Duval County Council of PTAs / PTSAs

Parent Trigger Vote
Thursday
Please — Call NOW!

Our colleagues with Save Duval Schools prepared the following message we’d like to pass along to you:

Monday in Tallahassee, real Florida Moms had to hold our own press conference so we could be heard on why we oppose SB 1718, the so-called “Parent Empowerment Act.”

We made it 100% clear that as parents, our power comes from us, not a corporate empowerment/parent trigger scheme.

The Senate will vote on the Parent Trigger bill NOW so your call now is critical.

Please call these Senators and encourage them to vote against SB 1718:

Sen. Norman
(850) 487-5068

Sen. Storms
(850) 487-5072

Sen. Bennett
(850) 487-5078

Sen. Oelrich
(850) 487-5020

Sen. Evers
(850) 487-5000

Sen. Altman
(850) 487-5053

Sen. Garcia
(850) 487-5106

Sen. Diaz de la Portilla
(850) 487-5109

Sen. Fasano
(850) 487-5062

Now we’re hearing that leadership is trying to amend this bill to make it not quite as bad. Email each and every Senator and remind them that you can’t put lipstick on a pig – a bad bill amended is still a bad bill.

NO amendments; VOTE NO on SB1718.

Your response so far has been amazing!!

Every senate office reported over 400 calls and thousands of emails between Sunday and Monday.

But our work is not finished. We have to keep up the pressure. Many Senators are wavering on their votes.

The powers that be in Tallahassee are pushing back against real parents. They’ve sent intimidating emails to constituents questioning their knowledge; they’ve said we’re just affiliates of the union; and they’ve used procedural moves to advance this bad bill.

They think that’s all it will take to silence us. Apparently, they’ve never met a mama bear fighting for her young.

Let these Senators know that your concerns are real, your facts are true, and your love of your children is unwavering by emailing them to encourage them to vote no on SB 1718.

Then send an email to thank the Senators that have stood with us and those that have promised to do so.

Despite a well-funded misinformation campaign, the facts are clear: instead of empowering parents, this infamous “parent trigger” scheme does the following:

•Uses parents’ concern for their children as a tool to pull the “trigger” and turns their neighborhood school into a “corporate school”
•Strips power from parents and voters
•Removes all local control from taxpayers
•Destroys democratic process by taking neighborhood schools away from the jurisdiction of duly-elected district officials
•Allows 51% to make a major fiscal and education decision for everyone else’s child
•Robs Florida taxpayers of a significant capital investment
•For-profit charter answers to no elected official, profits off our children and does not “empower parents”

Our children cannot afford profit-driven reforms that do not work. Speak up today. Give our children a voice.

Our greatest power is our love for our children.

Thank you for making your call today!

ALEXANDRIA, VA. (March 6, 2012) – National PTA® this week is recognizing the Duval County Council of PTAs in Florida for receiving the National PTA Outstanding Advocacy Award. Recognizing that the education advocates of tomorrow are in our schools today, the Council of PTAs worked to increase advocacy efforts among high school students.

The Duval County Council of PTAs established the Superintendent’s Leadership Academy to both foster leadership skills of high school students and mobilize an often underutilized population– the students themselves.

Almost 200 students participated in the Superintendent’s Leadership Academy since its inception last school year. Students are provided four training sessions to learn about education advocacy issues and are equipped to write letters, make phone calls, send e-mails and ultimately meet with decision makers.

Throughout the duration of the program, student participants have the opportunity to meet with decision-makers, including state legislators during the Duval Delegation Day in Tallahassee, Florida. Last year, several student participants addressed the Duval County School Board at a budget meeting and even traveled with the School Board to meet with the State Board of Education.

The Duval County Council of PTAs will be recognized, along with other Advocacy Award recipients this week during the National PTA® Legislative Conference (March 7-8) in Washington, DC. The two-day conference provides ‘grassroots’ leaders from across the country an in-depth look at the latest National PTA Public Policy Agenda through a series of workshops, skill building trainings, panel discussions and guest speakers. Parent leaders will then visit with congressional leaders to advocate for effective family engagement in education and equity and opportunity in education for all children.

In addition, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will also meet with National PTA leaders and discuss the state of education during a special keynote address. The complete agenda for the conference can be found here. For more information about the National PTA Legislative Conference, please visit www.pta.org. The 2012 National PTA Federal Public Policy Agenda can be viewed at www.pta.org/public_policy_agenda.asp.

About the Outstanding Advocacy Award
The Outstanding Advocacy Award is presented to a local, district, council or regional PTA that, through their dedication, leadership and efforts, positively affected legislative and/or regulatory policy compatible with PTA’s mission and goals. These efforts must include an education/learning component for PTA members and the community-at-large. Working with multiple organizations or coalitions through grassroots collaboration is preferred.

About National PTA
National PTA® comprises millions of families, students, teachers,administrators, and business and community leaders devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. PTA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit association that prides itself on being a powerful voice for all children, a relevant resource for families and communities, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who wants to be involved and make a difference for the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.

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http://www.pwrnewmedia.com/2012/national_pta/duval_county_ptas/index.html

FLORIDA PTA OPPOSES “PARENT EMPOWERMENT ACT”

HB 1191/SB 1718

We need you to take action, we ask you to do so NOW!

In a surprise move, the so-called “Parent Empowerment Act”/SB 1718 did not get enough votes Friday to move to the floor for a full vote. Now there’s a full-court press to pass this bill at all costs. It’s up to us to say no. In an effort to move the bill to the floor, Sen. John Thrasher called another Senate Budget Committee for 8 a.m. Saturday with the plan to quietly vote and move this bill to the floor. Late Note: The Senate Budget Committee passed the bill on Saturday, March 3rd and has moved it to the floor for a full vote. It is expected to be heard on Wednesday March 7.

Florida PTA, FundEducationNow.org, Citizens for Strong Schools, 50th No More, Marions United for Public Education, Save Duval Schools and Support Dade Schools issued a widely-published joint statement clearly stating that we do not support the so-called “Parent Empowerment Act.”

Instead of empowering parents, this infamous “parent trigger” scheme does the following:

Uses parents’ concern for their children as a tool to pull the “trigger” and give their neighborhood school to a private for-profit charter management corporation

Strips power from parents and voters

Removes all local control from taxpayers

Destroys democratic process by taking neighborhood schools away from the jurisdiction of duly elected district officials

Allows a small group of people to make a major fiscal and education decision for everyone else’s child

Robs Florida taxpayers of a significant capital investment (buildings and contents)

For-profit charters answer to no elected official, profit off our children, and do not “empower parents.”

Our children cannot afford profit-driven reforms that do not work. Speak up today. Give our children a voice at the table.

This alert is being sent in partnership with a coalition of concerned groups throughout our state.

Contact your elected Senator along with:

President of the Senate Mike Haridopolos (850) 487-5229 haridopolos.mike.web@flsenate.gov
Sen. Bennett (850) 487-5078
Sen. Norman (850) 487-5068
Sen. Oelrich (850) 487-5020
Sen. Altman (850) 487-5053