Speak Monday, or forever hold your peace

The last public hearing on the state's proposed new science standards is Monday in Orlando – and if you feel passionate enough to say yea or nay in person, you'd better do it now.

The Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the issue in Tallahassee on Feb. 19. But according to a press release issued by the Department of Education today, "time at this meeting will be reserved for board deliberation only." In other words, they won't be taking any more public comment that day.

The Monday hearing runs from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Orlando Hyatt at Orlando International Airport, 9000 Airport Blvd. You can also watch the hearing via a live Web cast at www.fldoe.org.

- Ron Matus, state education reporter