Casey Ayers explains why he is endorsing Elizabeth Andersen for school board

Five people ran to replace Scott Shine on the school board. After the very competitive primary, former teacher and current mental health counselor Elizabeth Andersen and businessman Nick Howland advanced.

The three that didn't Shannon Beckham, Sam Hall and Casey Ayers have all since endorsed Elizabeth Andersen, and here Ayers explains why. 

Running for Duval County School Board in District 2 as a first-time candidate, I didn’t know exactly what to expect from the process, or from my four opponents. I ran to share a message about how our schools can better serve our students by recommitting to career and vocational education, especially in cases where certification programs could add value to our students’ diplomas and unlock badly needed bonus funding from the state.

Over the course of many forums and public events featuring all five candidates, I had the opportunity to share this message, but also to listen to others driven to serve their community.

Given Scott Shine’s abrupt departure from a reelection campaign that at one point seemed forgone, and given how much focus other races are receiving in this election cycle, it was amazing to see firsthand the rich diversity of perspective, experience, and passion the District 2 candidates brought to this race. And while losing an election after months of work may be painful, I was at peace knowing Elizabeth Andersen would be advancing to the general election.

As a former teacher at two Duval County high schools, she understands the challenges our educators and students face, and how to best allocate resources to help them succeed. Thanks to her work as a mental health professional, she has unmatched insight into the greatest challenge of our time: ensuring our schools are safe and constructive environments for our children to learn and grow. As a successful business owner, Elizabeth understands how to wisely allocate resources and can help our school system navigate its budgetary challenges effectively.

I’m delighted to endorse such a qualified and passionate candidate, and am glad that District 2 candidates Sam Hall and Shannon Beckham have done so, as well. I’m confident that Elizabeth will be tireless in her service as a member of the Duval County School Board, ensuring our schools are safe, our teachers are empowered to succeed, and every one of our students has access to high-quality educational options, preparing them to carry our community to new heights.

https://caseyayers.com/our-schools-our-future/

I thought Ayers had a great message while running and I hope we see him again.

Mrs. Andersen is also a lifelong resident of Duval and graduate of DCPS schools something Howland can't say. He also can't say he hasn't taken tons of money from charter schools and voucher interests.

If you are a supporter of public education Elizabeth Andersen is really your only choice. Please consider supporting her.  https://www.andersenforduvalschoolboard.com/

Cynthia Smith candidate school board district 4 is better than her opponent Darryl Willie and let me explain why

I had a Facebook conversation with an irate Darryl Willie supporter yesterday. They accused me of smearing Willie and of having a hidden agenda.

I replied, by smearing do you mean pointing out the things he has said or done? And I let him know that I definitely have an agenda and I hope its not hidden, I want the best person for the job on the school board who is going to appreciate and respect the teaching profession. 

We went back and forth and they were dismissive of the importance of the race, saying its just a school board race, well friends the 7 school board members control a budget, more real estate and employ more people than the mayor and city council does, and money doesn't matter. Friends do you think money doesn't matter in elections?

They were unswayed by all the things Willie has said and done and by all his dubious connections but then they said something really interesting, it's not like I think Cynthia Smith would be bad on the school board I just think Darryl Willie would be better.

Now I think Willie would be a disaster on the board and serve the people who pay his substantial salary rather than the people in district 4 but I wondered if other people thought the same way.

Well friends, if you are the fence and think both would be acceptable, shouldn't the tie go to the lifelong resident of Duval, Cynthia Smith not Willie who has been here for 7 years and is running for the school board for the second time?

Shouldn't the tie go to somebody who graduated from DCPS schools like Smith did, who has a better understand of what its like to be a student in Duval?

Shouldn't the tie go to somebody who actually worked in DCPS schools like Smith did for 16 years rising from book keeper to assistant principal, rather than Willie who only taught for three years over a decade ago in Arkansas? Isn't her experience a lot more relevant and extensive than his?

Shouldn't the tie go to the candidate, Smith, that the League of Women Voters doesn't have concerns about? The #$%^ing League of Women Voters think people should be wary of Willie, that should say a lot.

Shouldn't the tie go to the candidate who is really making a difference by running a preschool, Smith, rather than the candidate who is hurting our children by making sure they have an ever revolving door of novice teachers, the exact opposite of what research says they need.

Shouldn't the tie go to the candidate who thinks school teachers are professionals, Smith, rather than the candidate, Willie, who thinks anybody can be a teacher and who doesn't respect experience?

