JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Florida's public schools received 36 percent less in school recognition award money this year than they did in the previous school year.
The Florida School Recognition Program is designed to give some financial reward and greater autonomy to A-rated public schools and schools that increased their grades by at least one letter. The commissioner of education awards up to $100 per full-time student to qualifying schools.
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The staff and school advisory council at each recognized school jointly decide how to use the financial award. The majority of recognition money is often given to teachers and school employees as bonus pay.
Florida gave out about $86 million to about 1,200 schools this school year. Last year more than $134 million was given to almost 1,700 schools.
Overall, schools in northeast Florida received about $9 million this year.
Duval County received only 11 percent less money this school year and St. Johns County recognition funds were down 13 percent. Recognition funds to Alachua, Baker, Clay and Putnam counties were cut 50 percent or more.