The State of Florida may be short on money, but we, as Pre-K providers, are not short on quality. We continue to strive to meet the state-mandated guidelines. We also seek to meet the needs of our students and their families.
As the article Sun-Sentinel, Feb. 3] states, “It was never well-funded in the eyes of early childhood professionals in the beginning.” Florida ranks 34th out of 38 States [that fund Pre-K]. That is setting the children of Florida up for failure. The voters want a “high quality” program.
As a private faith-based provider the success of our pre-kindergarten program relies on the voluntary pre-kindergarten funding for 4-year-olds. We cannot survive on the reductions of per-student spending. Curriculum is always fine-tuned at our school to meet the children’s basic needs. Once these are met, the child can concentrate on learning.
I am praying that the lawmakers in Tallahassee will find the funds to continue this valuable program. Just as the article states “… the irony, to many program advocates, is that pre-K has been successful, despite the financial difficulties.”
As long as First Christian is able to operate the school in these difficult financial times, we will continue to create an environment supporting the leaders of tomorrow.
Helen M. Magnuson
Director – First Christian Day School
Pompano Beach
Freedom of the press?
Dear Editor:
For many years, Century Village East (CVE) decision-making was dominated by Mr. Trinchitella who built a powerful autocratic political machine with interlocking membership on decision-making bodies.
A new group is effectively following in his wake, resulting, in the instance below, in suppression of opinion within CVE.
The umbrella organization of the numerous local CVE building associations is the Condominium Owners Organization of Century Village East, whose elected president is Mr. Steven Fine.
The substantial monthly newspaper and the main source of information available to residents distributed free to each of the buildings is the CVE Reporter. Its Editor-in-Chief is the same Mr. Fine, who serves under a board appointed by the COOCVE Board, at the recommendation of COOCVE President Mr. Fine. His appointments are his close allies, including two of the CVE Reporter’s prime columnists/reporters.
1. Mr. Fine informs CVE in his Reporter December column as COOCVE President that he will require the COOCVE Board of Directors to assume the legal costs he is incurring, which are not covered by Directors and Officers insurance policy or he will leave his volunteer positions. Mr. Fine is a defendant in two actions brought against him, one by the State of Florida for assaulting a COOCVE owner, the other a related civil suit, plus two actions he brought against owner-critics for defamation.
2. Opponents of his position respond with their arguments.
3. Reporter Editor-in-Chief Mr. Fine refuses to print their response as a letter to the CVE Reporter, giving specious reasons at a public meeting when asked about it.
Freedom of the press indeed is enjoyed by those who control the press. Democracy and Fairness are victims.
