Florida Governor Wants More Money To Help Charter Schools

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Gov. Rick Scott wants a significant boost in the money going to help fix and build new charter schools.

Scott on Thursday announced he will ask state legislators to set aside $100 million in the coming year to help with construction costs. Charter schools receive public money, but the schools are run by private groups.

This year charter schools received $75 million. Over 250,000 students are enrolled in nearly 650 charter schools.

Scott’s decision to ask for more money comes amid scrutiny of charter schools performance.

The Naples Daily News reported last year that in the last six years some 14,000 students have had to relocate to new schools, at times mid-year, as a result of charter school closings. Financial problems are the most common reasons for closure.

Allison Leslie is a University of South Florida graduate with a bachelors degree in Mass Communications. She joined Genesis in 2016. With a passion for sports, Allison has interned with 620 WDAE, Pewter Report, Trifecta Team: St. Petersburg Bowl, Bullscast, and many other publications. Being a native to the Bay Area, she has followed and supported Tampa Bay teams her whole life.