Saturday, May 18, 2013

ABC TV 7 SUNCOAST NEWS VIDEO: ROWLETT ELEMENTARY Calls the Vote to Convert

http://www.mysuncoast.com/news/local/rowlett-could-become-st-converted-charter-school-in-manatee-county/article_7225ae42-b7fe-11e2-b2b4-001a4bcf6878.html

As the first parents in Florida to call a vote  in January '13 at KB K8 Center, I  would like to Congratualate Rowlett Elementary SAC Committee for taking the gigantic step toward taking back your "A" school without waiting for a diagnosis that it is failing school. This the new narrative reinvent the public school system not reform it.  Converting existing public schools into charter should be renamed "Governing Schools". It should be distingusihed from the "For Profit" Charter and District run Schools. This us third option in the school choice movement and is long overdue. 

What started with a assertive letter to the General Counsel of Miami-Dade County Public Schools on October 04th and no response by the District -MDPTA led to misinformation campaign against us and deny our right to express the merits of our proposal on school grounds. It Cumilnated by forcing me to resign as President of the KBCS-PTA and ultimately a lop-sided vote tallied on March 1st 2013 "no" parents 531-31. And 83-0-1 "no" vote by the teachers.                                                    But it was as just the beginning for "we were not in it to win it but change it." In doing so a  legal precedence for state statutue 1002.33 3(b) has been established. It means;  submitt a trigger letter and call the Vote!! This is the first foremost in a quest to encourage parents like those in Manatee County to take back thier public school before the school fails by way apapthy or budget cuts. Do not let a good school fail your children. Most importantly, in transparent manner; with a fair debate in the Public Square, access to the eligable voters and finally the call the Vote- the American Way . None of these rights are guarenteed in the existing in 2004 law.

Round II is to amend the 2004 Parent Empowerment Law next legislative session. This will assure future Florida parents that School District are compelled to  facilitate fair balloting processes that are not mandated by rhe 2004 law.                  Our suggested language was submitted formally in Tallahassee this legislative session to Senator Stargel and the Governor. So let's get to work Suppport this blogspot and pass it a
address along.

In the meantime, may the force be with you Principal Flynn and his SAC committee. We are standing by -we have your back!.........Expect Success. 0' 

aka. MACONTHEROCK

Rowlett could become 1st converted charter school in Manatee County

Posted: Wednesday, May 8, 2013 12:44 pm | Updated: 6:56 pm, Wed May 8, 2013.by Fallon Silcox
BRADENTON - If approved, Rowlett Magnet Elementary School could become the first ever converted charter school in Manatee County.
The school's principal says parents initiated the request, and by becoming a charter, he says both students and parents would benefit.
Rowlett is in the very beginning stages of the charter conversion process, but Principal Brian Flynn says with so much uncertainty with the district's finances, becoming a charter school would empower parents and staff.
25 other schools across the state have gone through the conversion process, but Rowlett could soon be the first in Manatee County.
Flynn says parents initiated the request after discovering a law that states any school that would like to convert to a charter can do so under certain guidelines. Among those, the staff and parents must vote with a 51 percent majority in favor of the conversion.
Flynn says he has received almost all positive feedback so far, with the benefits outweighing any downside. “It's about empowerment for the parents. The parents will have a greater say in what goes on here at the school. We are a performing arts and communication magnet school and they're concerned with will that be able to continue with the budget situation we have. They want to make sure the well-rounded education we give our students here continues.”
The charter school application is due August 1st, which means school officials will have to work quickly.
Voting will begin on May 31st and if enough votes are in favor of the conversion, the school will submit its application and the district will have sixty days to review it.

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