Page 5 - MDLC_Legislative Action2016

2016 Miami-Dade County Public School State Legislative Priority Positions GOAL STATEMENT The Florida Legislature should establish a fve-year strategic plan to restore, stabilize, and increase funding through the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) to achieve at least the national average in per pupil expenditures to provide the highest quality education and to enable all of our students to be empowered to lead productive and fulflling lives as lifelong learners and responsible citizens. 2016 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY POSITIONS FUNDING: Increase the state’s investment in K-12 education by increasing the total per student funding by fve percent annually.* Revise the Value Adjustment Board (VAB) proceedings to include:* • Proof of the property owner consent of an appeal; • Limit appeal rescheduling to only one for good cause; • Payment of interest at the market rate; • Require the VAB to fnish all appeals and certify the fnal tax roll to the property appraiser by June 1st of each year; • Allow school districts to audit the VAB and the Property Appraiser (PA); and • Require a review by the state of PA’s process when the PA’s estimate on July 1st is two percent or more than the state estimate for three or more consecutive years. Modify the penalty for non-compliance with the constitutional class size requirement to be based on the school-wide average for all public schools. Provide school districts funding to cover the full cost of offering dual enrollment courses through incentive funding to school districts/schools that offer such programs and have successful completion of dual enrollment courses by students. Support funding to offer an extended school year beyond 180 days for all students. Amend F.S. 1011.61 to fully fund programs taken by students beyond the 1.0 FTE cap or 25 hours a week such as virtual classes outside the traditional school day and year.* Eliminate the statutory provision requiring the passage of end-of-course assessment for funding purposes. 5