>> GOOD MORNING, GLAD YOU COULD JOIN US. I’M MICHAEL PUTNEY.
>> I’M GLENNA MILBERG, AS WE
COME ON THE AIR TODAY THE MASKS
ARE ON BUT GLOVES ARE OFF AS THE
BROWARD SCHOOL DISTRICT DEFIES
STATE RULES ON MANDATORY
MASKING.
AND SO THE MASK MANDATE WILL BE
IN PLACE WHEN CLASSES START ON
WEDNESDAY.
RISKING THREATS OF FINANCIAL
SANCTIONS.
>> THE DISTRICT POINTS TO RECORD
HOSPITAL ADD MUGSES IN BROWARD
INCLUDING A RISING NUMBER OF
PEDIATRIC CASES.
PLUS THIS WEEK THE DEATHS OF
THREE BROWARD TEACHERS FROM
COVID.
THE SCHOOL BOARD CHAIR AND
SUPERINTENDENT FORMALLY NOTIFIED
THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
EDUCATION IN A LETTER ON FRIDAY.
>> IT IS A STANDOFF WATCHED
AROUND THE COUNTRY WITH THE
PRESIDENT ON THE PHONE ON FRIDAY
NIGHT.
BROWARD’S NEW SUPERINTENDENT
DR. VICKIE CART WRIGHT GOT THAT
PRESIDENT’S CALL OF SUPPORT AND
SHE IS WITH US TODAY ALONG WITH
BOARD CHAIR ROSALIND OSGOOD WHO
DREW THE LINE IN THE SANDER THIS
WEEK.
GREAT TO HAVE YOU WITH US.
>> GOOD MORNING, GREAT TO SEE
YOU, GREAT TO MEET YOU
DR. CARTWRIGHT.
FIRST TELL US ABOUT THE PHONE
CALL FROM THE PRESIDENT FRIDAY
NIGHT.
WHAT DID HE TELL YOU?
>> MOST CERTAINLY.
FIRST AND FORE MOSES, THANK YOU
VERY MUCH FOR HAVING US HERE
THIS MORNING.
THE CALL THAT WE RECEIVED ON
FRIDAY WAS ONE OF COMFORT, AND
GENUINE SUPPORT AND CONCERN.
SO HE EXPRESSED THE GRATITUDE
FOR THE LEADERSHIP THAT OUR
BOARD HAS TAKEN ON THIS.
AND FOR THE SPORT OF DISTRICT
LEADERSHIP IN SUPPORT SUPPORTING
THAT DECISION.
AND DOING WHAT WE BELIEVE IS IN
THE BEST INTEREST FOR OUR
STUDENTS HERE LOCALLY IN BROWARD
COUNTY.
>> DR. OSGOOD, THAT LETTER ALSO
CAME WITH AN OFFER OF SUPPORT OF
FEDERAL DOLLARS TO SU PLANT
WHAT-- IS UP PLANT WHATEVER THE
STATE MIGHT USE AS A CONSEQUENCE
OF TAKING BACK SOME FINANCIAL
SUPPORT FROM THE STATE ITS THAT
GOTTEN TO BE A REAL BACK AND
FORTH THIS WEEK, AND UGLY AT
TIMES AND QUITE DIPLOMATIC AT
TIMES, AS WAS YOUR RESPONSE TO
THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION,
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
WHERE YOU ESSENTIALLY SAID
HERE’S OUR RESPONSE TO YOUR
INVESTIGATION.
WE’RE HOLDING THE LINE, WE’RE
GOING TO DO NASKING, HERE IS OUR
CASE.
TELL OUR VIEWERS IN A COUPLE OF
LINES, RESTATE THAT CASE AND
YOUR REASONS FOR DECIDING NOT TO
COMPLY.
>> WELL, WE BELIEVE THAT THE
LIVES OF OUR STUDENT AND STAFF
ARE INVALUABLE.
