Florida charter schools continue to experience difficulties in accessing suitable and affordable facilities. Florida’s legislature has improved access to facility funding and site options. For example, in 2024, the legislature passed HB 1285, which preempts local zoning restrictions for schools opening in certain building types — churches, community centers, and libraries. However, facility challenges persist. Local elected officials often interpret HB 1285 as restrictively as possible to block the opening of new schools. The City of Hollywood (Broward County) recently proposed that all new non-district school construction required “standalone buildings on lots larger than one acre” and are prohibited from opening along major roadways. In November 2024, the City of Margate passed a zoning ordinance requiring high schools to be on a minimum lot size of 45 acres. The Florida Charter School Alliance and Florida Charter Institute (FCI) are working to identify continued challenges and are collecting data to inform related policy discussions.
“The latest attack on school choice is coming from local elected city and municipal leaders who are liberal democrats that are infringing on a parent’s right to choose the best educational option for their child by blocking the opening of new schools,” said Ralph Arza, Director of Governmental Affairs, Florida Charter School Alliance. “The Alliance is excited to work with FCI to identify the facilities’ challenges facing Florida charter schools.“
“The Department of Education supports FCI’s work to better understand facilities challenges facing Florida’s charter schools. The better we understand the challenge, the more we can do to help. We encourage you to participate in FCI’s landscape review and survey, ‘ said Adam Emerson, Executive Director Office of School Choice
The FCSA and FCI are committed to strengthening facility options available to Florida charter schools. After several months of listening to charter leaders, the FCI will begin focused data collection efforts to explore the facility challenges blocking parents’ access to new charter schools. To participate in the survey, contact Susie Miller Carello at susiemc@flcharterinstitute.org.
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Image: Civica Architecture, Pinecrest Glades Academy