The new president of the Pinellas School Advisory Council Association has a message for local legislators: Stop messing with education funding.

Sami Leigh Scott expressed concern about recent cuts in a tersely-worded e-mail to Rick Kriseman, Bill Heller, Daryl Rouson and others earlier this week.

Scott spoke out specifically against budget reductions that led the district to cut its parental advocacy program, an initiative that for many years served as a bridge between families and school administrators.

She also railed against a decrease in funding to School Advisory Councils that means schools will receive $5 per student – down from $10 – over the next academic year, as well as a decrease in school recognition funding from $100 to $85 per student.

So far, she's received no response.

If other taxpayers agree with her stand, Scott says, they should follow her lead and write to their legislators. For anyone who wants to follow through, here is a list of House members.

- Donna Winchester, Pinellas education reporter