Gov. Scott has

Lawmakers tout controversial measure as others decry it

the controversial schools bill that some legislative leaders call a game changer but many fear will do damage to traditional public schools.

Gov. Rick Scott now has the controversial, nearly 300-page schools bill that some legislative leaders call a game changer, but many administrators and advocates fear will damage traditional public schools.

The bill has been championed by House Speaker Richard Corcoran, as it includes his “schools of hope” plan to entice high-performing charter schools to open near struggling traditional public schools. He and other House leaders say the bill will reform a public education system that too often focuses on bureaucracy, rather than students, particularly those attending schools with D and F ratings.

But district administrators — and plenty of school advocates, including the Florida PTA — continue their push to convince Scott to veto the legislation. They dislike, among other things, that it mandates changes to how federal anti-poverty money is spent and requires them to share local tax money with privately run charter schools, both measures they say could hurt disadvantaged students.

The bill also provides for teacher bonuses, mandates recess for elementary school kids and scraps one statewide standardized test, for algebra 2. It also alters teacher evaluation rules and says students can put on sunscreen while at school, among other provisions.

Scott, who has not said if he will sign the bill, is touring the state this week on what his office calls a “Fighting for Florida’s Future Victory Tour.”

Corcoran joined him Tuesday at stops in South Florida. And Scott, speaking with reporters in Fort Myers with Corcoran at his side, sounded supportive.

“I’m still reviewing it. I know the speaker is very passionate about it. It was something that was very important to him,” Scott said. “I’ll do the best thing for the systems of the state.”

The tour comes after lawmakers last week agreed to put more money into public educa-