Contact:
Shaked Mizrachi
shaked@mormediagroup.com
412-925-8380
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Following Statewide Scholarship Victory, Teach Florida Brings 150 Advocates to Capitol to Push School Access Bill
Tallahassee, FL – Fresh off a major statewide win securing Florida’s participation in the new Federal Scholarship Tax Credit Program, Teach Florida brought that momentum directly to the Capitol Tuesday, bringing 150 parents, students, and school leaders for a full day of legislative advocacy focused on strengthening access to private school education across the state and advancing key priorities impacting Florida’s Jewish community.
During the Mission to Tallahassee, advocates met with state legislators, staff from Governor Ron DeSantis’ office, and Florida Education Commissioner Anastasio Kamoutsas to advance three core priorities impacting private schools and the families they serve:
- Strengthening school security funding: Advocates called for $20 million in dedicated funding for Jewish day school security, supporting trained security personnel, facility hardening, and secure transportation options to protect students amid rising antisemitic threats and evolving safety concerns.
- Removing local zoning barriers to school growth: Supporters are advancing HB 833/SB 1264, legislation that would exempt small schools serving fewer than 150 students from restrictive local zoning rules that often prevent non public schools – including Jewish day schools and yeshivas – from opening or expanding in growing communities.
- Sustaining Florida’s school choice scholarships: Advocates encouraged lawmakers to maintain long-term funding for Florida’s nationally recognized scholarship programs, which currently serve more than 500,000 students statewide and help families access schools aligned with their educational needs and values.
Advocates pointed to rising antisemitic incidents as a driving factor behind the security funding request. According to recent FBI hate crime data, anti-Jewish incidents account for nearly 70 percent of religion-based hate crimes nationwide. In Florida alone, 353 antisemitic incidents were reported in 2024, underscoring growing safety concerns facing Jewish students and educational institutions.
The mission comes as House Bill 833, legislation allowing small schools with 150 students or fewer to open in commercial and mixed use areas, advances to a full vote on the Florida House floor. In many municipalities, zoning rules make it nearly impossible to open new schools, even where strong community demand exists.
During meetings with advocates, Representative Wallace Aristide (D-Miami) voiced his support for HB 833, adding to growing bipartisan momentum behind the measure.
“In the immediate aftermath of October 7th, we made sure that every synagogue, every Jewish day school, every hospital who asked for security was provided it,” said Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas. “Families should be able to raise their children, give them the best education, and worship freely without discrimination.”
“This mission was about turning community priorities into legislative progress,” said Melissa Glaser, Executive Director of Teach Florida. “ From school safety to expanding access and sustaining scholarship programs, lawmakers understand these issues directly impact families and students across Florida.”
Participants described the day as an example of democracy and grassroots advocacy in action.
“We came to make sure our schools have the ability to grow and thrive,” said Jessica Schwartz, a mother of three from Hollywood “Seeing support build for HB 833 shows that our voices are being heard.”
The Tallahassee mission reflects growing civic engagement among private school families statewide, as parents and educators play a more active role in shaping education policy affecting their communities.
HB 833 is expected to receive consideration on the House floor in the coming weeks as lawmakers continue negotiations during Florida’s legislative session, bringing small Jewish day schools and other private schools closer to opening and expanding statewide.
To learn more about the progress Teach is making in Florida, please contact Shaked@mormediagroup.com or call 412-925-8380.
Teach Florida advocates gather outside the Florida State Capitol ahead of a full day of meetings with state legislators, Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas, and staff from Governor Ron DeSantis’ office to advance Jewish community priorities. (Photo courtesy of Teach Florida)
Teach Florida advocates meet with Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas during Mission to Tallahassee, highlighting key priorities impacting Jewish day schools and yeshivas statewide. (Photo courtesy of Teach Florida)
Teach Florida parents, students, and school leaders board a flight to Tallahassee for a day of legislative advocacy. (Photo courtesy of Teach Florida)
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About Teach Florida
Teach Florida is a statewide advocacy organization working to strengthen and support nonpublic schools and the families they serve across Florida. In partnership with parents, educators, and community stakeholders, Teach Florida advances policies that make education safer, more affordable, and more accessible — including expanding access to scholarship programs, increasing school security funding, and reducing regulatory barriers to school growth. Through grassroots advocacy and government engagement, Teach Florida represents thousands of students and families statewide, including those in Jewish day schools and yeshivas.