Chief of Staff Information Item

DATE:	Tuesday, May 9, 2017
TO:	School Board Members
FROM:	Jeff Eakins, Superintendent
SUBJECT / RECOMMENDATIONS
Recognition of Armwood High School Student Participation in the "Ought to Be a Law" Program (Chief of Staff)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
"Ought to Be a Law" is a student-led civic engagement program that provides Hillsborough County public school students with the opportunity to draft legislation. The program started in 2004. Students travel to Tallahassee during the legislative session to meet with legislators, testify at committee meetings, and serve as advocates for civic engagement.  This year's proposed legislation, House Bill 63 and Senate Bill 176, sought to provide a tax exemption for feminine hygiene products. The bill was sponsored by Florida State Representative Jake Raburn and received widespread bipartisan support, gaining 28 co-sponsors in the House and seven co-sponsors in the Senate. The bill was taken up by the House Ways and Means Committee and became part of a larger tax package in House Bill 7109. The Ought to Be a Law team this year included Armwood High School seniors Allie Cote, Kelsey Keathley, Destiny Pilcher, and Kiana Rivera; and Armwood High School social studies teacher Tony Pirotta.
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
All Strategic Objectives
FINANCIAL IMPACT (Budgeted:  No)
N/A
EVALUATION
N/A
SUBMITTED BY:  Kristin Davis, Department Manager, Government Relations

		Dr. Alberto Vázquez
		Chief of Staff (813) 272-4986
		A 19
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20170509_812 (Board Recognition Meeting) * Section A Item# 19