[Joecooool418]

Originally Posted by Jimmay

It’s not a public school it’s a charter school. Charter schools have rules and regulations that public schools do not have. Just as there are rules in life to be a good citizen. There are rules at the school. It must be adhered too. The charter schools are excellent, and therefore there should be requirements to attend.

There are 739 charter schools in Florida. VCS appears to be the only public charter school in Florida that requires a parent to work for a qualifying employer as a condition of student enrollment.

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by shut the front door

There are always going to people here who try to turn something as great as the charter school into class warfare.

Yep. Members of the "equity" crowd.

BTW, I kinda like the "oligarchy". Beats the heck out of the alternative Kleptocracy.

[Pugchief]

Originally Posted by Justputt

I've spoken with retired teachers that have tried to get in there as substitute teachers, and they told me that TV doesn't need more than a handful of subs because teachers don't skip work much because they like it there. Part of the reason is that, unlike public schools, if your kid is a bad egg, they kick them out. Behavour doesn't seem to be an issue so kids are in a MUCH BETTER learning environment.

#1 reason to send your kid to a Charter School, IMO.

[jimmy o]

Originally Posted by Joecooool418

You forgot the "funded mostly with public tax dollars" part.

No, it was not funded mostly by tax dollars. That’s what set the school apart. It it was funded and continuously subsidized by TVs holding company. Also it is chartered as “Charter School in the Workplace”.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Joecooool418

There are 739 charter schools in Florida. VCS appears to be the only public charter school in Florida that requires a parent to work for a qualifying employer as a condition of student enrollment.

Where did you find that information?

I can find lists of the 740+ charter schools with contact information but I haven't found any categorization or quick way to review admission criteria.

[Joecooool418]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Where did you find that information?

I can find lists of the 740+ charter schools with contact information but I haven't found any categorization or quick way to review admission criteria.

In 2016, the Florida Legislature identified only two workplace charter schools: The Villages Charter School and JFK Medical Center Charter School.



JFK Medical Center Charter School ended its workplace arrangement in 2017 and became Somerset Academy JFK.



The Villages Charter School continues to enforce employment-based eligibility requirements for parents.

[Fastskiguy]

Originally Posted by Joecooool418

That's a whole lot of words to basically tell kids who have no control over their parents' decisions "tough ****".

Sure they do, they can just enroll their kids in wildwood public school and then they can’t get kicked out. Nobody is forced to go to the charter school.

[Joecooool418]

Originally Posted by jimmy o

No, it was not funded mostly by tax dollars. That’s what set the school apart. It it was funded and continuously subsidized by TVs holding company. Also it is chartered as “Charter School in the Workplace”.

According to The Villages Charter School’s 2024–2025 audited financial statements, the school received at least $44.3 million in identifiable public funding during the fiscal year, equivalent to approximately $3.69 million per month. This included $28.3 million through the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP), $15.2 million in facility lease revenue, $326,682 in Advanced Placement funding, and $512,267 in school recognition funds. The school also reported additional government-supported revenue, including a $4.35 million Local Capital Improvement Fund payment, federal grants, and school lunch reimbursements. The Villages developer contributed $28,577,631.

Particularly noteworthy is the $15.2 million in annual facility lease revenue. In December 2022, a developer-affiliated entity donated school buildings to The Villages Charter School, which subsequently became the landlord and began receiving lease payments from the Sumter County School District. These payments are calculated using property values and millage rates within The Villages, meaning public property-tax revenue supports the facilities even though they were originally donated by the developer.

The school's total annual revenue was approximately $92.4 million, although that figure includes substantial private contributions and other nonpublic income. Unlike most Florida public charter schools, The Villages Charter School also restricts enrollment based on qualifying parental employment with The Villages developer or approved business partners. It appears to be the only currently identified Florida charter school maintaining this particular employment-based eligibility requirement.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by jimmy o

No, it was not funded mostly by tax dollars. That’s what set the school apart. It it was funded and continuously subsidized by TVs holding company. Also it is chartered as “Charter School in the Workplace”.