WE ALSO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A
LOCAL PARENTAL-- RIGHTS WHERE
TEACHERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
HEALTH AND SAFETY OF CHILDREN
WHEN THEY ARE IN THEIR CUSTODY
IN SCHOOL AND IN THEIR PER VIEW,
AND WE’RE JUST NOT WILLING TO
RISK THE LIVES OF OUR STUDENTS.
EIGHT OUT OF NINE OF US VOTED TO
MANDATE MASKS.
WE ARE HOLDING FAST.
WE WILL NOT PUT OUR STUDENTS AN
OUR STAFF IN JEOPARDY.
WE WILL LISTEN AT THE OUTPOURING
OF OUR COMMUNITY WHO WANTS US TO
PAN DATE MASKS.
AND WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN
TO PUT THE LIVES OF OUR STUDENT
AND STAFF, THE PEOPLE THAT WE
LOVE FIRST.
>> AND YOU IN THAT LETTER
ACTUALLY TOLD THE DEPARTMENT YOU
ARE IN COMPLIANCE BECAUSE THERE
IS AN OPT OUT CLAUSE IN THE
MANDATE WITH MEDICAL CONSENT, OR
MEDICAL PROOF.
WHY NOT MAKE AN OPT OUT MUCH
LIKE MONROE COUNTY DID, SO MANY
OF THE OTHER FLORIDA DISTRICTS?
WHY NOT MAKE AN OPT OUT FOR
PARENTS’ CHOICE AND SEE WHAT
HAPPENS TO COMPLY WITH THE
RULES, WHY WOULD THAT BE SO BAD?
>> WE CAN’T PUT INDIVIDUAL
PARENTS AND PERSONAL CHOICE
ABOVE THE RISK OF LIVES OF ALL
THE OTHERS THAT ARE IN THE
SCHOOL SYSTEM.
IT IS JUST LIKE WHEN I PUT MY
SIX YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER TIE
LORE AND MY HANDSOME GRANDSON
INTO A CAR, HAVE I TO PUT THEM
IN A CAR SEAT AND A SEATBELT.
WE ARE ME OR THEIR PARENTS DON’T
HAVE A RIGHT.
WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE GOOD OF
THE HOLE IN THE TRUTH IS MANY
PEOPLE ARE UNVACCINATED.
WE’RE SEEING COVID CASES
INCREASE DAILY LIKE NEVER
BEFORE.
THE RISKS AND DANGER OF SOMEONE
DYING OR BEING INFECTED IN A
NEGATIVE WAY WITH COVID AND
HAVING LIFELONG COMPLICATIONS CO
GREATER THAN EVER BEFORE.
OUR POSITIVITY RATE NOW HIGHER
THAN EVER BEFORE.
AN WE’RE NOT GOING TO PLAY
RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH PEOPLE’S
LIVES.
>> DR. CARTWRIGHT, WERE YOU
FORMALLY THE SCHOOL
SUPERINTENDENT IN OSHKOSH,
WISCONSIN, A LOVELY BUT A
SMALLER COMMUNITY.
YOU’VE BEEN LIVING IN ORLANDO.
I KIND OF WONDER IF YOU MIGHT
FEEL LIKE YOU DROPPED INTO
ANOTHER PLANET.
YOU’VE COME RIGHT IN IN THE
MIDDLE OF A REALLY HEATED DEBATE
INVOLVING THE GOVERNOR AND WHERE
YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT IS NOW AT
ODDS WITH THE GOVERNOR AND THE
COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION IN THE
STATE OF FLORIDA.
ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH YOUR
POSITION?
>> I BELIEVE THAT GIVEN THE
STATISTICS THAT ARE HERE WITHIN
BROWARD COUNTY RIGHT NOW, THAT
OUR BOARD HAS DEFINITELY MADE A
DECISION WITH FULL KNOWLEDGE OF
WHAT THOSE STATISTICS ARE.
