Education Pre-K - 12 — Closed Captions

>> The Committee on Education Pre K through 12 will now come to order secret. Please call the Roll. >> Chair Simon, you're Senator Calatayud Senator Burgess years. Senator Davis, it's Senator Osgood. Senator Yarborough a quorum is present. >> Thank you, please. Silence all electronic devices. Anyone wishing to speak for the committee should complete an appearance form and hand it to a member of the sergeants office. Should you select to waive your speaking time? Your position will be included in the committee meeting minutes at this time. We'll take up Tab. 7 SB 1036. On school counselors by Senator Calatayud Senator Calatayud. You're recognized to explain your Bill. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair Senate Bill 1036 addresses the shortage of school counselors to enable student success. School counselors are required to adhere to practices that are connected to a classroom teacher certification limiting the pool of applicants. The shortage impacts the ability for students receive services that promote success in areas of academics, personal development and college and career readiness. That is the bill, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you, Senator Calatayud. We do have one amendment to get it in proper posture. Let's take up amendment 6, 3, 0, 2, 9, 6, by Senator Calatayud Senator Calatayud. You're recognized to explain the amendment. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair the Amendment is technical to clarify that the exemption in the bill in general and subject area knowledge for certifications. School counselors not affected by any school district employment requirement. That is the Amendment. Mister Chair. >> Thank you. Are there any questions on the amendment seeing none have any appearance forms? Is there any debate on the amendment seeing none. Senator Calatayud you're recognized to close on your amendment. Waive close all in favor of the amendment say yea all opposed. Same sign the amendment is adopted. We are back on the bill as amended. Are there any questions on the bill as amended? Senator Berman, you're recognized for questions. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I like this bill a lot. I just wondered why you didn't include other groups like library, a media specialist in the bill. You're recognized. Go back and forth. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair, thank you for the question. Senator is actually a sequel Bill. 2 policy that I worked on with the same house sponsor Representative Hunschofsky and it has kind of a mental health focus. At last last year. We had a mental health counselors with school counselors generally. So that's been thematically the space that we've been the problem we've been looking to do so any other questions. >> You don't have any appearance forms on this bill. Is there anybody any debate on the bill as amended Senator Calatayud you're recognized to close on your bill as amended waive close. Cindy, please call the Roll on Cs for SB 1036. Senator Berman Senator Burgess Senator Davis, Senator Yates, Senator Osgood Senator Yarborough Senator Calatayud. Yes, chair Simon. Yes. And by your Vote CS for SB 1036, is reported favorably. Now let's take Up Tab. 8 SB 1136. On dental screenings for K through 12 students by Senator Calatayud Senator Calatayud. You're recognized there is a delete all amendment. Would you like to go directly to the amendment? Yes. Mister chair. Let's take up Amendment 5 to 4, 6, to 0 by Senator Calatayud. You're recognized to explain your amendment. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair up the delete All Amendment moves. The bill's dental screening definitions to School. All Services Act clarifies that preventative dental program, dental screenings, all of the acts written notice and paired exemption process and makes conforming revision to the bills related provisions. >> The >> underlying bill, the bill itself is to authorize non invasive dental screenings as a part of preventative dental programs to be provided a student school after written notice to the parent and a reasonable opportunity for the parents who declined a request, an exemption. That is the delete all Amendment. Mister Chair. >> Thank you, Senator Calatayud. Are there any questions on the amendment? Are there any appearance forms on the amendment? Is there to any debate on the amendment? Senator Calatayud you're recognized to close on your amendment. Waive close all in favor of the amendment say yea, yea, all opposed. Same sign the amendment is adopted. We are now back on the bill as amended. Are there any appearance forms on the bill as amended? Do have a few. Ron Watson waiving in support. Jamie Graves waiving in support. Donna McMIllan, Florida PTA waiving in support. Leslie, do guy waiving in support? Is there any debate on the bill as amended? >> Senator Berman, you're recognize in debate. Thank you, Mr. Chair. So as most of you know, I am married to a dentist. So I love this bill. I think it's a really great idea. We know that one of the largest drivers in the student absenteeism is dental issues. So anything we can do to lower absenteeism with sir is certainly a large benefit and helping kids identify dental issues so that parents can can address it I think is is a great idea. So I'm really happy to be supporting this Bill. >> Thank you, Senator Berman, any other debate, Senator Calatayud you're recognized to close on your bill as amended. >> Thank you, Senator Berman. I waive close. >> Secret please call the Roll on CS for SB 1136. >> Senator Berman Senator Burgess Senator Davis, Senator Kay Senator Osgood Senator Yarborough Senator Calatayud chair Simon. >> Yes, and by your vote CS for SB 1136, is reported favorably. Now we're going to jump back and we're going to take up Tab. 6 SB 920, on mathematics at medical education by Senator Gaetz. Senator Gaetz, you're recognized to explain your Bill. >> Thank you very much, Mister Chairman. While there are many indications that can make us optimistic about Florida's educational performance, math continues to be an area of lackluster achievement, particularly in high school. Last year, 97,000th graders took algebra one only 39,000 of them past the end, of course exams. That's a 60% failure