VIERA, Florida – Brevard County parents and teachers are organizing a ‘March for Education’ to show support for schools, teachers and programs that are part of the Superintendent’s $38 million budget cut proposal released in December.
“The March for Education is for anyone who believes in public schools and wants to show their support of Brevard’s teachers, schools and quality programs,” said Christine McClure, one of the event organizers.
According to the group’s website, www.savebps.webs.com, school supporters are to meet at the Viera Regional Park beginning at 4:30 p.m. and then walk over to the School Board Building at 5:30 p.m. The group encourages residents who are concerned about the unprecedented budget cuts currently under consideration to attend the School Board public forum scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
The March for Education is being coordinated by the Save Brevard Public Schools committee, a group of concerned parents who are petitioning the School Board to hold a 2013 referendum in to give the public another chance to vote for a tax to support the public school system.
“We believe the School Board has misinterpreted the narrow rejection of the half-cent sales surtax as a mandate to close schools and slash programs. We hope to show through the March and through our petition that the community is ready to stand up for our schools and to do our part to save the school system from the drastic cuts proposed,” said Michelle Speisman, one of the petition organizers.
One of the parents involved told Brevard Times last week that it is working with the local teachers union to propose 2013 ballot initiative that will extend a current property tax and add a scaled-back sales tax to offset proposed school budget cuts. The new tax proposals then became a topic on the Bill Mick LIVE radio show last Friday and is the polling question on the show’s website.
The school tax issue begins 26 minutes into the radio show.
In 2011, Brevard County Schools employees held similar protest march in support of a millage tax increase while anti-tax advocates held a counter-protest.
PHOTO ABOVE: Supporters to save their respective schools took the opportunity of recent Christmas parades to deliver their message to large crowds. 
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Although the picture above is of GEMS parents, this March for Education is to show support for ALL Brevard County schools. This is not an issue about just one school; it is about all of our schools and all of our children.
I believe WE, the people, already VOTED on this! Are these UNIONS masquerading as parents who keep on going till they get their way? We have aover 9,000 UNION members in the Brevard education system - about 4,200 (less than half) ARE TEACHERS! Who are the rest? On top of it all, we lost the workers at KSC and Space industry - they moved, took their kids. Do we still need to PAY more? For what? CUTBACKS are the logical step, let's get real!
I can assure you that the Save Brevard Public Schools Committee is a group of concerned parents. We started this movement out of genuine concern for our children's future. We were already in motion for weeks before the Union joined forces with us. There are cities across the nation who have tried closing down schools to save money, and it actually has cost MORE. The school board is not fully researching their cuts and are making decisions in haste. If these cuts go through, are you prepared for the economic fall out? Property values declining further after leveling off? More families and businesses leaving Brevard County in search of a better, more stable school system? Are you prepared to be surrounded by a less educated generation in your community? Lower graduation rates? Lower paying jobs? These will be your doctors and nurses and police and first responders and government leaders one day soon. Is saving $12.50 per year worth that?
Why not turn these 3 schools into charter schools. The charter school law allows public schools to be turned into charter schools. If the school baord would not block the change. I expect the closing of these schools is more of a punishment. Gardendale was the model school for previous administrations so why now is it not needed. Parents concerned over the closings should move to have the schools deemed charter schools, there are a couple of ways to do this.
Let's see. More taxes to keep schools that are at the 60s to 70s % at capacity to make a few parents happy and extra jobs for union teachers and staff.I will back both taxes on this insane money hole if:All parents agree to pay 30% (100-70% capacity) of their gross income to the schools marked for closure and teachers and staff do the same.Deal?
Although the picture above is of GEMS parents, this March for Education is to show support for ALL Brevard County schools. This is not an issue about just one school; it is about all of our schools and all of our children.
I believe WE, the people, already VOTED on this! Are these UNIONS masquerading as parents who keep on going till they get their way? We have aover 9,000 UNION members in the Brevard education system - about 4,200 (less than half) ARE TEACHERS! Who are the rest? On top of it all, we lost the workers at KSC and Space industry - they moved, took their kids. Do we still need to PAY more? For what? CUTBACKS are the logical step, let's get real!
I can assure you that the Save Brevard Public Schools Committee is a group of concerned parents. We started this movement out of genuine concern for our children's future. We were already in motion for weeks before the Union joined forces with us. There are cities across the nation who have tried closing down schools to save money, and it actually has cost MORE. The school board is not fully researching their cuts and are making decisions in haste. If these cuts go through, are you prepared for the economic fall out? Property values declining further after leveling off? More families and businesses leaving Brevard County in search of a better, more stable school system? Are you prepared to be surrounded by a less educated generation in your community? Lower graduation rates? Lower paying jobs? These will be your doctors and nurses and police and first responders and government leaders one day soon. Is saving $12.50 per year worth that?
Why not turn these 3 schools into charter schools. The charter school law allows public schools to be turned into charter schools. If the school baord would not block the change. I expect the closing of these schools is more of a punishment. Gardendale was the model school for previous administrations so why now is it not needed. Parents concerned over the closings should move to have the schools deemed charter schools, there are a couple of ways to do this.
Let's see. More taxes to keep schools that are at the 60s to 70s % at capacity to make a few parents happy and extra jobs for union teachers and staff.I will back both taxes on this insane money hole if:All parents agree to pay 30% (100-70% capacity) of their gross income to the schools marked for closure and teachers and staff do the same.Deal?