Staffing Structure and Program Realignment

From: "laurielevADVISORY" <laurielevadvisory@bellsouth.net>
Date: March 10, 2010 12:49:01 PM EST
To: "laurielevADVISORY" <laurielevadvisory@bellsouth.net>
Subject: 6% School Cuts - Elementary School Specials/MS & HS Electives
Reply-To: "laurielevADVISORY" <laurielevadvisory@bellsouth.net>

Hello SAF Chairs -
 
        Yesterday, the Board discussed Staffing Structure and Program Realignment with regard to budget reduction implications at a workshop. The schools have been asked to cut their individual budgets by 6%; attached are the four models that were presented for delivery of elementary school specials - art, music, physical education, media, and guidance. This 6% cut will also relate to elective courses at the middle school and high school level.
        Please get this information out to your parents as soon as possible.  There are two ways to give your input at the District level about school cuts.  Parents may email School Board members by going to the District website atwww.browardschools.com. Click on School Board and then click on e-mail the Board.  Parents may also speak at a Board meeting; call 754-321-2005 to sign up. (The next Board meeting is March 16th at 9:45 A.M.)  A number of parents were present at the workshop yesterday, but parents may only speak at Board meetings.
 
Laurie Rich Levinson
Central Area Advisory Chair    

From: "browardpta@aol.com" <browardpta@aol.com>
To: PTA Presidents
Sent: Sun, March 14, 2010 9:42:52 AM
Subject: Petition and Letter Writing Campaign

PTA Presidents,
 
West Hollywood Elementary PTA has started a letter writing campaign. To show their outrage at the cuts to education, they would like for me to share with you their efforts in sending a strong message to Tallahassee to make education a priority. If your PTA would like to participate and have your letters delivered to the legislators, I have enclosed copies of their materials if you would like to duplicate their efforts for your school.
 
Please keep in mind, BCCPTA MUST receive them by Monday, March 22, 2010 through the school pony to Bernie Kemp or hand delivered by Tuesday, March 23, 2010. Members from BCCPTA will be traveling to Tallahassee on Wednesday!

Florida House of Representatives - http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/default.aspx

Florida Senate - http://www.flsenate.gov/Welcome/index.cfm?CFID=191405505&CFTOKEN=11830616

Florida Department of Education - http://www.fldoe.org

FLDOE Office of Funding - http://www.fldoe.org/fefp/

Florida PTA - http://www.floridapta.org/index.html

Instructions for the form letters/ Instrucciones para las cartas modelo:

Please put your name and address on the top of the letter and sign at the bottom of the letter.

Por favor, ponga su nombre y dirección en la parte superior de la carta y firmar en la parte inferior de la carta.

Please also call, write, and email the committee members, members of Congress, and the Governor.

Por favor, también llamar, escribir, y enviar los miembros del comité, los miembros del Congreso y del Gobernador.

Committee on Education Pre-K - 12 Appropriations

201 The Capitol

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100

•Chair: Senator Stephen R. Wise (R) - (850) 487-5027, wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov

•Vice Chair: Senator Gary Siplin (D) - (850) 487-5190, siplin.gary.web@flsenate.gov

•Senator Larcenia J. Bullard (D) - (850) 487-5127, bullard.larcenia.web@flsenate.gov

•Senator Nancy C. Detert (R) - (850) 487-5081, detert.nancy.web@flsenate.gov

•Senator Rudy Garcia (R) - (850) 487-5106, garcia.rudy.web@flsenate.gov

•Senator Garrett S. Richter (R) - (850) 487-5124, richter.garrett.web@flsenate.gov

PreK-12 Appropriations Committee

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300

Contact: (850) 488-0482

Representatives:

Flores, Anitere (R) Chair Tel: (850) 488-2831

Stargel, Kelli (R) Vice Chair Tel: (850) 488-2270

Kiar, Martin David (D) Democratic Ranking Member Tel: (850) 487-1588

Bullard, Dwight M. (D) Tel: (850) 488-5430

Clarke-Reed, Gwyndolen (D) Tel: (850) 488-0880

Coley, Marti (R) Tel: (850) 488-2873

Fresen, Erik (R) Tel: (850) 488-4092

Grady, Tom (R) Tel: (850) 488-4487

Legg, John (R) Tel: (850) 488-5522

Renuart, Ronald (R) Tel: (850) 488-0001

Schultz, Ron (R) Tel: (850) 488-0805

Steinberg, Richard L. (D) Tel: (850) 488-0690

Weatherford, Will W. (R) Tel: (850) 488-5744

Weinstein, Michael B. (R) Tel: (850) 488-1304

Office of Governor Charlie Crist

Tallahassee, FL 32399-0001

Telephone: Citizen Services Hotline: (850) 488-4441

Executive Office of the Governor Switchboard: (850) 488-7146

Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time

Representative Elaine J. Schwartz

Capitol Office

1402 The Capitol

402 South Monroe Street

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1300

Phone: (850) 488-0465

http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/emailrepresentative.aspx?MemberId=4383&SessionId=64

Senator Dan Gelber

Capitol Office:

226 Senate Office Building

404 South Monroe Street

gelber.dan.web@flsenate.gov

Email Script:

I am writing from Virginia Shuman Young Elementary School. Last year we were promised that education would be held harmless. This has not happened. The exact opposite is true. Approximately 400 teachers in Broward County were fired last year. This was mitigated by the Federal Stimulus. That is only a band-aid. We cannot hope to compete in the current global economy without education being one of our highest priorities. We are currently facing cuts to key programs such as Art, Music, Physical Education and are in danger of losing many critical employees. This is insanity, unsustainable and a race to the bottom.

