PESPA Pride: January 8, 2008

  Happy New Year!

REFERENDUM CAMPAIGN IN FULL SWING

It's the new year and attention now focuses on the referendum campaign. Every school marquee in the county had this ‘holiday' message during the break: "Our dollars for our schools. $42 million a year for our kids. School Board Referendum January 29^th." It is a powerful reminder of the important vote coming up in just three weeks. "PESPA members have benefited from the referendum," said PESPA President Randy Dodds. "The salary increases and the stability of our benefits were things that PESPA members received. $42 million provided for tremendous resources for our kids. I urge PESPA members to actively support the campaign."

"YES" YARD SIGNS ARE AT THE OFFICE

PCTA-PESPA PAC has purchased 3,500 yard signs supporting the campaign. The signs (identical to the ones used four years ago) feature a large check mark inside an apple and ‘Yes for our Kids' on one side and ‘Yes for our Schools' on the other. You can pick up signs anytime from 8 to 6 at the office or you might ask your PESPA Board Member or PCTA Faculty Rep to pick one up for you at Thursday's meeting. Signs should only be placed on private property and not on the right-of-way.

PINELLAS LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION ENDORSES REFERENDUM

At its regular meeting, January 3, the Pinellas Legislative Delegation approved a resolution urging Pinellas voters to support the referendum. The resolution, sponsored by Representative Bill Heller of St. Petersburg, cited improvements to employee salaries, technology enhancements and funding for reading and the arts. It commended the Board for spending the money in a way that "enriched the lives of their employees and our children" and endorsed the referendum "as a way for local dollars to be spent on local needs that provide economic growth to our local community." A complete copy of the resolution is available here.

VOLUNTEERS AND CONTRIBUTORS STILL NEEDED

In the final three weeks of the campaign, PESPA and PCTA will be asking for volunteers for specific activities. In addition to putting up a yard sign, groups of employees will be asked to stand at strategic intersections before or after school to wave signs encouraging people to vote. PCTA and PESPA will be sending each member information cards to give to family and friends. Individual members will be asked to text message their friends encouraging them to vote.

The media campaign will depend, in large part, on how much money is donated to the Citizens for Pinellas Schools (independent political committee supporting the referendum). Contribution envelopes can be obtained from PCTA Faculty Reps or donations can be made on-line at citizensforpinellasschools.com. For additional information on the referendum and the issues surrounding it, go to the Citizens web site, the School Board web site or PCTA-PESPA's web site. YOU WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE.

PESPA MEMBERS TO MARCH IN MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. PARADE

For the last several years, PESPA and PCTA have participated in the Martin Luther King, Jr. parade in St. Petersburg. The parade, broadcast on WFTS, Channel 28, is the largest in the United States, and features over 25 bands. PCTA and PESPA members march in the parade and distribute pencils to children along the route which starts at Tropicana Field and goes down Central Avenue to the bay front. Members who participate are given T-shirts that say Educators Make Dreams Come True. The pencils carry the same theme but include the PCTA-PESPA web site and (this year only) Vote YES! For Our Schools - January 29, 2008.

Members who would like to participate should contact the office at 585-6518. Plan on assembling at Tropicana field no later than 12:30. Water and snacks will be provided. Additional details will be given to marchers when they sign up. "This is a great way to pay tribute to a great American," said PCTA President Kim Black. "Dr. King believed that education plays an essential role in overcoming our differences. I hope our members will participate in this or other events in honor of his memory."

THERE WILL BE MORE THAN OUR REFERENDUM ON THE JANUARY 29 BALLOT

In addition to the all-important referendum to continue the half-mil levy for the schools, voters will also participate in a presidential preference primary and vote on amendments to the state constitution relating to property taxes. The Florida Education Association (FEA) has taken a position in opposition to the Constitutional Amendment (Amendment One). The objection centers on the fact that, while school taxes are somewhat protected from the increased homestead exemption, other tax cuts do not exempt schools. And, although the Governor has promised to hold education harmless, there is a potential loss to the schools of over $1.7 billion in the next five years.

"We are encouraging our members to study this issue very carefully," said PESPA Executive Director Jade Moore. "The average property tax payer will save about a hundred dollars a year. The negative effects on schools, cities and counties potentially outweigh that. There is a need for property tax reform in this state but this doesn't address all those issues." There will be a detailed analysis in the upcoming Pinellas Educator.

SCHOOL BOARD APPROVES STUDENT ASSIGNMENT PLAN

The School Board finally approved the new student assignment plan on December 18^th. The only change from previous iterations was that Clearview was removed from the school closing list leaving Riviera, South Ward and Largo Central as the schools to be closed. [Note: PESPA has been, and will be, working with those staffs to assist them in the transition.] Beginning with 2008-2009, each student will be assigned a ‘close to home' school. Students will be allowed to continue in their current school (grandfathering) until they finish if they desire. This will produce the uncertainty in the plan, but eventually the district will return to neighborhood schools, except for magnets. Click here to view the entire plan, or review frequently asked questions.

VOLUNTEER FOR THE REFERENDUM - YOUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

The referendum campaign is in full swing. PESPA members are encouraged to do one (or more) of the activities listed here.