Gov. DeSantis receives education ‘chimera’ bill combining Democratic, Republican proposals

What began as a teacher support measure now spans everything from private school expansion to handwriting instruction.

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A bill that started out to improve teacher training has grown to include proposals about private school zoning, handwriting, and charter school enrollment. It is now on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk.

DeSantis’ office said it has received SB 182. The bill, from Miami Gardens Democratic Sen. Shevrin Jones, started as a four-page plan to let experienced or highly rated retired teachers mentor newer or struggling educators, especially in low-performing schools.

That part stayed in the bill when it passed last month, even though some House Democrats opposed it, after lawmakers added nine more pages of education-related proposals.

The new additions, made through amendments by Jones and Rep. John Snyder, a Republican from Stuart, included:

• Private schools could use or buy buildings like churches, museums, theaters, colleges, and former schools or day care centers without needing rezoning or special land-use approval. They could also build new facilities on these properties or on land owned by Florida College System schools and state universities without zoning changes. Schools with 150 students or fewer could operate in commercial or mixed-use zones and in nontraditional buildings, as long as they meet fire safety standards or similar checks. This was part of SB 1264/HB 333 by Miami Republican Sen. Alexis Calatayud and Dania Beach Republican Rep. Hillary Cassel.

— Charter schools would face limits on dismissing students for academic reasons. They would need to create a progress-monitoring plan first and could not dismiss students during school-improvement or corrective-action periods. This was part of HB 1071 by Cassel and Republican Rep. Dana Trabulsy of Fort Pierce.

— Unused tax credit scholarship funds would go back to the scholarship organization instead of the state, and those funds would have to be used again for scholarships. This was part of SB 1318/HB 6025 by Doral Republican Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez and Coral Gables Republican Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera.

— Cursive writing would be required for students in grades 3 through 5.

— Public schools would have to display portraits of Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, with the Department of Education providing the images. This was part of SB 420/HB 371, sponsored by Snyder and Zephyrhills Republican Sen. Danny Burgess.

SB 182 made it to the Senate floor mostly unchanged in early March. However, its House companion, HB 157 by Gainesville Democratic Rep. Yvonne Hinson, stalled in its last committee and did not get a vote.

This led to a compromise between the two chambers. The Senate accepted the House’s changes, and the House passed the amended bill 91-11 on March 12. All ‘no’ votes came from Democrats, except for Hinson.

The Senate unanimously approved the bill that same day.

DeSantis received SB 182 on Thursday. He now has 15 days to sign it, veto it, or let it become law without his signature.