Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability Offers Suggestions to Improve School Districts’ Special Facility Construction Account Program
Jan 21, 2011
In a legislatively mandated report (“Report”) published today, January 21, 2011, the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability examines the administration of Florida’s Special Facility Construction Account Program (“Program”), which provides financial assistance to school districts that lack the resources to address urgent construction needs.
To view the complete Report, click here.
A number of suggestions for improving the Program’s effectiveness are offered by the Report, which is based on the following three questions:
- Is the process that the Florida Department of Education uses to select Special Facility Construction Account projects consistent with statutory requirements?
- Were school construction projects funded through the Program justified by districts’ needs?
- What options could the Legislature consider to improve Program effectiveness?
According to the Report, the Department of Education has followed statutory requirements in administering the Program. Funded projects appeared to have been needed, although most schools built with Program funds were larger than justified, given the number of students currently enrolled. Unused student stations resulted in nearly $108 million in additional construction costs.
The Special Facility Construction Account is part of Florida’s Public Education Capital Outlay and Debt Service Trust Fund.
Should you have any questions or comments, please contact Colodny Fass.