County schools among first testing 'pay-as-you-grow'
By Times Staff Writer
Published September 9, 2005
TAMPA - The Hillsborough School District is among six Florida districts that will serve as testing grounds for the state's new school concurrency law.
The other pilot districts are Indian River, Lake, Sarasota, St. Johns and Walton.
"I applaud these six communities for leading the state as we take the next step in implementing Florida's landmark new "pay-as-you-grow' system,' " Gov. Jeb Bush said Thursday in a news release.
The new law requires each county and city to update their interlocal agreements and add school capacity to their comprehensive plans. The change means governments can deny development if nearby schools are unable to handle the number of children coming from the new homes.
Each pilot district will write a draft interlocal agreement with municipalities in their counties by March 1 and a draft school capacity element by June 1. Their plans will serve as models for other school districts, which must begin implementing the law by 2008. As part of the pilot, Hillsborough will receive a $200,000 grant.
