Education

Education

Early in the creation of our country, the importance of an educated populace was understood.  For a long time, our League has had an Education Committee that attended school board meetings, stayed abreast of important issues, studied the issues, and advocated for league positions.  Right now, the committee is on pause waiting for new leadership. If you understand the importance of education to our democracy and would like to provide leadership, info [at] lwv-alachua.org (contact Janice)

Mission Statement

Education News clip artWe study issues, take action, and lobby legislators and school boards in our efforts to seek positive changes for our students.

Key Issues

We will be monitoring:

  • Locally approved funding initiatives: ½ cent sales tax, and one-half mill for Children Trust Initiative
  • Local entity program measures, i.e. closing the achievement gap strategies, support for students with disabilities, school climate, student safety, and behavioral program
  • BOOST after-school program board
  • Support for:
    • the elimination of for-profit-charter school management;
    • providing stronger local control over all charter schools (fiscal management and accountability);
    • student admissions and dismissals; and,
    • civil rights enforcement for students with disabilities.

What Can You Do?

Meetings are on pause as we await new leadership. Can you help?
 

 

Issues: 
League to which this content belongs: 
Alachua County

All Posts Related to this Committee

School Board Chair Diyonne McGraw (far left) with teacher/coach Patrick Penny and the Lincoln Middle School team
News

On April 17, Lincoln Middle School claimed the title to the 2024 Civics Challenge competition, prevailing over five other middle school teams from the Alachua County Public Schools (ACPS) system. This year marks the seventh Civics Challenge competition, an event organized and co-sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the Alachua County Public Schools...

School kids running into building
News

After a group of parents and teachers in Newberry proposed that Newberry Elementary, Oakview Middle, and Newberry High schools be converted to charter schools, a series of informational meetings occurred ahead of the voting from April 5-12, 2024. On April 17, the votes were counted and did not pass at any of the schools. As such, Newberry Elementary School, Oak View Middle School, and Newberry High School ARE NOT eligible to become charters for the 2025-26 school year. There is some uncertainty around one teacher vote at Newberry Elementary that may be contested.

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Action Alerts

Teachers who began service in Florida on or after July 2011 are not eligible for an annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) on their pensions. Those who retired before July 2011 are. Teacher salaries are low in Florida as are pensions. This year there are two bills in the Florida Legislature, HB 151 and SB 242, that will help fix this problem. Contact your Legislators to support these bills.

NAACP Save Our Schools flyer white and tan text on blue background with group of school children graphic

Action Alerts

Alachua County Branch of the NAACP has issued a Call to Action to Save Our Schools. There is a mass meeting on February 12, 2024, at 6:30 PM at the Dayspring Missionary Baptist Church. NAACP President Foxx requests ALL members respond to this call to action to save our schools. Please share with your friends and family. This is a community concern and we need ALL HANDS ON DECK.

Scene from a library with tables in the foreground and bookshelves in the background
News

This article was originally posted on the LWV Education website on December 26, 2023, by LWVAC Member, Sue Legg

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News

The Florida Sun Sentinel recently published this article written by the co-presidents and Education Chair of the Florida League of Women Voters. When the Board speaks, you know there is reason for everyone to be concerned. There is a “Deliberate assault on public education and minorities” by our legislature.

image of school supplies around edges with education committee meeting text in center
Event Date: 
May 10 2023 12:00 pm

The Education Committee meets via Zoom on the second Wednesday of the month from 12:00-1:30 p.m.

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Action Alerts

04/22/23: Three bad bills are headed to the House floor on Monday (April 24, 2023). Tell your legislator to oppose them!

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Action Alerts

04/17/23: Senate Bill 7050 will be heard in the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee on Thursday (April 20) at 10:30 a.m. (ET).

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Action Alerts

04/15/23: The Florida House of Representatives will hear House Bill 1421 and Senate Bill 254 on Tuesday (April 18) at 10:00 a.m. (ET).

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