PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL − After pressure from the Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA), the Superintendent of Palm Beach County schools has decided to restore full IDEA funding for students with disabilities who attend charter schools.
In September, the Palm Beach School district drastically cut the IDEA funding formula allocated to students attending charter schools. That change, which was close to a 75% reduction in funding, had a devastating impact on schools and the students with disabilities they serve. The FCSA took immediate action on behalf of students with disabilities and their charter schools. We met with the Florida Department of Education, School District of Palm Beach personnel, charter school leaders, and even attended district/charter school meetings to ensure that mediations and discussions about restoring funding were taking place.
“FCSA will always do everything in our power to protect students, especially those with special needs,” said Lynn Norman-Teck, FCSA executive director. “This situation put all hands on deck. Our Government Affairs team and I worked closely with school leaders in Palm Beach County and the district to get the decision reversed and get those federal dollars flowing again to services for students with disabilities.”
“We are glad that the school district of Palm Beach and Superintendent Robert Avossa reversed their decision, and that full IDEA funding will be restored to students with disabilities and the schools that serve them,” said Ralph Arza, Director of Governmental Affairs, FCSA.
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