Save Florida's Public Schools

During a Special School Board meeting held Wednesday, June 25, 2008, School Board Members voted 5 to 4 to allow Superintendent Rudy Crew to determine that state funding was inadequate to support district operations for the 2008-09 fiscal year. Subsequently, in a letter sent to UTD after hours on June 26, 2008, Superintendent Crew announced that MDCPS could no longer afford to pay your contractually negotiated raises, so that they could meet other (more important?) financial obligations.

This is an egregious breach of contract, and an insult to all teachers and education support professionals who toil daily to provide the best education and safe learning environment for every child in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. Dr. Crew’s plan seeks to pull the rug from under the very group of individuals who provide direct instruction and services to our students! We cannot take this decision lying down. We must stand as a united front and fight for the salary increases we need to sustain our lives in these tough economic times of high mortgages, and rising insurance, gas, and grocery prices.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Save Florida's Public Schools

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

We are teachers and educational support professionals of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, the fourth largest school system in the nation.

We understand that our governor, Charlie Crist, might be on your short list of possible vice-presidential running mates.

Currently, our school system is experiencing a severe fiscal crisis. We have already faced millions in budget cuts. On top of this financial fiasco, Governor Crist has announced a possible further cut of some $43 million dollars. Our teachers, students, parents and staff cannot afford this additional loss of badly needed revenues.

Please do not take Charlie away until he fixes our crisis at home. Please ask him to hurry up and take care of his Florida "to do" list before he possibly moves on to the national scene.

We appreciate your interest in our governor. Before you decide on your selection, please allow him to complete the critical work he has to take care of at home first.

The best to you (and your possible running mate).

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
July 09, 2008


Background Information

An additional $43 million dollars is being held aside at the direction of Governor Charlie Crist "just in case" the state decides to slash education funding yet again. While UTD has suggested almost 90 cost-savings measures for District consideration, to date, they have accepted none. It is unconscionable that the School Board should deal with budget constraints by breaking its promises to employees. It is further questionable that Governor Crist should be rewarded with an opportunity to run for one of the highest offices in the land in light of his decision-making that was "supposed to" hold education harmless. Let your voice be heard on this issue, so that John McCain knows that we are watching and that teachers vote, too! We will remember in November.