GENERAL INFORMATION

What is the purpose of the A Business-Community (ABC) School Program?
The Florida Legislature created Section 1013.721, (A Business-Community (ABC) School Program.) Florida Statutes, to promote business partnerships in education, reduce school and classroom overcrowding throughout the state, offset the high cost of constructing educational facilities, and use due diligence and sound business practice in using available educational space. An ABC school is a public school that offers instruction to students from kindergarten through third grade. ABC schools must comply with the constitutional class size requirements. The statute can be accessed via Online Sunshine at;
http;//www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes

Are ABC schools public schools? Yes. ABC schools are public schools subject to the same guidelines and regulations as all other public schools. ABC schools must comply with constitutional class size requirements. More information regarding class size requirements can be accessed at;
http;//www.fldoe.org/ClassSize/

What grade levels are included in ABC schools?
ABC schools may offer instruction from kindergarten through third grade or any single or multiple grade levels within this range.

What are the districts' responsibilities for implementing the ABC School Program?
   A district must;
      o Designate a district employee as the ABC program contact liaison
      o Appoint an ABC school evaluation committee
      o Request proposals from area businesses through advertisements
      o Evaluate submitted proposals and if a proposal is accepted, develop a contract between the district and the business

What are the reporting requirements related to ABC schools?
Each district is required to send to the Department the name and contact information for the district's ABC program liaison and the members of the evaluation committee. It is the district's responsibility to notify the Department upon any changes in membership or contact information. Liaison contact information was due to the Department by September 29, 2006, for the current school year. Committee contact information must be submitted to the Department by February 15, 2007.

Each district school board must submit documentation to the Department demonstrating the board's compliance with the advertising requirement

What is an ABC school evaluation committee?
Each school district must establish an ABC school evaluation committee. The committee shall be appointed by the school board and be composed of at least one school district administrator, one member of the business community, and one member of a local chamber of commerce. The board may wish to include community leaders and may find assistance with members of other local business organizations (e.g. Kiwanis, Rotary). In addition, the board may consider additional members on the committee, such as active parents, principals, informal educators, and members of the community in local or city office positions. The committee must meet at least quarterly; however, the committee may meet more often to address their responsibilities of advertising, reviewing proposals, and evaluating the program.