June 25, 2021

James Ring: Dear Senator Scott: Thanks, but…

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On May 25, James Ring, a mathematics teacher at Polo Park Middle School, in Wellington, received a letter of congratulations from Sen. Rick Scott for an honor he’d received. Ring felt the need to respond:

Dear Senator Scott,

I recently received your letter of congratulation on being named an Extraordinary Educator by the Economic Council of Palm Beach County. After reading your letter, I have to admit I was left a bit confused by some of your self-gratifying statements, but certainly want to thank you for your recognition.

You mentioned how you made historic investments in early education, K-12 public schools and universities. To my recollection, during your first year in office as governor of Florida you cut $1.3 billion in K-12 funding, and during your second year in office you cut $300 million from higher education funding. I’m not sure, but that doesn’t seem to be an investment, more like defunding.

In addition, during your time in office, state employees took a 3% cut in salaries to shore up our state pension plan, which had no economic rationale since our state has always enjoyed one of the healthiest state pension plans and has always been fully funded.

I also recall how hard you did work in the expansion of charter schools and directing public education funds toward private and religious schools, even though deemed to violate our state’s Constitution.

So, Senator, thank you for your recognition. I was able to achieve this honor despite all your efforts to dismantle public education.”

Sincerely,

James D. Ring, M.M.S.

Read more, including Scott’s original letter, here.

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