first book - Let's get books in the hands of our needy students

The Polk Education Association is partnering with First Book, an award-winning nonprofit that gets high-quality, brand-new books to children from low-income families. Through First Book’s online Marketplace, you and your school or program can order top-quality children’s books at a deep discount—the average book price is $2.50. Register with First Book today! READ MORE...

SB 736 - we will continue to fight!

May 3, 2012

The end of the school year is normally a period of slowing down and wrapping up last minute lessons and paperwork. Instead, it has become a stressful time thanks to the 736 evaluations imposed by Governor Rick Scott and the legislature. Your school district is most likely struggling with the implementation and mandated costs associated with 736. That certainly creates difficulty for teachers dealing with FCAT and now the outcome of their evaluations. ESPs, many who haven’t seen a raise in years, are eyeing more budget cuts as districts scrape up money to cover the costs. In some parts of the state, ESPs are defending against increased attempts at privatization, which has become a key, though misguided consideration for districts looking to resolve fiscal concerns.

Gov. Rick Scott and legislative leaders will tell you they restored $1 billion to the education budget to help offset those costs. But Scott and legislative leaders won’t talk about the $1.3 billion that they slashed from the budget last year and how this budget won't replace the 1,400 teacher and 4,000 ESP jobs that were sacrificed. It won’t restore the lost programs for students. The budget is far from adequate funding and far from a true commitment and investment in our children. READ MORE...

That’s why the FEA is working with your local union to identify effective evaluation models. Our bargaining specialists are developing strategies to assist in local negotiations to lessen the impact of SB 736. The FEA is also in the process of creating an Evaluation Toolkit. Ensure that you receive an accurate assessment with Evaluate This!  (You must use your ACCESS card member number and password to log-in and read this article.)

pension case - next stop the florida supreme court

March 29, 2012

We learned yesterday evening that the Florida Supreme Court has voted to accept jurisdiction in the appeal of the pension decision. Oral argument before the court is scheduled for 9 am on September 5. Chief Justice Charles Canady and Justice Ricky Polston voted to decline jurisdiction in the 5-2 vote of the court. This is a very positive development in our quest to reach a final decision in this case. If you want to see the Order of the Supreme Court accepting jurisdiction over the pension appeal, click here.

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more failing grades for schools?

February 24, 2012

TALLAHASSEE – SIs the State Board of Education trying to make schools fail? They are set to approve radical changes to the current school grading system at their meeting, Tuesday, February 28. According to the FDOE’s simulations, these changes will:  READ MORE...

Multiple Legal Challenges - Lawsuits

We will continue to keep you updated on our multiple legal challenges.

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All lawsuit materials filed are available at http://www.meyerbrookslaw.com/Litigation.htm