Today all Broward teachers will begin receiving a ballot in the mail which is incredibly important for you to respond with a YES! The State wants to do away with teachers unions. This vote by PERC is another attempt to take away your union rights and contract. It is critically important that you make your voice heard so be sure you vote.
Your ballot must be returned to the state (PERC) BY July 10.
If you will be away during that time, please contact PERC at 850-488-8641 to request that your ballot be sent to where you will be.
Be sure to mail your ballot in as soon as possible after you receive it, to ensure delivery by July 10. Make sure you sign and print your name on the return envelope and put a stamp on the envelope, or your ballot will not be counted.
Once the ballots are counted, a "Yes" vote means that you will continue to have a union, your contract, and your negotiated rights. A "No" vote means that you will no longer have a union, your contract, and your negotiated rights.
********
AI summarized how this happened in Florida implemented by the Union busting Governor and Legislature.
“Last year at least 54 public sector unions in Florida have been fully decertified and shuttered due to not meeting the 60% membership requirement.
A new Florida law, enacted in 2023, mandates that public sector unions maintain a membership of at least 60% to remain certified. This law also bans payroll dues deductions, making it more challenging for unions to reach and maintain the required membership threshold. Since the law's implementation, many unions have been unable to meet this requirement, leading to their decertification.
WLRN reports that the law has led to the dissolution of over 100 bargaining units across the state and the loss of union representation for more than 68,000 employees. Some unions, like those representing police officers, were exempt from these rules. However, other unions, such as adjunct faculty, and teachers, were severely impacted. The law's impact on teachers' unions has been particularly notable, with some losing a significant portion of their members due to the ban on payroll deductions.”
I urge the BOE to support the proposal to develop Sustainability and Resilient Building Standards and Design.
Every capital project design decision should contribute to reduced emissions, enhanced energy performance, and long-term
climate resilience. We are educating our children so they will have a better future. However, especially in Florida, where the threats related to global warming include more intense heat, hurricanes and flooding, that future could become unattainable. Consideration of these factors when designing infrastructure for the school system, therefore, becomes an existential requirement.
Please reference this link and integrate this resource from Dr. Cheryl Holder from UM. I agree with a risk assessment. Carrie Roach.
https://medsocietiesforclimatehealth.org/healthy-climate-america-podcast/
This risk assessment will allow the District to: • Identify school facilities most at risk from flooding and extreme heat. • Inform future capital improvement, maintenance, and emergency response planning. • Prioritize upgrades and investments based on data-driven vulnerability mapping in conjunction with the upcoming facilities conditions assessment and the Redefining Schools initiative.
I am writing to express the critical importance of maintaining early release days within our school calendar, particularly for elementary educators.
Early release days provide essential, uninterrupted time for teachers to engage in collaborative planning, data analysis, and professional development—activities that directly impact the quality of instruction delivered in our classrooms. Unlike before- or after-school hours, these designated times ensure that all teachers are present and able to work collectively toward shared goals, such as aligning lessons to standards, analyzing student performance, and developing targeted interventions.
In elementary schools, where teachers are responsible for teaching multiple subjects and differentiating instruction across a wide range of academic and developmental needs, this dedicated time is not a luxury—it is a necessity. Early release days help ensure that instruction remains cohesive, standards-aligned, and responsive to student progress. They also support the implementation of district initiatives, foster consistent grade-level collaboration, and reduce teacher burnout by embedding planning time into the regular workday.
On behalf of many dedicated elementary educators, I urge you to continue supporting early release days as a vital tool for maintaining instructional quality and meeting the diverse needs of our students.
Thank you for your time and continued commitment to excellence in education.
My name is Dr. Trudy Jermanovich.
Today all Broward teachers will begin receiving a ballot in the mail which is incredibly important for you to respond with a YES! The State wants to do away with teachers unions. This vote by PERC is another attempt to take away your union rights and contract. It is critically important that you make your voice heard so be sure you vote.
Your ballot must be returned to the state (PERC) BY July 10.
If you will be away during that time, please contact PERC at 850-488-8641 to request that your ballot be sent to where you will be.
Be sure to mail your ballot in as soon as possible after you receive it, to ensure delivery by July 10. Make sure you sign and print your name on the return envelope and put a stamp on the envelope, or your ballot will not be counted.
Once the ballots are counted, a "Yes" vote means that you will continue to have a union, your contract, and your negotiated rights. A "No" vote means that you will no longer have a union, your contract, and your negotiated rights.
********
AI summarized how this happened in Florida implemented by the Union busting Governor and Legislature.
“Last year at least 54 public sector unions in Florida have been fully decertified and shuttered due to not meeting the 60% membership requirement.
A new Florida law, enacted in 2023, mandates that public sector unions maintain a membership of at least 60% to remain certified. This law also bans payroll dues deductions, making it more challenging for unions to reach and maintain the required membership threshold. Since the law's implementation, many unions have been unable to meet this requirement, leading to their decertification.
WLRN reports that the law has led to the dissolution of over 100 bargaining units across the state and the loss of union representation for more than 68,000 employees. Some unions, like those representing police officers, were exempt from these rules. However, other unions, such as adjunct faculty, and teachers, were severely impacted. The law's impact on teachers' unions has been particularly notable, with some losing a significant portion of their members due to the ban on payroll deductions.”
I wonder why teachers are fleeing Florida.
I urge the BOE to support the proposal to develop Sustainability and Resilient Building Standards and Design.
Every capital project design decision should contribute to reduced emissions, enhanced energy performance, and long-term
climate resilience. We are educating our children so they will have a better future. However, especially in Florida, where the threats related to global warming include more intense heat, hurricanes and flooding, that future could become unattainable. Consideration of these factors when designing infrastructure for the school system, therefore, becomes an existential requirement.
Please reference this link and integrate this resource from Dr. Cheryl Holder from UM. I agree with a risk assessment. Carrie Roach.
https://medsocietiesforclimatehealth.org/healthy-climate-america-podcast/
This risk assessment will allow the District to: • Identify school facilities most at risk from flooding and extreme heat. • Inform future capital improvement, maintenance, and emergency response planning. • Prioritize upgrades and investments based on data-driven vulnerability mapping in conjunction with the upcoming facilities conditions assessment and the Redefining Schools initiative.
Dear Members of the Broward County School Board,
I am writing to express the critical importance of maintaining early release days within our school calendar, particularly for elementary educators.
Early release days provide essential, uninterrupted time for teachers to engage in collaborative planning, data analysis, and professional development—activities that directly impact the quality of instruction delivered in our classrooms. Unlike before- or after-school hours, these designated times ensure that all teachers are present and able to work collectively toward shared goals, such as aligning lessons to standards, analyzing student performance, and developing targeted interventions.
In elementary schools, where teachers are responsible for teaching multiple subjects and differentiating instruction across a wide range of academic and developmental needs, this dedicated time is not a luxury—it is a necessity. Early release days help ensure that instruction remains cohesive, standards-aligned, and responsive to student progress. They also support the implementation of district initiatives, foster consistent grade-level collaboration, and reduce teacher burnout by embedding planning time into the regular workday.
On behalf of many dedicated elementary educators, I urge you to continue supporting early release days as a vital tool for maintaining instructional quality and meeting the diverse needs of our students.
Thank you for your time and continued commitment to excellence in education.
Sincerely,
Crina Browne