Gov. DeSantis signs education ‘chimera’ bill combining Democratic, Republican proposals

Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed legislation that began as a measure aimed at improving teacher training, but later grew to include language on private school zoning, handwriting and charter school enrollment.

The measure (SB 182), sponsored by Miami Gardens Democratic Sen. Shevrin Jones and Gainesville Democratic Rep. Yvonne Hinson, started as a four-page plan to let experienced or highly rated retired teachers mentor newer or struggling educators, especially in low-performing schools.

That part stayed in the bill when it passed last month, even though some House Democrats opposed the overall measure after lawmakers added nine more pages of education-related proposals.

Starting on the bill’s July 1 effective date, those latter additions — made through amendments by Jones and Rep. John Snyder, a Stuart Republican — will make it so:

— Private schools can use or buy buildings like churches, museums, theaters, colleges, and former schools or day care centers without needing rezoning or special land-use approval. They will also be able to build new facilities on these properties or on land owned by Florida College System schools and state universities without zoning changes. Schools with 150 students or fewer can operate in commercial or mixed-use zones and in nontraditional buildings, as long as they meet fire safety standards or similar checks. This change was part of SB 1264/HB 333 by Miami Republican Sen. Alexis Calatayud and Dania Beach Republican Rep. Hillary Cassel.

— Charter schools will face limits on dismissing students for academic reasons. They will need to create a progress-monitoring plan first and could not dismiss students during school-improvement or corrective-action periods. This was part of HB 1071 by Cassel and Republican Rep. Dana Trabulsy of Fort Pierce.

— Unused tax credit scholarship funds must go back to the scholarship organization instead of the state, and those funds would have to be used again for scholarships. This was part of SB 1318/HB 6025 by Doral Republican Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez and Coral Gables Republican Rep. Demi Busatta.

— Cursive writing will be required for students in grades 3 through 5.

— Public schools must display portraits of Presidents Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, with the Florida Department of Education providing the images. This was part of SB 420/HB 371, sponsored by Snyder and Zephyrhills Republican Sen. Danny Burgess.

SB 182 made it to the Senate floor mostly unchanged in early March. But its House companion by Hinson (HB 157) stalled in its last Committee and did not get a vote.

This led to a compromise between the two chambers. The Senate accepted the House’s changes, and the House passed the amended bill on a 91-11 vote March 12. All “no” votes came from Democrats. Hinson was not among those voting against the bill.

The Senate unanimously approved the bill that same day.