Care about Florida schools? Take time to contact the legislature and let them know

Hrom the Florida Times Union

By Topher Sanders

Making funding cuts to public education is "just plain stupid."

That's according to 14-year-old Zachary Morris, a ninth-grader at Stanton College Preparatory School who participated in a news conference Monday to launch the Reach 10 for Education campaign.

The campaign asks the public to use the next 10 days to call 10 lawmakers to ask them to make funding public education a priority. There are 10 days left in the legislative session.

Duval County Public Schools, facing a possible $82 million shortfall, are discussing reductions in magnet school transportation, employee furloughs and holding back on buying some science textbooks.

Colleen Wood, executive director of Save Duval Schools, said Florida's future is riding on the decisions being made now by lawmakers.

"And if we want our children to be a priority, we must be heard now," she said. "One thing is certain, if we do nothing our children will get nothing."

The initiative is a joint venture between Wood's organization, Duval County Council of PTAs, Fund Education Now, The Gifted Network of Florida, and 50th No More.

For more information, go to the initiative's website at www.reach10.org.

topher.sanders@jacksonville.com, (904) 359-4169

- Gov. Rick Scott: (850) 488-7146, rick.scott@eog.myflorida.com

- Sen. Mike Haridopolos: (850) 487-5229, haridopolos.mike.web@flsenate.gov

- Rep. Dean Cannon: (850) 488-2742, dean.cannon@myfloridahouse.gov

- Sen. Stephen Wise: (850) 487-5027, wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov

- Sen. David Simmons: Appropriations (850) 487-5050, simmons.david.web@flsenate.gov

- Sen. J.D. Alexander: (850) 487-5044, alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov

- Rep. Denise Grimsley: (850) 488-3457, denise.grimsley@myfloridahouse.gov

- Rep. Marti Coley: (850) 488-2873, marti.coley@myfloridahouse.gov

- Rep Bill Proctor: (850) 488-2977, bill.proctor@myfloridahouse.gov

- Rep Erik Fresen: (850) 488-4092, erik.fresen@myfloridahouse.gov

Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2011-04-26/story/advocates-ask-public-make-calls-duval-education#ixzz1KcaftXvl


Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2011-04-26/story/advocates-ask-public-make-calls-duval-education#ixzz1Kca9369P