Shouldn't the tie go to the candidate, Smith, the current school board member, Paula Wright, is backing?

Shouldn't the tie go to the candidate, Smith, who hasn't taken huge sums of money from charter schools and the privatization movement?

How is this race even close? Oh that's right, money, as in all the money the privatization side has thrown into the race behind Willie. Though like his supporter you might not think money in politics matters.

I think Smith is by far the better candidate, but if you are on the fence I hope I have given you some things to think about.

I also hope you will consider supporting Cynthia Smith, http://votecynthiasmith.com/  

Willie SB candidate district 4 contradicts himself at nearly every turn

A few weeks back Willie was pretty hard on the charter school movement despite taking a lot of money from them.

http://jaxkidsmatter.blogspot.com/2018/08/darryl-willie-tells-people-what-they.html

Willie also presents himself as a democrat, but he has no problem taking all that sweet, sweet republican money.

http://jaxkidsmatter.blogspot.com/2018/08/kimberly-daniels-and-darryl-willie.html

This disturbing patern continued in a recent article in the Times Union about the pervasive influence of public school privatization money working its way into the school board races.

From the Times Union:

Willie said his donors know and trust he’ll represent his community. “A check or a donation is not going to drive how I make decisions,” he said. “Most folks said they believe in me as a person, they believe in my being able to make sound decisions about what my constituents want.”

He also said,

Willie said many of his donors know him from his times teaching in California and the Mississippi Delta region before coming to Jacksonville. He also has family and friends out of state.

“I’m a military kid: I’m from all over,” he said.

http://www.jacksonville.com/news/20180914/big-gaps-in-campaign-money-in-all-3-duval-school-board-races

So many of his donors know him from elsewhere and he has lots of friends and family from out of state. Um what? How do they know he'll represent district 4? Because he tells them he will? Well if his track record is any example his word isn't worth much.

He might have well as said, if it wasn't for Teach for America and Charters I wouldn't have a nickle, vote for me because I can do the KiKi challenge, that at least would be honest.

You know what gets me? It's not that he has bad ideas and supports bad policy, it's that he doesn't have a moral center. He will tell you whatever he thinks you want to hear, if he thinks there is a chance he will get your vote. 

If you care about public education and the teaching profession, then in District 4 Cynthia Smith is your only choice.

 Cynthia Smith in 4, http://votecynthiasmith.com/

Andersen, Smith and Joyce, lifetime residnets all went to and worked in DCPS schools, Howland and Willie didn't. Don't experience and ties matter?

There are some remarkable differences between the school board candidates.

Andersen, Smith and Joyce are supported by parents and teachers, while Howaland, Chauncey and Willie are supported by the charter school industry and the privatization movement.

Andersen (Terry Parker), Smith (Jackson) and Joyce (Ed White) all went to DCPS schools while  Howaland, Chauncey and Willie did not.

Andersen, Smith and Joyce all worked in DCPS schools while Willie and Howland didn't. Chauncey did for two years leaving the moment his two year Teach for America commitment was up.

Andersen, Smith and Joyce are life long Jacksonville residents while Howland has been here 14 years and Willie and Chauncey 7ish and 5ish respectively

How are these races close again?

It goes back to money and the fact the privatization crowd, those that support charters and vouchers and who don't think teachers are professionals support Howland, Chauncey and Willie.

Friends we have to choose who represents our schools, life long residents, current and former teachers and graduates of our schools or people who quite frankly have no business being anywhere near the board.

Please consider giving these ladies your support.

Elizabeth Andersen in 2, https://www.andersenforduvalschoolboard.com/meet-elizabeth

Cynthia Smith in 4, http://votecynthiasmith.com/

Charlotte Joyce in 6, http://votejoyce.com/meet-charlotte-joyce/ 

District 2 Candidates say why they are endorsing Elizabeth Andersen for school board

Five people ran for the district 2 spot, and after the primary the three who did not advance all decided to support Elizabeth Andersen who as a former teacher and current mental health counselor has the particular skills and back ground that this board needs.

Below are excepts from a press release due to released soon.

Sam Hall, 

“I am supporting Elizabeth Andersen for the Duval County Public School Board. Andersen has experience that is directly related to children and education. If elected, I am confident Elizabeth will make decisions that will be in the best interest of children.”

Shannon Beckham, 

“I am pleased to endorse Elizabeth Andersen, because as  a former DCPS teacher she is the only candidate in the race that has spent quality time in our schools. In a time when many of our children are in crisis, her work in the mental health field would be an asset to DCPS. District 2 would be lucky to have someone represent us who is a true champion for public education and isn’t backed by special interest groups.”

