Lazaro Aleman and Rick Patrick: Greene Publishing, Inc.
Every 20 years, a 37-member appointed commission convenes for the purpose of proposing changes to the Florida Constitution. This Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) has been meeting, traveling around the state, conducting research and recommending constitutional changes for voter approval. Currently, Florida is the only state in the Union that has such a CRC.
So far, the CRC has made 103 proposals on issues ranging from judicial matters to local governments. One area that could see drastic changes if some of the proposed changes make it onto the ballot and are approved by the voters, is the area of education. Currently, there are 12 proposals that have been made by the CRC that deal directly with education and schools within the Sunshine State. These proposals are now in various stages of discussion, voting and possible approval by the CRC. If approved by the CRC, these proposals could make their way onto the ballot for final approval by the voters.
One proposal that stands a good chance of making it onto the November 2018 ballot is Proposal 33 which requires that the superintendent of schools be appointed by the district school board. This proposal has been received favorably by the CRC. When asked about her thoughts on this proposal, Madison County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Karen Pickles was clear in her opposition to the proposal. “When I hear someone say that an elected Constitutional Officer is not accountable, I get real upset about that. I am accountable to about 11,000 voters. I would rather be accountable to the voters than to a three to five-member board,” said Pickles. “I don't think it applies well to small towns [such as Madison].”
Two proposals could have a significant affect on the local school board. Proposal 32 calls for non-paid school board members. The only pay school board members would receive would be travel expenses for official school-related travel. Proposal 43 calls for term limits for school board members. If approved, this would allow school board members to serve no more than eight years. There are those who feel proposals such as these are an attempt to take control away from local communities and putting that control in Tallahassee. Many have criticized measures such as this as an erosion of local control proposed by those in Tallahassee.
Proposal 45 states that “no provision of the State Constitution may be construed to limit the Legislature from making provision for other educational services that are beneficial to the children and families of the state.” Proposal 71 specifies that the Legislature is “authorized to enact general laws providing alternative processes to authorize the establishment of charter schools in the state.” Proposal 90 revises “requirements relating to class-size limitations in public schools and to require that any funds not expended towards the maintenance of average class sizes be applied towards increasing teacher pay to the national average.”
Proposals that are passed by the CRC will appear on the November 2018 ballot as proposed Constitutional Amendments. A full list of proposals by both the CRC and the public can be seen at www.flcrc.gov.