In my Parent newsletter they discuss the diverse population of Broward county schools. I am surprised to see that we have just over a quarter of a million students!! We are the nations sixth largest district with over 283 schools!

For 2007-2008 the break down is 111,419 elementary school age children (Pre K through Grade 5), 53,743 in middle schools (Grade 6 - 8) and 71,378 in high school (Grades 9 - 12). Additionally the districts centers have 5243 students while the charter schools educate 17,122 students.

Over 51.42 % of the Districts students are male, while 48.58 % are female. The Broward county schools include students from 164 countries who speak 52 different languages.

Can you imagine spending $328,000 a day for electricity, or about $61 million a year for air conditioning and lighting??? These figures account for about 73 percent of the total electricity usage in the Broward school system. There is an opportunity for savings and Florida Power and Light (FPL) sees it! FPL has rolled out a new pilot program that puts 256 of the school principals in charge of Energy Tools for Schools where an Energy Coordinator will reduce energy consumption by only a small percentage so a considerable amount of money will be available to reinforce other budgetary needs." GO GREEN FPL

These numbers are just mind boggling to me in terms of educating kids! I have had teenagers, I could not imagine being trapped with 3000 of them in a school!!!

Our teachers deserve more than they get in compensation and reward!