FRANKLY SPEAKING, AS OF FRIDAY
WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT OUR
HOSPITAL DISPLACE RATES HERE IN
BROWARD COUNTY, WHERE OUR ICU
PEDIATRIC UNIT AS OF FRIDAY,
THEY’RE UP 100 PERCENT BED
CAPACITY.
NOW NOT ALL OF THOSE VISITS ARE
CHILDREN ARE IN THERE BECAUSE OF
COVID REASONS.
HOWEVER IT DOES LIMIT THE
ABILITIES FOR OUR HOSPITALS TO
BE ABLE TO PROVIDE THE
APPROPRIATE SERVICES FOR OUR
STUDENTS WHO MAY NEED THOSE
SERVICES.
SO THAT IS VERY ALARMING.
YOU KNOW, WHEN WE SENT THE
LETTER OFF IT WASN’T AT 100
PERCENT.
AND THEN HERE FRIDAY WE GET
CONFIRMATION, NOW WE’RE AT 100
PERCENT FOR OUR STUDENTS.
COMING OUT OF WISCONSIN, I WAS
SUPERINTENDENT OUT THERE FOR
THREE YEARS.
THE SCHOOL DISTRIRKTS ARE VERY
DIFFERENT IN HOW THEY ARE
ORGANIZED THAN IN FLORIDA, SO
THERE WERE OVER 420 SCHOOL
DISTRICTS UP THERE BUT I WAS THE
11th LARGEST ONE IN
WISCONSIN.
AND EVEN UP THERE, WE’VE BEEN
DEALING WITH COVID-RELATED
EVENTS AND SUCH.
AND A LOT OF THIS CONTROVERSY AS
YOU MIGHT SAY AFTER THE PAST
YEAR AND A HALF, GOING ALL THE
WAY FROM DO YOU HAVE SCHOOL
VIRTUAL, DO YOU HAVE IT THIGH
BRID, DO YOU HAVE IT IN PERSON,
DO YOU WEAR A MASK, DO YOU NOT
WEAR A MASK.
SO THIS IS NOT NEW FOR ME, AS TO
THESE TYPE OF CONVERSATIONS THAT
ARE GOING ON.
AND PREVIOUS TO THAT YOU ARE
ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, I WAS IN
ORLANDO, ORANGE COUNTY PUBLIC
SCHOOLS FOR 17 YEARS SO I’M VERY
COMFORTABLE WITH VERY LARGE
URBAN DISTRICTS.
AND INTERACTIONS THAT HAPPEN
WITH LOCAL LEGISLATORS AS WELL
AS OUR GOVERNOR, THE STATE BOARD
OF EDUCATION.
AND THOSE ARE EXPERIENCES THAT I
AM LEANING UPON RIGHT NOW.
>> I WANT TO PICK UP ON A
STATISTIC YOU JUST GAVE.
THE PEDIATRIC ICU BEDS, WE
ACTUALLY ARING GO TO HAVE CMO,
CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER LATER IN
THIS PROGRAM.
WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT,
DR. OSGOOD, ONE OF THE
GOVERNOR’S ARGUMENT IS THAT THE
PEDIATRIC CASES WHILE REALLY
BLOSSOMING WITH THE WHOLE OF
THIS SURGE HAVE PERCENTAGEWISE
REMAINED THE SAME.
NOADZ THERE ARE NO MORE INCREASE
IN PEDIATRIC CASES BUT THE
INCREASE IS THE SAME PERCENTAGE
UNDER 2 FERS AS IT’S BEEN FROM
THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE
PANDEMIC.
SO THAT IS ONE OF HIS ARGUMENTS
AND THE OTHER IS THAT THERE IS
REALLY NO STUDY ABOUT THE
DISADVANTAGES THERE MAY BE FOR
MASKING IN CLASSROOM LEARNING
ENVIRONMENTS, SPECIFICALLY FOR
THE YOUNGER CHILDREN LEARNING
PHONICS OR LEARNING TO SPEAK.
