Tag Archives: schools

Plantation Councilwoman Wants To Force State To Teach Students About Critical Race Theory, Reparations and Queer Theory?

According to an item on tonight’s agenda, Plantation Councilwoman Jennifer Andreu wants Broward high students to learn about subjects Florida Governor Ron DeSantis calls “neo-Marxism.” Andreu’s resolution calls on the Florida Department of Education to “reverse its rejection of advanced placement courses covering African-American studies in state high schools.” Andreu wants Mayor Nick Sortal, her fellow Councilmembers and all Plantation residents to oppose the Department of Education’s “position that Advanced Placement (AP) courses covering African-American studies will indoctrinate students to a political agenda.”

In January, Governor DeSantis and Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz rejected the College Board’s planned curriculum for African-American AP classes. DeSantis objected to parts of the curriculum focusing on critical race theory, queerness studies and intersectionality. Commissioner Diaz said, “We proudly require the teaching of African American history. We do not accept woke indoctrination masquerading as education.”

Diaz provided examples of the curriculum that showcased the work of “avowed” Communists and Marxists.

A week later, the College Board removed the objectionable material from the African-American History AP course. The New York Times reported the College Boars “purged the names of many Black writers and scholars associated with Critical Race Theory, The Queer Experience and Black Feminism.”

The New York Times said the College Board “ushered out some politically fraught topics, like Black Lives Matter, from the former curriculum.”

Despite the about-face by the College Board, political opponents and media allies tried to use the AP course rejection to paint DeSantis as an opponent of the study of African-American history. At a Wednesday morning press conference, Governor DeSantis debunked this myth.

Under his watch, DeSantis said Florida expanded the scope of required teaching of African-American history. He said required courses cover colonial life to the Jim Crow era to modern day topics. According to the Governor’s office, “The Governor has signed legislation that ensures that Florida’s students learn about the 1920 Ocoee Election Day Riots in addition to requiring instruction on slavery, the Civil War, and Jim Crow laws.”

On Wednesday, DeSantis described portions of the AP curriculum removed by The College Board as “neo-Marxism.”

Does Councilwoman Jennifer Andreu want Broward Schools to teach students these neo-Marxism topics?

Why is Andreu even wasting Council meeting time on a moot point? The Department of Education prevailed when the College Board revised the curriculum last month. Plantation is powerless to direct Governor DeSantis, the Department of Education or The College Board on any matter?

Does Councilwoman Andreu have other reasons to criticize Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Education?

Since January, Democrats and media allies have blasted DeSantis’ attempts to root out Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs in Florida universities.

“I think people want to see true academics and they want to get rid of some of the political window dressing that seems to accompany all this,” DeSantis said at a news conference in Bradenton, adding that DEI and CRT programs would get “No funding, and that will wither on the vine.”

Since December 2019, Jennifer Andreu, a Democrat, has served as the Miami-Dade Schools Assistant Superintendent for Diversity and Equity. Before that, Andreu spent a year as Miami-Dade Schools Economic Equity and Diversity Compliance Officer.

REDBROWARD asked Ms. Andreu about her resolution. As of publication, she had not responded.

Plantation Councilwoman Jennifer Andreu

What Will School Board Candidate Allen Zeman Do If Neil Sterling Tries To Put Broward Schools In His “Blender?”

“I am proud to have earned the Sun Sentinel’s thoughtful endorsement. They agree that our school board has an unacceptable culture, lacks transparency and ethical standards, and needs change. When elected, I will not accept ANY gifts from vendors and I will create an ethics advisory panel to advise board members. Broward’s students deserve better.”

Allen Zeman, July 14, 2022
Neil Sterling’s Client List. Is Broward Next?
Allen Zeman

Broward School Board candidate Allen Zeman talks a good game when it comes to corruption. Zeman likes to use buzzwords like ethics and transparency. Yet, when REDBROWARD asked him about support from “mega-lobbyist” Neil Sterling, Zeman was anything but transparent.

Zeman did not respond to our phone call or emails about Sterling. After our story was published, Zeman scrubbed Neil Sterling from his campaign website. Allen Zeman would rather hide his ties to Neil Sterling than answer simple questions.

Let’s assume Zeman is victorious in his campaign against incumbent School Board Member Donna Korn.

What happens if Neil Sterling seeks a contract with Broward Schools?

A contract for what you ask? Isn’t Neil Sterling just a lobbyist?

Sterling is the owner of Blender Solutions, a Fort Lauderdale based technology company offering digital solutions to teachers and students. According to its website, Neil Sterling founded Blender Solutions thirteen years ago, the exact same time when School Board Member Beverly Gallagher was arrested on corruption charges. Sterling and his partner Barbara Miller were two of Gallagher’s closest advisors.

Two of Blender Solutions’ biggest clients are Miami-Dade Public Schools and The School District of Palm Beach County.

Sterling’s company sponsored technology conferences for Palm Beach Schools and “powers” the District’s website.

Makes sense that Fort Lauderdale native Neil Sterling would want to provide services for his hometown schools, no?

What would Board Member Allen Zeman if Blender Solutions seeks a deal with Broward Schools?

Why did Zeman use same picture of Neil Sterling that’s on the Blender Solutions website?

Broward voters deserve answers, no?

Blender Solutions Neil Sterling
Allen Zeman version of Neil Sterling

(Editors Note: This reporter served on the Broward Schools Diversity Committee as an appointee of two board members, the final one being Donna Korn. I have not had any contact with Korn since 2018.)