Rep. Wasserman Schultz and Broward schools chief Robert Runcie urge support for jobs bill

The Hollywood school played host to Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Broward Superintendent Robert Runcie, who held a news conference in the school’s library calling for support of President Barack Obama’s jobs bill.

The bill, which would bring $1.28 billion in K-12 education funding to Florida, has been stalled in Congress since it was introduced in September.

“Unfortunately, partisan politics has made it so Republicans seem interested in one job — Barack Obama’s,” Wasserman Schultz said. “Democrats have been fighting to make sure that we can create and save American jobs. Simply because of partisan gridlock, we have this bill languishing that would put a shot in the arm to the economy right now. “

Wasserman Schultz, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, encouraged a small group of journalism students and staff in attendance to contact lawmakers to express their support for the $447 billion package.

Broward stands to receive $125 million from the bill and Miami-Dade could receive $267 million as part of the package that includes tax cuts and tax credits for individuals and small businesses, along with money for infrastructure projects like repairing roadways and fixing crumbling schools.

Runcie said the money was “urgently” needed in Broward, where the district had to lay off more than 1, 100 teachers this school year and cut elective course offerings.

“America can do better than this,” Runcie said. “This is supposed to be the country that every child has a shot at a quality education and a shot at the American dream. Investing in our children and education is the only way we’re going to secure a strong future in the 21st Century.”

Runcie, who got his start in education under U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan when he headed Chicago Public Schools, said 60 percent of the Broward School District’s computers are out of warranty and need to be updated.

“We need to set our priorities,” Runcie said. “This is not just about jobs; it’s a down payment on our future.”

At a joint meeting last week of the Miami-Dade and Broward school boards, Runcie and Miami-Dade School Superintendent Alberto Carvalho expressed their support for the bill, agreeing to push for more funding for schools at the state and federal level.