Meeting Our Representatives

Last Thursday, March 25th, 2011, most of the Citrus County School Board was in Tallahassee to meet with our legislators at the Florida School Board Association’s legislative briefing. (Ms. Pat Deutschman was not able to make the trip this year but provide d a great deal of legislative research and talking points prior to our meetings.) Two meetings I want to share with you were with Senator Charles Dean and Representative Jimmie T. Smith.

Senator Charles S. “Charlie” Dean, Sr.

Senator Dean is a former Citrus County teacher and has often been concerned about issues that affect our students, schools and educators. One of the issues in particular that we spoke to the Senator about was SB 1130 on Florida Retirement System sponsored by Senator Ring. This is the Bill that would change the funding to require employees to contribute from their pay a percentage into the Florida Retirement System. Senator Dean shared that he has concerns about asking employees, especially lower annual income employees, to pay into the FRS to help offset and balance the current Florida budget. Therefore, Senator Dean offered amendment# 562994 that says employees would pay, “0% percent for gross compensation up to and including $40,000, plus no more than 2% percent for gross compensation in excess of $40,000 and up to and including $75,000, plus no more than 4% percent for gross compensation that is greater than $75,000.” It should be noted that on Friday, March 26th House Bill (HB1405) sponsored by Workman had the amount of employee contributions reduced form 5% to 3%.

Representative Jimmie T. Smith

I had the pleasure of spending a good deal of time talking with Rep. Smith about vocational/career high school diplomas (such as SB 1830 – High School Career Diploma by Senator Wise and HB 1249 – Career Education by Rep. Nelson). I was pleased at how passionate he , too, is about the need for a career/vocational diploma track option for high schools. Currently with the legislation p assed last year there is only a one track college bound option for high school students. He and I both expressed concerns that we need to have career options for our vocational type and armed service bound students. Rep. Smith shared some of the realistic concerns and obstacles that we will face with some legislators in changing the laws to accommodate a career/vocational diploma option. Like myself , he is very technology – minded and , like myself , desires for more digital textbooks in the classrooms. Rep. Smith already has a committee meeting locally at WTI on this very subject right now.

I appreciated both the Senator and Representative giving us the opportunity to not just simply meet with them but to work with them on continuing to provide the best education opportunities for our students. I look forward to spending more time with each of these men of the coming months and I encourage each of you to contact them on other issues of concern.

Contact Our Legislators

Florida Senator Charles Dean:
dean.charles.web@flsenate.gov

Florida House of Representatives Jimmie T. Smith:
jimmie.smith@myfloridahouse.gov

Florida Senate Senators
Florida House Representatives

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Legislative Update as of Sunday, March 27^th, 2011

I spent last Tuesday, March 22^nd through Thursday, March 25th afternoon in Tallahassee for Florida School Board Association Certified Board Training and then for FSBA Legislative Days. I also met with our Florida Legislators. This legislative session is having a profound effect on the future of Florida’s public schools and its educators. Last week we were in the center of it all in Tallahassee. I know many of you, as parents, educators, administrators and community members have been asking me many questions about what is happening and where things might be headed. I will not be able to cover all the new educational legislation being proposed at this time so if I have not mentioned something you are interested in, please do not hesitate to contact me. I want you know understand that while I am explaining some of the bills and its points I want to try and not be overly judgmental at the moment on every bill or issue I am speaking. In talking with FSBA directors, educational lobbyists, and legislators, it is clear that many of these legislators are themselves seeing that for the betterment of our students and public schools, changes and/or adjustments must still be made to both in bills that have been passed and signed and to bills that are still coming forward. It is important that we communicate with our legislators and respectfully make them aware of our concerns and needs. I have found them to be willing to listen and I encourage you to contact them about your concerns on legislation.

Our Legislators

Florida Senator Charles Dean: dean.charles.web@flsenate.gov

Florida House of Representatives Jimmie T. Smith: jimmie.smith@myfloridahouse.gov

Florida Senate Senators

Florida House Representatives

Retirement Bills

Senate Bill Includes a Stair Stepping Contribution

SB 1130 – Retirement, sponsored by Senator Ring

The bill substantially revises the Florida Retirement System (FRS). It would among other things begin July 1, 2011; FRS changes from a noncontributory system to a contributory system and requires each active member of the FRS to contribute a percentage of pre-tax gross salary to fund retirement benefits. The maximum employee contribution is 2% for any member of the Regular Class or Special Risk Class and 4°k for any member of the Senior Management Service Class or Elected Officers’ Class. Employee contributions are no longer required if the FRS reaches or exceeds 100% of actuarial funding. For fiscal year 2011-2012, the contribution rates for all members are set at 0% for gross compensation up to and including, $40,000, plus no more than 2% for gross compensation in excess of $40,000 and up to and including $75,000, plus no more than 4% for gross compensation that is greater than $75,000.

