when sending written correspondence to the Superintendent or her staff:
District School Board of Pasco County
7227 Land O' Lakes Blvd.
Land O' Lakes, FL 34638
Fax: (813) 794-2326
