TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) — Come November, Leon County voters will see a Children Services Council on their ballots.
Leon County Schools weighs in to see how it will impact our communities and if the district will support it.
The tax-funded council would provide more resources for children and families struggling with poverty, school readiness, and juvenile crime.
In 2018 the Leon County Commission approved a planning committee for the council.
If it passes, the council will cost taxpayers an estimated $8 million and operate for 12 years before being voted on again.
Made up of ten members, the Superintendent and a school board member would sit on the council.
School Board member Alva Striplin is on the committee and says she believes this would be an asset to many of the students they serve.
Whether the ten-member council is implemented will be decided on November 3.
"We see a lot of our children that come from generational poverty," said Striplin. "They come through kindergarten not prepared; they come not having received reading instruction. We hope this will have some impact that we will see some changes that could impact these kids' lives for the rest of their lives."
Striplin says while there has been opposition to the council from many people, she hopes they look at the community need right now.
"This is the time, now more than ever, especially with the pandemic to make a difference," Striplin said. "To see that possible change in our children's lives, to invest in their future, and that's what it's going to take, resources."
The council will focus on three areas: success in school life, healthy children and families, and nurturing families and communities.
Striplin says she hopes the board will pass a resolution of this council's support at Tuesday's meeting.
The board will also be discussing raises for teachers and a pilot program for student Chromebooks.
