**RELEASE** Don't Unravel Florida's Class Size Amendment--Statement from Rep. Bill Heller
Hollis, Mark
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2010
CONTACT: Mark Hollis
STATEMENT REGARDING PROPOSED LEGISLATION
TO UNRAVEL FLORIDA’S CLASS SIZE AMENDMENT
Representative Bill Heller, the Democratic Ranking Member of the House Education Policy Committee, issued the following statement:
“Florida’s Class Size Amendment is a huge success that has eased classroom crowding, improved learning in public schools and helped to foster success for students. As we strive to develop a well-educated workforce for the jobs of today and tomorrow, it is imperative that we stay on the path to progress and keep the amendment intact.
“A proposal offered today to revise the Class Size Amendment would unravel the success that has been achieved and break a pledge to voters. While we can all be mindful of urgent financial considerations, we should not lose sight of the overwhelming importance of meeting long-term commitments by investing in children’s success through the Class Size Amendment.
“Too often in the Legislature, we define important topics only in immediate terms of what they cost today. I predict that Floridians will reject this shortsighted proposal by Republican legislative leaders. Parents will realize that the right size classroom for their child is a small-size classroom that can only be guaranteed by keeping the Class Size Amendment intact.”
Representative Bill Heller (D-St. Petersburg) serves Florida House District 52 in Pinellas County.
Mark Hollis
Communications Director
Democratic Office
Florida House of Representatives