School choice in the Sunshine State got a major boost this week after the Florida Board of Education approved a set of rules guaranteeing charter schools the same maintenance, transportation, and food services as traditional public schools, in addition to allowing them to operate in empty spaces within existing schools.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis previously signed into law an expansion of the Schools of Hope program, which permits charter schools to operate in the same neighborhoods as low-income or low-performing traditional public schools, pending rules set by the state board of education.
Sept. 24’s resolution establishes criteria allowing Schools of Hope access to “underused, vacant, or surplus facilities within school districts.” It also outlines the resolution process between traditional public school districts and Schools of Hope operators for any disputes that occur….