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provisions in the proposed program for continued education. The <br />proposal is that juveniles who are serving time would earn gaintime <br />only if they attend classes and successfully complete those <br />classes. <br />Mr. Idlette agreed there is merit to the proposed legislation, <br />but he did not want it to be financed at the expense of public <br />education. Chairman Marine also was concerned about the funding <br />because when programs like this came up in the past, public <br />education funding suffered. He concurred that any juvenile justice <br />program needs teeth in it because under our current system <br />juveniles know that they are not going to be punished. He was sure <br />that the real answer to the problem is for every school district to <br />have a well -funded and well -staffed education system. He stressed <br />that we must return to our sense of morality and to the concept of <br />the family unit. <br />State Attorney Colton agreed and added that he would rather <br />see the legislation fail than have it passed and not funded, but he <br />stressed that it is time for the people of the state of Florida to <br />face this problem and give it more than lip service. <br />Mr. Lindsey referred to an article in the newspaper about <br />students whose parents threw them out of the home but who managed <br />to be successful in school. He asked what the law can do to make <br />parents accountable for the actions of their children. <br />State Attorney Colton believed that through legislation we can <br />make parents more accountable for their children's actions, but <br />there are parents who care very much what their children do but <br />cannot control them. Whatever we do in the criminal justice system <br />and in the school system cannot rebuild family relationships. We <br />should not dwell on family problems and make excuses for why these <br />juveniles commit crimes. We must act to make our community safer. <br />There are many children who come from broken homes, single parent <br />homes, or dysfunctional homes who work at making successes of <br />themselves. Ten percent or less of juveniles growing up today <br />commit these crimes. We must not allow that ten percent to make <br />other students afraid to go to school. We must show the juveniles <br />who commit crimes that we no longer will tolerate their actions. <br />Francis Wagner, County Council PTA chairman, asked whether it <br />would be possible to compel parents to accompany their child when <br />that child is performing community service as punishment. <br />State Attorney Colton believed there are judges who are trying <br />to do that now, but there may be constitutional limitations in that <br />regard. <br />11 <br />JAN 3x.19 BOOK 91 Fr,uf.66?7 <br />