Tallahassee meetings & student funding equity lawsuit
FCSA's Director of Governmental Affairs, Ralph Arza, was in Tallahassee attending education committee meetings this week. If you are interested in meeting with legislators or joining the FCSA Advocacy Committee, please contact us today.  
 
Arza also has met with key charter school advocates and stakeholders regarding the state's preparation to defend the school board lawsuits from the Palm Beach School Board and a pending larger lawsuit from multiple school districts.  For an update on HB7069 and to schedule a call with Arza, please click here. 
First of its kind turn-around off to a great start
Principal Oliver and Somerset Jefferson students take a back to school selfie.
Somerset Academy, a charter school network, took over Jefferson School Districts schools on July 1, 2017. The public school system had been failing the community for years and was on the brink of collapse. After several attempts to turn-around the schools, the Department of Education stepped in and forced the board to select a charter school to take over their elementary, middle, and high school. In just a few months, the Somerset Academy team has made a positive impact on students and families of Jefferson County.

Earlier this week, Somerset Jefferson student Christian Steen spoke before a Florida House committee about his principal, Cory Oliver, and his new school. Now everything is running smoothly," explained Steen, "students are "focused and moving forward."
Charter Schools in the News
Gold STEM
Miami Dade School Board member Lubby Navarro (center) recognizes several charter school principals and their schools for earning GOLD STEM Designation.  The designation criteria includes: STEM competitions, professional development, partnerships, equity and accountability. In addition, the STEAM and STEM School Designation will strengthen science, mathematics, visual and performing arts, accelerated and Career and Technical offerings.
 
Congratulations to (left to right) Mater Academy Middle/High's Tiger Nunez, Pinecrest Prep Panthers's Ana Diaz, Somerset Academy Dade's Suzette Ruiz , Pinecrest Academy South Charter School's Elaine Clemente and Pinecrest Preparatory Middle-High's Betty Nunez.   

Upcoming Events
Florida Charter Schools Conference, Daytona Beach - Nov 1-2
 
While at the conference, don't miss:
 
2018 Legislative Overview & Advocacy Workshop
           Wednesday, Nov 1 at 2 p.m. - Room 103B            RSVP here. 
 
FCSA Leadership Academy  
            Learn about our new leadership training programfor aspiring principals  
            Exhibit Hall, FCSA Booth #201  
 
Conference Breakout Sessions:
  • Authorizer/Charter Relationship - Thursday, Nov 2 at 8 a.m.
  • Branding Excellence: How to use parent engagement, social media, and advertising to fill seats, recruit teachers, and expand your brand - Thursday, Nov 2 at 2:30 p.m. 
  
100 Days Until National School Choice Week 2018 - Jan.21-27
  Get your FREE materials today. https://t.co/wmA4KeXIY
 
News Clips 
Florida charter schools push to form ' local education agencies' 
 
 
 
Hundreds of Florida schools to get added flexibility from some state rules - 
Aiming to reward the state's top performing schools with fewer mandates, the Florida Legislature added a section into HB 7069 last spring creating the "Schools of Excellence" designation. This is the same law several districts are trying to change.  

Florida House leadership announces plan for new student scholarship 
 
Two charter school applicants seek to enter Pasco County 
 
Report highlights issues with Duval Public Schools budgeting practices