Statement by Dr. Phil Constans, Jr. Executive Secretary Florida Education Association Tallahassee, Florida February 19, 1968 Contact: Chuck Cook For Immediate Release The teachers of Florida turned out en masse this morning to show their resolve to make this state adequately finance education, despite frantic threats of reprisal and attempts to intimidate teachers begun over the weekend by some county superintendents and school boards. More than 35,000 teachers were reported attending regional meetings around the state as of 9:30 a.m. At least two large urban areas still have not reported attendance totals because of traffic jams and bad weather. These should be calling in within the hour. It would appear at this time that the teachers of Florida have successfully made their point. We regret having to close schools, but it proved to be the only course left to the profession after the politicians of this state failed to meet their responsibilities to the children. All weekend long we received calls from teachers regarding attempts to threaten or intimidate them by school officials. Despite this reprehensible maneuver, the teachers of Florida have made their decision: In Escambia County, more than 1,400 teachers have packed their meeting area and have already submitted resignations to the school board. Palm Beach County reports 1,600 teachers - with more still arriving. Over 6,000 in Dade County are sitting in a cold, driving rain with block long traffic jams of more teachers still coming. Orange - Seminole County reports more than 1,000 teachers are shivering in an unheated rodeo arena - drafting a reply to Gov. Kirk's open letter to teachers last week. Among other areas - Leon has nearly 400 teachers at the Varsity Theatre, some 600 are attending the State Theatre in Gainesville, and we still have not received reports from Duval or Sarasota.