House Education Policy Committee chairman tells FEA: Stop playing politics

DECEMBER 17, 2009

State Rep. John Legg, chairman of the Florida House Education Policy Committee, has issued a statement blasting the Florida Education Association's posture against joining in the Obama Administration's Race to the Top program.

“I call upon the FEA and the teacher’s union to stop defending the status quo, put aside their own political agenda and focus on the future of our students, our state and our country," Legg, a Pasco County Republican, wrote. "Furthermore, I encourage the Florida House Democrats to join Florida House Republicans in supporting President Obama’s Race to the Top initiative. There is no reason they should be held hostage by the teachers union when our children’s education is at stake."

So far, more Florida school districts have signaled their plan to participate than not as the Friday deadline for letters of intent nears. Among them are Hillsborough, Pinellas, Hernando and Pasco. To see the list, read on.

Sumter
Clay
Leon
Hendry
Bay
Jefferson
Martin
Columbia
Dade
Gulf
Levy
Glades
Liberty
Monroe
Wakulla
Jackson
Walton
Dixie
Hillsborough
Hamilton
St. Lucie
Brevard
Lee
Pinellas
Polk
Duval
Osceola
Indian River
Taylor
Marion
Okaloosa
Highlands
Pasco
Union
Charlotte
Gadsden
FSU Lab
Putnam
Hernando
Calhoun
Santa Rosa
Hardee
Volusia

Posted by Times Editor at 1:01:36 pm on December 17, 2009 in

Obama education plans

| Permalink | Comments |

Join the discussion: Click to view comments, add yours

Most Recent Blog Posts

School prayer bill survives its first Florida House committee February 13

Carol Cook says she's running for re-election February 13

Hillsborough teachers union president is challenged by two critics of Gates reforms February 13

USF gets disproportionate cut in Senate budget recommendations February 13

Class size in Pasco schools: Where it's a problem, and where it isn't February 13

Florida education news: School prayer, parent trigger, home schooling and more February 13

Coming up: State Board of Education, FCAT writing, spring break and more February 12

Florida education news: Special education, school construction, homeless students and more February 12

A weekend interview with Monica Verra-Tirado, new director of the Florida Bureau of Exceptional Education February 11

Florida education news: Success story, four-day school week, online education and more February 11

About the blog

Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going in on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.

Meet the team

THE TEAM

Rebecca Catalanello covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail her: rcatalanello@tampabay.com.

Tony Marrero covers Hernando County schools. E-mail him: tmarrero@tampabay.com.

Marlene Sokol covers Hillsborough County schools. E-mail her: sokol@tampabay.com.

Ron Matus covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail him: matus@tampabay.com.

Jeffrey S. Solochek covers Pasco County schools. E-mail him: solochek@tampabay.com.

Kim Wilmath covers the University of South Florida. E-mail her: kwilmath@tampabay.com.

Comment Policy

Please be sure your comments are appropriate before submitting them. Inappropriate comments include content that:

Is libelous

Is abusive, harassing, or threatening

Is obscene, vulgar, or profane

Is racially, ethnically or religiously offensive

Is illegal or encourages criminal acts

Is known to be inaccurate or contains a false attribution

Infringes copyrights, trademarks, publicity or any other rights of others

Impersonates anyone (actual or fictitious)

Solicits funds, goods or services, or advertises

The Tampa Bay Times does not edit posts but reserves the right to delete comments that violate our policy.

Registration FAQ

Read our Frequently Asked Questions on how to register to comment on the site.