rate. Research from the University of Florida's last near center shows that high school students disengage from math when they can't connect what they're learning to real-world application. In other words, if they don't use it, they lose it. The lesson we've learned as a national leader in career technical education is that when curricula is made immediately relevant, a technical hands on useful applications than students learn. And longitudinal studies from Haas Center for Business Research Show that career technical students outperform our high school peers Academically SB 920, directs the Department of Education to incorporate a newly designed applied algebra courses aligned to specific technical skills and career pathways. These courses at structure to mathematics requirements that do not exist today by setting clear pathways and a relevant connections to high skill workforce opportunities. These courses must fully meet Florida's algebra. One standards prepare students for the end, of course, exams satisfy graduation requirements be accepted for university admission while delivering instruction through practical career. Relevant applications to Bill further requires the department to partner with last Inter center and then adaptive. I'm based math support tool, helping to modernize math instruction. Without lowering standards set SB 920, makes Florida's math education, more practical Marcano world more relevant, perhaps more successful. That's the bill. >> Thank you, Senator Gaetz, are there any questions on the bill? Senator Berman, you're recognized for series. >> Thank. Thank you, Mr. Chair and thank you for this bill. I did want to understand a little bit better. So you said one 3rd of the students. I mean, only one-third of the students basically past the algebra exam if we change the program. And I think it's a good idea to do something. Will the students still have to pass an algebra exam the if when they take these different applied algebra classes? Mister Chairman, you're recognized. >> Yes, ma'am. The the bill requires that students continue to take and pass the end, of course, exams and and sustain fulfill all other graduation requirements bank, any other questions. >> I do have one appearance form waiving in support making Hofmann Foundation for Florida's future. Is there any other debate on the bill? I will debate. I really like this bill. Senator Gaetz as a former coach, I would have those students that would show up to practice and we start talking about how school is going and many of them and say, you know, how come I have to study this particular subject matter. It doesn't pertain to anything that I want to do. And I don't see the relevance in it now as adults, we all understand that there's relevant and everything. And if you're if you're if you're really putting your your focus in your mind to it. >> But this for those certain students and my son was one of them who likes to work with his hands. When you can start to make sense out of the things that you're working on and math was one of those things for him and you can start to make sense out of it. It gives them an appreciation for it actually causes them to work harder at it because they can see the relevance as they move forward in the future. And so I am I'm excited to see where you're going with this bill, where the state is going to ensure that students that learn differently aren't put at a disadvantage. And so thank you for this good bill. And I look forward to supporting it. Senator Gaetz, you're recognized to close on your Bill. Mister Chairman, if you permit bait my brother. >> Failed plane geometry in high school twice. You can never pants. Then he went in the Navy and the Seabees 20 something about how to build things. Now for the last 30 years he has been finish. Cabinet maker makes beautiful cabinetry that goes around all kinds of corners into places that I didn't think cabinets could go on boats in and libraries and every day he uses geometry probably more than uses anything else other than you saw in his sandpaper. And that's because he learned from someone who taught him how to use geometry practically as opposed to a child chalkboard. And that's what this bill is about. Our chairman. >> Thank you. Senator Gaetz Sigur. Please call the Roll on SB 920. >> Senator Berman, Senator Burgess. Yes, Senator Davis, Senator Kate's thanks. Yes, senator Osgood Senator Yarborough Senator Calatayud chair Simon. Yes. >> And by your Vote SB 920, is reported favorably. Let's take Up Tab. 2 SB 178, on athletics in public K through 12 schools by Senator Jones. Senator Jones, you're recognized to explain your Bill. >> Thank you so much, Mister Chair and good afternoon members. Senate Bill, 170, athletics in public schools K through 12 directs the Florida has School Athletic Association to adopt bylaws that clearly allow coaches the person we support their student after these in good faith with basic needs such as food, transportation and recovery services. This bill requires coaches to report any assistance provided to players and it gives the F H S the authority to determine what constitutes a good faith act of support and would cross the line into impermissible recruiting members that want to give you some context for this bill which come from a situation that occur in my district and 2 in 2024. Teddy Bridgewater returned to his alma mater, Miami, Northwestern Senior High School. The coaches football team FDA 10 year NFL career taking made it clear that coming back to North West and was about giving back to the community. And that's exactly what he did and leading the Bulls to a state championship. However, shortly after winning the title, he was suspended by the school district due to providing impermissible benefits to his players, taking owned up to this outright stated that he offer food, burrs and recovery services to his players throughout the season. Sb 178 is about preventing that kind of outcome with forward. It is intended to protect good active coaches who are stepping up to support student athletes not to create a new poll for recruiting. That's why the bill includes reporting requirements that my my colleague on the other side, Representative LaMarca and make sure that we put in there and it keeps the F H s in charge of enforcement