The Florida Legislative Black Caucus (FLBC) joined the throng of state lawmakers, advocacy organizations, and Floridians who are calling on Governor Charlie Crist to veto SB 6, the highly controversial teacher tenure and merit pay bill passed by the House early this morning.
Senator Gary Siplin (D-Orlando), Chairman of the FLBC, sent a letter to Governor Crist this morning urging him to “do what is right by Florida’s teachers and students.”
The letter highlighted the existence of low-performing schools in urban and poor areas in the State where circumstances often exist that are outside of a teacher’s circle of influence. As a result of these factors, students who attend these schools – mostly the minority and under-privileged – will suffer even more with the signing of this bill into law, in the FLBC’s opinion.
“All students do not come to school with equal educational abilities,” Siplin stated. “This legislation fails to acknowledge this critical issue.”
The bill, which was passed by a House vote of 64-55 at 2:26 a.m., was delivered to the Governor this morning. He now has seven days to to either veto or sign the bill into law.
“We cannot expect to attain and retain the best and brightest teachers for our children with legislation like this,” said Siplin.
Crist has until April 16th to sign or veto the bill.
See Letter from Florida Legislative Black Caucus to Governor Charlie Crist Here.
