Save Duval Schools

The Florida Constitution 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 provision for...a uniform, efficient, safe, secure and high quality system of free public schools that allows students to obtain a high quality education...."

As an elementary music educator, springtime is a bitter-sweet time for me. I love it when the sunshine returns, I enjoy getting outdoors and spending time in the garden, I blow the dust off of my rod and reel and head for the surf and all is well in my world - well, almost.

Springtime is also the time of year when the Florida Legislature re-convenes to balance the state budget. Because I do not teach what is considered to be a "core academic subject," my job is invariably on the chopping block every year. It matters not that I am a National Board Certified Teacher in Early and Middle Childhood Music. It matters not that I open my classroom doors to mentor college students from the University of North Florida, Florida State College at Jacksonville and Jacksonville University. Both my husband and I are elementary arts educators in Duval County. This horrible black cloud hangs over our household until the budget has been passed and we know whether or not we have a job to which we can return in the Fall. It is a very stressful time of year for us and for our children.

Duval County Public Schools is facing a $125,000,000 budget deficit next year. There is a disconnect between our parents and what is going on in Tallahassee right now. It has become necessary for all of our stakeholders - administrators, teachers, community leaders, parents and students - to make their voices heard in Tallahassee. If you value art, music and PE at Chets Creek Elementary, please contact your legislators. If you value a guidance counselor at Chets Creek Elementary, please contact your legislators. If you value a media specialist at Chets Creek Elementary, please conatact your legislators. It is imperative that you do so and do so quickly.

Ask your legislator to "provide flexibility" with how the money is spent so districts can use monies where they are needed most. Ask your legislator to "hold in abeyance the Class Size Amendment" or "limit the penalty for non-compliance." This is an unfunded mandate that we cannot afford. Ask your legislator to "hold in abeyance" all state-recognition funding including "School Recognition, MAP, AP, IB, and AICE teacher bonuses. If your child is taught by a Board-Certified teacher, John Thrasher is trying to repeal the "Dale Hickam Act" which provides teacher bonuses for Board-Certified personnel. Additionally, the State Lottery System was sold to the public as a system that would provide funding for K-12 education. Much of that funding has been shifted to Bright Futures Scholarships for post-secondary students and has left K-12 education with a huge hole in its pockets. The public has been duped and there is much to be lost if we do not speak out.

Florida is 50th out of 50 States in "per capita" spending on public education. Is 50th good enough for your child? Please go to "myflorida.gov" to determine who your state representatives are and to gather e-mail addresses for your legislators. For every e-mail, telephone call or fax they receive, it counts as 25 contacts from constituents. Your help is greatly needed and greatly appreciated.

I have a dream that the teaching profession will one day be held in the highest esteem alongside the medical and legal professions. Without the professional educator, there will be no other professions of which to speak.

Until next time...