and accountability it could provide for their plea year is no different in a teacher provided for their student. And this bill clears up any confusion of such and Mr. Chair. I would be remiss if I would say that if no one else is familiar with what coaches mean, players have no, you know what it means. So that's why we build that bringing this Bill today. And thank you, Mister Chair. >> Thank you. Are the any questions on the bill? There is one Amendment one hold. Okay. Let's do this. Go. Let's take up the amendment. It to take up late filed amendment 7, 3, 9, 5, a 2 by Senator Jones. Is there any objection to taking up the late filed amendment seeing none. Senator Jones, you're recognized to explain amendment. >> I thank you so much. Mister Chair Amendment number 7, 3, 9, 5, to this is with a to go. She jean with myself in the house where we put a cap. So this amendment as a $15,000 cost cap and personal farms which may be used by coach per team per year. This is to ensure that this bill would not be taken advantage of and to mitigate the risk that this legislation will be used for recruiting, which is not we're not intend to do and that's the amendment. >> Thank you, Senator Jones, any questions on the bill. Senator Gaetz, you're recognized. Thank you. Chairman is a question on the amendment. If it's an order, I'm sorry. Yes, on the amendment. >> Senator, I appreciate the the notion of a cap. Is there any is there any limit or is there any guardrail on where the funds might come from in the first place? Other words, the coach deploys the funds, but is there any limit or in the air limitation or guardrail where the money can come from? >> As chair recognized a look? >> No, not within this bill. We do not for the guard to gar Reza, far as where can come from happy made mention of it. This is the first committee stop which I work with staff to make sure that those guardrails are put in place to make sure that those funds are coming to the personal funds and they're not coming from any other entity. That's it. >> Thank you, Mister Chairman. I am. Well, I appreciate that. I'm troubled by the whole notion of a coach having to go out of pocket because I'm troubled by the notion of a teacher haven't come out of pocket because I've seen thousands of teachers do that. But I would hope that this would not become a formal whereby boosters would be able to funnel funds that these are coaches. And I don't want the coach to have to go out of pocket. Yeah. By the same token, I don't want somebody to use the coaches a funnel. Yeah. >> Thank you. Thank you. Start you're you're welcome to 5 start so great. >> Thank you. President gays and I agree with you on that. We when we we first came up with the bill. The first thing that we want to make sure those type of loopholes were closed up and thank you for this down law. But we can ensure that that loophole is closed and I'd be honored if you. Yeah, I I would hope that teachers nor coaches have to go into their pocket. But yeah, unfortunately, unfortunately in districts in districts like I were a lot of these children, their parents working late when they don't have. And and so that coaches abandoned for or if they have to walk in at night after after after practice. We don't want to be the take. We don't want take that good faith way for them. But I do understand the guardrails that need to be put in place to make sure that taking advantage of and we'll make sure that those guardrails put in place by the time it come to the next step. >> Any other questions on the amendment? We're on the amendment. All right. Seeing none. I don't have any appearance forms on the amendment. Is there any debate on the amendment? Senator Jones, you're recognized to close on the amendment wave. Close chair all in favor of the amendment say yea, yea, all opposed. Same sign the amendment is adopted. We are now back on the bill as amended. Are there any questions on the bill as amended? I have one question. I know that we it's we talk about the fhs, but there are other gar governing bodies are willing to expand that to maybe say all governing bodies as opposed to the FSA get certain subject. >> Chair, thank you. The answer is yes. And you're the second person who brought that to our attention. So by the time we get to the next stop, our chair chair LaMarca to make sure that that's in place along with the guardrails that President Gaetz made that, you know. >> Thank you, Senator problem. Senator Jones, is there any debate on the bill as amended? I have a starter. I don't know what that all means. I just wanted to Senator Burgess. You're recognized in debate. Thank you so much, Mister Chair. Stand by. Everything that President Gates said in the budget silo. You know, I hope that there's things that we can potentially work on to help offset the costs for teachers having to come out of pocket. That really is not appropriate and we should do better there. And and I would like to I think that would be a noble effort. Senator Jones, thank you for bringing this forward. I think this is a great example of one Rhule supplant reason and we shouldn't allow that to happen. This is this is a common sense issue. You're putting the appropriate guardrails around those looking to see if I think it might be coming to the next so we can work on some of the amendments to make sure moves forward appropriately and captures everything that your sunset. Thank you, chair debate done. Thank you for this good bill. Last year when I when I heard about this issue and executive director Craig Damon brought to my attention, I I knew explicitly about this issue as someone who when I was in high school, a plant in the high school, my high school coach took care of me because my mom was at work most of the day. I was one of those latchkey kids. And in order to keep kids out of trouble, he took us out to eat, taught us how to drive. In many instances. You really take the really took on a father figure to this day when I pick up the phone and I call him, I call them and say, hey, dad. And so that's that's the relationship that these coaches, because they spend so much time and we're going to do without another bill because the invest so much time into these young athletes, they really do take on the role of a father. Yes, there needs to absolutely