By:Mike Vasilinda
Capitol News Service
Educational and political leaders are trumpeting their win in a 7 year legal battle over whether Florida Schools were living up to their constitutional mandate. As Mike Vasilinda tells us, the legal battle is not over.
Florida’s Constitution requires a free, uniform, high quality public school system. But,for the last seven years, educators, parents and politicians have been arguing over what that really means in court.
“Please be seated” said the judge as he entered the courtroom last month.
In a 29 page ruling, Circuit Judge George Reynolds found that schools are not being short changed. Patricia Levesque, executive Director of The Foundation for Florida’s Future, a Jeb bush founded school accountability group, says she is thrilled.
“Particularly because its a victory for students. There’s so many of the things we’ve worked on for several years have to do with empowering parents with choice, making sure we invest in high quality teachers” says Levesque.
Jeb Bush signed the reform and voucher legislation on June 21, 1999 telling reporters:
“I think we’re in for a renaissance in public education.”
