It’s time to save public education in Florida

Florida’s efforts to save public education start today, when a new state lawgoes into effect that forces public school districts to divert taxpayer dollars to privatelyrun charter and religious schools.

In a cynical effort to expand school choice, the Republican-led Florida Legislature concoctedHB 7069, a bill crafted behind closed doors and sprung on state lawmakers in the closing days of the legislative session. Gov. Rick Scott signed the bill into law, despite overwhelming opposition fromeducators, parents, school superintendents and school board members.

Floridians should not let this onerous law stand. The first of July should take on the significance of the Fourth. Nowis the time to start the political groundswell that will persuade state leaders to craft new legislation to stop the damageHB7069 will do to our public schools.

Florida has never been in a sweet spot when it comes to funding public schools. According to the most recent census data, the national average for per-pupil spending is around $11,000. In Florida, the figure is just over $7,923, awhopping1.3 percent increase over last year’s funding. The figure puts our state closer to the bottom of most national rankings.

Charter schools have always been a part of Florida’s educational mix. They are publicly funded but independently operated. They are not a part of the public-school system nor are they subject to the same regulations of accountability and transparency that govern public schools.

Some charter schools have made strides in helping to educate students with disabilities and students living in low-income communities. Others, unfortunately, have been nothing more than fly-by-night operations, preying on parents who onlywanted a good education for their children.

Starting today, these schools— good and bad — will be entitled to a public windfall. Public schools nowmust give charter schools a portion of their revenue thatwould have been used to fix aging classrooms or help low-income students reach academic success.

Broward County Public Schools will be forced to dole out $12.7million to charter schools during the 2017-2018 school year, and that figure is expected to increase every year to a total of $100 million over a five-year period. In Palm Beach County, school officials say they will lose an estimated $92 million in a five-year period.

Florida has ample school choice options, from charter schools to the nation’s largest tax credit scholarship program. Still, most of Florida’s schoolchildren attend public schools, and their interests shouldn’t be hurt by a bad law out of Tallahassee.

Broward County has a good school system. Just recently, the district earned its highest graduation rate in the past five years. It ongoing efforts should be supported, not crippled.

Public schools should be celebrated. Instead, our state nowboasts of a lawthat undermines them in favor of a largely unregulated private school industry. If you believe in reforming Florida’s public school system, nowis the time to get engaged in a renewed effort to save it.

Perry E. Thurston Jr. is a Democratwho represents the 33rd District in the Florida Senate. He is a member of the Senate Education Committee.