URGENT!


FROM DR. WANZA

As you are aware, our state legislators are currently in session. Included in this year's session are some proposed bills that will have major implications on us as a collective community if they are signed into law. The District has a website dedicated to educating its stakeholders on the actions taking place during the session. I have provided the link for you below. It is accessible on the district website homepage under Quick Links (BCPS Legislative Education and Action Online Resource).


Your assistance is needed in sharing this information with your parents via all of your communication protocols (Parent Link, Website, Newsletters, Twitter, Facebook, Instragram....). Please encourage them to visit the site, read through the bills and contact their state legislators as they deem necessary. The information to contact the legislators is provided on the site.


http://www.browardschools.com/School-Board/Legislative-Information/Legislative-Comments


It is imperative that you read through the proposed legislation as well. One of the bills of particular concern is the Schools of Hope Bill that has passed the State House of Representatives. While it does not have a companion bill in the Senate yet, it could just be a part of the annual appropriation. This bill addresses persistently low performing schools. In Broward we have 16 elementary schools and 2 secondary schools that have been identified. If passed, it will limit the options available to districts to improve schools that have been graded D or F for three consecutive years. The proposed bill provides districts with three options (1) close the school and reassign the students to another school graded C or higher; (2) close the school and reopen it as a charter; or (3) contract with an outside provider to operate the school. The language also provides $200 million in funding to contract with outside providers.


There are three other bills that directly relate to impacts in funding for schools districts that are of great concern as well.