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More Florida School Districts Vote To Sue State Over Education Law

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The School Boards in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties have voted to authorize legal action to challenge a controversial new education bill.

Tampa Bay area school districts are still deciding whether to join them.

Seven Florida school districts are now pledging to bring a lawsuit, but none has actually filed one yet.

School administrators unsuccessfully urged Gov. Rick Scott to veto House Bill 7069, arguing that many of the provisions favored charter schools at the expense of traditional public schools. The law creates financial incentives for new charters to open and compete with low-performing public schools. And school districts will have to now share construction money with charter schools.

As of now, both Hillsborough and Pinellas County school districts say they have met with legal staff and are still weighing their options.

Polk County's School Board attorney has said members intend to decide at their next meeting on Aug. 22.

Meanwhile, the Manatee County School District says it’s taking a wait-and- see approach, but supports the challenge. 

Pasco and Sarasota school districts have already said they will not join any legal challenge.

Copyright 2020 WUSF Public Media - WUSF 89.7. To see more, visit .

Cathy Carter is the education reporter for WUSF 89.7 and StateImpact Florida.