The School Board of Lee County accomplished many of its priorities during the 2024 Legislative Session.

At the top of the list?

Needed funds.

“This year under your direction and the superintendent, we asked for $6.1 (million) for appropriation project funding. As of right now we are waiting for governor’s approval in funding for $5.6 million,” Chief Communication & Government Relations Officer Angel Gomez said at last week’s Board session. “A great achievement. I can’t thank you enough.”

Other successes included Cape Coral Technical College Phase II – $2.1 million, which has been funded and is awaiting the governor’s action, as well as Fort Myers Technical College – East Annex Phase 1, pre-construction, of $2.5 million, both of which have been funded and awaiting the governor’s action.

Gray-Robinson Senior Government Affairs Advisor Dr. Kim McDougal credited the board for its willingness to go to Tallahassee.

“Great job and thank you. I can’t say thank you enough,” she said.

Gomez went over the School District of Lee County’s 2024 legislative priorities and the areas that moved forward.

Some of the highlights included two Senate Bills — 7002 and 7004 for deregulation of public schools — requests for all public schools to have the same statutory flexibility.

The presentation went into detail of both of the bills, which ranged from flexibility to set salaries for instructional personnel to enhancing the ability of school boards to plan for and manage their facilities for SB 7002.

The other deregulation of public school bill, SB 7004 — includes revising elementary school student progression planning to identify students in kindergarten through second grade with substantial deficiency in reading and math to greater flexibility in offering Voluntary Pre-K summer programs.

Gomez said another student achievement priority was support for increase of per student funding by at least 5%.

“The total funds per student increase was 2.75%,” he said.

Safety was a crucial priority as well, Gomez said.

The request was support for an increase in the Safe Schools’ Allocation in the Florida Education Finance Program. He said that resulted in a $40 million overall increase statewide for a total of $290 million funded.

There was another success for safety and security enhancements and a mobile disaster response vehicle appropriation project of $1 million.

Another success occurred under the district’s teacher certification and retention priority — House Bill 151. This bill permits retired classroom teachers and administrators to return to the classroom after six months.

McDougal went through numerous other bills of interest, some of which were approved by the governor and others have yet to be sent to the governor.

One of the highlights, HB 537 – a two-year music-based Supplemental Content to Accelerate Learner Engagement and Success Pilot Program with the Department of Education. She said it’s a pilot program that will use music to get students interested in STEM programs.

Another education bill, SB 7032, is the creation of the Graduation Alternative to Traditional Education (GATE) Program, GATE Scholarship Program, GATE Startup Grant Program and GATE Program Performance Fund.

McDougal said this bill was driven by the Senate and has not yet been sent to the governor. The program reengages students who have withdrawn from high school by providing opportunities to earn career education credentials while also completing a standard high school diploma, or equivalent credential.

Others school related bills include:

• HB 0003: online protection for minors on social media platforms

• HB 0049: employment for minors

• HB 1403: school choice

• SB 46: R.A.I.S.E. Program for VPK to 12th grade students

• HB 1285: education provisions for K-12 public schools

• HB 187: antisemitism

• HB 917: career and technical education

• HB 523: Florida Seal of Fine Arts Program

• HB 883: short-acting bronchodilator use

• HB 931: school chaplains

• HB 1291: educator preparation program

• HB 1403: patriotic organizations

• SB 994: student transportation safety