Charter Schools Funding Gains Momentum

This week, a report from National Victory Strategies showed that charter schools are polling high among Floridians.

In the report, it also showed that Florida citizens believe that both public schools and charter schools should receive the same amount of funding.

Though the issue has grown divisive over the years, receiving some backlash from Democrats, it was announced today that the Florida House passed a bill that would require school districts to share referendum money with charter schools.

The bill, sponsored by  Rep. Bryan Avila (R), comes after voters approved a raise in the sales tax for teacher’s salaries and for school safety measures in the 2018 midterm elections. However, in light of that, district officials argued that they would not be sharing salary portions with any charter schools.

Commenting on the passing of the bill, Avila (pictured) noted that “whether you’re a charter school teacher or a traditional public school teacher, you’re doing the same thing.” Avila, a former charter school teacher, added that “we put in blood, sweat and tears, we care for our kids. So when a school district says, ‘We’re going to have a levy but these public (charter) school teachers need to be excluded?’ I think that’s not only wrong, I think it’s immoral.”

In the previously mentioned survey from National Victory Strategies, 53% polled in favor of the Florida legislature and Governor Ron DeSantis stepping in on behalf of public charter school students and teachers to ensure that tax funds are divided equally, and 45% said that they strongly agreed.

DeSantis, when campaigning to become Florida’s Governor, maintained that he would “support school choice options such as public magnet schools, district and non-district-managed public charter schools, Florida Virtual School, home education, and the various other choice options.”

And, after winning the election, polls indicate that Floridians agree with the same.