AFSCME Florida Strongly Supports Bipartisan Education Reforms Found With SB1152/HB1432 Introduction

AFSCME Florida proudly represents the men and women who make many of the largest school districts in the state happen every day. They are involved in a wide range of essential support service activities such as student transportation, vehicle maintenance and repair, custodial and general maintenance, food service and materials management and distribution.

Today, after consultation with these members, AFSCME Florida is proud to announce our strong support of SB1152/HB1431 by Senator Rene Garcia (R - Hialeah), Representative Barry Russell (D - Lauderhill) and Representative Sam Killebrew (R -Winter Haven).

“We commend Senator Garcia and Representatives Russell and Killebrew because we believe that services should be shared through centralized locations to give the district the best return on investment,” said AFSCME Local 1184 President Vicki Hall, representing more than 7,300 Miami-Dade County Public School employees. “We look forward to working with school districts to ensure its implementation so we can to reinstating important programs, like Summer Services, and ensure funding works for our communities.”

This bipartisan legislation would allow school districts to allocate Title 1 funds to eligible schools based on poverty level as well as student academic performance levels and other specific school needs, which is outlined by federal law.

“While some districts have been able to mitigate the short-term effects of HB7069, if this law is not corrected before the next fiscal year many vital food service and transportation employees could lose their jobs and the students their schools would lose the staff needed to achieve success for their students,” said AFSCME Florida Political Director Jacqui Carmona.