Article IX, Section 1 of 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 the education of all children residing within its borders." The Florida Constitution promises us a free and EXCELLENT education system. When will you meet your contractual obligation as a defender of the constitution.

There should be no further cuts to education and children's services; Florida cannot meet the needs of its citizens by depending on its current tax structure. Education and children's services should be funded through a new and stable source of revenue. Identify other new sources of revenue that are stable, dependable and will provide long term solutions to the current funding crisis. We support comprehensive tax restructuring that will increase tax revenue through tax structure reform, in order to adequately fund the services necessary to meet the educational, health, safety, recreational and other basic needs of Florida's children.

Funding education actually saves money in the long run. Income increases with each higher level of education. A wealthier workforce increases tax revenues. Educated individuals are less likely to be unemployed and enjoy better health. This eases the State’s burden of Unemployment Benefits, Medicare/Medicaid, and School Lunch programs. It costs less to educate a student now than to incarcerate them later on. Educated individuals are more likely to produce educated children which are a positive social spiral. The success that each and every one of you enjoys today is only possible because you received a quality education. I think you owe the same opportunity to our children.

I urge you to uphold the constitution and stop cutting education.

Phone Script:

Good day, I am a parent at Virginia Shuman Young Elementary School calling to ask you to adequately fund education. Our school is facing cuts to critical programs such as art, music, and physical education. School Districts are the largest employers, so continued cuts will also hurt economic recovery due to job losses. I urge you to uphold the constitution and stop cutting education and find new and sustainable funding.

Thank you.

On Mar 16, 2010, at 10:05 AM, Dawn Read wrote:

As you all know there are MAJOR budget cuts coming our way.  There are some things on the table that you can make a difference with.  This is just one example…take a quick moment of your time and just click copy and paste all the email addresses to the committee members listed below and tell them how you feel and that you would encourage them to help keep Arts in Education.  Anything you have heard from last year and the cuts that were made- maybe you didn’t think were so bad and we didn’t really “feel” them.  WE WILL ALL FEEL THEM THIS TIME AROUND.  Our children will feel them.  YOU will feel them.  We will be directly impacted by the cuts that are coming this year.  Everyone needs to do their part.  Even if it doesn’t work, won’t it feel good to know you made the effort?  Can’t hurt, right??  Thank you!
 
From: Lisapacetti@aol.com [mailto:Lisapacetti@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, March 15, 2010 5:12 PM
Subject: Action Alert: Your Immediate Action Can Help Arts Education in Florida
 
Please forward to your contacts!
Florida Cultural Alliance Action Alert
Monday, March 15, 2010
 
Action Alert on SB 820 -- Fine Arts Courses/School Performance Grades

Please Act TODAY, March 15, or
TOMORROW, March 16.

The steps below are simple and quick.
You can help secure expanded arts education
learning opportunities for Florida students.


Our Goal:  Secure yes votes for SB 820, Fine Arts Courses/School Performance Grades, on Wednesday, March 17, at 8:00 a.m. from Senators who serve on the Florida Senate Committee on Education Pre-K-12.
 
What this bill would do:  SB 820 provides an incentive for schools to provide time and access for student participation in the fine arts and would not cost any money or be a mandate. SB 820 would provide for bonus points on the school grade for schools that increase the participation rate of eligible students in fine arts courses.
 
What you can quickly do to help:  Call and e-mail members of the Senate Committee on Education Pre-K-12 today, March 15, or tomorrow, March 16, before they are scheduled to meet at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 17.

Refer to sample message below and contact information for all the members of the Senate Committee on Education Pre-K-12.

Sample Message to Use In Calls to Committee Members' Offices and in E-mails to Them -- please personalize your message:

Dear Senator___________________:

     I urge you to please vote yes on SB 820 when it comes before the Senate Committee on Education Pre-K-12 this Wednesday, March 17, at 8:00 a.m.  SB 820 provides an incentive for schools to provide time and access for student participation in the fine arts and would not cost any money or be a mandate.

     A 2007-2008 study was conducted by the Florida Department of Education that included 188,859 students of the 2007-2008 12th grade class. These Florida students' participation in fine arts courses were examined and evaluated. The results are impressive.

     This FDOE study clearly demonstrates a consistent pattern in students' performances in accordance with the years of participation in the fine arts:  The more years in fine arts courses, the better student achievement on the FCAT and the SAT and the more likely a student is to graduate.  The positive results of this study are true for students on free and reduced lunch and for students disaggregated by ethnicity.

     SB 820 would provide for bonus points on the school grade for schools that increase the participation rate of eligible students in fine arts courses, and the specifics of this bill will be determined by DOE rule.

