According to an audit released last week by the State of Florida Auditor General, the Clay County District School Board awarded thousands to prekindergarten teachers by mistake.
The District disbursed Florida Best and Brightest Teacher Scholarship Program awards totaling $31,200 to 22 prekindergarten teachers who did not meet the statutory definition of a “classroom teacher."
The Florida Legislature established the Florida Best and Brightest Teacher Scholarship Program to reward classroom teachers who achieved high academic standards during their own education. However, the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) states that the scholarship is for K-12 teachers only and prekindergarten teachers do not qualify.
However, according to District personnel, most of the District prekindergarten teachers had classes that included prekindergarten students and students who may be of kindergarten age or older, as students are assigned to prekindergarten instruction based on their needs and capabilities.
Read the full audit below. Skip to page seven to learn more about the scholarships.