TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) –Governor Rick Scott has announced more than $24 billion in funding for K-12, state colleges and universities throughout Florida. The announcement was made Monday as part of his “It’s Your Money Tax Cut Budget.” It includes total operating funds of $18.84 billion for K-12 public schools, $2 billion for state colleges and $3.59 billion for Florida’s public universities- all of which are the largest total investments in Florida history.
"Building on the record K-12 education funding and teacher pay raises and classroom debit cards of last year, I am committing an historic $18.8 billion in total funding K-12 education," Governor Scott said. "We need to provide the tools, training and funding to give our students the best chance for success."
The $18.8 billion in funding for K-12 education funding is the highest in Florida history and includes a record $10.6 billion in state funds. This total is a $542 million increase above the 2013-14 funding level. In addition, Governor Scott is recommending $8.4 million in professional development for principals and assistant principals and $5 million for training and technical assistance for teachers related to the implementation of state standards.
Included in the total funding for colleges and universities is $40 million of new funds for the Florida College System and $40 million in new funds for the State University System for performance funding.
The Governor’s office is working with the Board of Governors and the State Board of Education to ensure this funding will be allocated to colleges and universities based on metrics including percentage of graduates employed or continuing education, average wages of graduates, and cost per undergraduate degrees.
“Our students and teachers have led the nation in preparing for success in college, in career and in life,” Education Commissioner Pam Stewart said. “This historic commitment to our schools will only improve our state’s reputation as the national leader as the ideal location to learn, work and live.”
