Leon County Schools Superintendent Jackie Pons believes legislators should have been able to hear input from educators before quickly passing Senate Bill 4 and 6 on to Governor Charlie Crist.

Senate Bill 4 toughens graduation requirements and replaces part of the FCAT with end of course exams. And the controversial Senate Bill 6 links a portion of teachers' pay to student performance.

"I'm surprised not many of our teachers were contacted about either one of these bills. You know, wouldn't you want to come right here in the classroom in Leon County to talk to teachers about what needs to be done. They're the ones that deliver curriculum everyday. They're the ones that we need to cut red tape in the classroom, let them do what they do best, which is teach children. And this legislature should of been there, they should of been in the classrooms. But instead it seems like they're already made their mind up and that's what concerns me," explained Pons.

He went on to say that he's concerned these unfunded mandates will add to the financial crisis. In the past three years Leon County schools have had to cut $50 million from their budget.

"We have no problem in Leon County with high standards, performance pay, and any initiative we're willing to try that. But at the same time, the past three years we've gone through some of the most difficult funding times in the history of education here in our county. And some of these bills are unfunded mandates from the legislature and we can't just put that on the backs of local school districts," said Pons.

Governor Crist has until Midnight Friday to act on the legislation. He can either sign it, veto it, or do nothing which will allow it to go into law.