IS THAT A VALID ARGUMENT.
IS THERE A POTENTIAL DOWNSIDE
FOR LEARNING WITH MASKS ON ALL
THE TIME?
>> WHAT WE KNOW IS THAT THERE
ARE OPTIONS TO FACE COVERINGS
WHERE PARENTS CAN USE FACE
SHIELDS.
WE SAW WHEN WE HAD VIRTUAL
LEARNING WITH THE STUDENTS THAT
ACADEMICS FELL DRASTICALLY.
WE KNOW OUR STUDENTS NEED TO BE
BACK IN PERSON FACE TO FACE WITH
THEIR TEACHERS, THEIR PEERS, IN
A LOVING CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT.
WE KNOW WITH CLASS SIZE IN THAT
HAVE ESSENTIALLY ONE TEACHER OR
ONE-- OR TWO TEACHERS, 27 OR 28
PEOPLE IN A CLOSED SPACE, WE
CANNOT PRACTICE 6 FEET OR 3 FEET
OF SOCIAL DISTANCING SO WE HAVE
TO MITIGATE THE RISK TO PEOPLE’S
LIVES.
IF WE KEEP OUR CHILDREN ALIVE
AND PROTECTED FROM COVID, THEN
WE CAN TEACH THEM.
WE CAN CONTINUE TO, WITHOUT TO
NEWSCAST SURE THAT THEY HAVE
LEARNING GAINS.
THAT ARGUMENT IS NOT A GOOD
ARGUMENT.
THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF
PEDIATRICS HAVE CLEARLY SAID TO
US WHAT THE RECOMMENDATION IS
ABOUT STUDENTS WEARING MASKS,
PARTICULARLY THOSE UNDER 12 THAT
CANNOT BE VACCINATED.
WE HAVE HEARD FROM COUNTLESS
MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS ALL ACROSS
THIS NAWTION.
WE’VE HEARD FROM-- I HAVE-- I
WILL NOT IGNORE THE SCIENCE.
I BELIEF THAT IN THIS SPACE, IN
THIS TIME OF A PANDEMIC, THOSE
IN THE MEDICAL PROFESSION ARE
THE EXPERTS AND WE HAVE TO
LISTEN TO THEIR EXPERTISE AND
THEIR EXPERIENCE AND TO LOSE ONE
KID WHEN YOU SAY UNDER 1
PERCENT, TWO PERCENT, THAT’S TOO
MANY.
FOR ONE CHILD TO DIE, ONE PERSON
TO DIE BECAUSE WE CHOSE NOT TO
MAKE MASKS MANDATED IS
UNACCEPTABLE.
AND WE’RE JUST NOT GOING TO DO
IT, WE VALUE LIVES FIRST.
>> YEAH, IN I CAN, WE HAVE ABOUT
20 SECONDS LEFT IN THE SEGMENT,
DR. OSGOOD, WHY SHOULDN’T ALL
THE TEACHERS IN PRODUCE ARD
COUNTY BE VACCINATED, AS A
REQUIREMENT.
I MEAN SHOULDN’T THEY ALL BE
VACCINATEDDED WHEN THEY ARE IN
THE CLASSROOM WITH KIDS?
NESS WE WOULD LIKE FOR THEM TOO
BUT WE DON’T BELIEVE THAT THE
LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD LEGALLY, WE
HAVE THAT AUTHORITY.
WE ARE LOOKING INTO THAT.
SO WE DON’T HAVE THE AUTHORITY
UNDER OUR PURVIEW TO MANDATE ALL
TEACHERS TO BE VACCINATED.
BUT WE HAVE DECIDED TO GIVE A
$250 INCENTIVE TO ALL EMPLOYEES
THAT ARE VACCINATED AS OUR WAY
OF DOING WHAT WE CAN RIGHT NOW
TO ENCOURAGE VACCINATION.
