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Florida State Sen. Thrasher: No need to consult locals



Reader Comment: His quote: "I didn't know I had to do that. I get their point, but I assume they introduce various things at the school board without talking to me," said Thrasher, adding he was "always happy to talk with them about it."

Politicians are elected as representatives of the people. So he's saying that since the people he represents don't consult with him on various issues, he doesn't think he should have to consult with them? Nice. Sounds so very mature...let's see how well that attitude works for him in the next election.

Reader Comment:Does this guy understand who he works for???

Ohanian Comment: I hope teachers and other citizens begin to understand who these politicos are really beholden to.

By Marcia Lane

State Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, calls the teacher merit pay bill "a pretty positive piece of legislation," and as far as he's concerned there's no need to mend fences with St. Johns County educators, parents and school board members who are angry they were not consulted beforehand about the monumental legislation.

Asked if he had talked about the specific proposal with Superintendent Joe Joyner, the St. Johns County School Board or local education groups beforehand, Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, said no.

"I didn't know I had to do that. I get their point, but I assume they introduce various things at the school board without talking to me," said Thrasher, adding he was "always happy to talk with them about it."

Thrasher says he's hearing approval from the public as they get a "better understanding" of the true nature and benefits of the bill after "the lies and misrepresentations the unions told."

The merit pay concept "isn't anything new. ... I guess it's time has come," Thrasher said.

How's it going to help the St. Johns County School District, which is the top-rated in the state?

"I think it's going to reward good teachers with more pay, teachers who perform in the classroom will make more money on the basis of students' achievement ... It's going to make sure teachers are focused on the classroom," he said.

Low-performing schools, of which he wasn't certain St. Johns County had any, will have a chance to improve because teachers there will get an extra incentive, he said.

As far as Thrasher knows neither the St. Johns County superintendent nor any school board members had contacted him about Senate Bill 6. He said he had talked with Jacksonville officials.

"I don't think I ever received the first request from any of the (St. Johns County) school board members (to talk)," Thrasher said late Tuesday.

He said he had spoken with Joyner about education issues and talked with him in Tallahassee during a hearing.

"When (Thrasher) first got elected, he came and met with me," Joyner said Tuesday. "I never talked about Senate Bill 6 with Sen. Thrasher."

Late Tuesday Thrasher called Joyner to tell him his door was always open and Joyner could "always talk to him about anything. He asked (about the board workshop), and I told him about the concerns of the board that we weren't consulted."

Thrasher told him then that he "didn't even know he was going to file the bill," when they talked last year, Joyner said.

"I'm always grateful when I'm given the opportunity to give input especially prior to a bill being introduced," Joyner said, adding he knew Thrasher didn't "owe" him an opinion. "Nobody owes me anything. I certainly respect the authority of the position he's in."

Joyner told Thrasher both the association for state school boards and the association of superintendents had put their case to the legislator before the bill was passed. Some amendments to the Senate bill were made.

"I shared with him my support for our teachers and the outstanding job they are doing," Joyner said. "The proof is in their performance."

Thrasher, the Republican elected last year to fill a seat left vacant by the death of Sen. Jim King, was lead sponsor for Senate Bill 6 that whipped through the Florida Legislature two weeks ago. The House is to vote on a duplicate bill this week.

Thrasher served eight years in the Florida House while living in Clay County and is a former speaker of the House. He moved to St. Johns County to run in the special election for King's seat in 2009 and faces another election this year.




— Marcia Lane
St. Augustine Record
2010-04-07
http://staugustine.com/news/local-news/2010-04-07/thrasher-no-need-consult-locals

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