JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The state legislature is moving forward with two bills that could slash funding for popular acceleration programs, which means Duval County Public Schools could lose millions in funding.
The proposed changes would cut financial support by up to 50% for essential student programs, like Advanced Placement and Career and Professional Education.
House Bill 5101 was substituted for Senate Bill 7030 before passing a vote Wednesday.
While Senate Bill 2510 passed a vote on the Senate floor 33-3 on Wednesday and is now under consideration in the House.
The district could potentially lose $8 million while both the House and the Senate work out their budget.
Here’s why:
HB 5101 would allow the Education Estimating Conference to predict how many students need funding and scholarships. Agencies and scholarship groups would provide data for these predictions, and the initial funding forecast would be reviewed by school districts before it is finalized.
SB 2510 would change how schools count students and how they receive funding based on virtual learning, career certifications, and enrollment numbers. This means funding would be based on estimates of how many students are expected to enroll, not the actual number. If the estimates are too low, funding cuts could follow.
If funding is cut, families may have to pay more for tests and materials. There could be fewer courses and limited opportunities for students, including Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Cambridge, Dual Enrollment, and Career and Professional Education.
Teacher quality and training could also suffer, and schools could lack the equipment needed for industry-standard training.
Students could miss out on valuable career exploration and real-world experiences. Last year, the district said 76% of graduates earned college credits through these programs.
DCPS parents like Lee Townsend are frustrated that school budgets are getting slashed at the state level.
“This is not what we needed. We need support from Tallahassee,” said Townsend.
She’s planning to send her daughter to Stanton College Preparatory School next year specifically for their International Baccalaureate program. Now she’s worried funding cuts could mean less options for her daughter.
“It was really fun to see all of the different types of courses that she’s going to have access to,” Townsend explained. And to think that that could possibly go away is beyond disenchanting.”
School takes action
One DCPS school, Wolfson Academies, is rallying its community to be vocal in their opposition to the bills that could “devastate” the schools if passed.
According to Wolfson, the IB and AP funding that would be cut in half is used to fund teachers for those classes.
Kezia Rolle’s son Dylan is enrolled in the Advanced Placement program at Wolfson High School. He’s learned how to start his own business during his time there. She’s concerned the school will lose what makes it special.
“He has very strong teachers that helped and have helped him to get to this status so far, and we want him to continue. That’s one of the reasons that we’re at Wolfson,” Rolle explained. “We’re just wondering why are you trying to bring down some of the highest performing students in our county?”
Dylan also shared that he’s disappointed in what this could mean for his program.
“It’s just hurting our curriculum, it’s hurting our education, it’s hurting our future,” he said.
The school is asking parents and students to take part in an email campaign against HB 5101 and SB 2510.
The community is encouraged to explain to local lawmakers how the bills relate to them specifically and how the programs that will be affected benefit students and families (like saving on college later because college credits can be earned in high school).
The school is also asking the community to highlight how the programs that will be affected directly benefit the Florida workforce and should not be cut.
Those who would like to have their voice heard on these or any other bills moving through Tallahassee, can use this information to contact their elected officials: https://www.jacksonville.gov/departments/duval-legislative-delegation/delegation-members-jacksonville-info.
The school also shared direct email contacts for local lawmakers:
Senators
Clay Yarborough - Yarborough.Clay.web@flsenate.gov
Tracie Davis - Davis.Tracie.web@flsenate.gov
Representatives
Wyman Duggan District 12 - Wyman.Duggan@myfloridahouse.gov
Angie Nixon District 12 - Angie.Nixon@myfloridahouse.gov
Kimberley Daniels District 14 - Kimberly.Daniels@myfloridahouse.gov
Dean Black District 15 - Dean.Black@flhouse.gov
Kiyan Michael District 16 - Kiyan.Michael@flhouse.gov
Jessica Baker District 17 - Jessica.Baker@flhouse.gov
Nothing is set in stone yet. Both bills must be signed by the governor before any changes can take effect.
Cindy Pearson, District 3 Board Member for DCPS, explained that even with the bills passing the House and the Senate have to come together to create their joint budget. That means there’s still room for negotiation to keep that program funding as it is now. She encourages people to keep advocating and sharing their stories with legislatures.
“Tell your story how this is going to affect you as a student, or your student as a parent, or your school as a teacher, continue to reach out,” Pearson said. “But we will regroup after today and figure out what our talking points are, what our call to action is. So stay tuned. We’re going to continue to work on this.”