be guardrails for those that are not doing the right things for the right reasons. But the vast majority of coaches do this to make sure that those kids have a positive atmosphere to participate in. For many instances. It's keeping those kids in school. It's getting across the finish line and getting them to graduate and go on to college or whatever avenue they choose to, but because of becoming a positive member of society. And so this this has to be fixed because there was no ill will or ill intent. I coach bridge water where the many other coaches out there that just want to make sure that they're keeping kids on the straight path so that they can be productive. And so with that, I just I I think I thank you for this and I thank you for paying attention to what's going on, not only in Miami Dade but also across the state, keeping good coaches in good standing with with the rules and regulations. Senator Jones, you're recognized to close on your bill as amended. >> Thank you. Chair. Actually go take a page out of prison Gates Book. I think you have that. My clothes from me. Appreciate you. >> Secret please call the roll on Cs for one 78 Senator Berman. >> Senator Burgess, Senator Davis, Senator Gaetz. Yes, senator Osgood, Senator Yarborough Senator Calatayud here Simon. >> Yes. And by your Vote Cs for SB 178, is reported favorably chair think members. We're going to take a temporary. We're going to take a temporary postponement for SB 430, oath of school personnel. I'm sorry, if any of the audience who would travel here on this bill, we're not going to take up that Bill today. So if you're here for Senate Bill 430 and you would like to leave by all means you're welcome to do so. At this time, we're going to take up Tab. 9 SB 1216, on public school personnel come personal compensation by Senator Rodriguez. Senator Rodriguez, you're recognized to explain your Bill. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair vice chair and members of this committee, Florida's educator compensation Statute in Statute 10, 12.0. 22 was written more than a decade ago to emphasize performance pay and limit the role of cost of living adjustments and advanced degrees. Today districts are doing the best they can with in a very rigid statutory framework. But the law gives them too few tools to respond to rising cost of living pressures. Severe teacher and administrator shortages heart to staff schools and subject areas and retention challenges for experienced educators. Florida currently ranks towards the bottom in the nation. An average teacher pay and many educators site salaries as being unable to afford to teach as the top reason for leaving the profession. The challenge is not the districts are failing. The challenge is that the statute does not give them enough flexibility to compete for and retain. High-quality educators SB 1216 gives districts another tool in the toolbox. It does not replace performance pay. It strengthens it. That is the bill. >> Thank you, Senator Rodriguez, any questions? Any questions on the bill seeing none. I do have several appearance forms. Jessica Jenkins waives in support. Krystal Ntn waives in support. >> Jenner, Jennifer. >> That's sorry. Waives in support. So I see chal lasting child. Sorry waives in support. James Cook, the 3rd waives in support. Catherine Martin waives in support. Stephanie Konkle waives in support. Christina Kirkland, waives in support. Is there any debate on the bill? Senator Calatayud you're recognized in debate. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just want to say thank you to Senator Rodriguez. I think this is great Bill and the a solution focus Bill on feedback we've received from stakeholders. Thank you for caring. >> Any other debate, Senator Osgood, you're recognized in debate. >> Thank you, Chair Simon. Senator Rodriguez, I'm gonna thank you on behalf of our former school board members. It's such a challenge when you're on the school board and you're caught between pay for performance and the scale. You have people that have been in districts for years and it puts you in a predicament where it makes it very hard to incentivize those individuals. So what you're doing with this bill in removing those artificial caps to allow districts to be able to respond to stuff like in elation, cost of living adjustment in those things. It really empowers the school district to be flexible when design and the compensation package and not just akin to something that the state gave the school district is ago. I also want to compliment the part about the flexibility. What did they and degrees and in the bill as well. When you are teaching at a unit from one to teach it Novogen hopefully I will one day. I certainly want to be compensated more. Haven't earned adoption it in someone that's teaching the class that has a master's degree. So thank you so much for giving school districts this flexibility to fairly compensate those who make our schools work for our students and families in our communities. Any other debate. >> Seeing none. Senator Rodriguez, you're welcome to close on your Bill. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, I just ask for everyone's favorable support today. Thank you. Secret. Please call the Roll on SB 1216 Senator Berman Senator Burgess Senator Davis, Senator Gaetz. Yes. >> Senator Osgood, Senator Yarborough. Yes, Senator Calatayud chair Simon. >> Yes. And by your vote SB 1216, is reported favorably. We're going to take up tab. One spb 70 22 by Education Pre K through 12 relating to public records, examinations and assessment Instruments. Alex Brick, the committee deputy chief deputy staff director will present the proposed Bill. Mister Brecht you're recognized. Thank you. Are recognized to explain the proposed Bill. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Under the Open Government Sunset Review Act. The public records exemption for specific examination and assessment instruments in the classroom is scheduled to expire on October 2nd Senate proposed Bill 70 22 reenacts the exemption and it extends the sunset date. The 2031 in reviewing the exemption. House and Senate staff jointly surveyed school district State colleges and state universities will all respondents supported the exemption. Several school districts noted local assessments developed or held by districts are not clearly covered by the exemption. The proposed bill updates the exemption to include district school boards and public schools and the bill also updates interagency sharing of the exempt Materials. Thank you, Mr. Chair. That is the bill. >> Thank you, Mr. Bird, are there any questions on the proposed Bill? Senator Berman, you're recognized for series. