Shirley & Maddy get ready for the School Bus Walk at Tatum Ridge

Shirley Brown Kicks Off Re-Election Bid for School Board Race

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Sarasota, FL – May 25, 2010 With a successful school referendum behind her and a precarious financial future for public education before her, School Board Chair Shirley Brown will launch her re-election campaign among friends, supporters and well-wishers Thursday night at Gecko’s Grill & Pub on Hillview Street in Sarasota on Thursday, May 27 from 5-6:30 p.m.

“It is an honor to serve on a school board in a community that has shown such a strong commitment to providing high quality education. It is a responsibility I take very seriously,” Brown said. During Brown’s term on the school board 95% of elementary and 86 % of middle schools earned an “A” while 84% all schools earned and A or B ranking from the state. Dropout rates are at an all time low and the achievement gap between white and minority students was significantly reduced by 16 points.

Brown’s legislative experience helped her as the district grappled with shrinking property values and tax revenues. She worked to achieve innovative, cost-cutting measures – such as resource conservation, technological efficiencies and administrative cuts -- that spared students and classrooms from feeling the brunt of cutbacks. “I know how to make the tough decisions. I’ve done it for years, both in Tallahassee and in my own business and family budgets.”

Brown feels that one of the highlights of her term was being able to put unemployed workers back to work. The district took advantage of falling construction prices and low interest rates to bond revenues and jump start necessary construction projects. “Voters and taxpayers can feel secure knowing their investment is being well managed. Our district has earned the highest credit score while maintaining one of lowest school tax rates and highest fund balances in the state.”

Prior to being elected to the Sarasota County School Board in 2006, Brown served in the Florida Legislature from 1992-2000. She chaired Business Regulation and Tourism and Cultural Affairs Committees. As chair of the Women’s Legislative Caucus she championed bills that supported women, children and families. Brown’s tenacity helped create model legislation on domestic violence, sexual abuse and crimes against children and earned her a reputation as being one of the state’s leading child advocates.

For more information Shirley Brown, visit ElectShirley.com, email ElectShirley@gmail.com or call 685-0344.

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Political website paid for and approved by Shirley Brown for School Board-District 4.