Underfunding of school district alarms citizenry

The Gulf Breeze Area Chamber Board of Directors, Governmental Affairs and Education committees have joined together to send letters on behalf of the Santa Rosa County School District’s 2010 Legislative platform.

These are just a few of the issues of concern:

¦ Santa Rosa County District schools rank 66 out of 67 districts in the state in funding allotments. And yet, Santa Rosa schools’ FCAT scores have not been less than fifth-place in any category out of the 67 districts.

¦ Over the past two years, that Santa Rosa Schools had $20 million cut from their budget.

¦ The Class Size Amendment has placed a huge financial burden on our schools and may soon cost even more.

The Chamber encourages all Gulf Breeze citizens to send a letter of support either by U.S. mail or e-mail to the members of the Northwest Florida legislative delegation. Legislators already have heard from Superintendent Tim Wyrosdick, district educators and the School Board.

Related elsewhere

¦ My Two Cents: Gulf Breeze civic leader Tom Naile weighs in on funding, 6A