     Based on this excellent data, I hope SB 820 will gain your yes vote this Wednesday in the Senate Committee on Education Pre-K-12 meeting.  If passed this legislative session, the provisions of this bill will help improve and strengthen the success of both our students and schools.

    If you need additional information, please let me know.  Thank you for your time and consideration of this request.
 
Your Name
Address
Phone Number
E-mail address

 

Members of the Senate Committee on

Education Pre-K-12:

Chairwoman Nancy Detert
Co-introducer of SB 820 -- thank her for her support and leadership on arts education issues
detert.nancy.web@flsenate.gov
(850) 487-5081

Vice Chairwoman Frederica S. Wilson -  wilson.frederica.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487-5116

Senator Larcenia J. Bullard - bullard.larcenia.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487-5127

Senator Lee Constantine - constantine.lee.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487-5050

Senator Don Gaetz - gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487-5009

Senator Ronda Storms - storms.ronda.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487-5072

Senator John Thrasher - thrasher.john.web@flsenate.gov - 850-487-5030

Senator Stephen R. Wise - Sponsor of SB 820 -- -- thank him for his support and leadership on arts education issues  - wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov - (850) 487-5027

Thank you so much for your commitment to arts, arts education, and cultural development throughout Florida.

 

House of Representative Contact Info

From: Krishnaiyer <krish6@bellsouth.net>
To: PTA Presidents
Cc: Leslie Bailey <leslie@floridapta.org>
Sent: Sun, March 14, 2010 11:21:17 AM
Subject: Legislators phone numbers
 
I am attaching a list of the Tallahassee numbers of the Florida House of Representatives.  The official website only provides the district numbers.  We will have this posted on our web site this week.
 
Bernie Kemp was alerted to this fact by a local unit which has started a letter writing and phone campaign.  They tell us that these numbers were removed once their campaign started (see note below).  I cannot confirm that they were listed prior to this week, but will check into it further.  They are not listed now.  In any case kudos to West Hollywood Elementary PTA for their advocacy efforts.
“Thank you very much. I can tell you that by Thursday, all the Representatives had their Tallahassee phone numbers removed from their individual sites. I have not checked the website since them, but they are afraid of hearing from us.”
 
Thanks
 
Latha
Latha Krishnaiyer
Florida PTA
everychild:onevoice
krish6@bellsouth.net

Roseanne invited you to "Save the Arts Rally " on Tuesday, March 23 at 4:30pm.

Event: Save the Arts Rally
What: Rally
Start Time: Tuesday, March 23 at 4:30pm
End Time: Tuesday, March 23 at 6:00pm
Where: Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Art

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=370798649085

Facebook Page by Roseanne Eckert

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=361583598869

F.Y.I.
Act now, Governor Crist needs to hear from you! Ask him to VETO SB 6 and HB 7189; say NO to larger class sizes; and NO to school funding cuts!
It's important we keep reminding our elected officials that we must invest in our schools to give our students the world-class education they deserve. We elected leaders who promised to Make Our Schools a Priority. It is our duty to hold them to that pledge.
Click here to see how your state representative voted.
Contact Governor Crist TODAY  and tell him to veto SB 6 and HB 7189. It's time for us to get involved to help Make Our Schools a Priority!
http://makeourschoolsapriority.org/special/thank-you

Reminder!
 
Parents, students, teachers, staff, District employees and local community members are invited to participate in a Town Hall Meeting, hosted by the School Board of Broward County and Superintendent James F. Notter, to address the District budget and how state education funding are impacting public education in this county.
 
DATE AND TIME:
Monday, April 19, 2010 from 6-8 p.m.
LOCATIONS:
Kathleen C. Wright Administrative Center
600 SE 3rd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale
Monarch High School 5050 Wiles Road, Coconut Creek
Plantation High School
6901 NW 16th Street, Plantation
McArthur High School 6501 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood
 
The Town Hall Meeting will be broadcast live on BECON-TV (Channel 19) and will be streamed live on the District's Web site (www.browardschools.com).
 
Questions and comments from television and Internet viewers are welcomed and may be submitted online via (www.browardschools.com)
 
Back up materials that will be presented can be found here:
http://eagenda3.broward.k12.fl.us/eAgenda/1574/42544/Files/townhallmtgfinal.pdf
 
Here are links to other budget information:
http://eagenda3.broward.k12.fl.us/eAgenda/1566/42434/Files/041310_workshop_budget_update.pdf
 
http://eagenda3.broward.k12.fl.us/eAgenda/1563/42290/Files/senatehouse_proposedbudgetsfy_2011.pdf
 
http://eagenda3.broward.k12.fl.us/eAgenda/1560/42135/Files/march_9__2010_workshop_presentation_5.pdf
 
http://eagenda3.broward.k12.fl.us/eAgenda/1560/42211/Files/staffing_structure___program_realignment_2.pdf
 
I have also attached the following information:
1)  Broward County Public Schools' Projected Budget Process
2)  Document shared as part of preliminary budget discussions with Principals.  Additionally, will be used during Area budget conferences with Principals.
3)  Budget Reduction Guidelines 2010-2011
 
--