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair I was reading through the analysis and they said something about concerns about students or parents requesting information and that using it for some testing knowledge ahead of time. Do we know are the are there any specific cases where that has occurred, where students or parents have requested the information and gotten access to testing items before the test? >> You're recognized to break. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm not aware of any Senator Berman. I think before this exemptions exemption that's under review. That may have been an issue but in accordance with the exemption that's under review right now from 2021. >> Because most of those examinations and assessment already exempt under this exemption, there haven't been issues with that. >> Any other questions? I don't have any appearance forms. Is there any debate on the proposed bill? So the cloud you moves that Spb 702, to be submitted as a committee bill. Is there any objection seeing? None show the motion adopted. Please roll up. Please call the roll on Spb 70. 22 Senator Berman Senator Burgess Senator Davis. >> Senator Gaetz. Yes, senator Osgood, senator Yarborough. Yes, senator cloudy, yes, chair Simon. >> Yes. And by your vote Spb 70 22 is reported favorably. Senator blows on his way here. And so we're going to stand in a brief recess. So don't go far. >> This would you mind allowing our member to come up and present as Bill, please? >> We return to our regularly scheduled program. Welcome, Senator Avila. Let's take up Tab for SB 464. On observance of Veterans Day by Kate by K through 12 schools. Senator Avila, you're recognized to explain your Bill. >> Thank you, Mister Chairman and thank you. Senators Senators Florida law designates Veterans Day November, 11th as one of the numerous legal holidays to be observed in the state and provides that if a legal holiday falls on a Sunday that the following Monday will be considered the legal holiday. This bill ensures that all Florida school districts formally observe Veterans Day as a school holiday honoring the brave men and women who have served in the United States armed forces, including the nearly 1.4 veterans living in our great state of Florida. The bill also ensures statewide consistency. So every student teacher and family has the opportunity to honor our veterans on that day. That is the bill. >> Thank you, Senator Block. Are there any questions on the bill? Senator Osgood? You're recognized. >> Thank you, Senator Simon and Senator Avila. This is gonna be a personal question. If you feel uncomfortable, please tell me I was reading a bill and I understand your intent. But I've also experience some veteran days programs in schools. We kids with that. I want and doing things that I don't feel those kids would get that same opportunity if they were at home out of school on that and stay so as a veteran, does it a fee knew that a school is open on that and stay really trying to understand support you? But in the back of my mind, I just think about those veterans that will come in with those kids. And if those kids were home would be probably playing video games. So does it. Is it offensive as someone that's in the military? Do you find it offensive that a school is open? Because right now they have a choice. You're recognized. >> Thank you, Mister Chairman. And and that's a great, great question. Senator Osgood, I'll tell you as a service member, I'm not I'm not speaking on behalf of every single or the 1.4 million veterans in the state of Florida. So I'm I'm just giving you my opinion as as a service member, those activities. And I think those are activities are great at there's no, there's you're not going to get any disagreement on on that. I think that that we need to have more of those activities. And I would say, you know, each day >> is. >> You know, it should be a special. There should be at least a minute if possible. Just to give. Thanks, right. There's a lot of veterans that certainly have been whether it's in the Middle East, whether it's in Korea. You know, we certainly we have soldiers right now that are in in Africa, you know, so and they're dealing with all sorts of, you know, bad actors, whether they're they're terrace or just people that want to do harm certainly to to the United States or or to our residents. And so, you know, with that being said, you know, November in general is Veterans Appreciation Month being that what it is? You know, certainly I would I would think, you know, we can honor those veterans and have those activities and those events either on the day prior or the day after. I mean, there is an entire month that is dedicated to appreciating the service of our brave men and women. I can certainly tell you that during COVID-19 as an example. All right. We certainly had our National Guard that was out not only doing doing tests and then eventually that morphed into doing vaccinations. But I remember those initial to 3 weeks. Everybody was absolutely absolutely terrified. Pretty much the entire population was at home except for those service members. All right. So there's there's a great deal of things that service members do that veterans do. You know, certainly you have here major Burgess, Senator Burgess that can give you his experience as well. There's a lot of sacrifices that we make. I can tell you every 6 months we have to get waited. We have to be at a certain weight. I think they change that. Now, Danny, just if you're not tracking, but not only not only that, you know, there's there's you know, there's there's a whole host of things that we have to prepare for. All right. We don't know what could come tomorrow. We certainly don't know what could come a month from now our next year. >> All right. Our and our enemies abroad certainly don't disclose when they're going to hit us. And so