Originally Posted by Joecooool418

According to The Villages Charter School’s 2024–2025 audited financial statements, the school received at least $44.3 million in identifiable public funding during the fiscal year, equivalent to approximately $3.69 million per month. This included $28.3 million through the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP), $15.2 million in facility lease revenue, $326,682 in Advanced Placement funding, and $512,267 in school recognition funds. The school also reported additional government-supported revenue, including a $4.35 million Local Capital Improvement Fund payment, federal grants, and school lunch reimbursements. The Villages developer contributed $28,577,631.

...

Funded.....

The school was built with Developer dollars.
The school operates with public funding (as all public schools do) plus, as it appears from your information, a sizable contribution from the Developer

[tophcfa]

Rules are rules, if you don’t like them, don’t sign up your kids for the Charter School. Make no mistake, the developer didn’t set up the Charter School to do anyone a favor. It’s there to bring in help to service the senior citizens who they make lots and lots of $$$$$$ selling homes to. It’s hard to sell homes anywhere where there aren’t workers available to service the home buying population. Nothing but smart and profitable business practice.

[La lamy]

Those are strict rules OP!!

[lpkruege1]

Originally Posted by Joecooool418

Last week, I played golf with one of the deans at The Villages Charter School in Middleton. We got to talking about what parents have to do to keep their kids enrolled there, and I couldn't believe some of what he told me.

For starters, at least one parent has to work for The Villages or one of the businesses that qualifies under their enrollment rules. If that parent quits, gets fired, or gets laid off, their kids immediately lose their eligibility to attend the school. He told me they typically give parents about a week to find another qualifying job before kicking the kids out. The school's official policy does allow parents to petition for more time, but there's no guarantee they'll get it.

He said he personally knew of situations where employers had taken advantage of workers with kids in the charter school because they knew those employees couldn't afford to lose their jobs.

Think about that. Your boss knows that if you quit or get fired, your kids could get kicked out of school. How much crap would you put up with at work if you knew your kids' education was on the line?

Then he told me about the parental involvement requirements. Parents have to put in 20 hours per student every school year doing volunteer work and other approved school activities. Have one kid in middle school and another in high school? That's 40 hours a year. And if you don't meet the requirement, your kids can lose their eligibility to attend.

Imagine buying a house in Middleton, getting your kids settled into school, making friends, getting to know their teachers, and then losing your job. Now, on top of worrying about paying the bills and finding another job, you've got to worry about your kids being forced out of school too.

I understand that charter schools have different rules, but this seems pretty ridiculous for a school that's funded by taxpayers.

Why should a kid's ability to stay in a public school depend on where their parents work? And how is it acceptable for a publicly funded school to operate this way?

How is this any different than anywhere else. You take a job. You agree on pay. There are rules. If you don't follow the rules, there are consequences. Every parent wants the best for their child. They agree to the rules to get their child into a great school. There are consequences of not following the rules. The children have to maintain their grades or risk expulsion. They have to wear a uniform to attend. I've been to Middleton a number of times. The children I've met are courteous, polite, and I don't see them causing problems like children in so many other communities. I spent a day in my grandson's high school. I attended a full day's class with him. I would say 10% of the children are out of control. I believe it's due to NO or little parental involvement. Making your child's admission into the school based on parental involvement, is key to their child's success. Please tell me how this system is failing.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by Joecooool418

Last week, I played golf with one of the deans at The Villages Charter School in Middleton. We got to talking about what parents have to do to keep their kids enrolled there, and I couldn't believe some of what he told me.

For starters, at least one parent has to work for The Villages or one of the businesses that qualifies under their enrollment rules. If that parent quits, gets fired, or gets laid off, their kids immediately lose their eligibility to attend the school. He told me they typically give parents about a week to find another qualifying job before kicking the kids out. The school's official policy does allow parents to petition for more time, but there's no guarantee they'll get it.

