Florida teachers sue state, say public schools 'doing more with less'

The Florida Education Association and eight parents have filed a lawsuit against the Florida Department of Education on May 5. The lawsuit alleges the state has failed its constitutional duty to provide a 'uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high-quality system of free public schools.' The suit names Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios 'Stasi' Kamoutsas and each member of the Florida Board of Education as defendants. The plaintiffs argue that traditional public schools are being asked to 'do more with less' due to decreasing per-student funding and increasing regulatory requirements, while charter and private schools operate under fewer rules. The lawsuit seeks to declare private school scholarship and charter school programs unconstitutional. The legal challenge was filed on Teacher Appreciation Day, days after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation that could eliminate teacher unions across the state.