Main Point Number 1 of 2:
The FEA (Florida Education Association-a union) is going to Tallahassee with the PTA and many parents, teachers, and administrators on March 18th, to present 1 penny for every child enrolled in K-12 public schools in Florida. These pennies are being collected by my daughter’s teacher for this purpose. If you would like to send in 1 penny to represent YOUR child, please do so and I will make sure the penny goes to my daughter’s teacher and arrives in Tallahassee on March 18th.
The FEA is supporting a bill under consideration to fund education in Florida with 1 penny from every sale. To learn more about this effort, go to www.makeourschoolsapriority.org
While this may or may not be the answer to funding public education, it is sending a message to legislators that it is not acceptable to rank 50th out of 50 states in our financial commitment to public education as we currently do.
Main Point Number 2 of 2:
Mr. Lannon stated at the Town Hall meeting on February 26th that 70 million dollars (up from 30 million)will be cut from the St Lucie County school budget next year if our legislators cut education funding.
Maybe your home is being foreclosed, maybe you have been laid off or fired. Maybe you are struggling to meet your bills; however, YOU STILL WANT your child to have a better life than you have had or at least maintain the standard of living you once or now enjoy. The key to success in life is being able to pursue your dreams. A solid educational foundation opens opportunities and provides as many options as possible for your child.
MR LANNON’S URGENT REQUEST
Mr. Lannon is requesting every student, parent, teacher, employee, and uncle, aunt, grandparent, family member and neighbor write, email, or call our Florida legislators (scroll down for contact information) and tell them:
1. Do not cut funding for public education.
2. Provide enough funding for schools to implement the laws which have been passed and are important such as the school class size law.
3. Allow local districts to spend the money they receive where it is most needed, instead of providing earmarked funds which MUST be spent in only ONE manner such as building schools.
Numbers to call
Governor Charlie Crist 850-488-4441
Senate President Jeff Atwater 850-487-5229
House Speaker Larry Cretal 850-488-1450
Scroll down for other names, numbers, and addresses:
Possible Scripts provided by the FEA:
Option 1 (this option supports the penny sales tax):
Hello, this is ________, a (parent, student, teacher, voter) in St. Lucie County calling to urge you to find additional sources of revenue instead of simply balancing the budget on the backs of our local public schools.
It is time to stand up to powerful special interests. Florida must close tax loopholes and eliminate unnecessary sales tax exemptions. We must consider all options including increasing the sales tax.
Please use your leadership position to make a lasting contribution to Florida’s future…Make our schools a priority!
Option 2 (this option CLOSELY ECHOES MR. LANNON’S PHONE CALL PLEA TO YOU ON SUNDAY EVENING, and chides Florida for ranking 50th out of 50 states in public education funding and failing to qualify for the stimulus funds for public education):
Hello, this is ________, a (parent, student, teacher, voter) in St. Lucie County. As a key elected leader you know that funding for public education in Florida is in crisis. The future of our children and our state is in jeopardy because our state legislature has failed to adequately fund our public schools.
Florida is at risk of losing federal stimulus money because of the cuts we hvae made in state funding. Now is not the time to shortchange our schools. Please make a difference by making our schools a priority this season!
These legislators represent Palm Beach, Martin, Indian River, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie Counties:
Find your representative at www.flsenate.gov/legislators or www.myfloridahouse.gov or your voter registration card.
Senate
District 17-parts of Okeechobee and St. Lucie County
Sen. JD Alexander (R)
151 First Street South, Suite B
Winter Haven, FL 33880
863-298-7677
1-800-444-9747
Alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov
District 26-parts of Indian River, Brevard, and St. Lucie
Sen. Mike Haridopolos
3270 Suntree Blvd, Suite 122
Melbourne, FL 32940
321-752-3131
Haridopolos.mike.web@flsenate.gov
District 28-parts of Martin, Indian River, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie
Sen. Ken Pruitt (R)
1850 SE Fountainview Blvd., Suite 200
Port St. Lucie, FL 34986
772-344-1140
Pruitt.ken.web@flsenate.gov
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
District 29- parts of Indian River and Brevard
Rep. Ralph Poppell (R)
400 South Street, Suite 1C
Titusville, FL 32780-7610
321-383-5151
Ralph.poppell@myfloridahouse.gov
District 78-parts of Martin, Okeechobee, Palm Beach, and St. Lucie
Rep. Kevin Rader (D)
100 North US Hwy 1, First Floor
Ft. Pierce, FL 34954-4205
Kevin.rader@myfloridahouse.gov
District 80-parts of Brevard, Indian River, and St. Lucie
Rep. Debbie Mayfield
1053 20th Place
Vero Beach, FL 32960
772-778-5077
Debbie.mayfield@myfloridahouse.gov
District 81-parts of Martin and St Lucie
Rep Adam Fetterman (D)
121 SW Port St Lucie Blvd., Bldg B
Port St. Lucie, FL 34984-5042
Adam.fetterman@myfloridahouse.gov
District 82-parts of Martin, Palm Beach, and St Lucie
Rep William Snyder
2400 S Federal Hwy
Stuart, FL 34994-4590
772-221-4904
William.snyder@myfloridahouse.gov
District 79-parts of Okeechobee
Rep. Mike Horner
323 Pleasant Street
Kissimmee, FL 34741-5763
407-943-3077
Mike.horner@myfloridahouse.gov
You are invited to go to Tallahassee on March 18th to tell your legislators that you want your child’s public education to be fully funded.
