Some school districts fire back with lawsuit over HB 7069

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Students across Central Florida are heading back to school and nearly all of them will be impacted by a new education law.

House Bill 70-69 looks more like a summer reading list—one that some parents knew nothing about.

“I couldn’t even imagine trying to go through all that,” said parent Peter Martinez.

The bill includes some changes that are likely to be popular, such as elementary schools having to offer 100 minutes of recess every week, the testing window is being pushed back and teachers will be eligible for new bonuses.

The state will also study an alternative to the FSA.

Other parts are more divisive.

The measure will allow charter schools to expand near failing schools and obtain additional tax dollars.

Opponents worry it will come at the expense of traditional public schools.

Some districts, including Volusia County, have pledged to sue the state and Orange and Osceola counties are considering joining.

The state House speaker’s office released a statement that called it “clueless” and “arguably heartless” to stop children from getting recess or poor children from getting out of failing schools.

Cox Media Group