>> DR. OSGOOD, DR. CARTWRIGHT,
SIT TIGHT, WE WILL TAKE TAY
QUICK BREAK AND CONTINUE OUR
CONVERSATION WHEN WE COME RIGHT
CONVERSATION WHEN WE COME RIGHT BACK. WELCOME BACK, WE ARE TALKING
WITH ROSALIND OSGOOD THE CHAIR
OF THE BROWARD COUNTY SCHOOL
BOARD AND DR. CARTWRIGHT THE ANY
INTERIM SUPERINTENDENT.
DR. CARTWRIGHT, LET ME ASK YOU
IF THERE IS A LESSON TO BE
LEARNED FOR YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT
AND INDEED ALL SCHOOL DISTRICTS
IN THE STATE FROM WHAT HAS GONE
ON THIS WEEK IN PALM BEACH
COUNTY.
I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING
THIS.
SCHOOL THERE STARTED TUESDAY AND
BY FRIDAY A THOUSAND AND 20
CHILDREN HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM
CLASSES, SENT HOME, TOLD TO
QUARANTINE.
134 STUDENTS, 26 STAFF MEMBERS
OR 108 STUDENTS, 26 STAFF
MEMBERS HAD TESTED POSITIVE AND
IT SEEMS THAT IS THE RESULT OF
THE FACT THAT ABOUT 8,000
PARENTS AND STUDENTS OPTED NOT
TO WEAR MASKS.
ALL THEY NEEDED TO DO THAT WAS
JUST A NOTE FROM A PARENT.
NOT A NOTE FROM A DOCTOR.
WHAT IS THERE TO BE LEARNED
THERE FOR BROWARD COUNTY PUBLIC
SCHOOLS?
>> I THINK FIRST AND FORE MOST,
I THINK THE VERY FIRST LESSON IS
THAT OUR BOARD HAS MADE THE
RIGHT DECISION.
AND AGAIN I’M RIGHT THERE
SUPPORTING THEM AND MAKING SURE
THAT WE ARE ALIGNED AND READY TO
GO ON OUR FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL,
WEDNESDAY, WITH THAT MANDATE IN
PLACE.
THE OTHER THING THAT I THINK IS
ALSO IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE IS
THAT WE, IT ST GOING TO BE VERY
IMPORTANT FOR US TO HAVE
FLEXIBILITY AND UNDERSTAND THAT.
AND ASKING FOR OUR PARENTS AND
FOR OUR STAFF MEMBERS IN OUR
COMMUNITY, HAVE GRACE AS WELL.
YOU KNOW, WE’RE NOT OUT OF THE
WOODS ON THIS JUST YET.
THERE IS A LOT MORE COMING.
WE KNOW THAT, BUT EVERY SAFETY
PROTOCOL WE CAN PUT INTO PLACE
IN ORDER TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF
OUR STUDENTS, OUR STAFF MEMBERS
AND OUR COMMUNITY, WE’RE GOING
TO DO.
>> A LITTLE FOLLOWUP, IF I MAY.
BOTTOMLINE SEEMS TO BE THAT YOU
WERE SAYING, THE BOARD IS SAYING
THAT A CHILD IS NOT GOING TO GO
TO A BROWARD COUNTY CLASSROOM
WEARING A MASK AND HAVE TO SIT
NEXT TO A CHILD UNVACCINATED.
WHO IS NOT WEARING A MASK.
I MEAN YOU ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE
MASKLESS KIDS AND MASKED KIDS IN
THE SAME CLASS AT ALL.
>> WELL, THE ONLY EXCEPTION TO
THAT RULE ARE GOING TO BE WHERE
IT ST SOMETHING THAT IS
ALLOWABLE AS AN ACCOMMODATION.
THERE ARE STUDENTS, OR
INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PLAN OR
POSSIBLY A HEALTH PLAN.