He said he personally knew of situations where employers had taken advantage of workers with kids in the charter school because they knew those employees couldn't afford to lose their jobs.

Think about that. Your boss knows that if you quit or get fired, your kids could get kicked out of school. How much crap would you put up with at work if you knew your kids' education was on the line?

Then he told me about the parental involvement requirements. Parents have to put in 20 hours per student every school year doing volunteer work and other approved school activities. Have one kid in middle school and another in high school? That's 40 hours a year. And if you don't meet the requirement, your kids can lose their eligibility to attend.

Imagine buying a house in Middleton, getting your kids settled into school, making friends, getting to know their teachers, and then losing your job. Now, on top of worrying about paying the bills and finding another job, you've got to worry about your kids being forced out of school too.

I understand that charter schools have different rules, but this seems pretty ridiculous for a school that's funded by taxpayers.

Why should a kid's ability to stay in a public school depend on where their parents work? And how is it acceptable for a publicly funded school to operate this way?

Ruined by education. It has gotten worse. Imagine a teacher. HUH you put them in charge of young kids minds. Goal of kid. Get good grades. HINT if you want good grades tell the teacher what they want to hear.

"Why should a kid's ability to stay in public school depend on where their parent's work?" We expect perfect. Problem is ALL do not agree what perfect is. If, ALL are paying rules apply to ALL. imagine whatever the issue is finding a solution ALL would say that is PERFECT.

[croughwell]

The Villages Charter School (TVCS) is funded through a combination of corporate support from the developer, public per-pupil school funds, and contributions.
• Developer and Corporate Funding: The school was founded and is financially supported by The Villages of Lake-Sumter, Inc. and its family of companies. The developer originally donated the land, constructed the initial physical facilities, and continues to provide substantial ongoing support as a "Charter-in-the-Workplace".
• Public Per-Pupil Funding: As a public charter school approved by the Sumter County School Board and the Florida Department of Education, it receives public education funding based on student enrollment through mechanisms like the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP).
• Contributions and Other Revenue: According to financial disclosures, the school also relies heavily on private contributions, program services, and rental property income to support its operations and facilities.
You can read more about how the school is structured and governed on the The Villages Charter School About Page or review its public district status via the Sumter County Schools Financial FAQ.
Would you like to know more about who is eligible to enroll a child at The Villages Charter School, or how its admission preferences work for employees and business partners?
The Villages Charter School
About - The Villages Charter School
Founded in 1999 by visionary leaders who laid a foundation for success, The Villages Charter School (TVCS) continues to maintain its long-standing legacy of ...
Sumter County School
Financial FAQ's
Taxable Value: School taxes apply only to the first $25,000 of a homestead exemption, unlike county taxes which apply up to $50,000. School Status: The Villages...
The Villages Charter School
Eligibility and Enrollment - The Villages Charter School
The Villages Charter School (“VCS”) is a Charter School in the Workplace (see also School of Choice). VCS was founded by The Villages of Lake-Sumter, Inc. and i...
ProPublica
The Villages Charter School Inc
Table_title: Extracted Financial Data from Form 990 Table_content: | Notable Sources of Revenue | | Percent of Total Revenue | | --- | --- | --- | | Contributio...
Google
Office of Admissions
Our school was created to provide a quality education as a benefit to the children of the employees who have dedicated themselves to the success of The Villages...
ImpactFees.com
Chalking it up: What it takes to build a charter school
The Villages elementary, middle and high schools were granted charter status under the auspices of the Sumter County School Board, and the elementary school ope...

[Fastskiguy]

You know what is nuts is that the whole school campus deal (and it's big. and nice) isn't even the developers main business. They build and sell houses. The whole thing is just a way to get working age people to come here to take care of the people who buy the houses. I mean....it's one hell of a side gig when you think about it.