Forums

Could it? Sure, but the reality of it happening as a normal business practice—I'd say the chance is negligible at best... particularly in larger counties or school districts. The oversight/approval process is a typical one, and my point here was to show that despite the bill's language, this structure is already in place in practically every school board before the bill was even introduced. Let's face it: If this passes, no school board is going to allocate taxpayer-generated revenue to push a football coach's pay into six figures (or anywhere close). Those kinds of jumps, when possible, will come from private sources like booster associations/organizations—funneled through the board as the bill requires (with built-in checks so boosters can't directly control or "own" the coach). Before it even reaches the final oversight step (superintendent/board ratification), there's already an established relationship between the principal and that authority. Beyond maybe a few routine questions, the reality is it's usually a done deal once the principal recommends.

My county aside, you don't think favoritism is going to get shown in larger counties? IMO, it'll all get delegated to the superintendent.

Is why I suggested you look further into it, because while the principle makes a selection...final approving authority isnt typically his. In the School Board of Hardee County (Florida), the hiring process for school-related positions—particularly instructional roles like teachers—typically involves a collaborative but structured approach where the high school principal (or principal at any school level) plays a key role in selection, but does not have final hiring authority unilaterally.Here's how it generally works based on standard Florida school district practices (governed by Florida Statutes Chapter 1012 on personnel, local board policies, and observed patterns in Hardee County): Principal's Role: The principal (or site administrator) usually leads the interview process, evaluates candidates, and makes a recommendation or selection from qualified applicants. For example: Applications are submitted centrally through the district's HR department (via the online portal on hardee.k12.fl.us). HR screens for basic qualifications (certification, background checks, etc.) and forwards eligible candidates to the school/principal. The principal interviews, often with input from assistant principals or team members, and identifies their preferred candidate(s). Final Approval Requirement: The principal's selection does not become final on its own. It requires district-level approval, typically involving: Superintendent (or designee): The superintendent reviews and approves recommendations before they go further. This is common in Florida districts to ensure compliance, budget alignment, and equity. School Board: For many positions (especially instructional/teaching roles), the School Board formally approves hires during regular meetings. Board meeting minutes from Hardee County historically show agenda items for "personnel recommendations," "new hires," or "approval of recommendations" (often in consent agendas), where the Board votes to ratify hires. This includes teachers, assistants, and other staff. This is consistent with Florida law and most small/rural district policies: Principals have significant input and often the de facto "selection" power at the site level, but the hire is not official until cleared by HR, the superintendent, and ultimately the School Board (or delegated authority in some cases for non-instructional roles). So what you picked up on as a change in final hiring and firing authority by the state legislators, was actually standard hiring/firing final authority.

Well as you likely know, there's only one high school in the county I live in. It's my understanding the principal has the final say in who is hired, and can fire for cause within the personal policy adopted by the school board. The last couple of head football coaches were hired based of  recommendation of a selection committee that did the interviewing and ranking of candidates.  Ultimately it was the principal's decision.  A few coaches back, the principal at the time overrode the selection committee and hired the 2nd choice. So back to the question, will this bill require a change in how we hire? 

As of right now, yes, but he reclassified to graduate in 2027, so this is his last year playing high school football.