ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Parents and students are worried about possible cuts to advanced placement classes in high school.

Kids take them to save money or get into tough colleges, but there could be a big cut in Tallahassee’s upcoming budget.

Jack Hayes, a junior at Boone High School, is taking three AP classes.

“I take these classes to get the upper hand,” he said.

Jack Hayes and his mother voiced their concerns at a recent Orange County School Board meeting. Other parents and teachers agreed.

They worry that a proposed 50% cut to funding for AP classes, IB (International Baccalaureate), Cambridge, Dual Enrollment, and Career and Professional Education funding will affect their education.

 “I’m worried about next year, is he going to get enough of these advanced classes to fill out his schedule to keep that competitive path that he is on so that he can get into a good college?” Judi Hayes, Jack’s mother, said.

Stephanie Vanos, the Orange County District 6 school board member representing schools from Maitland to Pine Hills is against these cuts. She emphasized that these cuts are not just about advanced learning.

“It’s also a cost saving for our families because you can get these credits through AP courses or through dual enrollment for free while you are in public school in Florida, and that saves you money in college,” Vanos said.

Parents and teachers showed up to the Budget Committee meeting in Tallahassee to protest the proposed cuts that are part of House Bill 5101. A decision will not be made until May.

“It’s this particular portion that is going to cut these advanced studies and dual enrollment classes; this is the problematic part,” Vanos said. “I would ask that students, parents, and community members, stakeholders who care, please reach out to legislators, call offices, and send emails to let them know that you do not support these.”

Read the full text of the bill below: