On Monday, October 23 - Anna (my 17 year old daughter) and I were fortunate to be invited to Ft. Myers to participate in an advocacy discussion with Florida District 76 Representative Spencer Roach.

My friend and mentor for advocacy, Barbara Beasley, prepared for the meeting with Representative Roach through a contact of hers, another educational advocate - Sarah Clements.

We were also accompanied by Mary Jo Walsh, a private school owner and special needs advocate from West Palm Beach, FL. As a response to the difficulties her school has faced receiving funds from the Family Empowerment Scholarship, Mary Jo and her director came to the meeting with stacks of data from hundreds of other private schools around Florida.

The meeting lasted about an hour and it was productive. Representative Roach was unaware of the problems parents, providers and private schools are facing. Shortly into the meeting, while we were presenting our collective data, he voiced an understanding of the “dumpster fire” on how the school choice legislation is being executed. He agreed the private company managing this scholarship needs to be held accountable and reminded that it works for the tax payers of Florida.

Yes, yes it does.

There is a special session being called in Tallahassee the week of November 6th. It is during this special session there will be more opportunity to meet with other legislatures and help inform them of the financial crisis so many parents, providers and private schools face because the company administering these Dept of Education funds can’t seem to get the money to the people.

Thank you so much to those who donated. As of Tuesday, 10/24, 12!! individuals donated a total of $495 to help offset our printing and travel costs. We used my husband’s hotel points for our hotel night and we ate on the cheap. I will link a spreadsheet to our travel costs here soon.

Our next focus is the November 6th - November 9th special session in Tallahassee. The school choice bill specific to unique abilities (HB1) is being addressed. If there are hearings - then public comment is welcomed (and encouraged!). The only way to be heard and to make a difference is to communicate. show up. Write letters. Share your stories. We will keep advocating and this has to be a community effort. We all must participate to have our voices heard.

More soon…