Yesterday afternoon the Florida House and Senate both passed budgets that contain massive funding cuts for programs like that help students be college and career ready. See how your legislators voted here.
It’s important to understand that even with these votes, the budget is not yet final.  Legislators will continue their work in finalizing the budget over the next two weeks. It is vital your legislators hear from you.
The proposed budgets in Tallahassee shortchange students and educators alike.
  • The budget keeps Florida at the bottom of the nation in average teacher pay. This is a direct cause of the teacher shortage which leads to ever-increasing class sizes.
  • The budget slashes funding for courses that prepare students for college and careers. This will put college out of reach for many students and will force districts to scale back CTE programs.
  • The budget continues the long practice of unfunded mandates. Once again, educators are being asked to do more and more with less and less resources.
The Florida Policy Institute has created a handy infographic that allows you to see how much your school district stands to lose from these cuts to college and career preparation courses. FEA has a webpage devoted to the education budget where you can find all of the latest information.
We know that when the public rises up loudly and demands change, legislators listen. We saw it happen not too long ago when Floridians from every corner of the state came together to protect our state parks.
In order to see a budget that values and respects the needs students and educators, we need that kind of statewide outcry once again. Please do your part today by emailing your lawmakers and demanding they rework the education budget. Once you’ve emailed your legislators, then we need you to text, call, or email five of your friends and ask them to do the same.
Together, we can create a brighter future for ourselves and our children.
In solidarity,
Janet Moody