Students and teachers protest SB6

MIAMI LAKES, Fla. (WSVN) -- More South Florida students continue to step forward to show their support to teachers by walking out of class.

As another protest over instructors' pay is set to start Tuesday evening thanks to the Miami Lakes City Council, Florida Governor Charlie Crist may be taking note.

All day Tuesday, students across South Florida continued to stage walkouts, including hundreds at North Miami High, in hopes of convincing the governor to veto the bill known as SB6.

High school student Tuelmi Gonzalez said, "We need a well-thought-out plan, and this isn't it."

The bill would restructrure the pay and tenure system, linking teachers' salaries to test scores. The governor has said, he still has not decided whether to veto the bill or not. "I want to make sure I have every opportunity to listen to the boss: the people, and hear what their thoughts are, their concerns are," he said, "I don't think I've ever been lobbied this hard."

But teachers who walked the halls of the capitol Tuesday morning delivering petitions want to help him make up his mind. "We have no incentive to go on to get advance degrees, master's degrees or doctorates, because that won't be measured. It really just demoralizes us as teachers," said one teacher.

"I think we should have accountability. I think we should take a measurement of what goes on in the classroom," said the governor.

However, not everyone lobbying the governor is against SB6, including the state's largest business groups. "We know there has been vocal opposition to this legislation," said Marshall Criser of the Council of 100, "but we want the governor to note that education leaders, teachers and business leaders also support him and this bill."

But back in South Florida, the student walkouts continue. At Monarch High School In Coconut Creek, student Lauren Limes said, "We don't want our favorite teachers being fired."

And outside Country Isles Elementary in Weston, teachers spread the word about their view of SB6. "What's inside of it is what legislators have been doing for years in Florida," noted County Isles Elementary teacher Marty Mineo, "underfunding education and pulling the rug right out from under people."

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush has left Crist a voicemail urging him to sign this piece of legislation.

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