EDUCATION GOVERNANCE IN FLORIDA

The State of Florida has philosophically adopted a Pre-kindergarten – University doctoral degree public education model commonly referred to as K-20. The intent is that Florida will have a seamless education system wherein each level, beginning with pre-kindergarten, prepares a student for the next level of education or a career field/job.

There are two major governance systems for public education in Florida. The State Board of Education oversees the public Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) to State College systems.

State Board of Education 7 members appointed by the governor

Early Learning Kindergarten Readiness Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten

K-12 Public Schools

Career & Adult Education Apprenticeship Programs GED Testing Veterans Diploma

Florida College System (2 year colleges) Separately, the Board of Governors (BOG) of the State University System of Florida manages public universities in the state. It was created in 2002 by a constitutional amendment and given the following responsibilities for managing the public university system.

“The board shall operate, regulate, control, and be fully responsible for the management of the whole university system. These responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to, defining the distinctive mission of each constituent university and its articulation with free public schools and community colleges, ensuring the well-planned coordination and operation of the system, and avoiding wasteful duplication of facilities or programs. The board’s management shall be subject to the powers of the legislature to appropriate for the expenditure of funds, and the board shall account for such expenditures as provided by law.”

Board of Governors

14 members appointed by the governor 3 Voting Ex-officio members (Commissioner or Education Faculty Representative Student Representative)

University Board of Trustees

6 members appointed by the governor 5 members appointed by the BOG 2 Voting Ex-officio members (Faculty Representative Student Representative)

University President All appointees to the State Board of Education, Board of Governors, and Board of Trustees must be confirmed by the Florida Senate within two legislative sessions of being appointed.

Pursuant to Article IX, Section 7 of the Constitution of the State of Florida, the Board of Governors (BOG) is responsible for establishing the powers and duties of boards of trustees. The University operates in accordance with the Board of Governor’s regulations concerning the powers and duties of the Board of Trustees. The BOT is “responsible for the administration of its university in a manner that is dedicated to, and consistent with the university’s mission which shall be otherwise consistent with the mission and purposes of the State University System as defined by the Board of Governors.” The University’s strategic plan must be in alignment with the University’s mission. The mission must also be reflected in the University’s work plan and annual report to the Board of Governors.

TRUSTEE RESPONSIBILITY

Florida Polytechnic University's Board of Trustees bears the responsibility for CEO/President selection and periodic evaluation.

BOG regulation 1.001 (5) subsections (c), (e) and (f) provide that the BOT is responsible for selecting and evaluating the president. (c) Each board of trustees shall select its university president subject to confirmation of the candidate by the Board of Governors. A presidential search committee shall be appointed to make recommendations to the full board of trustees. The board of trustees shall select a candidate for confirmation by the Board of Governors. Prior to confirmation, the board of trustees shall submit a written description of the selection process and criteria, and the qualifications of the selected candidate to the Board of Governors for its consideration in confirming the candidate. The candidate selected by the board of trustees shall be required to appear before the Board of Governors at the meeting where confirmation of the candidate will be considered. Such meeting will be held as soon as practicable to ensure a timely transition. A two-thirds vote of the Board of Governors shall be required to deny confirmation of a candidate selected by a board of trustees. (e) Each board of trustees shall develop guidelines for the annual evaluation of the president. (f) Each board of trustees shall conduct an annual evaluation of the president. The chair of the board of trustees shall request input from the Chair of the Board of Governors, who may involve the Chancellor, during the annual evaluation process pertaining to responsiveness to the Board of Governors’ strategic goals and priorities, and compliance with system wide regulations.

B. Evaluation of the President Board of Governors (BOG) regulation 1.001 University Board of Trustees Powers and Duties section (5) provides in pertinent part: (e) Each board of trustees shall develop guidelines for the annual evaluation of the president. (f) Each board of trustees shall conduct an annual evaluation of the president. The chair of the board of trustees shall request input from the Chair of the Board of Governors, who may involve the Chancellor, during the annual evaluation process pertaining to responsiveness to the Board of Governors’ strategic goals and priorities, and compliance with system-wide regulations.