We are proud that the Jewish Federation of Sarasota Manatee quick action and advocacy helped prevent a damaging budget cut to essential local education.
In early April, parents and educators from Sarasota and Riverview High Schools raised urgent concerns over a proposed state budget that included major cuts to AICE (Advanced International Certificate of Education), IB (International Baccalaureate), and AP courses. As a parent of two daughters in Sarasota’s AICE program, I received the alert alongside other families.
Soon after, two members of our Jewish Community Relations Committee (JCRC), Rachael Feldman and Mary Collier – both parents of students in the AICE and IB programs, reached out to me. They recognized that our Federation had the relationships and resources to collaborate with school administrators, district leaders, elected officials, and peer organizations across the state.
Our first step was to assess the impact of the proposed cuts on the Jewish community. We quickly realized the budget cuts would likely affect the schools’ ability to offer elective courses currently included in these programs. The state of Florida mandates Holocaust instruction, however the rigorous pace in the advanced programs leaves little room within the core curriculum and makes electives essential for in-depth learning. It is in these elective courses that much of Holocaust education takes place in high school. Thus, the proposed cuts threatened not only the academic strength of the programs but also critical education that promotes historical awareness, tolerance, and resilience.
Working alongside concerned parents and JCRC members, we met with district staff and school administrators to understand the full impact of the proposed cuts. We then took our concerns directly to elected officials and encouraged others to do the same. Representative Fiona McFarland welcomed us with genuine interest and took the time to fully understand the issue. When the bill moved to the Senate, Senator Joe Gruters responded with equal care and attentiveness.
Recognizing the statewide implications, our JCRC engaged the Central Florida Regional JCRC Coalition, bringing together representatives from all seven Jewish Federations across Central and West Florida. Under the leadership of JCRC Chair David Fried and our Chief Learning and Engagement Officer Liat Alon, as well as continuous support from JCRC members, our Federation shared updates, encouraged advocacy, and urged other communities to contact their legislators.
After weeks of effort and a tense legislative session, we were relieved to learn that the proposed cuts were eliminated in the conference committee on June 16. While we do not claim sole credit, this outcome underscores the strength of coordinated advocacy and the effectiveness of our Jewish Community Relations and Public Affairs work.
Over the past two years, the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee has been playing a leading role in local, regional, and state-wide advocacy. We remain committed to representing our fast-growing and engaged community and to making it safer, stronger, and better informed.
We are especially grateful to Senator Gruters and Representative McFarland for their swift and sincere support. Their leadership was instrumental in protecting meaningful Holocaust education at a time when antisemitism is rising at unprecedented levels. Through education, collaboration, and strong partnerships, we are helping to equip students with the knowledge and courage to confront hate. We’re proud of our role—and grateful for the community’s support in preserving these vital programs for all Florida students.