Palm Beach County Charter Schools Victorious in Lawsuit to Compel School District to Share Tax Revenue

Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) congratulates the prevailing public charter schools for ensuring charter school students benefit from equal funding.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (September 3, 2021) – Palm Beach County Circuit Court Judge Glenn D. Kelley has ruled in favor of charter schools that sued the Palm Beach County School Board for failing to share a portion of ad valorem tax revenues approved by Palm Beach County voters in 2018. 

“Considering the arguments presented by the parties.…the Court finds that Plaintiffs are entitled to their share of the revenue generated by the subject referendum for the 2021-2022 school year going forward,” wrote Judge Kelley.  He ordered the payments to start as of July 1, 2021. 

Voters opted to increase school system taxes in Palm Beach County to fund school safety equipment, hire additional school police and mental health professionals, fund arts, music and physical education, career choice program teachers and improve teacher pay.  The School System singled out charter schools in the ballot language as not eligible for a share of the additional ad valorem tax revenues. 

Plaintiffs argued the referendum violated Florida law, which specifies that students enrolled in a charter school shall be funded “the same as” students in other public schools in the school district. 

The schools responsible for the lawsuit are Academy for Positive Learning of West Palm Beach and Palm Beach Maritime Academy of Lantana, as well as parents of a student enrolled in a charter school in Palm Beach County. 

“The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools congratulates the plaintiffs on their legal victory and thanks them for standing up for what’s right on behalf of all public charter schools and their students in Florida,” said Robert Haag, President of FCPCS.  “They have set an important and fair standard for equitable funding to impact students at charter schools throughout our state.” 

About the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools

The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) is the leading charter school membership association in the state, with a membership of nearly 75 percent of all operating charter schools.  Since its inception in 1999, FCPCS has been dedicated to creating a national model of high quality, accredited public charter schools that are student-centered and performance-driven.  FCPCS provides a wide array of technical support, mentoring, training, networking, and purchasing services to its membership, as well as serving as an advocate for all Florida public charter schools.

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Source: Tampa Bay Times
By Kirby Wilson September 1, 2021

Businesses, schools and governments can’t deny service to unvaccinated Floridians under a state law passed this year. TALLAHASSEE — Florida businesses and governments that require proof of COVID-19 vaccination from customers or members of the public will soon face $5,000 fines, according to a new Department of Health rule...read more

Six Florida Charter High School Graduates Win Prestigious Scholarships

Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships awarded based on academic accomplishments and financial need.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (September 2, 2021) – Six Florida charter high school graduates have been named recipients of the 2021 Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships by the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS). 

The Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships are merit-based financial awards given to college-bound or technical school-bound recent graduates of Florida charter schools.  The graduates have strong academic records and demonstrate financial need. 

Dr. Carlo Rodriguez was an education advocate who worked tirelessly to expand quality school choice options for children.  He was the head of the charter school office of Miami-Dade Public Schools and was named to head the Florida Department of Education's Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice.  He passed away unexpectedly in 2007. 

Recipients of the 2021 Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships are: 

--Miranda Clapp, a graduate of Sarasota Military Academy, Sarasota, Fla.  She will attend the University of Central Florida in Orlando to study Film Production/Creative Writing. 

--Ricki Victoria Sauls, a graduate of James Madison Preparatory High School, Madison, Fla.  She will attend Florida State University in Tallahassee to study English Education. 

--Leah Brent, a graduate of Odyssey Charter School in Palatka, Fla.  She will attend University of the Pacific, Stockton, Calif., to study Political Science. 

--Kaitlyn Schroeder, a graduate of Avant Garde Academy of Broward in Hollywood, Fla.  She will attend Broward College in Pembroke Pines to study Nursing. 

--Christine Smith, a graduate of Avant Garde Academy of Broward in Hollywood, Fla.  She will attend Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale to study Pre-Nursing. 

--Jordan Williams, a graduate of Legacy High School in Ocoee, Fla.  He will attend Valencia College in Orlando to study Computer Science.

The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools acknowledges the meaningful support it receives for the Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships Program from EGIS Insurance & Risk Advisors of Boca Raton.  The company is a preferred vendor partner of the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools. 

“Congratulations to all of the winners of the Dr. Carlo Rodriguez Scholarships,” said Robert Haag, President of FCPCS.  “Their recent charter school achievements are outstanding and their futures in college shine brightly.” 

About the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools

The Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools (FCPCS) is the leading charter school membership association in the state, with a membership of nearly 75 percent of all operating charter schools.  Since its inception in 1999, FCPCS has been dedicated to creating a national model of high quality, accredited public charter schools that are student-centered and performance-driven.  FCPCS provides a wide array of technical support, mentoring, training, networking, and purchasing services to its membership, as well as serving as an advocate for all Florida public charter schools.

BEST FACE MASKS FOR KIDS? FOCUS ON COMFORT AND A SNUG FIT

From WJCT News
By Maria Godoy • Aug 24, 2021

Which masks are best to keep kids safe? It's a question on many parents' minds as students return to in-person school amid a huge wave of coronavirus infections. Masking is a key safety measure in schools for all kids, especially for children too young to be eligible for any COVID-19 vaccine. READ MORE