Brevard Legislators Bring Schools Record Increase

By Dr. Richard A. DiPatri, Superintendent, Brevard Public Schools

Two weeks ago, the Legislature approved a record-breaking education budget in Florida.  In fact, they approved a $19.1 billion operating budget for K-20 education.  This substantial increase in funding, almost 11.2% for Brevard, is the largest percentage increase the school district has seen in 18 years.

This increased funding will allow our fiscally prudent School Board to adequately meet the goals of rewarding outstanding educators in our district. It will also help to fund some of our important strategic plan initiatives including implementing our Secondary Schools of National Prominence proposal. 

None of this would have been possible without the support and leadership of our entire Brevard Legislative delegation.  This all began three years ago when our legislators looked at the District Cost Differential, a cost of living index included as a part of the education funding formula. This team made up of Senators Mike Haridopolos and Bill Posey, along with Representatives Bob Allen, Thad Altman, Stan Mayfield, Mitch Needleman, and Ralph Poppell, set out with their colleagues to provide a more equitable system of distributing funds since Brevard and other districts were being unfairly treated in the funding formula at that time.  Brevard went from being funded at 59^th in the state based on the percentage increase per student in 2003-04 to 19^th in the state for next year.

Our legislators have committed themselves to ensure that education in Brevard has the resources it needs.  In a surplus year, they stood tall and made the conscious decision to aggressively fund education for this coming year.  The School Board and its employees owe a debt of gratitude for their support of the children of Brevard County. Their actions mean that we have the largest dollar increase ever in Brevard’s history, $50 million, to make certain our district can lead the next generation to first in the nation. $4.1 million of the $50 million is available for Pay for Performance if the Board and the Brevard Federation of Teachers can agree on a plan by December 31, 2006.

The district will also receive additional dollars for capital projects above and beyond the past few years.  The Legislature approved a record increase of almost $1.3 billion in capital projects funding.  While the dollar amount for Brevard is yet to be determined by the state, Brevard will receive a prorata share of the new funding.   This increase will help support our seven year capital plan, in addition to addressing facility needs for the class size reduction constitutional amendment. 

As most of you know, the School Board of Brevard County has had a great track record of spending funds in areas that directly enhance student performance.  Again this year, we are first in the state among all 67 Florida school districts in the percentage of dollars spent in the classroom.  In contrast, we rank 66^th out of 67 in district administrative spending.  I am confident that the School Board will continue this past tradition by ensuring the majority of this new funding will go directly into the classroom again.