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David Summers Staff Director (850) 487-9257 summers.david@oppaga.fl.gov |
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•Clarify the types of projects that are eligible for program funding. The Legislature could amend s. 1013.64(2)(a)1., Florida Statutes, to specifically define "critical need" and the types of projects that should be deemed a critical need. In addition, the Legislature could clarify whether major renovations and school expansions are eligible for program funding.
•Clarify the department's role in making funding decisions. The Legislature could amend section s. 1013.64(2)(a)1., Florida Statutes, to clarify the department's authority to review and deny requests for program funding if it determines the projects do not meet the definition of critical need.
•Require the department to conduct educational plant surveys. The Legislature could address this issue in three ways. First, it could require the Department of Education to conduct educational plant surveys for districts considering applying for project funds. Second, the Legislature could amend Florida law to prohibit consultants who conduct educational plant surveys from also being employed by or receiving compensation from third parties that design or construct school projects that are recommended by their surveys. Finally, the Legislature could require the department to examine the Special Facility Construction Account projects that have resulted in substantial excess student capacity and identify the specific factors that resulted in overbuilding.
•Require the department to approve final construction plans for program-funded projects. Statutes currently do not require districts to submit final construction plans to the department for its review or approval. The department could be given the authority to both review and approve these plans for Special Facility Construction Account Program funded projects to ensure that the proposed designs are the most economical way to meet each district's growth needs.
•Change the membership of the project selection committee. To avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, the Legislature could consider revising statutes to limit how frequently the same school district can be represented on the final selection committee. Alternatively, the Legislature could broaden committee membership by specifying that the committee must include representatives from both program-eligible and non-program-eligible school districts.
•Require districts to levy the maximum discretionary millage prior to their application. To demonstrate the district's willingness to raise local funds to address construction needs, the Legislature could consider amending Florida law to require that school districts levy the maximum local capital improvement millage for a specified number of years prior to submitting an application for program funds.
•Modify the cost-sharing requirement that districts allocate all discretionary capital improvement millage to funded projects. The Legislature could consider amending Florida law to modify the cost-sharing provision and allow districts to allocate a portion of their discretionary capital improvement millage to other purposes during the project period.
•Restrict program funds from paying for cost overruns. The Legislature could amend Florida law to identify the circumstances under which districts may request and receive additional project funds that exceed the amount approved by the selection committee.
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