THOSE ARE THE ONLY EXEMPTIONS
THAT ARE IN PLACE THERE, BUT
EVEN THEN WE’RE LOOKING TO WHAT
ARE SOME OTHER PROVISIONS THAT
WE CAN PUT INTO PLACE RELATED TO
THAT MASKING IN ORDER TO HELP
CONTROL POTENTIAL SPREAD.
SO I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT.
THE OTHER THING I THINK ALSO
IMPORTANT IS WE’RE STILL
EXAMINING RIT NOW WHAT OUR
GUIDELINES ARE GOING TO BE AS OF
QUARANTINING.
THERE SAY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE
VACCINATED, THOSE WHO ARE NOT
VACCINATED, THOSE WHO ARE
WEARING FACE COVERINGS AND THOSE
WHO ARE NOT WEARING FACE
COVERINGS.
THE MOST RECENT CDC GUIDANCE
THAT CAME OUT ABOUT STUDENTS
WEARING MASKS, VACCINATED TOO,
NOT HAVING TO QUARANTINE IF THEY
ARE NOT SYMPTOMATIC IS A WIN-WIN
FOR THE MASK AND REDUCING THE
NUMBER OF QUARANTINES.
BUT AGAIN WE’RE UNDER REVIEW OF
THOSE GUIDANCES THAT HAVE BEEN
PROVIDED BY THE CDC AND BY THE
STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
>> YOU KNOW, THE FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, WHEN
THOSE RULES CAME OUT, WE’RE ALL
FOCUSING ON THIS MASK MANDATE.
BUT THERE ARE THREE RULES THAT
CAME OUT LAST WEEK, DR. OSGOOD,
ONE OF THEM WAS ABOUT PROVIDING
APPROPRIATE INSTRUCTION FOR
THOSE WHO OPT OUT WHO ARE NOT IN
CLASSROOMS AND BECAUSE WE ARE A
LIVE REALTIME SHOW, WE HAVE A
VIEWER WHO ACTUALLY JUST EMAILED
US.
AND ASKED ABOUT THE POBILITY OF
VIRTUAL SCHOOL BECAUSE THAT’S
ACTUALLY A STATE MANDATE AS
WELL.
CAN YOU TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT,
ARE THERE OTHER COMPONENTS THAT
BROWARD WILL BE DEFYING AND IS
THAT ONE OF THEM?
HOW DO YOU OPT OUT
STUDENTS-- HOW DO OPT OUT
STUDENTS LEARN.
>> WELL, WE’RE NOT INTERPRETING
IT IN THAT WAY.
THE GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER
FOR VIRTUAL LEARNING OR SIN CRON
US LEARNING ENDED.
AND SIN CRON US LEARNING WOULD
BE SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD HAVE
TO COLLECTIVELY BAR TBAIN WITH
OUR UNION GROUP.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR DR. CART
WRIGHT SAID OTHER MEANS OF THOSE
STUDENTS THAT ARE QUARANTINED,
THAT THEY’RE ABLE TO STILL
RECEIVE INSTRUCTION.
WE USE A PLATFORM THAT IS CALLED
CANVAS THAT ALLOWS PARENTS OR
STUDENTS TO HAVE ACCESS TO
EDUCATION 24 HOURS A DAY EVEN
WHEN WE’RE NOT IN COVID.
I THINK ALSO IT IS IMPORTANT TO
MENTION THE WHOLE PART OF THOSE
RULES THAT TALK ABOUT THIS NEW
TERM THAT THE GOVNER AND THE
COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
CREATED ABOUT THIS COVID
HARASSMENT, THAT PARENTS WHO
CHOOSE TO HAVE THEIR STUDENTS
NOT WEAR MASKS, IF WE PUT THEM
IN A SECLUDED AREA OR WE
SEPARATE THEM FROM OTHER
STUDENTS THAT THEY CAN RECEIVE A
SCHOLARSHIP, TO GO TO A PRIVATE
SCHOOL.
