Florida has shortchanged education for decades
MIAMI, Fla. - P.S. 305 and the Florida Policy Institute (FPI) hosted a press conference today with local groups and parents in front of the Miami Dade County Public School Board Administration Building. The event aimed to highlight the harmful impact of chronically underfunding K-12 public education in Florida and called on lawmakers to address the needs of public-school families.
The briefing preceded the Miami-Dade school board’s vote on whether Shadowlawn Elementary and Parkview Elementary — schools serving historically Black and immigrant communities — will be repurposed.
Mina Hosseini, executive director of P.S. 305, stated: "The word ‘choice’ has come up a lot in the last few years, but today we are shining a light on the ‘choice’ of the Legislature and the DeSantis administration to defund public schools in the interest of the private sector — and urging them to reverse course by fully funding the ‘choice’ of families who seek to raise their children in their community, traditional public schools. These schools are pillars of our communities. Today, we ask Secretary Manny Diaz, what about the choice of Parkview and Shadowlawn families? The choices that led us here are not parents’ choices but legislators’ choice."
Norín Dollard, Ph.D., senior policy analyst and KIDS COUNT director at FPI, commented: “Florida is a chronically underfunded state. Whereas in 2004, per pupil spending was ranked 44th nationwide; 20 years later we are ranked 42nd. Florida’s underinvestment in public education is only exacerbated by $3.9 billion allocated in the next fiscal year to vouchers that leave public schools and go to private school and home-schooled students. This leaves districts having to make decisions to close schools and usurp parents’ choice to send their children to their neighborhood schools.”
Harold Ford, president of the South Dade Branch of the NAACP, expressed his concerns: "Today, I stand deeply concerned about the Florida Legislature's continued efforts to defund public education. This action threatens the quality of education for more than 85 percent of Florida students who rely on our public school system. By stripping away essential resources, we are not only undermining our children's future but also jeopardizing our entire state's economic and social well-being. Every student deserves access to high-quality education; we must prioritize and protect our public schools to ensure every child has an opportunity to succeed."
Daniella Pierre, president of Miami-Dade County Branch of NAACP noted: “Today, before Juneteenth — a day meant for celebrating ongoing struggles for liberation —the Miami Dade school board is set to vote on repurposing Parkview and Shadowlawn Elementaries—schools serving majority Black and immigrant families. These tight-knit community schools have parents upset over long-standing legislative underfunding disproportionately impacting communities of color in Florida. We need our lawmakers fully fund our public schools."
Zico Fremont, parent at Shadowlawn Elementary said: “Recent legislative cuts have severely impacted our school funding leading shortage resources elimination important programs changes undermine quality education well-being children urge lawmakers reconsider funding decisions ensure provide support deserve.”
For decades Florida lawmakers have neglected K-12 education resulting numerous issues particularly Miami-Dade County including programming cuts consolidations critical repair needs low teacher salaries all undermining transformative educational experiences especially communities color contradicting claims universal “choice” system.Historical underinvestment compounded legislation undermining capital funding traditional expansion voucher program roughly $3.9 billion allocated universal vouchers fiscal year 2024-25 diverting crucial dollars away teacher pay increases enrichment programs basic building maintenance.