TAMPA, Fla. — Hillsborough County Public Schools board members say the district could lose up to $23 million in funding from the state if they move forward with plans to start school online.
Last week, the district announced it will start the first four weeks of school virtually. Florida's Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran rejected the district's plan, saying it gives him “grave concerns” when the district takes away the families’ abilities to choose the brick-and-mortar learning options.
According to Hillsborough County School Board member Cindy Stuart, the loss of funding from the state would hurt the district.
"It would certainly would impact teachers, it would certainly impact our facilities and what we are doing with our facilities,” Stuart said.
With the money now on the line, the school board plans to hold a special meeting on Thursday, August 13 to discuss what's next
The district's first day of school is set for Monday, August 24.