Governing Legislation: Section 1008.36, Florida Statutes

The School Recognition Program recognizes the high quality of many of Florida's public schools. As authorized in Section 1008.36, the Legislature finds that there is a need for a performance incentive program for outstanding faculty and staff in highly productive schools. The Florida School Recognition Program is created to provide financial awards to public schools that:

The staff and school advisory council at each recognized school jointly decide how to use the financial award. As specified in statute, schools must use their awards for one or any combination of the following:

• Nonrecurring bonuses to the faculty and staff; Use the Florida School Recognition Bonus Payment Template
• Nonrecurring expenditures for educational equipment or materials to assist in maintaining and improving student performance; or
• Temporary personnel for the school to assist in maintaining and improving student performance.

If school staff and the school advisory council cannot reach agreement by February 1, the awards must be equally distributed to all classroom teachers currently teaching in the school.

• Expenditures utilizing Florida School Recognition Funds still must comply with other state statutes. This means that schools cannot buy gifts and food with these funds.
• Anything purchased with Florida School Recognition Funds remains property of the school district. This means the funds cannot be used to purchase books for students to keep. "Planners" would also fall into this category. You cannot use Florida School Recognition Funds in this manner.
• Travel, Training, & Conferences are not allowable expenditures.
• Equipment may be purchased for use in the classroom and must remain the property of the school.

To pay non OCPS personnel, contact your Budget Analyst for additional guidance.

For questions regarding School Grades, Appeals and SAC Bylaws, please visit the Sharepoint site and/or contact the Strategic Improvement team within the Research, Measurement and Strategy Office.