FCSA Challenges Districts, Gets Deadline Clarification from FDOE

5 years ago

FCSA Press Release

December 2, 2020 — On November 30^th, Emergency Order 07 granted all public schools flexibility and the funding to continue to offer both in-person and remote learning models to Florida’s families.. Our team at the Florida Charter School Alliance (FCSA) soon began hearing that some districts were demanding that charter schools submit a Spring 2021 Education Plan prior to the Emergency Order’s December 15th deadline. We took immediate action.

“We always encourage a spirit of collaboration with school districts,” explains Ralph Arza, Director of Governmental Affairs. “Some charter schools may choose to turn in their spring plan early to get some much-appreciated feedback from the district sponsor. However, we were not going to allow districts to make a unilateral decision and bully our member schools. Not under our watch.”

Arza reached out to the districts and superintendents that had demanded charter schools submit their Spring Education Plan early – one as early as December 4 – to mediate the situation. He also asked the Florida Department of Education for assistance. Thanks to the quick action taken by Dr. Dre Graham and Adam Emerson at the Florida Department of Education, and support from Commissioner Corcoran, a clarifying email (below) was issued to districts within 24 hours of the FCSA’s request.

Clarification with respect to the submission, approval, and deadline of charter school Spring 2021 Education Plans sent out by FDOE:

a. Districts were required to review charters plans for EO-06 and now again for EO-07. However, there was never a prescription to the extent to which districts review those plans. Therefore, districts should NOT subsequently submit charters plans to FDOE.

b. This enabled deadlines — districts to FDOE and charters to districts — to both be December 15, because these deadlines are NOT dependent on each other. They are entirely separate transactions.

c. Additionally, charters (just like districts) do NOT have to submit plans if they are not interested in the protections and flexibilities that EO-07 offers for things like Innovative learning modalities and declines in enrollment.

d. Therefore, the deadline for charters is December 15 and should not be altered.

The FCSA got involved as part of our commitment and support to our member schools. Your membership ensures that we always have your back. Whether mediating with districts or educating legislators on the benefits of education choice and charter schools, the FCSA is always working to fight for and protect your best interest — and the best interests of the families you serve.

Thank you for being an FCSA member school.

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