FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
John L. Winn
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
KATHLEEN SHANAHAN
LINDA K. TAYLOR
CONTACT PERSON
Name:
Mary Jo Butler
Phone:
(850) 245-0479
Suncom:
205-0479
Email:
maryjo.butler@fldoe.org
K12: 2006-01
MEMORANDUM
To:
District School Superintendents
From:
Cheri Pierson Yecke, Ph.D.
Date:
January 13, 2006
Subject:
PUBLIC SCHOOL OPTIONS FOR PARENTS
I am pleased to announce the allocation of staff within K12 Public Schools to assist you and your
staff, private providers, parents, and families regarding school district controlled open enrollment,
public school options, and No Child Left Behind (NCLB) choice options. I have asked Mary Jo Butler
to take the lead in this new office. She has put together a strong team with resources aligned to
more effectively address your needs, issues, and concerns. You may contact Ms. Butler and her
staff at 850.245.0479 or via email at maryjo.butler@fldoe.org.
In addition, the office will coordinate with the Division of Community Colleges and Workforce
Education regarding programs and operational matters related to secondary career and technical
education (CTE). The goal of this collaboration is to communicate and share information regarding
CTE issues and activities, create opportunities for interdivisional linkages, and align resources to
maximize the effective and efficient delivery of services.
The new office will continue to work closely with other offices within the Department with school
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choice responsibilities, including the Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice, which
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provides leadership related to charter schools, virtual schools, home education, McKay
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Scholarships, Opportunity Scholarships, and the Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship Programs. This
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collaborative effort will ensure that you are provided current and coordinated information and
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assistance on all school choice initiatives and activities.
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CHERI PIERSON YECKE, PH.D.
CHANCELLOR, K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org
District School Superintendents
January 13, 2006
Page Two
Florida continues to focus on increasing the quantity and improving the quality of educational options
for students. It is important to ensure that each student and his or her parents have reasonable
access to a choice of quality public or private education. As a result, Florida provides many choice
options for families. One of the goals of the Department of Education is to provide resources to
parents to assist them in expanding and enhancing educational choices for parents.
Mary Jo and her staff look forward to working with you to ensure that your students and their families
are provided maximum choices for the highest quality educational programs for students. You may
access additional information related to educational choices for parents at 1.800.447.1636 or at
www.floridaschoolchoice.org.
CY:mjbo
cc:
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Assistant Superintendents
for Curriculum and Instruction
Title I Directors
SES Coordinators
SES Providers
