Restore-regents group flush with donations

Sen. Graham's effort to restore a university system board has raised more than $1.1-million.

By ANITA KUMAR, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published July 11, 2002

Supporters of a plan to restore a separate governing board for the state university system have raised more than $1.1-million for their campaign to get the proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot.

Education Excellence for Florida, a group spearheaded by Sen. Bob Graham, raised $550,740 in the three months ending June 30, according to reports sent to the state Wednesday. The group previously had raised $588,466.

Contributions ranged from $25 from individuals around the state, including several lawyers, to thousands of dollars from national companies. The organization solicited donations through a five-page letter sent in May to those who have given to Graham previously.

The National Education Association contributed $50,000. Wackenhut Corp. gave $15,000. Alan Potamkin, a Coral Gables auto dealer, sent $10,000.

"It speaks volumes that the business community is on our side," said Alice Skelton, manager of the education campaign. "Businesses understand how important education is."

Supporters want to create a new two-tier system modeled after one in North Carolina. It would revive a version of the former Board of Regents but retain boards of trustees for individual universities.

Gov. Jeb Bush and the Republican-led Legislature abolished the Board of Regents last year and gave oversight of the state's 11 public universities to the Florida Board of Education, which now has responsibility for all education -- from kindergarten to postgraduate studies.

Graham, the state's senior elected Democrat, opposed that change and said the state's system will lead to greater political fighting among the universities and duplication of programs. He is critical of Bush, who is running for re-election as an education governor, and says the state is fostering a poor education system that threatens Florida's economic future.

Graham has given Education Excellence $11,000 of his own money.

Bush, along with the Board of Education and university presidents, oppose the proposal but have not campaigned strongly against the plan. Carolyn Roberts, a board member who heads the opposing group, Floridians for Education Reform, could not be reached.

Education Excellence already has spent most of the money on gathering signatures needed to put the proposal on the Nov. 5 ballot. It collected 650,000 signatures. More than 300,000 of the 488,000 necessary to get on the ballot have been certified by the state.

The group hopes to raise several million more dollars to spread the word about the proposal, Skelton said.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright