Florida Virtual School Enrollment Drops, Hundreds Laid Off

Online middle school and high school Florida Virtual School saw its enrollment numbers plummet 32 percent over the last year, causing the school to make the first layoffs in its 16-year history.

Florida Virtual School serves about130,000 students around Florida.

The Tampa Bay Times reported Wednesday that FLVS cut over 600 part-time teachers and 177 full-time teachers as a result of the decreased enrollment, though FLVS hasn't attributed the decline to any reason in particular.

"There are many reasons why our enrollments may be impacted," said FLVS spokeswoman Tania Clow. "At this time we do not have statistical or anecdotal data to explain the decline."

FLVS blamed changes in Florida's education funding formula that went into effect this year. Under the new formula, traditional school systems receive fewer dollars than last year for students who enroll in one or more online courses.FLVS CEO Julie Young predicted earlier this year that this would discourage schools from enrolling their students in online courses.

Rep. Erik Fresen, R-Miami, who serves as chair of the House Education Appropriations Subcommittee, said FLVS was getting a disproportionately large share of state education funding.

Clow said the entire FLVS family was "saddened by the new realities" facing the online school, but vowed that FLVS would be committed to serving children at "the highest level."