A new statewide education advocacy organization is entering the conversation around public schools in Florida, aiming to push for stronger policy, increased transparency and improved student outcomes.
Educating Florida’s Future (EFF), founded by Pinellas County School Board member Laura Hine, will host its first public town hall on April 30 in St. Petersburg. The event is designed to introduce the group’s priorities and engage the community on key issues facing the state’s PreK–12 system.
Hine says the organization stems from more than a decade of personal and professional involvement in education.
“A little more than 10 years ago I came alive to public education,” Hine said. “Over the years I became involved in local school level, state level. You start to pull the thread. I’m someone who believes excellence at scale is possible.”
EFF is focused on strengthening public education through advocacy and policy leadership, with a particular emphasis on early learning and academic benchmarks. Among the concerns Hine highlights are stagnant third grade reading scores and gaps in access to early education.
“If we believe in, invest in, and lead our K-12 schools, we will impact our future,” she said.
One of the organization’s key goals is expanding access to early childhood education, particularly for underserved communities.
“What I would love is full-day funded pre-K, (grades) 3 and 4 funding for economically disadvantaged students,” Hine said.
Beyond early learning, Hine points to teacher recruitment and retention as a central issue in improving outcomes statewide. She argues that investing in educators is one of the most effective ways to strengthen the system. “Early learning is first and foremost, so recruiting and retaining best and brightest teachers. They are the number one impact,” she said, noting that more work is needed to make the profession more attractive to top talent.
EFF is also advocating for greater transparency in how education dollars are spent, a topic that has drawn increasing attention in recent legislative sessions. Hine believes clearer accountability can help build public trust and ensure resources are used effectively.
The organization will address complex (and often contentious) topics such as school consolidation, as districts respond to shifting enrollment trends, though she expressed that school consolidation could increase funding opportunities to better serve students.
“Trying to do better at scale,” Hine noted. “If I now have more students we can get more funding.”
Florida’s public school system serves approximately 2.8 million students and employs more than 350,000 teachers and staff, making it one of the largest in the nation. As debates over funding, vouchers, and accountability continue, Hine says EFF aims to give communities a clearer understanding of the system — and a stronger voice in shaping its future.
The April 30 town hall will take place from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the President Barack Obama Main Library in St. Petersburg and is open to the public.
