The Osceola County School District Tuesday received $2.4 million as part of the School Recognition Program.

Gov. Rick Scott Tuesday presented checks totaling more than $23.6 million to school districts in the Orlando area. Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Sumter school districts can use their school recognition award dollars for faculty or staff bonuses, to purchase educational equipment or materials, or hire temporary staff to help maintain or improve student performance.

“I can think of no better investment for our state than investing in those teachers who work on the frontline of Florida’s future every day by teaching our children,” Scott said. “This funding, in addition to the over $1.2 billion education investments proposed as part of the Florida Families First budget, gives our schools and teachers the support they deserve.”

Funding was given to 25 Osceola County schools; Gateway High School in Kissimmee received the most funding with $209,076; Osceola High School in Kissimmee received the second highest amount at $194,017; and Harmony High School near St. Cloud was given the third highest amount at $173,360.

According to Scott, Florida students and teachers ranked sixth for educational quality, fourth-grade students scored among the best in the world on an international reading survey and Florida students are number one for percentage of students taking an AP exam.

“I commend Governor Scott’s commitment to education in Florida,” Sen. Andy Gardiner said. “The school recognition funding, along with his proposed $1.2 billion in funding for K-12 education, will offer our schools and teachers the resources they need to strengthen our education system and offer our children an even better path towards success.”

Florida’s School Recognition Program acknowledges the quality of public schools by giving financial rewards based on sustained or significantly improved student achievement in reading, mathematics, science and writing. Schools eligible for recognition awards include those receiving an “A” school grade, improving at least one letter grade from the previous year, or improving more than one letter grade and sustaining the improvement the following school year. Alternative schools that increase their school improvement rating or are rated “Improving” also qualify for awards. The school staff and school advisory council at each recognized school jointly decide how to use the financial award.

“Governor Scott understands that rewarding schools for performance promotes even higher achievement,” Commissioner of Education Dr. Tony Bennett said. “His Florida Families First budget calls for an even larger commitment to the School Recognition Program.”

As part of his Florida Families First budget, Scott requested an increase in School Recognition Program funding to $125 per student, up from $93 this year.

Funding for K-12 education in the Florida Families First budget totals $10.7 billion – the highest state funding level in history. Included in this historic total is $480 million to support $2,500 pay raises for Florida’s K-12 classroom teachers, plus the cost of associated benefits.

Total funding for K-12 education in the Florida Families First budget is $18.47 billion, an increase of $1.25 billion, or 7.3 percent, over last year’s budget, which also invested $1 billion in K-12 education. This increase represents per student funding of $6,799, an increase of more than $400 over the current fiscal year.

“These schools have earned this money, continuing the positive, educational opportunities taking place in their classrooms,” Florida State Board of Education Chair Gary Chartrand said. “Directing funding into programs with a proven track record for success is money well spent. I applaud Governor Scott’s resolve to increase funding for the School Recognition Program, which ensures that teachers who are really making a difference get rewarded.”

“We understand that what we want to improve, we should measure; and when there is improvement, we should reward it,” Public Schools Chancellor Pam Stewart said. “That is exactly what Governor Scott is doing as he visits the districts to recognize school improvement in a tangible way. By asking for an increase in the School Recognition Program next year, he is reinforcing that further.”

Before an audience of educators and community leaders, Scott presented the checks to representatives from seven school districts at Freedom Middle School in Orange County—a school that has earned an “A” grade for the past seven years.

“Infusing more than $130 million into Florida schools that are improving or consistently providing excellent educational experiences will have a positive impact on our economy. These dollars will increase digital learning tools, provide the necessary resources to support our teachers, while encouraging greater accountability,” Mark Wilson, President and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce said. “Ultimately, this will keep the nation’s best teachers right here in the Sunshine State.  We support Governor Scott’s efforts to invest in Florida’s education system.”

The total amount of school recognition funding distributed was $23,608,821.