Page 10 - MDLC_Legislative Action2015_F

FACILITIES: Provide local school districts the fexibility to use the Florida Building Code in lieu of the State Requirements for Educational Facilities. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: Support legislation that attempts to strengthen the role of technical centers in the development of a skilled workforce. Include representatives from the secondary schools’ career and technical education programs in the state’s Articulation Coordinating Committee. VIRTUAL EDUCATION: Modify the requirement to offer three different virtual offerings to students. POLICY STATEMENTS: Funding Fully fund class size reduction requirement while providing increases to the Base Student Allocation (BSA) and other components of the FEFP. Examine Florida’s tax structure and phase out sales tax exemptions for non-essential goods and services; ensure that internet sales remit necessary sales tax to Florida. Support maximum fexibility in the use of categorical funds. Maintain the integrity of the FEFP and equity of funding among school districts. Oppose any prescribed expenditure such as the “65 percent solution” as a mandate in the Florida Constitution and further oppose any such legislation, unless established as a spending goal with the defnition of expenditures to include all instructional support expenditures. Oppose compression of the Discretionary Millage. Support equivalent supplemental funding for the participation and the attainment of a diploma for Advanced Placement, Cambridge (AICE) and International Baccalaureate programs. Maintain the current required employers’ contribution rate to the Florida Retirement System by absorbing any planned increase in local employer’s contribution. Oppose legislation that increases the sovereign immunity liability limits on governmental agencies. Commit to long-term funding stability for teacher performance pay and teacher evaluation systems. Provide maximum fexibility with the funds appropriated. Allow school districts to locally establish contract provisions inclusive of cost structures with postsecondary institutions related to the delivery of dual enrollment. Increase ESE per pupil funding to account for both student growth and infationary cost particularly in level 254 and 255 to provide early identifcation and intervention services for students with autism. Support grant funding to create new and innovative programs and academies. Capital Funding Provide adequate school construction funding to support new and existing facilities, technology, maintenance, land acquisition and class size reduction needs through the establishment of long-term, stable and recurring revenue sources to fulfll the state’s educational facility needs. 10