From a bill to increase teacher pay to a proposal for more charter school funding, education issues will be a big part of the upcoming Legislative Session in Tallahassee.
The big education issues this session should revolve around tuition costs at state colleges and universities. In Florida, there are in-state tuition rates, and out-of-state tuition rates, which are about 3 times more expensive.
Now people who live in Florida are supposed to be charged the in-state rate. But a lot of Florida residents have been charged the out-of-state rate.
For example, students who are U.S. citizens -born in Florida - but whose parents are undocumented. They have always been required to pay higher college tuition.
StateImpact Florida first reported on this policy back in August. It helped lead to a lawsuit filed by the SPLC and a federal judge ruled it was unconstitutional to charge US citizens more tuition just because their parents are undocumented.
So the state now has to change its law. But the Senate is trying to add some restrictions.
The Senate has introduced a bill that would require students to spend all of their high school years in a Florida school -- if they want to be charged cheaper tuition. And they would also have to apply to college within a year after they graduate from a Florida high school in order to qualify.
Another tuition-related bill would affect U.S. military veterans. People who serve in the military can get money to attend college. But some veterans don't qualify for in-state tuition rates because they haven't been living in Florida. So the Senate has filed a bill that would give veterans that in-state rate if they attend any Florida college - which should actually help veterans cash in on their education benefits.
And teachers may be cashing in also. The Governor has proposed a $25,00 pay raise. And a State Senator has proposed a much bigger one.
State Senator Joseph Abruzzo, a democrat from Palm Beach County, wants to amend the state constitution to make sure that all teachers in Florida are paid at least the national average, which is about $56,000. Right now, Florida teachers are paid on average $10,000 less than the national average.
In order to amend the state constitution, the legislature would first need to approve the bill. If they do approve the pay raise, then Florida voters will see it on the ballot next November. Then it will appear on a ballot Florida voters will see it on the ballot The bill would need legislative approval as well as 60% of Florida voting in favor.
And teachers aren't the only ones who want more money. Charter schools are also asking for a larger share of tax dollars to pay for their facilities - things like building maintenance and rent. But neither the charter schools nor the school districts can agree on a far way to divide up the money.
Right now, schools districts put every school's facility request on a list based on importance. If one school needs a new roof, that might get bumped to the top before another school that wants a computer lab. But charter schools are never part of the list, except in a handful of school districts. So charter schools are asking for cash based on the number of students enrolled in their charter schools.
School districts say that's equivalent to cutting to the front of the line. They won't have to put their request on a list and wait like the traditional public schools.