Overview of Education Funding in Florida
Florida's education funding is governed by the state constitution, which mandates adequate provision for a high-quality public school system. The Florida Education Funding Program (FEFP) is crucial for funding local school districts, with various allocations for specific purposes such as teacher salaries, school safety, and instructional materials. For example, Lake County schools receive funding for different categories like ESE programs, academic instruction, and mental health services. The state's spending on education covers operating funds, capital outlay, and impacts of the Florida Lottery. Overall, the state emphasizes the importance of providing quality education for all children in Florida.
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Presentation Transcript
Florida Education Funding Scott Ward, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services
Presentation Overview State Spending on Education Operating Funds for K-12 Schools Capital Outlay Funds for K-12 Schools The Florida Lottery Other Trends Impacting Education Funding Questions and Comments
Florida Constitution on Education Article IX of the Florida Constitution states, The education of children is a fundamental value of the people of the State of Florida. It is, therefore, a paramount duty of the state to make adequate provision for the education of all children residing within its borders. Adequate provision shall be made by law for a uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality system of free public schools that allows students to obtain a high quality education and establishment, maintenance, and operation of institutions of higher learning and other public education programs that the needs of the people may require.
Operating Funding for K-12 School Districts
Florida Education Funding Program (FEFP) The FEFP is the primary mechanism for funding the operating cost of local school districts The FEFP Formula is funded by State revenues and local ad valorem taxes The formula recognizes varying local property tax bases; varying education program costs; varying costs of living; and varying costs for equivalent educational programs due to student population
FEFP Funds for Lake County Schools For Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2022 Source Amount Restriction Base Funding - FTE x BSA x DCD Salary Enhancement $217,224,412 Unrestricted Restricted to Teacher Salary 8,197,413 .748 Millage Compression Unrestricted 7,541,401 Safe Schools Restricted to School Safety 2,746,452 ESE Guaranteed Allocation Restricted to ESE Programs 17,638,852 Supplemental Academic Instruction Restricted to Specific School Services 10,742,367 289,635 4,653,566 Turnaround Supplemental Services Instructional Materials Restricted to DA Schools Restricted to Instructional Materials Student Transportation Restricted to Transportation 8,907,832 Teachers Classroom Supplies Passed Through to Teachers 840,777 Reading Allocation Restricted to Approved Reading Programs 1,995,315 Digital Classroom Restricted to Technology 111,422 Mental Health Restricted to Mental Health Services 1,905,518 DJJ Supplemental Allocation Restricted to DJJ Facilities 11,722 Total Funds Compression Unrestricted 0 McKay Scholarships Unrestricted (4,449,993) Family Empowerment Unrestricted (15,802,614) Total FEFP Funding $262,554,077
2022 State Wide FEFP Highlights Unweighted number of students increased 98,758.7, or 3.5% Total Student Funding increased $1.94 per student The Base Student Allocation increased $53.42, or 1.24% The impact of the increase in students equates to a $52 reduction to the BSA
2021 Lake County Schools FEFP Highlights Total Student Funding decreased $17.43 per student, or .2% The Base Student Allocation increased $53.42, or 1.24% The impact of the increase in students equates to a $114.27 reduction to the BSA
2021 Lake County Schools FEFP Highlights Because of the FEFP Formula Components, Lake County Schools is funded 64th out of 67 Florida School Districts Our per-student funding is $7,471 per student Monroe County is ranked 1st at $10,281.61 per student Hendry County is ranked 67th at $7,112 per student The average for the State is $7,758.30 If Lake County Schools was funded at the State Average, we would receive an additional $12.5 Million.
Historic Changes to FEFP Formula Shift of Non-FEFP Appropriations to the FEFP Formula Best & Brightest/Teacher Salary(FYE 2020) - $284.5 million State, $4.2 million District Transportation Funding (FYE 2010) - $449.9 million State, $9 million District Instructional Materials (FYE 2010) - $236.5 million State, $3.9 million District Teachers Classroom Supply (FYE 2010) - $54.1 million State, $.86 million District Shift from 95% Budget to 96% Budget of Ad Valorem Taxes $100.6 million in additional Statewide $1.2 million in additional District Budget
Capital Outlay Funding for K-12 School Districts
Capital Outlay Funding Capital Outlay Funds are for Investments in long term assets, such as land, buildings, and vehicles. Capital Outlay Funds can only be used for the initial purchase and major renovation of long term assets. They cannot be expended on the day-to day operations of the assets. All State Capital Outlay Funds must be expended on Building New Education Facilities, Debt Service, or Renovating Existing Facilities. Local Capital Outlay Millage Proceeds can be used to construct or purchase new facilities, major Repair Renovation and Remodel of existing facilities, purchases of vehicles including Buses, and Furniture Fixtures and Equipment. The misuse of Capital Funds for Operating Purposes will result in a dollar for dollar reduction in the District s FEFP Funding.
State Capital Outlay Funds Capital Outlay and Debt Service (CO&DS) Funded by the Motor Vehicle License and Registration (MVLR) tax Districts can elect to participate in state s bonding program allowing Districts to pledge future proceeds in order to address current needs. State hasn t done any new bonding since 2010 Public Education Capital Outlay (PECO) Funded by Gross Receipts Sales tax on utilities State bonded annual proceeds in order to increase funding until 2012 State hasn t allocated funds for K-12 new construction since 2009 Since 2019, the State has not allocated any PECO Maintenance funding for School Districts Lottery Programs Funded by Lottery Proceeds State Bonded annual proceeds in 2009 State hasn t allocated funds since 2009
Local Capital Outlay Funds Local Capital Outlay Millage Used for all capital needs including buses and equipment Local Capital Outlay Millage Levy reduced from 2 mills to 1.75 mills in 2009, and to 1.5 mills in 2010 Since the cap reduction, we have missed $121.2 million in local capital outlay funding Impact Fees Must be approved by the County Commission Must be tied to new growth Fee is based on the cost of the impact of a new residence Sales Tax Used for specific remodeling projects approved in the referendum
2021 Legislative Changes During the 2021 Legislative Session, the Family Empowerment Scholarship Program was expanded by funding voucher programs, formally funded directly through tax credits, with FEFP Funding The expansion absorbed approximately $630 million of FEFP funding appropriated for Districts 2021 Appropriations set aside a one time appropriation to offset the impact of the expansion; however, it only offset $186 million of the $630 impact to districts
Additional Information https://www.lake.k12.fl.us/our-district/legislative-priorities QRC for Legislative Priorities List our Legislative Priorities Links to the contact information of our Governor, Speaker of the House, and Senate President Links to the Senators and House of Representatives that represent our District Helpful tips for effective communication with your representative
Questions and Comments Contact Information: Scott Ward, Assistant Superintendent of Business Services Lake County Schools WardT1@Lake.K12.FL.US QRC to Contact Information
