Governor Ron DeSantis signs bill letting booster clubs help pay high-school coaches

Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation intended to widen pay options for high-school coaches and expand extracurricular access for students in charter, private and home-education settings.

DeSantis described Senate Bill 538 as a measure that "allows districts to use funds raised by high school booster clubs to pay coaches and activity sponsors, which will supplement their current district stipend," and said the change gives districts "greater flexibility and compensation." He added districts could classify coaches as administrative personnel and negotiate salary compensation outside typical collective bargaining.

The bill also revises student-eligibility rules so students who attend charter schools, private schools, virtual schools and home-education programs would have the same access to extracurricular activities as students in district schools. DeSantis noted roughly 1,600,000 Florida students participate in some form of school choice.

Stassi Komutsis, the outgoing commissioner of education, said the legislation "recognizes the tremendous value that coaches bring to our schools and gives communities greater flexibility to support them." Komutsis framed the change as part of an effort to support coaching as mentorship, not merely a sideline duty.

Community testimony at the signing reinforced that theme. Bernius Coles, who identified himself as working with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Police Athletic League, thanked officials for protecting coaches who stepped in to help students in need. "To think that my coaches coulda got in trouble for helping me out... is very disappointing," Coles said.

Supporters described SB 538 as a practical fix for modest stipends that many coaches rely on in addition to full-time school responsibilities. Opponents or outside stakeholders were not recorded in the transcript for this event.

Next steps: DeSantis said he would sign the bills during the event; the governor invited participants to the podium for the signing and a brief showcase.

Notes: The transcript records the bill language and supporters' remarks but does not include a roll-call vote or formal legislative-record text; sponsorship was credited onstage to several legislators but the transcript does not list a final effective date for the law.