veterans in particular. >> Are constantly training or constantly training for an event. They're constantly training for an effort for something in order to protect our residents and our interests. So, you know, with that being said, I know that I gave you a long explanation to be, but it's we have an entire month to honor our veterans. You know, it's it's it's a very special day. I think it should be considered a very special day. And again, I'm not saying we shouldn't have those activities and we should have the, you know, the ceremonies centered around our veterans. Our veterans are like I mentioned there, there are a special 5 to 10% of our population and they should be honored every single day. I think, you know, one specific day that we dedicate to them and then have the activities on the day prior that the after again, the entire month of November is Veterans Appreciation Month. Any other questions? Thank you. >> Senator Berman, you're recognized that. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Senator Avila, I went and talked to my school board after I saw this bill and I asked them what we do and Palm Beach County and they said that we have a the students are out there we have. But we have a professional development day. And what I heard you say in your intro is that you wanted it to be for everyone. Is there a possibility that you would consider amending your bill so that the school's could do it as a professional development day instead of? And so the students would still have the day off, but the teachers would not. So now you're recognized. >> Thank you, Mister Chairman. So so center to your question, certainly. And you know this very well in this process. I'm open to every single idea. There's there's never you know, my my my answer I asked my answer is always how can we get to? Yes, all right. And that goes for not just in the legislative process, but also in the military. I would certainly say, you know, to that, you know, it's kind of like Labor Day, right? We make folks come in on Labor Day. I mean, we just had Martin Luther King Day. Alright, honoring a very special meant that his contributions will. I mean, surpassed time. You know, we didn't have people come in, you know, so for Veterans Day. I mean, I that's that's I guess the what, what what I'm trying to get at with the bill right? There needs to be some consistency. It truly is a holiday and it is a holiday. If not, then don't call it a holiday. Any other questions. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair Birds, Senator Burgess, you're recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair to Senator Avila Capital A is it fair to assume that given year low phaeton on that in high and you're a clean cut face that you might have had duty this weekend? >> You're recognized. Thank you, Mister Chairman. I am always prepared. So my my drill weekend is actually coming up and I need to get ready for a PT test, you know, which is which is another thing. You know, we we have to conduct a physical fitness test every single year. And if you're on active duty orders, it's twice a year. And it's not just, you know, a couple of push-ups, sit-ups and and a little run. You know, if you were to look at the new the new testing standards, I mean, they're pretty rigorous, you know. So those are those are just some of the sacrifices that go along with, you know, being a service member and that a lot of a lot of our veterans I have had to really take in. And again, I mentioned before we're constantly training. We're constantly training. We don't know what the come tomorrow, but our number one priority is to keep you safe. You know, as we're following these, are that. >> Captain Awful? Is it fair to assume that based upon my appearance with longer hair and might be or that maybe I have not been on duty lately? You're recognized. >> Thank you, Mister Chairman. I have been meaning to ask you that major, sir, I have them. You need to ask you that. I mean, you've been letting it grow at. I mean, before opening day was pretty long. >> Always prepared, Mr. Chair and they have follow-up follow-up. Thank you at knowing that captain Senator Avila, would you support me in and for 2 secretary for Hegseth to help us make the beard great again in the United States. Military General Grant free. You're welcome to respond to that question of law. >> Thank you, Mister Chairman. I will. I will certainly put forth to the to the secretary. I'm not sure he'll respond. That might have to go a couple couple levels up. Maybe I'll talk to the hammer. >> You might disagree and he's a Marine. >> What was what? Maybe a Senate memorial it. That's all I have our chair. Thank you. Any other questions, Senator Davis, you're recognized. >> I was listening to thank you, Mister Chair. I was listening to explain the bill senator and I actually appreciate Veterans Day and having it off, I think in Duval County. But I what I was astonished to hear that I didn't realize that this was not a day at all counties at so going down that road with it, not being a day that all counties have off. And I just heard in Palm Beach, they use that as an in-service day professional development. Duval is off. So with I guess, contractually making is now a day that everyone would be off. How would that day? I think contractually that teachers have to be in cost. They have a certain number of days, I guess, to be in in the classroom how they make that if we're now making this another day, adding this to being another day off for them for those counties that are normally in school, you're recognized in all. >> Thank you, Mister Chairman and thank you for that question. Senator Davis, this each and every school district gets 2. >> But their schedule together, right? Depending on your school districts are depending on your school district. There's there's what we call teacher planning days to that. You know, that the school district put in place in order for the teachers to get, you know, property aligned and prepared for, you know, the next month or the or the next 2 months or just to get their curriculum, you know, get it, get it to where they want it to be right and have that time in order for them to develop their they're planning and they're scheduling, you know, you can certainly probably folded