2008 SCHOOL BOARD

LEGISLATIVE ISSUES

ELECTED COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION/BOARD OF GOVERNORS — WATCH 

SB 2308 by Sen. Lisa Carlton, R-Osprey

This proposed joint resolution would put a state constitutional amendment before voters that would bring back an elected state commissioner of education, eliminate the State Board of Education and return those duties to the Florida Cabinet. Those are ideas that AFSCME has supported. Unfortunately, the resolution strips the constitutional powers of the Board of Governors (BOG) to manage and set policy for the State University System. AFSCME was one of the prime backers of former Gov. and Sen. Bob Graham’s successful effort in 2002 to pass a constitutional amendment, creating a strong and independent board to oversee state universities. The BOG recently has clashed with the Legislature as it has sought through a lawsuit to assert its authority to raise tuition (currently the lowest in the country). Although an elected state education commissioner would be good, the downside of destroying the independence of state universities is not worth it. State university employees should contact their legislators to oppose the proposed constitutional amendment and to respect the will of Floridians who voted overwhelmingly to create the Board of Governors just six years ago.

ETHICS IN EDUCATION ACT — WATCH

SB 1712 by Senate Education Pre-K - 12; Sen. Lisa Carlton, R-Osprey

Although most of the bill targets educational personnel, a provision adds various sex crimes against minors to the list of offense such as bribery and breach of public trust that can result in the stripping of retirement benefits from a public employee or official. This provision affects all Florida public employees who participate in the Florida Retirement System. Currently, the language only includes sex crimes, but we may want the wording tightened so that it cannot be misinterpreted by public employers in way that the Jessica Lundsford Act has been a headache for school districts. 

TASK FORCE ON WORKPLACE SAFETY — SUPPORT

 SB 652 by Sen. Evelyn Lynn, R-Daytona Beach

SB 967 by Rep. Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville

In 1999, Gov. Jeb Bush and the Florida Legislature eliminated the Division of Safety in the Florida Department of Labor and Employment Security and repealed all of the safety laws covering public sector employees. Florida law currently contains no provisions regarding the general health and safety of public sector workers at any level. Public employees are not covered by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). This has had tragic consequences. On January 11, 2006, an methanol explosion and fire occurred at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (Bethune Point WWTP) in Daytona Beach, killing two employees and severely burning a third. The US Chemical Safety Board (CSB) investigated and determined that the lack of federal, state, and local safety oversight and programs was a significant factor causing the fatal accident. The CSB recommended that the state enact safety laws and rules for public employees that at least meet the federal OSHA minimum.

 The safety task force bill is a first step in bringing back safety laws for Florida public employees. The 15 member task force will make a report to the governor and Legislature with recommendations for enacting workplace safety and health laws for the state’s public sector employees.

School Boards VP Greg Allen at the 2007 People Convention.

AFSCME Council 79 represents noninstructional employees in some of the largest districts in the state and in the nation: Miami-Dade County, Duval County, Martin County, Polk County, Volusia County, Manatee County and Washington County. School support workers ensure a clean and safe environment with proper nutrition and safe transportation, but have been under assault by the right wing ideology of privatization of services, private school vouchers and many other bad ideas. AFSCME has been in the forefront of protecting our vital school services.

 At the state level, when legislative leaders wanted to force school districts to spend 65 percent of their funds on teachers, the AFSCME Council 79 legislative team and the leaders of school employees were able to defeat the measure in the Legislature before it ever got to voters. 

At the local level, AFSCME negotiates great contracts with good raises and benefits while defeating the attempts of private business to take over our school services.

School Board Conference Board 

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