Florida's State Board of Education has officially approved new regulations that allow certain charter schools to operate within traditional public school buildings. The rules, finalized on Wednesday, require public school districts to provide space and essential services to these charter schools at no cost, a move that has intensified the debate over school choice in the state.
The new framework implements a law signed earlier this year by Governor Ron DeSantis, expanding the state's "Schools of Hope" program. This initiative is designed to offer alternatives for students in zones with historically low-performing public schools.
Key Takeaways
- Florida's Board of Education approved rules allowing "Schools of Hope" charter schools to operate inside public school facilities.
- Public school districts must provide classrooms, shared spaces, and operational services to these charter schools at no cost.
- The law applies if a public school has underutilized facilities, regardless of its academic performance.
- Supporters argue the policy expands educational opportunities, while critics claim it drains resources from traditional public schools.
New Regulations Expand 'Schools of Hope' Program
The regulations approved by the state board are built upon a law passed during this year's legislative session. This law expands the scope of the "Schools of Hope" program, which was first established in 2017.
The original goal of the program was to attract high-performing charter school operators to areas with public schools that have been consistently graded as low-performing. The intent was to provide families in these communities with alternative educational options.
What Are 'Schools of Hope'?
The "Schools of Hope" initiative was created by Florida lawmakers in 2017. It aims to encourage successful charter school operators to open new schools specifically for students from communities with persistently underperforming traditional public schools. The program provides financial incentives and operational flexibility to these operators.
The latest law loosens previous restrictions on where these charter schools can be located. Under the new rules, a "School of Hope" can now establish itself directly within an existing public school campus if that campus has vacant or underused space. This applies even if the host public school is a high-performing institution.
Shared Facilities and Services Mandated for Districts
A central component of the new regulations is the requirement for public school districts to share resources extensively with the co-locating charter schools. The rules state that districts must allow these charter schools to use "all or part of an educational facility at no cost."
This includes not only classrooms and administrative offices but also all common areas. The regulations specify that spaces such as cafeterias, gymnasiums, auditoriums, recreation areas, and parking lots must be shared. The division of these shared spaces is to be based on the proportional student enrollment of each school.
No-Cost Services Required
According to the new rules, public school districts are required to provide a wide range of facility-related services to the co-located charter schools "without limitation." These services include:
- Custodial and maintenance work
- School safety and security
- Food services
- Nursing services
- Student transportation
These mandates mean that public school districts will bear the operational and infrastructure costs for the charter schools operating within their buildings. This aspect of the policy has become a major point of contention.
Arguments For and Against the Co-Location Policy
The expansion has drawn both strong support from school choice advocates and sharp criticism from public school proponents. Supporters argue the law is necessary to provide better options for students in struggling schools.
During legislative debates earlier this year, Republican state Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka, who sponsored the bill, framed it as an issue of opportunity.
"We have operators that want to come in and give the best education to those who are in schools that haven't been getting the greatest education. Let's give them the opportunity," she stated on the House floor.
However, opponents voiced significant concerns during the board's meeting on Wednesday. They argue that the policy forces public schools to subsidize their direct competitors, potentially draining critical resources and undermining the traditional school system.
India Miller, a public school advocate, described the model as "parasitic."
"To me, it would be like asking Home Depot to give Lowe's space in their store and pay all of their infrastructure costs. It just does not make sense to me," Miller said, urging the board to reject the proposal.
The board members, who are appointed by Governor DeSantis, ultimately defended the new rules. They dismissed the concerns about funding and suggested the policy addresses existing failures in public education.
"Schools of hope wouldn't be necessary if our public school system had done its job along the way," said board Vice Chair Esther Byrd. This statement reflects the administration's broader view that expanding school choice is a necessary response to shortcomings in the traditional system.
Broader Context of Florida's Education Landscape
This policy change is the latest development in Florida's long-standing promotion of school choice initiatives, which has positioned the state as a model for conservative education policy nationwide. The move also comes at a time when many public school districts are facing significant challenges.
Across the state, some districts are grappling with declining student enrollment, which can lead to reduced state funding. Additionally, many schools are housed in aging facilities that require substantial investment for maintenance and modernization. These issues, combined with the ongoing academic and social challenges students face post-pandemic, create a complex environment for public school administrators.
The implementation of these new co-location rules will be closely watched by educators, parents, and policymakers in Florida and across the country to see how the sharing of school facilities impacts both traditional public schools and the charter schools they now must host.