Florida’s public schools are being forced to give away classrooms, staff, and funding—without consent and without compensation.

Under a new law signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, private charter school operators can now demand free space inside public schools, along with free use of custodial services, cafeteria workers, office staff, and utilities—all paid for by taxpayers and managed by the public school system. School districts have no real ability to refuse, even when the incoming charter isn't needed and the existing public school is already performing well.

This law was pitched as a way to help students in struggling schools. But in reality, it allows private charter networks to take over parts of successful public schools, pulling resources away from district-run programs and disrupting communities. In Sarasota County, for example, 95% of schools are rated A or B—yet they’ve still been targeted for takeover by charter chains like Mater Academy.

The public school system exists to serve all students, not to subsidize private expansion. When public schools are required to absorb the operational costs of charter co-location, the impact is immediate: fewer dollars for classroom instruction, reduced support for students with special needs, and more strain on already stretched educators.

This is not responsible policy. It’s a privatization loophole that puts politically connected charter operators ahead of students, families, and communities.

We, the undersigned, demand the Florida Legislature repeal or significantly amend the "Schools of Hope" expansion law. Specifically, we call for:

• An immediate halt to forced co-location without local school board approval
• A requirement that charter operators pay fair market value for any use of district facilities or services
• A guarantee that public school funding remains with public schools, not diverted to private interests

Sign to stand up for transparency, local input, and the future of Florida’s public schools.