LOOKING AHEAD TO NEXT WEEK

Lauren Book, member, Florida Senate. Our state will have a new weapon to fight against bad actors who use technology to threaten and exploit innocent Floridians with their own likenesses. In a unanimous vote, legislators passed my bill strengthening protections for those who fall victim to “revenge porn,” online trafficking of stolen photos and videos and created “deepfakes.” These crimes are happening to people across our state every single day — students, social workers, lawyers, moms — but, until now, there’s been little legal recourse. Thank you to my colleagues for standing against digital predation and helping the law catch up with technology.

Anna Fusco, president, Broward Teachers Union. Broward Schools significantly invested to assure safe learning spaces for students and staff. Efforts focused on protection from outside threats. However, the district isn’t doing enough to protect from within, as seen recently when a teacher was brutally attacked by a 5-year-old. This wasn’t the first time, but this time, the teacher was hospitalized and faces surgery. Sadly, it’s happened at many schools. There is not enough support staff, not enough training for de-escalation of behavior, and inconsistent consequences. Asking the district to guarantee this won’t happen to her or anyone else again is not an unfair request.

Debbi Hixon, member, Broward County School Board. March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. It is estimated that in the United States about 17%, or one in six, children from the ages of 3 to 17 years old have at least one developmental disability. With the proper support, many individuals can live ordinary lives and integrate into the area they reside in. As the mother of someone with developmental disabilities, it is important to me that we celebrate this population and that we highlight programs and tools that assist them to reach their fullest potential. We must advocate to eliminate the barriers these individuals still face in connecting with others in their communities.

Jennifer O’Flannery Anderson, president and CEO, Community Foundation of Broward.

Spring breakers are returning to our beaches this month, and we can expect the biggest spring break crowds that we have seen since before the pandemic. Yes, that will bring traffic frustrations and make our trips to the beach a little livelier than some may prefer, but this wave of college kids and vacationing families is a welcome sign of our long-overdue return to normalcy. Spring break is good for business in South Florida. Let’s just hope our young visitors enjoying this rite of passage are better behaved than some of us were, before we grew up.

Nora Rupert, member, Broward School Board . Broward County Public Schools offers inno- vative programs, targeted tutoring and social emotional experiences engaging students, some who left for home school, virtual, charter or private to meet their student’s needs. Our schools are poised to reconnect students with their neighborhood and/or magnet school and full extracurricular activities. Recently, I hosted our Honor Choir Student Concert and was completely surprised by the level of musicality and cohesion that the students presented. They had to prepare and master the content quickly, but they did brilliantly. Among arts students, 87% students returned to our traditional schools’ programs. Come home: We are waiting for you.

Wendy Sartory Link, supervisor of elections, Palm Beach County. The Palm Beach County Canvassing Board will certify the official election results in the special election for House District 88 after tabulating military and overseas ballots received by the March 18 deadline. A runoff election has been ordered for Tuesday, March 22, 2022, in the municipal elections for Boynton Beach, Jupiter, Jupiter Inlet Colony, Lantana, Lake Worth Beach and Riviera Beach. You may go to the “My Status” page at VotePalmBeach.gov or call 561-656-6200 to check your registration status, verify your polling location, and request a mail ballot.

Robert Weinroth, mayor, Palm Beach County . March is Florida Bicycle Month, promoting bicycles as healthy commuting alternatives for our county residents. Bicycle Month coincides with efforts by local leaders to reverse the rise of bicyclist and pedestrian fatalities. As chair of the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency, I have focused attention on the increase in pedestrian fatalities. The TPA has embraced “Vision-Zero,” seeking to reduce fatalities on our roads to zero. Stricter regulations and public awareness campaigns have proven inadequate in reversing the carnage. As South Florida continues to grow, we will continue to promote a robust, safe and resilient transportation system, which protects all users.

Beverly Williams, vice mayor, Lauderdale Lakes; president, Broward League of Cities. Today’s youth are our community’s future. That’s why, for the past 12 years, the Broward League of Cities has awarded scholarships to qualifying Broward County high school students planning to major in public administration, political science or a government-related field. This year’s government studies scholarship application deadline is March 18. The League’s Youth Leadership Committee will award four $1,000 scholarships to deserving students who live in Broward County. To apply, visit browardleague.org.