Crowd protests against Senate Bill 6

Waiving signs that read “SB-6 takes away local control” and “Stop SB6 bad for kids and teachers” and “Protect Florida schools from bad politics” and “Call the Florida Chamber of Commerce tell them to oppose Senate 6”, local news reporters from Historic City News were on the scene where a crowd of about thirty five protesters packed the side of the road on US-1 at SR-312 during the 5:00 rush hour Thursday.

Three elements at issue in the Florida Legislature, lead in the Senate by John Thrasher and reportedly supported in the House by Bill Proctor, would end tenure for teachers, increase testing of students and switch employees to a merit pay system.

Thrasher was lead sponsor of Senate Bill 6, which passed last week and includes merit pay and testing. The companion house bill will be debated when the Legislature reconvenes next week. According to news sources in Tallahassee, it appears that Governor Crist is inclined to sign the bill into law if it passes.

Photo credit: © 2010 Historic City News photographer Kerry McGuire