Published on
Florida House Bill 5101 is a sweeping education funding proposal that has parents and educators in Brevard County on high alert. The bill makes significant changes to the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) – the state’s public school funding formula – with two provisions drawing the most concern:
Both changes are slated to take effect July 1 if the bill passes as written. State lawmakers backing HB 5101 argue that these measures will rein in costs amid budget pressures. They note that the advanced-course funding was intended as an “extra” incentive and say base per-student funding is increasing slightly in the proposed budget. However, school officials counter that the small overall increase (about $62 more per student statewide) won’t make up for the targeted cuts to important programs. They warn that the bill’s provisions would directly pull funding from classrooms and students in high-achieving programs.
Brevard Public Schools stands to be hit hard by the changes in HB 5101. The district has a proud history of offering robust advanced academics and career/technical programs across its schools – all of which currently rely on the state’s weighted funding to operate. Thousands of Brevard students take AP exams or dual-enroll in college courses each year, and multiple high schools host specialized programs like the Cambridge AICE diploma or IB. This year, that extra funding has helped pay for teacher training, curriculum materials, lab equipment, and exam fees so students can take these courses free of charge.
If HB 5101 becomes law, Brevard school officials say the resources for these programs will shrink dramatically. Losing half of the state funding for advanced coursework could force the district to cut back offerings or shift costs to families. Expensive end-of-year exams that are now covered by the district – such as AP tests or IB exams – might have to be paid by students themselves in the future. Courses that require special certification or equipment could be limited because the “extras” in the budget would no longer be fully funded. One Brevard high school teacher explained that without sufficient funding, “we might not be able to afford all the AP sections we run now or the hands-on career academies that need supplies and tech – it would be a huge loss for our students.”
There is also a serious concern about the loss of the enrollment stabilization funds. Brevard, like many Florida districts, has been grappling with enrollment uncertainties after the state’s recent expansion of private school vouchers. If more students leave public schools than expected next year, Brevard would have no fallback funds to soften the blow. Every student who leaves would take their full funding with them, mid-year. Brevard Public Schools CFO Jill Mannion-Lopez has cautioned that without a state safety net, even a modest enrollment dip could blow a hole in the district’s budget. The stabilization dollars were meant to prevent sudden staff layoffs or school resource cuts if enrollment projections fell short. Now, district leaders fear they will be on their own to absorb any such losses.
To put the stakes in perspective, comparable school districts are already estimating multi-million-dollar shortfalls if HB 5101’s funding formula is enacted. Pasco County (a district similar in size to Brevard) expects to lose over $3 million in advanced program funds, while slightly larger Pinellas County anticipates up to $10 million in cuts. Brevard’s exact loss is still being calculated, but it will likely fall in this range – several million dollars stripped from local public schools. Such a hit would compound an already tight budget and could force difficult choices, from scaling back enrichment programs to freezing teacher hires. “We’re already operating on bare bones,” one Brevard administrator noted, “and this would take us down to the marrow.”
The proposed cuts in HB 5101 have ignited a wave of backlash across Florida – and Brevard County is no exception. Parents, students, teachers, and local officials are voicing alarm that the bill will harm educational quality and opportunities. At a recent Brevard school board discussion, members of the community spoke passionately about what these funding cuts would mean. Many parents pointed out that advanced classes like AP and dual enrollment aren’t just a luxury; they allow students to earn college credit in high school at no cost, saving families thousands of dollars in tuition. “These programs have been a godsend,” one parent of a Melbourne High student said. “My daughter will start college with a semester’s worth of credits because of AP and dual enrollment – we didn’t have to pay for those credits. If they cut the funding, will those classes still be there for my younger kids?”
Educators are also pushing back, arguing that eliminating support for accelerated courses contradicts Florida’s own emphasis on college and career readiness. For years, the state encouraged districts to expand Advanced Placement, IB, AICE, and career academies – even grading high schools partly on students’ success in them. Now, veteran teachers worry that progress will be reversed. “It feels like the rug is being pulled out from under us,” said a Brevard AP biology teacher. “We built up these programs, we motivated students to challenge themselves, and now the state is telling us, ‘sorry, we don’t want to fund it anymore.’”
This sentiment is echoed statewide. In late March, representatives from numerous school districts (including neighboring Orange and Osceola counties) traveled to Tallahassee to testify against HB 5101. They included students with personal success stories and superintendents armed with sobering financial data. One high school senior from Leon County told lawmakers that access to advanced courses helped her earn a full scholarship to an Ivy League university – opportunities she fears future students won’t get if those classes are cut back. School board members from counties like Hillsborough and Orange have publicly decried the bill, calling it “short-sighted” and urging the Legislature to reconsider. Even some Republican lawmakers have acknowledged concerns, though the House Budget chairperson remains steadfast so far, characterizing the funds as “inefficient extras.”
In Brevard County, the community’s frustration has coalesced into action. A group of concerned parents launched an online petition titled “Stop Florida HB5101 Funding Cuts” on Change.org, which has been gaining signatures by the hour. The petition — started by a Space Coast parent who says her children “bloomed” thanks to programs like AICE and Dual Enrollment — pleads with state leaders to halt the 50% funding cut. “Such a move undermines our commitment to providing robust educational opportunities for our children and leaves them ill-prepared for the future,” the petition reads. It calls on fellow Floridians to “stand with us [and] urge our legislators to reconsider and vote down” the controversial changes. Dozens of Brevard parents, students, and alumni have added their names, alongside supporters from around the state. (Readers can find the petition at change.org/p/stop-florida-hb5101-funding-cuts.) Petition signers have flooded the page’s comments with personal stories about how AP, IB, and career-tech classes made a difference in their lives, and fears that “if our legislators won’t do the right thing and protect our children’s futures, we’ll remember when it’s time to vote.”
Local officials are taking notice of the public outcry. Members of the Brevard County School Board have been in contact with the county’s legislative delegation to share the district’s projected losses under HB 5101. School board chair Matt Susin (whose district includes several schools with specialized programs) stated that he’s “deeply concerned about anything that takes resources out of our classrooms.” Superintendent Mark Rendell has likewise indicated that BPS will join other districts in lobbying against the cuts. They note that Brevard’s lawmakers – a mix of Republicans and Democrats – need to hear directly from constituents now, while the state budget is still being finalized. “We’re urging our community to speak up loudly,” said Susin. “These decisions in Tallahassee aren’t abstract – they hit our local schools directly. We can’t afford to have silence on this.”
With just a few weeks left in Florida’s legislative session, the clock is ticking for concerned residents to make their voices heard. The state House has advanced HB 5101, but it is not a done deal yet – negotiations with the Senate and final budget votes will happen through April and into May. Brevard County parents, students, and education supporters can take several steps right now:
Brevard County has a strong tradition of community support for education. Now is a critical time to demonstrate that support. The proposed funding cuts in HB 5101 are not just Tallahassee’s problem – they are a Brevard problem. They threaten to pull opportunities away from our children and undermine the quality of our local schools. But our community is not taking it quietly. From PTA groups to high school alumni networks, Space Coast residents are mobilizing to protect our schools. As one teacher put it, “we’re fighting for our kids’ futures – we can’t settle for less.”
The coming weeks will determine whether HB 5101’s controversial provisions make it into the final state budget. Brevard parents and educators are watching closely. By speaking out now – signing petitions, contacting officials, and raising public awareness – local residents can help ensure that Florida’s leaders do the right thing. Our message is clear: don’t short-change our students. Brevard’s children deserve the best education we can give them, and that means fully funding the programs that help them thrive. Let’s hold our lawmakers accountable to keep it that way.
