Speak up for kids
Change starts with action. Children need your voice now more than ever. Lawmakers are creating policies that will impact kids, educators and our public schools. Read the Legislative Update below and see how you can easily take action to make a difference for children, teachers and our public schools.
Legislative Update
Public education in Florida is facing a significant funding challenge that directly impacts our students and classrooms. While state leaders often highlight historic investments, the state’s PreK-12 funding formula is not keeping pace with rising operational costs and inflation. A major driver of this strain is the rapid expansion of school vouchers, which diverts billions of dollars away from the public system. Unlike traditional public schools, these voucher-funded private institutions operate without the same rigorous transparency or public oversight, making it difficult for taxpayers to track how their investment is being utilized.
The disparity in funding becomes even more apparent as the Florida House of Representatives remains quiet on essential increases to the Base Student Allocation. For Orange County Public Schools, this stagnation—combined with the siphoning of funds to private schools—means making difficult choices regarding critical services, teacher salaries, and facility maintenance. Quality education is the foundation of our community's economic health, and it requires a consistent financial commitment to the public schools that serve the vast majority of our children.
I urge you to advocate for our students. The Florida Legislature will hold a Special Session in May to finalize the 2026-2027 budget. It only takes a moment to contact your elected state officials to demand better funding for public education and greater accountability for how state tax dollars are spent. Your voice is essential in reminding our legislators that a strong, transparently funded public school system is the most effective way to ensure an equitable and bright future for every student in Florida
Use the easy links below to email and urge these decision makers to prioritize public schools in the budget and address the $231 million funding gap.
During the Florida Legislative Session, state lawmakers debate changes to school funding, teacher pay, and a budget which will impact our kids and public schools. Stay up to date with the latest news with legislative updates from the following organizations:
