Parent Trigger Update
Parent Trigger - one of the first bills filed this year is SB 862 / HB 867. The so-called Parent Empowerment bill sadly does anything but empower parents. Defeated last year by a broad alliance of established parent groups and citizens from every corner of Florida, the bill is back because it is the priority of powerful groups funded by millions of dollars.
The bill allows 51% of parents at a "failing" school to sign a petition to determine which turnaround option will be implemented. While on the surface, that may sound reasonable when we dig a little deeper, we find this is all about for-profit charter manaqement companies and nothing to do with helping your child.
Parent Trigger:
- Sadly takes power away from parents. Once they sign the petition and opt to turn a school over to a charter management company, they have no further decision-making role with the for-profit Board of Directors;
- Boards of for-profit charter management companies don't have to live in our communities and can be foreign nationals;
- Takes our taxpayer asset of the school building, and turns it over to a private corporation;
- There are no 'do-overs." No way is provided to reverse the trigger if it doesn't get better for students;
- Further divides our communities instead of uniting around improving the school.
We will continue our work to protect public education. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and consider making a donation today through our site 50thNoMore.org.
Together we are standing tall for our students and our public schools.
Email The SJC School Board
CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED INFORMATION ON WHY WE DON'T NEED THESE CHARTER SCHOOLS.
Background information on Charter School applicants: http://50thnomore.org/2012/09/default.aspx
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What is 50th No More?
"50th No More" is a non-partisan, grassroots organization designed to fight back against budget cuts to our great public schools. We are Republicans and we are Democrats; we are families with school-age children and we are empty nesters; we are teachers and we are business leaders who all value the importance of education in our communities.
When we formed in the summer of 2008, the US Census Bureau reported that Florida ranked an embarrassing 50th place in the country in terms of spending on education (per $1000 income). Our elected officials in Tallahassee have made choices which have put us in this position.
Florida's public schools have a huge impact on your real estate property values, your crime rates, and sense of community pride. Our children and our communities deserve better than 50th place. Stand up and let your voice be heard.
Background Information.
Is there a crisis in Florida's public schools? You bet there is. We are facing unprecedented loses in education funding, resulting in unprecedented losses in our schools. We are losing great teachers…. enrichment programs like art and music are dwindling.....school bus service has been cut drastically.....teachers are almost begging for basic supplies like paper. ...special programs for exceptional children are losing much-needed classroom aides......programs for high-achievers like AP and IB are faced with possible cuts....and lights are being turned off before the last children leave the building to save energy costs.
What Are the Group's Concerns?
Our long-term goal is simple: We will work to ensure that our state's Constitutional right to adequately-funded education is a priority in Tallahassee.
Few Floridians are aware that Article IX, Section 1, of the Constitution of the State of Florida clearly articulates the state's responsibility to our public education system. Article IX states, "The education of children is a fundamental value of the people of the State of Florida. It is, therefore, a paramount duty of the state to make adequate provisions for the education of all children residing within its borders."
Do you think that Florida is honoring Article IX? Join us to ensure the future and continued success of Florida's public schools.
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