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Teacher training center counting on funding
By CHAUNDRA PERKINS ST. PETERSBURG -- In 2001, state lawmakers lined up $275,000 to help the Florida Center for Teachers, the University of South Florida-based facility that offers seminars for educators around the state. But Gov. Jeb Bush vetoed the money from the state budget. This month, the Legislature has included the same amount for the center in the new state budget proposal. "We're cautiously optimistic that he won't veto this year," said Fran Cary, executive director for the Florida Humanities Council. Cary said that a big part of Bush's re-election campaign is built on what he has done for education and rewarding and retaining the state's best teachers: "If we want to keep our best and brightest teachers, this is the program to do it." Select teachers spend five days at the center, 559 Second St. S. They might meditate with a Buddhist monk to immerse themselves in Asian religions or listen to hip-hop while studying urban culture. The teachers stay in the nearby Hilton at the program's expense. After last year's veto, the center cut its seminar offerings from 12 to six. "If he vetoes again (this year), I don't know if we can continue the program," Cary said. Bush vetoed millions of dollars in local projects the past few years because he felt they did not have a statewide role. As for the teaching center, a spokesman said Bush supports teacher training but believes local school districts should be in charge of choosing which training is the most appropriate. But Cary said that although some school districts do offer support, the center is "scrambling to come up with the money." Center director Susan Lockwood said they need $300,000 to run the center's programs. She said that grants and donations from corporations and districts have helped the center meet its needs. "We've done fairly well raising money, but it doesn't make sense to continue doing it this way," she said. Without the funding, the center will be unable to continue in the same capacity, she said. Elizabeth Hirst, a spokeswoman from the governor's office, said that he had not yet received the budget but that he will use the same criteria he has always used. "I don't know what he's going to do, but I'd hope he sees the value," said state Rep. Leslie Waters, R-Seminole, who helped get the money in the budget.
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From the Times South Pinellas desks Letters |
