State panel backs pre-K for 4-year-olds

But the state Board of Education opposes ballot measures to cut class sizes and reorganize public higher education.

By ANITA KUMAR, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published August 30, 2002

TALLAHASSEE -- The Florida Board of Education voted unanimously Thursday to support a plan to guarantee prekindergarten classes for Florida's 4-year-olds, and pledged to create a similar program if a Nov. 5 ballot initiative fails.

But the board vehemently opposed two other ballot measures that would reduce class sizes in public schools and revamp the way the state's 11 public universities are governed.

The group's positions mirror those of Gov. Jeb Bush, who appointed the seven members last year to oversee public schools, community colleges and universities. The Democratic gubernatorial candidates support all three amendments.

Members predicted that chaos would erupt if all the amendments passed.

They hesitated about supporting an effort to add the prekindergarten initiative to the state Constitution, but backed the proposal after Education Secretary Jim Horne encouraged them to do so.

The amendment, pushed by Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas, a Democrat, would require the state to begin paying the costs for prekindergarten classes for 4-year-olds beginning in 2005. Critics argue the amendment would cost too much: $425-million to $650-million annually, according to state economists.

Most of the debate Thursday focused on the class size amendment, which seems to appeal to voters and parents but comes with a hefty price tag. Estimates range from $12-billion to $27.5-billion for the first seven years and $2.5-billion every year after that. The state, not local school districts, would pay for it.

The amendment would allow a maximum class of 18 students in kindergarten through third grade, 22 in grades 4-8 and 25 in high school.

"We are the FDA (Food and Drug Administration)," board member Charles Garcia said. "We need to protect this state against mad scientists."

State Sen. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami, who helped get the class size amendment on the ballot, said he wasn't surprised by the board's comments.

"Parents are sick and tired of their children being trapped in increasingly overcrowded classes while Jeb Bush's political appointees continue to play politics with the future of Florida," Meek said.

The third education amendment, supported by U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, would restore a version of the old Board of Regents, but keep new university boards of trustees.

The new proposal would create a 17-member Board of Governors responsible for all state universities. The board would assign duties to local boards, though it's unclear what those would be.

"The best decisions about students are made closest to students," said Education Board Chairman Phil Handy. "Everything about this amendment flies in the face of the goals and principles of this board."

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