If you are a parent or educator in Florida, please let your faith leader know about a new organization that is forming to stop the privatization of public schools. The initiative is led by Charles Foster Johnson, who has brought together similar groups in other states. The first meeting is March 26.
Rev. Johnson is a great friend of public schools who believes in separation of church and state. He is an active member of the Network for Public Education.
He writes below about the launch of a new pro-public education group and an event that is coming up at the Florida Capitol on March 26.
Rev. Johnson writes:
“The group is called Pastors for Florida Children and it is comprised of ministers and lay-leaders of all faiths across the state.
“There will be an organizational meeting on Tuesday afternoon March 26 at approx. 1:30 p.m. and then a press conference and prayer circle at the Capitol at 3:30 p.m. Again this legislative session, our public schools are taking a beating in Tallahassee and I hope you agree that a group like this has the potential to be incredibly powerful! Similar groups in other states have made a big difference for public schools.
“If you can attend, I will forward your name and contact information to the organizers so they can contact you with the details.
“Can we count on you for March 26th?
“Please Reply with RSVP for lunch count or questions to charlie@charlesfosterjohnson.com or suzii.paynter@gmail.com
“Sincerely,
Rev. Charles Foster Johnson
Executive Director, Pastors for Children”
Follow Pastors for Children http://pastorsfortexaschildren.com/
Diane Ravitch's blog 
I hope this group will invite various parent groups to join with religious leaders. While the national PTA appears to be charter friendly, the various opt-out and retired educator groups may want to participate to form an alliance to fight against the destruction of public education in the state. There is power in numbers, and I will post this on Facebook.
Pastors for…Kids build coalitions. They love to work with everyone.
I hope they reach out to rabbis as well. South Florida has a large Jewish population that tends to be more progressive than many typical Floridians.
Problem with FL is that so many people have 2nd homes in FL and are not INVESTED in the schools. These “snowbirds” want CHEAP LABOR and don’t care about FL’s public schools.
15% of second homes are in FL. https://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/article.cfm?id=375006
This is from 2010 and how FL funds public schools: https://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20100228/education-funding-in-florida-cant-be-easily-explained
Now: http://www.fldoe.org/core/fileparse.php/7507/urlt/Fefpdist.pdf
I sure hope “Pastors for Children” can WAKE UP FLORIDA residence. Their children are suffering. Where’s Disney? Does Disney care about kids? Or are kids just another source of revenue?
Disney is part of the problem, not the solution. They are an anti-union employer although the company has been accused of being leftist, particularly when Rosanne was fired.
retired teacher,
Yes! Disney sure IS part of the problem.
Thank you Rev. Charles Foster Johnson.
Do reach out to faith traditions where leaders are not called Pastors. Big tent is what NPE is all about.
If these people believe in the separation of church and state, why are they encouraging pastors to get involved in politics?
To make clear that their churches and their religious schools do NOT want government money. To fight vouchers and to maintain the separation of church and state. Understand? Not everyone wants government money. Some people value religious liberty more than a government handout.
Interesting information. Many Thanks.