Casey Ayers,

“Elizabeth brings a wealth of mental health knowledge and experience working with children to the race, and is eminently qualified to represent our district. 

Andersen is running against Nick Howland the darling of the privatization crowd. He is literally a clone of Scott Shine who has been a disaster on the board and who has pretty much stopped showing up despite the fact he is still being paid.

District 2 you have a real choice, Andersen who has the knowledge and the back ground the board needs or Howland who would be more of the same ans who has dubious allegiances.

If you care about our public schools, students and teachers please consider supporting Elizabeth Anderson.

https://www.andersenforduvalschoolboard.com/

Developing Story: Shannon Beckham, Casey Ayers and Sam Hall support Elizabeth Andersen in district 2 race

District 2 had five candidates, Shannon Beckham, Casey Ayers, Sam Hall, Elizabeth Andersen and Nick Howland. In a very competitive race Anderson and Howland advanced out of the primary to the general election.

Now every candidate who didn't, representing 47.05 percent of the electorate has endorsed Elizabeth Andersen joining the 22.01 percent of the vote she received.

Howland who has proven wiling to say and do anything to get elected is still formidable. In the primary he raised more than the other candidates combined taking in thousands from charter schools, voucher schools and people who lived outside the district.     

That being said its a great sign that all the other candidates recognize that Elizabeth Andersen and her unique background as a former DCPS teacher and current mental health counselor would make a far better school member than Howland who has both questionable judgement and ties.

District 2, you have the opportunity to make a real difference, an opportunity to put somebody who knows our schools and children on the board, or sadly an opportunity to do more of the same, which hasn't exactly worked out for you. 

If you care about our schools and students, please consider supporting Elizabeth Andersen.

https://www.andersenforduvalschoolboard.com/meet-elizabeth 

Rick Scott touts his education policies in new ad. What the $#@^

Rick Scott and his colleagues in the Florida congress have done all they can do harm both public education and the teaching profession. If he were to tout these as an accomplishment, I would have to shrug my shoulders and as respectfully as I could be disagree. That's however not what he did in a new TV spot. 




Did anybody else just spit out their milk? If so I apologize.

In effect Rick Scott is asking people not believe what he has said and done and to give him credit for somethings, public education and the teaching profession that he was not able to completely dismantle and have succeeded in spite of him. Here is a head scratcher, if he thinks pubic ed is so great why did he push policies that sent billions to voucher and charter schools? Could it be that is where many of his donors come from? 

Among other lies, half truths and cherry picked statements Scott touts his education funding.

From Florida Politics

A new spot from Scott, per the campaign, “highlights how Florida’s incredible economic turnaround under Governor Scott has led to unprecedented achievement and funding for education in Florida.”

Scott links that to “our highest education funding ever,” which is a claim that doesn’t necessarily hold true in terms of real dollars.”

http://floridapolitics.com/archives/274412-rick-scott-touts-education-accomplishments-in-new-ad

Julie Delegal via Facebook debunked the rest of the ad.

FIRST, as AG Gancarski notes, the governor's claim of "record spending" has been debunked by Politifact Florida. In terms of real dollars, we've gone backwards in education funding in Florida.

SECOND, "Florida's children rank 40th in the nation when it comes to their health, education and economic well-being, new data suggests, and close to a million of them are living in poverty — a number that dipped slightly from a year earlier." (from Orlando Sentinel, Florida Kids Count data/ Annie E. Casey Foundation Report, 2017)

THIRD, in terms of places teachers want to work, only three
states rank lower than Florida does. (Wallethub)

FOURTH, under Gov. Scott, the state has excelled at issuing unfunded mandates, including the new "guardian program" that would arm "security assistants" in our schools. Duval's will cost $600K more than state funding provides. The Joint Budget Committee won't address it Friday. (The Florida PTA is pushing to have an item added to the agenda that would free up $58 million for this use.)

FIFTH, thanks to our lawmakers, our schools are unable to reap the benefit of steadily rebounding property values. Instead, lawmakers are actually DECREASING millage rates to keep school taxes depressed, as @damosreporter reported in today's print edition of @jaxdotcom.

SIXTH, what is this AP enrollment figure the governor cites? So what if we have more kids taking more AP tests? Here's the real scoop on the ranking that matters, i.e., which state's STUDENTS ACHIEVE best on AP tests. (It's not Florida. It's Massachusetts.) See Twitter for link.

