Florida House passes bill to reduce term limits for school board members

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida House passed a bill that will limit school board members to two consecutive four-year terms, beginning with the November 2022 election.

The legislation will move the current law for school board members from 12-year term limits to eight-year term limits.

The bill, carried by Rep. Alex Rizo, R-Hialeah, will head to the Senate next. The final vote was 79-29.

Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, filed a similar bill in the senate, that also includes county commissioner term limits.

“This bill aligns with what Floridians want, and this bill will do that, and more and more, we see the Floridians have wanted school board members and other elected offices to align better with those constitutional officers, just like ourselves,” Rizo said during the second reading.

Gov. Ron DeSantis previously said he also believes school boards should have eight-year term limits.

“Eight years is enough to get your ideas in and see some of the success or things you need to change,” DeSantis said.

Rep. Michele Rayner-Goolsby, D-St. Petersburg, opposed the bill in debate.

“There has been no change that I would assert that is compelling enough to reduce term limits.
It feels like a power grab, and it feels like a power grab on the backs of our children, and that is unacceptable. This is not about political office – it is most certainly about making sure that our children have the best representation,” Rayner-Goolsby said.

In closing, Rizo reminded members that one legislative body cannot bind another legislature to something – so things can change.

“As we hear in committee all the time, maybe we are taking a second bite of the apple, but that’s fine. This is what Floridians want – over and over again – and we see this,” Rizo said.