Gov. Ron DeSantis spoke Monday afternoon in Boca Raton at Omni Middle School and outlined a new partnership allowing for better access to civics education and debate programs for students.
DeSantis said the Florida Department is partnering with Bernie Marcus Foundation to increase student access to speech and debate programs.
Marcus is one of the founders of Home Depot.
DeSantis said Marcus has committed $5 million through his foundation over the next three years to the Florida Education Foundation to increase to the speech and debate programs.
The governor said he allocated $375,000 to implement this initiative seeking to expand and promote middle and high school debate and speech programs to all of Florida’s public school districts.
"What it really seeks to do is promote the expansion of middle and high school debate and speech programs to all of Florida's public school districts."
DeSantis said Florida will implement a first-of-its kind in the nation speech and debate competition for all students.
He plans to use the money to set up a "first-of-its kind in the nation" speech and debate competition for students in middle and high schools.
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