Florida Education Fast Facts

• Florida has the 4^th largest school system in the country, serving more than 2,639,000 students during the 2005-2006 school year.

• Over the last 5 years, Florida’s public school K-12 student population has grown by an average of more than 50,000 students each year.

• The statewide average teacher salary is approximately $42,700. The average benefits package – which typically includes retirement, health insurance and supplements – adds about 25% to the average salary. Nationally, Florida ranks 32^nd in average teacher salary.

• Florida has more than 340,000 full-time and part-time public school employees, making the Florida public school system one of the largest employers in the state.

• The 2005-2006 basic operating budget for K-12 public education – as provided through the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) and major categorical allocations – is approximately $16.5 billion. This provides an average of $6,250 per student. Nationally, Florida ranks 40^th in per pupil spending.

• Based on the 2005-2006 appropriations, Florida spends approximately $91,700,000 each school day to operate its public schools.

• The Florida Lottery is expected to generate about $492,070,000 for K-12 public education, with $263,450,000 for school operations and about $288,620,000 for school construction bonds.

• According to 2006 FCAT results, 1,466 schools received a performance grade of A, 608 schools received a B, 562 schools received a C, 129 schools received a D, and 24 schools received an F.

• There are more than 3,500 public schools in Florida, including traditional public schools, charter schools, alternative schools, and other education centers.

• The average cost (not including land purchase) to build an elementary school is $13-15 million, a middle school costs $27-29 million, and a high school costs $49-51 million. It takes 2-3 years to plan, design and construct a school. Florida public schools expect to spend more than $3 billion on school construction during the coming year.

• There are 67 school districts which match geographically to Florida’s 67 counties. Each school district has an elected school boar that consists of 5 to 9 members. Each school district also has a superintendent. Of the 67 superintendents, 24 are appointed by their school board, 43 are elected by their community.

Data compiled by the Florida School Boards Association.