School System Policies and Leadership Programs

An examination of the Duval County Public Schools Policy Manual indicates that the School Board has 20 of the 24 school district policies related to school effectiveness. The School Board is commended for having policies which are up-to-date, well written, referenced to Florida statutes and related to school effectiveness. The following four policies need to be considered by the Duval County School District School Board:

1. Policy on school-based decision-making (school-site management).
2. Policy on school data-based improvement plans.
3. Policy on periodic public reporting of student performance information.
4. Policy on community partnerships.

In addition to four new policies, four policies need to be strengthened. They are:

1. Policy on public participation at Board meetings.
2. Policy on school unit accountability.
3. Policy on personnel evaluation.
4. Policy on superintendent powers and responsibilities.

Suggestions for these recommended four new policies and four revised policies are attached as Appendix F.

An examination of the Duval County School District budget for 1995-1996 indicates that more resources should be budgeted for classroom instruction. The current 56.4 percent should be increased to 60 percent over a period of two to three years.

Expenditures for central services, fiscal services and for general administration appear to be within appropriate expenditure ranges. Reductions may be made in school operations to about 6 percent of the budget.

When the condition exists that boards of education are involved too heavily in management decision-making, especially in the area of personnel, ineffective school operation can result. In general, high conflict at the board table tends to produce lower school results. These areas of operation should be carefully analyzed by the seven-member Duval County School Board and remedied where needed.

Recent court decisions require that states provide greater financial support for low-wealth school districts. In addition, several courts have declared that state funding was inadequate and inequitable. Generally, adequacy is provided and equity is established when the following conditions exist:

• The level of state support is at or above 80 percent of a school district budget.
• The level of state support is at or above 80 percent in capital expenditures.
• The level of support is 100 percent for transportation costs.
• The level of support is adequate to carry out legislative requirements.

In Florida, there is a need to do the following:

• Increase the state foundation program - providing for a higher statewide equalized mill levy.
• Provide 80 percent state support for capital expenditures for school construction.
• Provide 100 percent state support for approved transportation routes.
• Equalize the local mill levy to the average of the state.

A community effort should be made by all parties of interest (the School Board, business leaders, the PTA, the NAACP, unions, and other important decision-makers) to remedy the state finance formula to provide greater adequacy and equity for the children and young people of Florida, an investment which will have significant benefits in educational attainment and quality of life.

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