229.006  Education Governance Reorganization Transition Task Force.--

(1)  In order to accomplish a smooth transition on January 7, 2003, from the elected State Board of Education to the appointed Florida Board of Education, there shall be established the Education Governance Reorganization Transition Task Force. All members of the task force shall be appointed as soon as feasible but not later than October 1, 2000. The task force shall be comprised of:

(a)  Five members appointed by the Governor;

(b)  Three members appointed by the President of the Senate; and

(c)  Three members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The transition task force shall be charged with the duty to identify issues, conduct research, develop the necessary procedural and substantive framework, and make recommendations to the Legislature for an orderly 3-year phase-in for a seamless education continuum and a single or coordinated kindergarten through graduate school budget in accordance with the policies and guiding principles of s. 229.002, so that the Florida Board of Education may immediately begin its work on January 7, 2003, with maximum effectiveness.

(2)(a)  The members of the transition task force shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses as provided in s. 112.061.

(b)  The task force shall be housed in the Governor's Office of Planning and Budgeting, and the Governor's Office of Planning and Budgeting shall contract with or employ an executive director for the task force and shall provide the commission with staff and a budget sufficient to accomplish quality work in a timely manner.

(3)  The transition task force may procure information and assistance from any officer or agency of the state or any subdivision thereof. All such officials and agencies shall give the task force all relevant information and assistance on any matter within their knowledge or control. The transition task force may utilize consultants, studies, and other methods of gathering information to assist in developing its recommendations.

(4)  By March 1, 2001, the transition task force shall recommend to the Legislature:

(a)  How best to achieve education system integration by:

1.  Combining appropriate education functions and policies into or under the new Florida Board of Education.

2.  Devolving the education delivery services and operational decisions to the appropriate location of delivery to students, specifically the schools, community colleges, colleges, universities, area technical centers, and other education institutions or places where the students receive their education.

3.  Providing for a single or coordinated kindergarten through graduate school education budget.

(b)  How best to achieve economies in education services, including recommendations concerning consolidation of information systems and integrated performance and financial accounting systems, while maximizing effectiveness within existing resources and staff.

(c)1.  Which, if any, current education staff functions and resources should be eliminated, transferred, or realigned within the proposed new education organizational structure.

2.  A recommended salary structure for the Commissioner of Education and for the chancellors.

(d)  Whether an Office of Policy Research should be established to explore emerging issues, locate successful and innovative educational programs, and make recommendations to the Governor, the Florida Board of Education, and the Legislature and, if so, its mission, staffing, and location.

(e)  The optimal mission of the Florida On-Line High School and a methodology for the operation and funding of the school to achieve that mission.

(f)  The optimal location and structure of the Florida Partnership for School Readiness.

(5)  By March 1, 2002, the transition task force shall recommend to the Legislature:

(a)  Standards, definitions, and guidelines for universities, colleges, community colleges, schools, and other education institutions to ensure the quality of education, systemwide coordination, and efficient progress toward attainment of their appropriate missions.

(b)  Rules and procedures as necessary to be followed by university boards of trustees, community college boards of trustees, and other boards of trustees, as determined appropriate, for recruitment and selection of presidents, procedures for annual evaluations of presidents, and procedures for interaction between presidents, the boards of trustees, and the new Florida Board of Education.

(c)  A systemwide strategic plan for postsecondary institutions that considers the role, in their respective communities, of each of the institutions.

(d)  Methodologies for degree program approval, establishment of matriculation and tuition fees, and coordination of colleges' and universities' budget requests.

(e)  Any additional statutory changes needed during the 2002 legislative session to complete the education governance reorganization transition.

(6)  By March 1, 2003, the transition task force shall recommend to the Legislature:

(a)  Statutory changes necessary to accomplish the policies and guiding principles of s. 229.002, including, but not limited to, statutory changes necessitated by the repeal and review provisions of ¹subsection 3(8) of this act.

(b)  Rulemaking authority for the new Florida Board of Education and a plan and timetable for transition or coordination of existing education sector agency rules and rulemaking authority recommendations, if any, for education agencies.

(c)  Waiver authority, if any, for the Commissioner of Education or the Florida Board of Education.

(7)  By May 1, 2003, the transition task force shall have completed its duties and shall make its final report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the minority leaders of each chamber. The final report shall include, but is not limited to:

(a)  A summary of the work and recommendations of the task force.

(b)  The status of all pending and completed actions on orders and rules, all enforcement matters, and all delegations, interagency agreements, and contracts with federal, state, regional, and local governments and private entities.

(c)  Identification of any remaining or potential duplication in the administration of state education laws and rules, with specific recommendations to eliminate such duplication and promote more efficient administration.

History.--s. 6, ch. 2000-321.