FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Teach Florida Applauds Governor DeSantis For Signing SB 182 Into Law, Expanding School Access Across Florida
Tallahassee, FL – Teach Florida applauds Governor Ron DeSantis for signing SB 182 into law after months of leading advocacy efforts and bringing the voices of families from across Florida to Tallahassee, underscoring the urgent need for policy change. The signing marks a significant step toward expanding school capacity by eliminating local zoning barriers that have long prevented small private schools from opening or expanding.
The new law allows private schools serving 150 students or fewer to operate in commercial and mixed-use-areas, expanding on a previous law which allows schools to operate in a broader range of existing facilities, including churches, museums, theaters, colleges, former schools, and daycare centers. Approximately 77% of Florida’s private schools enroll 150 students or fewer.
The legislation, based on the original HB 833 and SB 1264 sponsored by Representative Hillary Cassel and Senator Alexis Calatayud, advanced with strong bipartisan support in both chambers, reflecting broad recognition that school capacity must keep pace with Florida’s expanding scholarship opportunities.
“This is a transformational moment for Florida families. Today, Florida confirmed its commitment to students by removing one of the biggest barriers standing between Florida families and the education they want for their children,” said Melissa Glaser, Executive Director of Teach Florida. “For too long, local zoning restrictions have prevented schools from opening where demand is greatest. This law will help more schools grow, create more classroom seats, and ensure that more students can access the education they deserve.”
The policy responds to a growing statewide capacity crisis. According to Step Up for Students, the state’s largest scholarship organization, last year, more than 41,000 scholarship students forfeited their scholarships. When surveyed about why they didn’t use the scholarships, the most common reason parents cited was that no school seats were available, despite strong family demand.
The signing marks the culmination of months of advocacy led by Teach Florida, including a recent Mission to Tallahassee that brought 150 parents, students, rabbis, and school leaders to the Capitol to meet with lawmakers, Governor’s office staff, and Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas. During
the mission, school leaders shared firsthand how these barriers had stalled
growth for years. Several administrators described having full staff teams in place and long waitlists of families ready to enroll, yet still being unable to open their schools because of local zoning restrictions, leaving many scholarship eligible students without access to the seats they had already qualified for.
“This policy is a direct response to the real needs families and schools across Florida have been raising for years,” Glaser added. “Now, schools can finally grow where students need them most.”
About Teach Florida
Teach Florida, part of the Teach Coalition network, champions policies that strengthen and expand access to Jewish education across the state. Through these efforts and those of advocacy partners, Florida has achieved universal school choice, and today every child is eligible to receive a state scholarship — typically ranging from $8,000 to $10,000 per student — which can be applied toward Jewish education. Altogether, approximately $130 million annually now supports Jewish education through state scholarship programs. Teach Florida serves as a leading voice for Jewish day schools and the families they serve throughout Florida.
Sent to: info@mormediagroup.com
MOR MEDIA GROUP INC, 1270 Ave of the Americas , 7th Fl -1103 , NY, NY 10020, United States