In speech to teachers, Bush preaches schools

But many are politely skeptical, especially after he supported another corporate tax break.

By ADAM C. SMITH, Times Political Editor
© St. Petersburg Times
published May 7, 2002

TAMPA -- At one point Monday afternoon, Gov. Jeb Bush warned he might cry as he read a teacher's essay about a youngster unable to read. Later, he giddily recalled seeing elementary school students "rocking and rolling" alongside their charismatic teacher. At another point, he promised to become "an evangelist" for the latest research on teaching reading.

The scene was a glassy corporate complex east of Tampa, where Bush in a sometimes wonky, sometimes emotional speech stood before nearly 100 teachers sounding very much like a man consumed with improving Florida's schools.

"This is not about politics, and it's not about statistics," he said. "This is about real people, real children, and real dreams."

Still, he cited loads of statistics in a speech that had a strong undercurrent of politics, statistics and murky perceptions of how Florida's school are faring under his watch. After all, Bush is not just a governor talking to teachers. He's a Republican candidate running for re-election as the education governor, with most voters mostly skeptical of his education record and Democrats pounding him for not spending enough money on schools.

The governor used his speech before educators gathered for a reading summit to tout his "Just Read, Florida" program aimed at ensuring all students read at or above grade level by 2012. He also repeatedly cited statistics touting his education record, from test scores improving to his administration spending a lot of money.

Lawmakers, he noted, are poised to increase school funding by $1.1-billion over the current budget, or roughly 6 percent more per student.

"You have to go back to 1987-1988 to get to an increase of that magnitude. You may not know this as well, but the Legislature has appropriated over $3-billion (the past four years) . . . which is equal to a 27 percent increase. That is more than my predecessor's first term and more than my predecessor's second term. Those are facts. That's not storytelling."

A St. Petersburg Times analysis in February found that when inflation and student growth were factored in, school funding increased to $10.21 per student since he took office in 1999.

The teachers gathered to hear him at the Citigroup offices received the governor warmly. But even as many of them applauded his passion, some also gently and not so-gently raised concerns.

One kindergarten teacher asked him about a proposed ballot amendment to require smaller classes. In her kindergarten class, she said, "sometimes there's just not enough of me to go around."

Bush said small class sizes are appealing, but he worries about the class size initiative "handcuffing out principals and superintendents with a one-size fits all strategy."

Another teacher asked Bush about a $262-million corporate tax break aimed at stimulating the economy. "If we have an extra $260-million, and education is our top priority," the teacher asked Bush, "why isn't it going to schools?"

The more he can stimulate business growth in Florida, Bush replied, the more money the state will get for schools.

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