Location
Public Invited Free
A League of Women Voters of Lee County Educational Event
9:00am Registration
9:30am Program
The program will spotlight:
1: Florida’s district public schools, charter schools, and private/voucher-funded schools, focusing on transparency, accountability, funding, and access.
2:Schools of Hope co-location rules: what they mean, how they’re being applied, and the potential implications for local school districts and communities.
Moderator: Betsy Vaughn, Director-Education, LWVLee and former Lee County School Board member.
Speakers:
Damaris Allen, Executive Director, Families for Strong Public Schools. Damaris Allen is a product of Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) and the proud mother of a HCPS graduate and a HCPS student. She began her advocacy journey when she registered her oldest child for kindergarten and discovered her neighbors were opting out of sending their children to their neighborhood public school. Instead of pulling her child from their school she decided to focus her efforts on working with parents, teachers, and the administrators to improve the school. Today, this local elementary school is one of the most sought after schools in the district. Damaris went on to serve in numerous roles, including but not limited to, President of Hillsborough County PTA/PTSA, Chair of the Hillsborough County School Board Citizens Advisory Committee, and a member of the Florida PTA Legislation Committee.
Prior to becoming a full-time education advocate she studied Christian Education and Theatre at Florida Southern College and worked with children, youth, and their families in the United Methodist Church. Her advocacy work has taught her to never underestimate the power of the collective voice to transform education.
In her free time she is an avid reader of nonfiction, loves to bake for friends and family, and takes ballet classes whenever possible. Damaris is driven by the desire to help parents discover the power of their voice and empowering them to use them to create high quality public schools for all children.
Ami Marie Granger Welch, Deputy Director, Families for Strong Public Schools. Ami Marie Granger Welch is a dedicated public education advocate with over a decade of experience in grassroots organizing, legislative engagement, and nonprofit leadership. As the Deputy Director of Families for Strong Public Schools, she leads efforts to advance pro-student policies and mobilize communities across Florida. Ami’s work is grounded in her belief that every child deserves access to a high-quality, fully funded public education—regardless of their zip code. Her advocacy is shaped by her roles in local and state PTA leadership, and her deep commitment to equity, transparency, and community voice in education policy.
The League’s Principles, Public Policies, Actions, and Advocacy articulate and document its support for public education. For details see: Impact on Issues 2024-2026, pages 140-153. Some highlights:
The League of Women Voters believes:
- Every person should have access to free public education.
- All levels of government share the responsibility to provide an equitable, quality public education for all children from pre-K through grade 12.
- A quality public education is essential for a strong, viable, and sustainable democratic society and is a civil right.
- The first five years of a child’s life are crucial in building the foundation for educational attainment and greatly impact success or failure in later life.
- Quality, developmentally appropriate, voluntary early learning experiences should be available to all children.
LWV Florida Resources, click on links:
LWVFL Education
- Understanding School Choice Brochure
- Higher Education Report - AAUW-FL 2025 - League of Women Voters of Florida