(b) The board of trustees shall have the following powers and duties:1. Meet at least 4 times each year, upon the call of the chair, or at the request of a majority of the membership.
2. Be responsible for the Florida Scholars Academy’s development of an education delivery system that is cost-effective, high-quality, educationally sound, and capable of sustaining an effective delivery system.
3.a. Identify appropriate performance measures and standards based on student achievement which reflect the school’s statutory mission and priorities, and implement an accountability system approved by the State Board of Education for the school by the 2024-2025 school year which includes an assessment of its effectiveness and efficiency in providing quality services that encourage high student achievement, seamless articulation, and maximum access to career opportunities.
b. For the 2024-2025 school year, the results of the accountability system must serve as an informative baseline for the academy as it works to improve performance in future years.
4. Administer and maintain the educational programs of the Florida Scholars Academy in accordance with law and department rules, in consultation with the State Board of Education.
5. With the approval of the secretary of the department or his or her designee, determine the compensation, including salaries and fringe benefits, and other conditions of employment for such personnel, in alignment with the Florida Scholars Academy’s provider contracts.
6. The employment of all Florida Scholars Academy administrative and instructional personnel are subject to rejection for cause by the secretary of the department or his or her designee and are subject to policies established by the board of trustees.
7. Provide for the content and custody of student records in compliance with s. 1002.22. 8. Maintain the financial records and accounts of the Florida Scholars Academy in compliance with rules adopted by the State Board of Education for the uniform system of financial records and accounts for the schools of this state.
9. Is a body corporate with all the powers of a body corporate and may exercise such authority as is needed for the proper operation and improvement of the Florida Scholars Academy. The board of trustees is specifically authorized to adopt rules, policies, and procedures, consistent with law and State Board of Education rules related to governance, personnel, budget and finance, administration, programs, curriculum and instruction, travel and purchasing, technology, students, contracts and grants, and property as necessary for optimal, efficient operation of the Florida Scholars Academy.
10. Notwithstanding any rule to the contrary, review and approve an annual academic calendar to provide educational services to youth for a school year composed of 250 days or 1,250 hours of instruction for students enrolled in a traditional K-12 education pathway, distributed over 12 months. The board of trustees may decrease the minimum number of days for instruction by up to 20 days or 100 hours for teacher planning.
