Important Message from Mayor Peter Bober about Education in Hollywood

Friday June 12th, 2009

8:30 p.m.

Received the email message below from Hollywood Mayor Peter Bober's office this afternoon while

I was in Aventura. http://www.hollywoodfl.org/city_commission/mayor.htm

This is excellent news for reasons that I will amplify over the weekend, using some statistics that are very telling about the sad sack state of education in Southeast Broward County in the year 2009, and whether there is enough accountability of the people responsible at the Broward County School Board.

Mayor Bober is clearly thinking ahead and showing some leadership on this isssue, something that for all of her talk, bluster and grand pronouncements in emails, Hallandale Beach Mayor Joy Cooper has NEVER done on this important issue.

Total number of workshops, forums and City Commissions meetings held in Hallandale Beach on the topic of a city-run charter school since Joy Cooper became mayor in 1999: ZERO.

I'll be at Tuesday's meeting and I urge you to do the same, or at least watch the proceedings via the City of Hollywood's live webcasting system, which is pretty good.

http://www.hollywoodfl.org/city_clerks/meetings_webcast.htm

I have a feeling that Tuesday's going to be a very lively afternoon!

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Dear Residents:

When I was sworn in as Hollywood's Mayor, I vowed to make education a top priority. Notwithstanding that the Broward County School Board is, ultimately, charged with insuring educational quality in Hollywood's schools, we, too, have a role to play. It is for this reason that I believe Hollywood should explore the feasibility of a city-run charter school.

As mayor, I have called a Special City Commission meeting on June 16, 2009 at 4:00 P.M. in Room 219 at City Hall, 2600 Hollywood Boulevard, for the purpose of taking the first step in opening a city-run charter school in Hollywood. At this meeting, we will take public comment on whether to apply for a charter so a school may be opened in the near-term. Through this message, I am requesting you come and speak at this meeting. I also request that you forward this email to every Hollywood resident who shares an interest in school issues.

Hollywood has some excellent schools—of this there is no doubt. But the perception that Hollywood's schools are sub-par is an unfortunate reality which confronts us, each day. This negative perception causes young families to move out of Hollywood, and causes families looking to relocate, to go elsewhere. It stymies our redevelopment efforts, and prevents us from taking Hollywood to the next level.

Educational choice is extremely important, and there is absolutely no reason why Hollywood's schools cannot be the best in Broward County. A city-run charter school will not be a panacea, but it can be a step towards making Hollywood's schools more competitive. This initiative needs your support. If you do not speak out, who will?

In conclusion, it is a great honor to serve as Mayor of the city where I grew up. Children are the greatest resource we have in this city. They are our future, our lifeblood. As leaders, there is no better way to insure Hollywood's future prosperity than by insuring the success of its youth, today. I hope to see you on June 16th at 4:00 P.M.

Sincerely,

Peter Bober, Mayor
City of Hollywood, Florida
Phone: 954-921-3321
Fax: 954-921-3386
E-Mail: pbober@hollywoodfl.org