Title: Resolution to Authorize the Florida School Boards Association, Inc., and its contracted attorneys, M

Recommendation:

I recommend that the School Board adopt the Resolution to Authorize the Florida School Boards Association, Inc., and its contracted attorneys, Meyer & Brooks, P.A., to include the School Board of Palm Beach County as a plaintiff in litigation challenging Chapter 2006-302, Laws of Florida, which creates the Florida Schools of Excellence Commission; and authorize the Superintendent to appropriate the initial sum of $2,500 to contributed toward the payment of legal fees and litigation costs associated with such challenge.

Description:

During the 2006 Session of the Florida Legislature, House Bill 135 was enacted (now codified as Chapter 2006-302, Laws of Florida), creating the Florida Schools of Excellence Commission, which is an independent, state-level charter school authorizing entity.

The creation of the Commission raises several constitutional questions as it relates to the power of elected school boards throughout the State of Florida to approve the establishment of, and regulate, charter schools within a school district.

Accordingly, FSBA has contracted with the law firm of Meyer and Brooks, P.A. to bring a constitutional challenge to the establishment of the Florida Schools of Excellence Commission.

Financial Impact:

$2,500

Attachments (list):
Charter Commission Litigation Resolution 2006.doc