In short, Gov. Scott's education claims don't hold water. We need new leadership altogether in Tallahassee, especially Andrew Gillum for Governor. We also need to deny Gov. Scott the opportunity to do more damage in DC. Vote to re-elect Senator Bill Nelson.

Scott has been terrible, it's time we put him out to pasture where he can spend the ill gotten loot he plundered from his health care business.

Becki Couch endorses Charlotte Joyce in the district 6 school board race.

If you thought Mrs. Couch did a good job representing district 6 on the school board, and I surely did, then it would be a travesty to vote for Dave Chauncey. He pretty much represents the exact opposite of what she did.

Via Facebook:

If you live in my district, I ask that you vote for Charlotte Austin Joyce to represent the school board seat I am vacating. She is a seasoned educator who will put the needs of students first. She has grown up on the Westside and attended Stilwell and Ed White. She is an experienced educator with school aged children so she understands the needs of our students and community on the Westside.

Nick Howland and Dave Chauncey's bad judgement on display

When asked about amendment 8, both Howland and Chauncey said they were undecided. Howland even commented about the part of the amendment which limited school board members to two terms, which seems inexplicable since Duval school board members are already term limited to two terms.

More likely the two supporters of privatization were hedging their bets because their financial backers, mostly made up of charter school and voucher interests were overwhelmingly for it, while most public school supporters recognized the amendment for what it was, a poison pill bill meant to undermine local control of schools to benefit charter schools.

Well today the Florida supreme court put the issue to bed and struck it from the ballet.

From the Tampa Times:

... the Florida Supreme Court on Friday ruled Amendment 8 should remain off the ballot. It upheld the order of Leon County Judge John Cooper, who found the measure's title and summary misleading.

The court's ruling on the three-pronged initiative is final. Elections supervisors across Florida are slated to complete their Nov. 6 ballots almost immediately, to have them ready for overseas voting.

http://www.tampabay.com/article/20180907/ARTICLE/309079603/1071

The bill was misleading and undermined local control of education and Howland and Chauncey not being able to say they were against it speaks volumes about their motives and priorities.

Neither men are interested in serving locals or maintaining the sanctity of public education and instead were all about serving the charter school interest who are funding their campaigns and if they say different they are being deceptive.  

District's six and two have great candidates who support our public schools and will fight for them.

Joyce Charlotte in six http://votejoyce.com/my-platform/  and Elizabeth Andersen in two, https://www.facebook.com/andersen4dcps/  deserve your support.

Florida starves public schools while it wastes billions on vouchers for private schools

I want to say, you know there are some good private schools that take vouchers who do it right and the bad ones who teach junk science and history, hire teachers with felonies or without a degrees give them a bad name. I would like to say that but the truth is we don't know, there is so little over site on voucher schools that they might all be crap. 

A recent study does however say kids that attend private schools don't receive any gains.

From UVAToday

A new study from the University of Virginia’s Curry School of Education finds that low-income children or children enrolled in urban schools do not benefit more from enrolling in private school between kindergarten and ninth grade.

“Despite the arguments in favor of the use of vouchers or other mechanisms to support enrollment in private schools, ostensibly as a way to help vulnerable children and families access a quality education, this study finds no evidence that private schools, exclusive of family background or income, are more effective for promoting student success,” said Robert C. Pianta, dean of the Curry School of Education and co-author of the study.

Although children with a history of enrollment in private schools performed better overall, the advantages of private school education were not present for low-income students or those enrolled in urban schools.

This study contradicts the rationale behind U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ efforts to promote greater access to private schools, primarily through the administration’s earmark of more than $1 billion in the federal budget for private school vouchers and other school choice plans.

“The assumption that private schools are more effective in educating students and producing higher levels of achievement behavior is demonstrably ineffective and potentially harmful,” Pianta said. “In order to enable more low-income students to succeed and close achievement gaps, we must support comprehensive education reform of our public school system.”

https://news.virginia.edu/content/new-study-finds-low-income-students-do-not-benefit-private-schooling

Our public schools are being starved of resources as the powers that be pump a billion dollars into voucher schools that don't have to have any over site.

These schools don't have to have a recognized curriculum. 

These schools don't have to have certified teachers.

Most of these schools don't even have to report how the money is spent.

Friends at the very least shouldn't we know if this money is well spent? Why do we make any demands of our public schools and let this abomination go unchallenged?