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LWVOC statement at the OCPS Board Mtg

Published on 2/24/2022



On behalf of the League of Women Voters of Orange County, I would like to say thank you for your efforts, as a school board and school district, to support our students and schools against the ever-growing efforts by the Governor and state legislature to diminish your control over our local schools.

 

These attacks on public education are a threat to our democracy, and we thank you for everything you do to preserve it. 

 

Those efforts include requiring that everyone in schools wear masks last year (and this year during the Delta surge) as was recommended by the vast majority of science and health experts across the country. The League strongly opposes the proposal, supported by our Governor and a state legislator, to make students pay for the mask requirement by functionally enacting a $16.5 million dollar punitive tax on Orange County schools. This financial sanction will only hurt our kids, our community, and our economy of tomorrow.  

 

We also recognize and appreciate the many protocols that you used to keep students and staff safer during uncertain times.

 

Despite many of the current bills moving through the state legislature, and those who seek to distract or divide us with political agendas, we appreciate your steady work towards MORE reading, MORE inclusion, MORE discussion, and MORE critical thought. Those are the hallmarks of a successful public education system. The loud and angry complaints from a small group do not reflect the views of most of the parents and community members who support Orange County Public Schools.       

 

We are lucky to live in a county with a strong and capable school board and district. We are thankful for you and fully support your efforts to keep our schools safe, healthy, diverse, inclusive, equitable, and successful.

On behalf of the League of Women Voters of Orange County, I would like to say thank you for your efforts, as a school board and school district, to support our students and schools against the ever-growing efforts by the Governor and state legislature to diminish your control over our local schools.

 

These attacks on public education are a threat to our democracy, and we thank you for everything you do to preserve it. 

 

Those efforts include requiring that everyone in schools wear masks last year (and this year during the Delta surge) as was recommended by the vast majority of science and health experts across the country. The League strongly opposes the House bill, supported by our Governor and state legislators, to make students pay the price for the mask requirement by functionally enacting a $16.5 million dollar punitive tax on Orange County schools. This financial sanction will only hurt our kids, our community, and our economy of tomorrow.  

 

We also recognize and appreciate the many protocols that you used to keep students and staff safer during uncertain times.

 

Despite many of the current bills moving through the state legislature, and those who seek to distract or divide us with political agendas, we appreciate your steady work towards MORE reading, MORE inclusion, MORE discussion, and MORE critical thought. Those are the hallmarks of a successful public education system. The loud and angry complaints from a small group do not reflect the views of most of the parents and community members who support Orange County Public Schools. We stand with you.       

 

We are lucky to live in a county with a strong and capable school board and district. We are thankful for you and fully support your efforts to keep our schools safe, healthy, diverse, inclusive, equitable, and successful.

 

Thank you.