into that. I would say, you know, you could also certainly put put a day on on the on the front end or the back end. You know, I don't think that there should be, you know, 2 tier to your question. I don't think that it would be that much of a strain for there to be. >> A day that is dedicated to veterans specifically and then you just have a day basically substitue. >> The teacher planning day or or date or added on the front end or the back end. >> Any other questions? I do have one appearance form. Kathleen Marie speaking for the bill. What is my time limit, please. I love being on the just want to get your good. I'll let you know if we need to wrap it up. >> Good afternoon. Kathleen Marie State education director for Citizens Defending Freedom speaking most strongly in support of this bill. First as the daughter of a retired Navy veteran. Second as a 20 year Navy veteran myself who served most of my time at sea. 3rd as the spouse of a Navy, retired veteran and forth and probably most importantly, as the mother of 2 children who are currently active duty, my son assigned to a combat ship and my daughter who's currently in bomb school, having finished diving school with the U.S. Navy. Sadly, the question that was posed by Senator Osgood was the first time I've ever heard that question. And I want to thank you for that. And that was due. I find it offensive. And yes, frankly, I do because when the holiday comes up and I see school buses driving around, it bothers me deeply. And Senator Avila, most eloquently said we have a whole month devoted to it and it's wonderful. The veterans are in the classrooms. But I really think we need to set aside one specific day the way we do for figures such as Martin Luther King most recently for the president's and for those who have died to honor the service of people like me and people like many of you here in the gallery who are also veterans. So I want to thank Senator Avila for presenting this bill. And I'd like to urge your Strong's strongly urge your support for this legislation. Thank you. >> Any debate on the bill, Senator Osgood, you're recognized in debate. Thank you, Mister Chair and thank you to the young lady did just spoke. Broward Schools are closed so that during stay in the new addition to Matt family since May. >> That's a my son's wife who is in the military. And I hear about the PT and all that stuff is he's having to get up early and make breakfast and not to all of those things on. Also have one of my best friends and sometimes I wonder why I didn't marry, but he went away to the Navy for 33 years and 7 tours. So I have a lot of respect for veterans, but I wanted to ask that question because when I think about children, understanding important, so what better? It's my my father himself was a veteran and one up, I didn't understand the significance and the contribution and this sacrifice when I was growing up, I'm just with people that went to the military. So as I looked at this bill and that's all that. >> Some schools were open and some schools were close. I began to go to a thought process. And I said the only way I'm going to get a solid answer on that of that or an ad didn't go to the military is ask. So thank you for answering my question. And thank you, too. The young lady that spoke and we look at the the holidays that we take off. I'm also a parent. So I I like kids being in school this much as they possibly can. But I do on this thing and I appreciate the sacrifice. When I talk to my friend, it's done 7 tours. It's heavy sometimes. And I'm just listening. I'm going to support this bill. I came prepared to support the bill, but I just needed to have that question answered personally. And thank you for doing that for me today. Any other debate, Senator Berman, you're recognized in debate. >> Thank. Thank you, Mister Chair. I am going to support the bill today. I think it's a great idea to give our veterans recognition. I do have concerns because of what I said about my school board. I know one of the things they said it is we in Palm Beach County give off the Jewish holidays. Not every school district does. If we give up the Jewish holidays that and then we give up Veterans Day, the question was raise, where does it come from? So that is a concern how you have your good, I, you know, have some tradeoffs. Maybe we could think about that and try and think of how to make this work for everybody. But I will be voting yes on the bill today. Thank you. Senator Burgess, you're recognized in debate. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, senator, for bringing this forward. I strongly support this bill. I think that for the sake of consistency, this was probably the biggest outlier right in and in doing so. We're honoring over 16 Million. As far as we know as a couple years ago, 6 at least 16 million veterans that are living in the United States. It's a substantial population within our country. I think it's appropriate of. I think all the questions are very fair of of heard the myself over the years and and Pasco County and they do a great Veterans Day program, but don't necessarily have passed or I'm sorry a better and stay off. I appreciate the fact they do a great program. But I do think that this is appropriate. I think that it's a great way to recognize the service so many and I'm proud to support it. Any other debate so nobly of you're recognized to close on your Bill. >> Thank you, Mister Chairman. And I just really in my closing remarks, just want to make one thing very clear. I certainly don't falter feel, you know, any sort of way towards the school districts that are that are having school or any sort of activities on that day. I want our veterans to be highlighted. >> Alright, I think as as a state that has the second most veterans in the entire nation living within its state, I think we pride ourselves on being the most bit veteran friendly state in the entire union. But I think that we kind of run at all that when we have school districts that aren't even affording or honoring veterans on their particular day, you know, with giving them that day, I can tell you from personal experience and this is very loosely translated. But in Spanish, we say everything. Everything happens at home or everything, start at home that education in