House proceeds with changes to retirement program

The House Pension Reform bill HB 1406 passed the House State Affairs Committee on Thursday.

It requires an employee contribution; however, it reduces the rate from 5 percent to 3 percent for members of all classes.

• Does not reduce the service accrual rates – All current law service accrual rates are maintained in the strike-all amendment.
• Continues to close DROP to new participants effective July 1, 2011.
• Continues to increase the retirement age and years of service for members of the FRS who initially enroll on or after July 1, 2011. The change in age from 55 to 65 and years of service from 30 to 33 does not apply to any person who is currently a member of the FRS – only new hires.
• Sets the employer contribution rates based upon actuarial studies specific to the employee contribution rate, closing of DROP, and increasing the retirement age and years of service.
• Does not eliminate the retiree health insurance subsidy

Despite the changes, firefighters and police officers showed up in opposition. One police officer called the pension bill a “political attack” by the Legislature. Many public employees appeared most opposed to the provision that would push back the retirement age for special risk workers to either age 55 or 30 years of service. Rank-and-file state workers would have to work 33 years or until age 65 in order to start receiving their pension.

The House bill aligns closer to what the Senate has proposed, although the Senate pension bill has a tiered system that would require employees to a pay a higher contribution rate based on how much money they earn.

It should be noted that on Friday, March 26th House Bill (HB1405) sponsored by Workman had the amount of employee contributions reduced form 5% to 3%.

 

Class Size Bills

Senate Wants To Define What Are Core Courses

SB 1466 – Class Size Requirements by Simmons

The bill amends s. 1003.01·to redefine the terms “core curricula” and “extra curricular” courses. “Corecurricula courses” are defined to mean:

• Language arts/reading, mathematics, and science courses in prekindergarten through grade 3;
• Courses in grades 4 through 8 in subjects that are measured by state assessment at any grade level;
• Courses in grades 9 through 12 in subjects that are measured by state assessment at any grade level;
• Courses that are specifically identified by name in statute as required for high school graduation and that are not measured by state assessments, excluding any extracurricular courses;
• Exceptional student education .courses;
• English for Speakers of Other Languages courses.

 

House Representative Wants to Cap Penalties to $1,000 per school

HB 1447 – Class Size Requirements by Nelson

The bill amends. 1003.03(4) that the penalty imposed on school districts for non-compliance with constitutional class size requirements may not exceed $1,000 per school in district.

STATUS: HB 1447 is awaiting hearing in House PreK-12 Appropriations

High School Career/Vocational Diploma Options

Senator Wants Career Track Option for High School Students

SB 1830 – High School Career Diploma by Wise

Provides requirements for the high school career diploma. Requires a student and the student’s parent to agree in writing to the requirements of the career diploma track. Specifies the 24 credits that must be successfully completed to receive a career diploma. Requires an intensive reading course or remediation in mathematics for a student who does not meet certain academic standards. Provides strategies to enable an exceptional student to meet graduation requirements for a career diploma, etc.

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Week in Review for Mar 13th – Mar 19th, 2011

Ryan Weaver Dare To Dream ‘Benefit’ Concert

Ryan Weaver Dare To Dream “Benefit” Concert This Saturday March 19th, 2011 – 4:00pm – 8:00pm Ryan Weaver will be coming back to Citrus County for his first 2011 concert with special guests Mike Evangelista and Jeff Sisk. Proceeds from the concert ticket sales, donations and sponsorships will go to help Lecanto High School’s Coach […]

SB 736 – Education Personnel Goes to Governor

SB 736 – Education Personnel Goes to Governor Today, Wednesday, March 16th, 2011,  The Florida House joined the Florida Senate in passing SB 736, a measure changing teacher pay based on performance and assessments like the FCAT  instead of relying on seniority and school administrative evaluations, on Wednesday after a lengthy debate. With the bill […]

State Aid and State Library Cut Deeply in budget – Contacts Needed Now

“This evening I received this urgent letter.  Please read it and contact your representatives. ~Thomas” State Aid and State Library Cut Deeply in budget – Contacts Needed Now! This morning the House Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Subcommittee adopted a preliminary position that does the following: Reduces State Aid to Public Libraries from the current […]

Blessings in a Backpack – Video

Blessings in a Backpack (video) Imagine you are sitting in your classroom on Monday morning struggling to make sense out of your teachers’ instructions.  Try as you will, all you feel is your stomachs hunger pangs! You try hard to concentrate, but you feel tired and lethargic.  Still your stomach aches, and now your head […]

Falcon Family Fun Fest

Falcon Family Fun Fest Citrus Springs Middle School held their annual Falcon Family Fun Festival. Poceeds from this event assist families in need. Over the years the “Falcon Fund” has assisted many CSMS students and staff. The evening included a silent auction, lots of games and inflatables, performances by the CSMS band, food, and more. […]

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