Brevard Public Schools 2017 Legislativee Plan December 13, 2016 Dear Superintendent Blackburn: Capital City Consulting is pleased to provide you the following Governmental Relations plan for the 2017 Legislativee Session. We are honored to represent your interests and we look forward to a productive 2017 Legislative Session and interim committee meetings. We look forward to suppor rting Brevard Public Schools objectives in Tallahassee. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or concerns you may have regarding this legislative plan. Sincerely, Nick Iarossi Scott Ross 101 East College Avenue, Suite 502 Tallahassee, Florida 32301 o: 850.222.9075 f: 850.222.9073 capcityconsult.com 2
Overview of Strategy Keys to an effective lobbying strategy Branding - Market (BPS) as a significant leader and contributor to Florida s education Branding - Market Brevard Public School (BPS) as a significant leader and contributor to Florida s to system. education system. Strategic Objectives - Focus on strategic objectives. What can we accomplish versus what do we wish to accomplish Influence - Build influence within the legislature through effective lobbying, grass-roots and grass-tops advocacy. 3
The Brevard County Delegation Senator: Dorothy Hukill Senator: Debbie Mayfield Representative: Thad Altman Representative: Randy Fine Brevard Delegation Changes Shifts from 2015-2016 & 2016-2017 Legislative representation and leadership Short-term impact Long-term impact Representative: Tom Goodson Representative: Renee Coach Placencia 4
Procedural and Staff Changes Staffing Changes: Significant changes to House & Senate Key education staff House Rule Changes: Member projects Restrictions on recurring revenue proposals Lobbying rules Increased transparency Overall ethics reform 5
Legislative Plan Focus strategic policy objectives and pursue attainable legislation; specifically related to core academic issues such as ESSA Implementation and Florida s Testing and Accountability System. ACTION STEPS: ESSA Implementation Continue to monitor Federal Rule promulgation Work with Florida Department of Education to ensure BPS needs are met Assessment and Accountability Provide the opportunity for students to utilize paper/pencil test BPS will provide speculative data on the value paper/pencil testing has on increased test scores and financial savings Identify & recruit supporters from the Delegation 6
Legislative Plan (cont.) Transportation Funding BPS received $10.6 million from the state of Florida BPS spent $17.4 million (PY2014-2015) BPS spent $6.8 million in operating funds to meet the transportation funding deficit. Action Step: Identify delegation sponsors to work with the appropriations staff, the Department of Education, and legislative leadership to fix the funding formula 7
Legislative Plan (cont.) Protect Federally Connected Student Funding Federal funding for students continually decreases. The 1990 s funding level was $2.5 million per year Current fundin ng is approximately $500,000 The FCSF allocation for BPS is $2.6 million annually Legislative staff concerns: Having both federal and state funding appears duplicative Action Step: Protect future funding through the development of Brevard Delegation champions 8
Legislative Plan (cont.) Project 2018 Identify key community partners Present the project to the legislative delegation and identify delegation members who are interested in the project Outline the plan in its entirety Begin the process for requesting funding in 2018 Meet with Governor Scott to discuss the merits of the program Other Legislative Issues Recess Legislation Reading Instruction Financial Literacy Public Records School to Jail Pipeline Cost per student station 9
Legislative Plan (Challenges) Legislative Threats Ongoing legislative issues that pose a threat to public education Testing & Accountability Funding Cuts Capital Funding 10
Influence Maximizing Lobbying Influence Through Grassroots Efforts Grassroots advocacy is: An effective way to raise awareness of an issue or cause Grass-tops advocacy involve es: High profile members who raise public attention or influence Grassroots & Grass-tops advocacy: Will reinforce our branding efforts and strategic policy objectives Action Step: CC CC & BPS Collaborate to identify local grassroots organizations and grass-tops advocates who can help message delegation members. 11
Challenges Challenges and Issues to be Considered The state budget has become stagnant and there are projections of a deficit over three years. Because of our budget situation and political climate there are several issues that ne eed to be considered. These include: NEW House Speaker is committed to cutting New Senate President plans to increase spending more than $1 billion in the state Higher Education Budget The conservative legislature has become more receptive to the Charter School message 12
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