Oct. 29, 2025 - On Oct. 28, new legislation under SB 2510 officially took effect in the state of Florida. Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) has been closely monitoring and reviewing the law to ensure full compliance and to assess its potential impacts on students, families, and school operations across the district.
Overview of SB 2510
SB 2510, passed as part of the state budget, establishes guidelines for the co-location of Schools of Hope within existing public school facilities. The law specifies criteria that school districts must follow when reviewing co-location proposals, including:
Academic program alignment
Facility usage and scheduling
Potential impacts on the current student population
District Responsibilities for Co-Located Schools
Under SB 2510, districts must provide support services to Schools of Hope co-located on district campuses, including:
· Facilities and Services: Access to vacant or underutilized facilities at no cost; upon request, custodial, maintenance, food, safety, and nursing services, and use of common areas like libraries and auditoriums.
· Transportation: Services provided if requested by the co-located school.
· Funding and Resources: Inclusion of Schools of Hope students in Public Education Capital Outlay fund calculations and access to shared resources.
Decision-Making Authority
Under SB 2510, a school district generally cannot deny a Schools of Hope’s request to use vacant or underutilized district facilities or receive required facility-related services if the request meets the conditions established by state law. Local officials are legally required to enter into agreements with approved Schools of Hope operators within 60 days of their announced plans to open a school.
If the district and the Schools of Hope operator cannot reach an agreement on a performance-based contract, either party may petition the State Board of Education for dispute resolution. The State Board oversees these agreements and can act as an arbiter in such disputes.
Impact on Duval Schools
Since SB 2510 was passed, DCPS has been conducting due diligence to assess potential impacts. The district has received Notices of Intent from recognized Schools of Hope operators and recognizes that additional proposals may be submitted in the future.
DCPS Commitment
Duval County Public Schools is committed to transparency, community engagement, and full compliance with state law. As DCPS completes its review process under SB 2510, the district will communicate directly with schools that may be impacted by the co-location of Schools of Hope.