Editor's Note: Superintendent Ben Wortham and the Clay County School Board have sent a letter to the Clay County Legislative Delegation outlining their priorities for the 2011 legislative session. Here is the letter:
Honorable Senators, Representatives:
The Clay County Schools have made massive reductions to the budget by eliminating positions and reducing programs. Currently, we are at virtual impasse with our employees.
Year after year we are asked to do more with less and we continue to do it, and do it well! For the second year in a row our Clay County Schools have earned the distinction from the State Board of Education as an "Academically High-Performing School District."
Please note our three Legislative Priorities: Funding, Instructional and Human Resources.
Funding
We request the Legislature identify stable revenue sources to provide "adequate provision for the education of all children in the public schools of Florida." Yes, that's from Florida's Constitution. I can't say it better. As a parallel, if school districts are required to implement class size because it is a constitutional amendment, why is the same requirement not recognized regarding educational funding? Class size is "breaking our back" and is totally disruptive to families and the instructional process.
Instructional
Enact NO laws in 2011 that will impact school districts! (Unfunded mandates or staff time), we are stretched beyond the limit with initiatives [such as] Response to Intervention, Race to the Top, Florida Assessment in Reading, End of Course Exams, Class Size Reduction.
Human resources
Protect the Florida Retirement System as it currently exists. Our bottom line is: If NO money, just give us time. Please NO more initiatives!
Ben H. Wortham, School Superintendent
Frank Farrell, School Board Chairman
Green Cove Springs
http://jacksonville.com/community/clay/2011-01-01/story/clay-schools-seek-legislative-help
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