FLORIDA, USA — In-classroom instruction or e-learning?
It's a debate playing out across the country and with Florida's first day of school quickly approaching, districts across Tampa Bay are working urgently to modify calendars, delay activities, and build new learning models that accommodate parent choices.
10 Tampa Bay report Liz Crawford learned in her district, parents are give the option between traditional instruction at the school or some form of online learning. Last month the state's executive order required all schools to open five days a week.
Many politicians have been vocal about their stance on the executive order and whether sending people back into schools is the right decision but 10 Tampa Bay wanted to know what our lawmakers decided for their own families.
Here's a list of Senators and Representatives in the greater Tampa Bay area. As we hear back, we'll update this story.
SENATE
Senator Wilton Simpson (R-Citrus, Hernando, Pasco)
Simpson's grandchildren are too young yet for school. He sent a statement that said in part:
What I support is the ability of parents to choose online or in person instruction for their children. They will make the best decisions for their children.
Senator Ed Hooper (R-Pasco, Pinellas)
Hooper has four school-aged grandchildren. He said as of now, his family is still trying to figure out what they're going to do. Hooper said they've been "grinding over it."
Senator Janet Cruz (D- Hillsborough)
Senator Darryl Rouson (D- Hillsborough, Pinellas)
"Well we want a hybrid. We want the option to attend but we’re going to learn as much as we can online and virtually." (Rouson has an incoming high school freshman.)
Senator Tom Lee (R- Pasco, Hillsborough, Polk)
Senator Bill Galvano (R- Hillsborough, Manatee)
Senator Kelli Stargel (R- Lake, Polk)
Senator Joe Gruters (R- Sarasota, Charlotte)
Gruters is a father of three and told us he supports the executive order and intends to send his two school-aged children back to in-person learning.
Senator Jeff Brandes (R- Pinellas)
Senator Ben Albritton (R- Polk, Hardee, DeSoto, Charlotte, Highlands, Glades, Okeechobee)
Albritton's wife has been home schooling his three kids since 2010 and will continue to do so this coming school year.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AMBER MARIANO (R-Pasco)
ARDIAN ZIKA (R-Pasco)
RANDALL MAGGARD (R-Pasco)
JOSIE TOMKOW (R-Osceola, Polk)
COLLEEN BURTON (R-Polk)
SAM H. KILLEBREW (R-Polk)
MIKE LA ROSA (R-Osceola, Polk)
MELONY M. BELL (R-DeSoto, Hardee, Polk)
MIKE BELTRAN (R-Hillsborough)
LAWRENCE MCCLURE (R-Hillsborough)
ADAM ROGER HATTERSLEY (D-Hillsborough)
JACKIE TOLEDO (R-Hillsborough)
DIANNE HART (D-Hillsborough)
SUSAN L. VALDÉS (D-Hillsborough)
FENTRICE DRISKELL (D-Hillsborough)
Driskell does not have any children but sent the following statement:
"The statewide mandate to open schools in the face of Florida’s rising COVID-19 cases is an endangerment to our students and educators and oversteps home rule and our local districts’ ability to decide what’s best for their communities. These plans are a slight to the promise of a “step-by-step” reopening process and fail to take into account the data, science, legitimate concerns of parents, teachers, administrators, and students, and need for an equitable approach given that some communities—especially black and brown communities—have been hit harder by COVID-19 than others. We need a more thoughtful and deliberate process that will ensure the safety of every student and school worker and that will provide the best foundation for our students’ academic success, especially those who may not have adequate resources to take advantage of distance learning."
JAMES GRANT (R-Hillsborough, Pinellas)
CHRIS SPROWLS (R-Pinellas)
NICK DICEGLIE (R-Pinellas)
"My wife and I have decided to send our two children back to school. Our daughter is 15 and she will be entering 10th grade and is attending Largo High School. Our son is 12 and he will be entering 7th grade and is attending Blessed Sacrament Catholic School..."
CHRIS LATVALA (R-Pinellas)
BEN DIAMOND (D-Pinellas)
JENNIFER NECOLE WEBB (D-Pinellas)
WENGAY NEWTON (D-Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas, Sarasota)
Newton's family is keeping his grandchildren home. He said, "Our two youngest grandboys, their mother already has them at home. They’re excelling. They’re already A students and they’re doing great."
WILLIAM ROBINSON, JR. (R-Manatee, Sarasota)
MARGARET GOOD (D-Sarasota)
TOMMY GREGORY (R-Manatee, Sarasota)
JAMES BUCHANAN (R-Sarasota)
"With the proper safety precautions in place we can successfully get kids back into the classroom to continue their educational and social development. My children are not of grade school age, but we are planning on sending our oldest daughter to Pre-K this fall."
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