Legislative Outreach Forum Set For Viera Monday

By Charles Parker // January 12, 2015

ABOVE VIDEO: Meet Misty Belford, School Board Member, District 1

BREVARD COUNTY • VIERA, FLORIDA – Brevard school board members will be hosting a series of “Legislative Outreach Community Forums” in January to inform the public about the school districts’ proposals that have been presented to the county’s state representatives in Tallahassee.

The forums are scheduled as follows:

January 8, 2015	Satellite Beach High	Amy Kneessy, District 3	6:30 – 8:00 pm
January 12, 2015	Viera High	Karen Henderson, District 4	6:30 – 8:00 pm
January 12, 2015	Bayside High	Andy Ziegler, District 5	6:30 – 8:00 pm
January 13, 2015	Astronaut High	Misty Belford, District 1	6:30 – 8:00 pm
January 13, 2015	Merritt Island High	John Craig, District 2	6:30 – 8:00 pm

The 2015 legislative platform identifies two major areas.

Revise legislation to create a thoughtful, quality, and sustainable assessment and accountability system in Florida.

Create a stable and adequate source of funding for public schools.

These recommended changes to current state law “strengthen public education in Florida while striking the right balance between state and local control of educational programming and accountability decisions,” according to the website of Brevard Public Schools.

“I am 100 percent behind the legislative proposals,” said current school board chair Karen Henderson.

Karen Henderson

“I worked hard over the last few months crafting them. They have been received well by the other school boards across the state and Dr. Binggeli and staff are on board as well.

“We look forward to presenting these to the public in January for more buy-in. We are trying to have a united front. While you may not agree with everything on the list, it is important as a district to speak with one voice.”

School board newcomer John Craig also is encouraged by the proposals.

John Craig

“Yes, I’m supportive of our initiatives,” said Craig.

“I think Brevard is taking the lead on finding equitable solutions to testing/accountability and funding concerns. I’m excited about the forum and hope we get a good turnout.”

CLICK HERE for more information on the proposals.

EDITOR’S NOTE: The remaining school board members did not reply to a media request from Space Coast Daily.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Charles Parker is a longtime resident of Brevard County and has been writing for various publications for the last 40 years – both print and digital. Parker covers space, politics, religion, and other news and special events for Space Coast Daily.

Currently, he is an aerospace engineering teacher at Merritt Island High School. He is also the director of both the da Vinci Academy of Aerospace Technology and the Academy of Hospitality, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism at MIHS. He is a professor of Humanities and World Religions at Eastern Florida State College and Valencia College.

Parker has worked extensively in the tourism and aerospace industries in Brevard. He has also been a United Methodist pastor and director of a non-profit to help young adults aging out of foster care. He was formerly a board member at Brevard Achievement Center and the Childcare Association of Brevard. He was appointed by Governor Jeb Bush to the Children’s Services Council from 1999-2003.

Parker earned a BA in Organizational Management from Warner University and a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary. He is married, has four children and one grandchild.

AUTHOR NOTE: These views are mine alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of Brevard Public Schools, Eastern Florida State College, or Valencia College.

You can follow Parker on Twitter @cparker_scd