terms of our kids knowing the importance and the sacrifices that our veterans make in order for them to be home in order for them to be safe in order for them to be educated without, you know, fear of anything happening to them. I think it's something that needs to certainly start at home. And one of those one of those ways, you know, is certainly to honor them on that on that day. That is designated not just here in the state of Florida, but in the entire nation. We've had to deal with numerous awards throughout history. I mean, certainly were were one word to, you know, we were using those veterans and those veterans on that particular day. I can tell you whether I go to the Miami Springs veterans celebration, whether I go to the city of Hialeah, certainly Senator Calatayud can tell you we do a lot of things in Miami-Dade, a lot of activities in our in our municipalities to honor our veterans. And it's on that specific day that we do that. But for the school districts, I would say, you know, think about maybe doing those activities are the day prior. The day after, as I mentioned before the entire month is really a celebration and the honoree of our veterans. I'm sure that we can pick any other day or if not all 30 days to certainly honor their service. With that, I ask for your support. >> Thank you. Senator Obama secret. Please call the Roll on SB 464. Senator Berman. >> Senator Burgess Senator Dick Senator Davis, Senator Gaetz Senator Osgood Senator Yarborough. Yes, senator cloudy chair, Simon. >> Yes, and by your vote SB 464. Is reported favorably. At this time. I will pass the gavel over to my co-chair or my vice chair. Senator Calatayud. Thank you, Senator Simon. >> Members, we're going to take up tab 5 Senate Bill, 538 on physical education by Senator Simon senator, you are recognized to present the bill. There's a delete all amendment. Would you like to go directly to the amendment? Yes, you're recognized. There's one amendment going to take up Amendment 7th Reef. >> 4, 4, 4, >> Senator Simon, you're recognized to explain the delete all amendment. Thank you. >> Senate Bill 538 of the amendment defines a standardized student eligibility in participation requirements for extracurricular activities and believes all requirements that base participation on educational settings in which the student has was enrolled private schools from imposing participation fees on students that exceed those of their enrolled students, districts participation in different schools within the same school year. Absent governing organizations approval requires annual participation in the Presidential Youth Fitness program. As part of the school districts, physical education curriculum authorizes the school district at its sole discretion to determine the approve athletic coaches compensation. It establishes a common participation requirement for all public private, virtual in homes, home education, students that if their school of the enrolled, I'm sorry that if their school of enrollment does not offer a sport, they may participate in any other school in the district clarifies that a student may not participate in interscholastic activities at 2 different schools during the same school year unless the student relocates because of military orders, foster care or change in custody or has been granted approval by the applicable governing organization's executive director. That is the amendment. >> Are there any questions on the amendment? Is there any appearance forms for the Amendment? Jason Crawford, Home Education Foundation waives in support, Florida High School Athletic Association, Janice, 2 weeks waives in support for speaking and both are checked. I'm sorry, sir, your name incorrectly. Is there any debate on the amendment? >> Senator, you're recognized to close on the amendment close all in favor say yea, yea, all opposed say Nay. The amendment is adopted. Other questions on the bill as amended. >> Senator Berman, you're recognized. Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you, Chair Simon for discussing this with a little bit last night. So I feel we're comfortable with that. But I do just want to clarify part of our discussion. And that is the extra money which would be allocated for coaches when we talked about it last evening, you mentioned that it did not upright it only applied to sports. Is that correct? >> Chair Simon, you're recognized to go back and forth to Senator Berman U.S. 3. >> Thank you. And thank you for the question. So yes, in its current form, it only applies to sports. But as our discussion last night, I do want to open that up to other extra current extra curricular activities that are being presented on our campuses. Thank you. Are there appearance forms for the bill? >> Is there any debate on the bill as amended? Senator Davis, thank you. Madam Chair, just and not really debate. Just in your closing, senator, would you talk about the the framework with additional dollars that are in year 4 coaches? And if if the framework of additional dollars that's covered in your bill to talk about that in your closing for me, any other members in debate Chair Simon, you're recognized to close on the bill as amended. >> Thank you. Vice-chair calatayud. So in terms of the framework for the additional coaches compensation, there's no fee attached to this bill that will be determined at the district level district level. So the districts will determine that compensation and those fees can come from booster clubs are things that sort. But that will all be Dick dictated by the district. >> Secret please call the Roll on CS for SB 538. Senator Berman Senator Burgess Senator Davis. >> Senator Gaetz Senator Osgood Senator Yarborough Senator Calatayud. >> Yes, chair Simon. Yes. >> By your Vote. Cs Cs for SB 538. Reported favorably. >> So that your back. >> Thank you so much. That is their enters any senator that wish to record a vote on a bill in the Senate committee today. So I was good. >> Thank you. I would like to record favorably on Senate Bill. 1036, tab 7. >> Is there an objection seeing none. So the motion adopted. Is there any other? All right. Is there any other business before the committee? Senator Calatayud moves we adjourn? Is there an objection? Seeing none. The motion is adopted meeting is adjourned.