Open letter ~ Parent to Parent

Parents,

I think it's apparent, given the recent news about budget cuts within our school system, that the funds are not going to be available to build a middle school at Space Coast at any time in the near future. We also know that the law that was passed in Florida (stating that existing schools must be used to capactity before new schools can be built) is forcing the school boards hands to a large extent. We want to give the school board a viable option to keeping our kids in Port St. John.

The freedom of choice that has occurred at Clearlake has caused the enrollment to be down with parents choosing to send their children to McNair, Edgewood and Cocoa Beach. Those children had the freedom to attend their school of choice. It's not fair to our students to be forced to attend a particular school while others are given that freedom.

The board members already know that we want our kids to stay in Port St. John, they already know the reasons. What they may not know, is that we are okay with our kids staying at Space Coast, even if that means that they stay in the current conditions of portables with hopes of additional buildings in the future. We need to make that clear to them. We have fought for several years to get a middle school at Space Coast, but if that continues to be the battle cry and the funds aren't there and the law has been set, what option do they have?

The workshop on February 8th is going to be the most important event yet in determining the fate of our children. We have two school board members that are "on our side" so to speak. There must be three for the vote to go in our favor.
We need to write letters and send emails again to all of the school board members, not just Mr. Jordan.

Just an FYI, I wanted everyone to know that Mr. Spinner gets a copy of all the letters and emails to Mr. Jordan, forwarded to him. He announced at our School Advisory Council meeting that he was impressed with the way the parents of Port St. John have spoken at the meetings as well as with the letters that have been written.

Keep vigilant,
Kristy Sanford