BECAUSE NOW THEY ARE SUFFERING
COVID HARASSMENT.
YOU KNOW T ST JUST ANOTHER
ATTEMPT TO TAKE RESOURCES FROM A
PUBLIC SCHOOL WHICH IS NECESSARY
FOR SOME STUDENTS.
I REPRESENT A PREDOMINANTLY
AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY.
THE PARENTS CAN’T AFFORD TO TAKE
THEIR KIDS OUT AND PUT THEM INTO
A PRIVATE SCHOOL AND PAY
$20,000, $30,000 OF TUITION.
SO YOU HAVE A PUBLIC SCHOOL
SYSTEM THAT IS A NECESSITY TO
TAY MAJORITY OF OUR STUDENTS
BECAUSE WE ARE A MINORITY,
MAJORITY COUNTY AND WHEN YOU
CONTINUE TO TAKE RESOURCES AWAY
FROM THAT SCHOOL SYSTEM, IT
REALLY HURTS OUR KIDS.
SO I’M HOPING THAT THE GOVERNOR
AND THE COMMISSIONER OF
EDUCATION WOULD JUST REALLY
SEARCH THEIR SOULS AND LISTEN TO
THE PEOPLE OF BROWARD COUNTY AND
WORK WITH US TO CREATE SAFE,
LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS WITH
ADEQUATE RESOURCES FOR ALL OF
OUR STUDENTS SO THAT THEY CAN
SUCCEED.
I THINK THEY MAY BE ABLE TO
ACHIEVE ACADEMICALLY AND BE
PREPARED FOR THEIR FUTURE.
>> IF I COULD, DR. OSGOOD, JUST
A LITTLE FACT CHECK HERE, I
BELIEVE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT
THE STATE WOULD GIVE TO THE HOPE
SCHOLARSHIP KIDS IS AROUND
$5800.
THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS NOT
GOING TO PAY $20,000 TUITION TO
PINECREST OR GULL I VER, A VERY
FINE PRIVATE SCHOOL.
THAT JUST IS NOT IN THE CARDS.
THEY DON’T DO THAT.
>> THAT’S NOT WHAT I SAID,
MICHAEL.
WHAT I SAID WAS WITH THE HOPE
SCHOLARSHIP THAT IS NOT THE FULL
TUITION.
PRIVATE SCHOOL TUITION STARTS
AROUND 20,000.
SO WITH THAT SCHOLARSHIP, THE
AVERAGE STUDENT, 50% OF OUR
STUDENTS ARE FREE AND REDUCED
LUNCH STUDENTS, SO WITH THAT
SCHOLARSHIP, MANY PARENTS CANNOT
AFFORD TO MAKE UP THE DIFFERENCE
TO FUND A PRIVATE SCHOOL
TUITION.
>> WE.
>> OR PROVIDE THEM TO NOT HAVE
THAT OPPORTUNITY.
>> POINT TAKEN.
WE GOT IT.
ALL RIGHT, DR. ROSALIND OSGOOD,
DR. VICI CARTWRIGHT, GREAT TO
SPEAK WITH YOU THIS MORNING,
GOOD LUCK WHEN CLASSES BEGIN
WEDNESDAY, IS IT NOT, WHEN YOUR
CLASSES RESUME.
>> CORRECT.
>> WEDNESDAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF
SCHOOL.
>> OKAY.
SO HAVE A GREAT FIRST DAY.
HAVE A GREAT YEAR.
>> THANK YOU.
>> AND BEFORE WE GO, MAY I JUST
GIVE CONDOLENCES ON ALL OUR
BEHALF TO YOU AND THE FAMILIES
OFS THREE EDUCATORS WHO LOST
THEIR BATTLE WITH COVID.
WE ARE SO SORRY TO HEAR THAT.