fits-all agenda. Each school district develops its own strategic plan, often in alignment with state education goals but tailored to community needs. “We don’t have an agenda beyond helping board members function effectively in their communities,” Messina notes.“Their goals should be developed in collaboration with their local community, updated regularly, and supported with transparency.” In Monroe County, for instance, FSBA highlighted how environmental science was integrated into the curriculum across all grade levels to reflect the region’s ecological identity. “They even achieved national accreditation for their emphasis on environmental sciences,” she says. DEVELOPING A FUTURE-READY WORKFORCE With Florida’s rapidly changing economy, FSBA is helping school boards look beyond traditional academic pathways and think in terms of real-world, career-connected learning. “We encourage districts to align their programs with local and regional workforce needs,” Messina explains. “That means working with employers, economic development partners, and using data to anticipate future industries.” Through conferences and workshops, FSBA brings in thought leaders to inspire new thinking. One upcoming breakout session will walk attendees through how to design a workforce pipeline program in partnership with local employers. “We want districts to ask, ‘What can we build that not only meets current workforce demand but might actually attract new industries to our community?’” she says. According to Messina, interest in these programs is growing—not just from educators, but from parents and communities. “There’s a greater willingness to see workforce development as a viable path,” she says. “If that’s what the community values and promotes, that’s what school districts will reflect.” LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY WITH EQUITY IN MIND FSBA’s advocacy efforts cover a wide range of issues, always with a focus on equitable impact across 430 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 07
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