Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–April 15
Apr 15, 2010
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Gov. Crist vetoes teacher tenure bill
After weeks of protest and a deluge of messages, Gov. Charlie Crist on Thursday vetoed a bill that would link teacher pay to student test scores and wipe out tenure for new teachers.
Veto choice may signal Crist’s political plans
Gov. Charlie Crist’s decision in the next two days on the fate of a controversial teacher bill may well decide his political future.
Contentious education bill becomes test for statewide candidates
At a recent campaign pitch to the Florida Farm Bureau, attorney general candidate Holly Benson fielded this discordant question: “Where do you stand on Senate Bill 6?”
How education in Florida could change
While the battle over teacher merit pay intensifies, other legislation would affect students for years to come
With teacher merit pay holding center stage for the past week, the Legislature’s other efforts to overhaul Florida public schools are being overshadowed.
The battle over the teacher tenure bill is the latest in a long-running war between the Florida teachers union and conservative Republicans.
Former Gov. Bush: Still in charge at the Capitol?
Ease class-size limits – check. Cut corporate income taxes – check. End tenure for new teachers and link teacher raises to student performance – check (for now).
Jeb Bush: Senate Bill 6 rewards great teachers with higher salaries
A quality education can change a life. It opens the door to opportunity by preparing a person for success after school. It can end the cruel cycle of poverty and prevent a lifetime of dependence on government. It can instill a lifetime love of learning.
Teacher merit pay captures attention across U.S.
The push is on across the nation to reward teachers whose students achieve, with Florida out front. Unknown still: whether a bill to that effect will become law.
Florida school voucher plan gaining steam
A plan to revive state-paid tuition vouchers for students in parochial schools made two giant strides toward Florida’s November ballot Tuesday.
Broward School Board pushes furloughs to save $6 million to $31 million
Teachers union opposes idea
Broward County Public Schools could save $6.3 million if all employees agreed to a one-day furlough next school year, Superintendent James Notter told the School Board on Tuesday. A weeklong furlough would save the district, which is facing a possible $100 million budget shortfall, $31.7 million.
Budget proposal avoids teacher layoffs in Brevard
Several programs, services face cuts
The Brevard County School Board examined a plan Tuesday afternoon to cut about $12.7 million from the district’s $533 million operating budget, one that could eliminate as many as 96 employees.
Summer school avoids cuts in Miami-Dade
Despite the weak economy, the Miami-Dade school district isn’t cutting back on summer school. Summer school is on.
This year, the Miami-Dade school district is offering free summer classes to middle and high school students who need to make up credit.
Polk Schools to Get Less Revenue
Property taxes expected to fall along with funding from the state.
The Polk County School District got more bad financial news on Tuesday.Property taxes are expected to fall by 9 percent to 12 percent this year, said Mark Grey, assistant superintendent of business services.
Sarasota County schools to cut $6 million more
Special tax cannot make up for losses
Even after convincing voters to give them an extra $40 million in annual tax money, Sarasota School District officials need to cut more than $6 million in spending in the coming school year.
Blog: Orange County School Board raises taxes by .25%
Orange County homeowners may be paying an extra 25 cents for every $1,000 of taxable property value next year.
St. Lucie schools could lose 300 jobs by 2011-2012 school year
As many as 300 jobs may be at risk at the St. Lucie School District in the 2011-2012 school year if additional revenue is not found to replace federal stimulus dollars, school officials said Tuesday night.
Harsh cuts ahead make strong state support for education imperative
Another round of ugly cuts to programs and staff lies ahead as Brevard Public School leaders grapple with a loss of as much as $12 million in funding from its $533 million operating budget for next year.
Florida school district studying employee clinic
An employee health clinic would create a healthier workforce and likely result in long-term cost savings for the Manatee County School District, an administrator told the board Wednesday.
Blog: Who’s the leanest district of them all? Hernando
The Hernando school district is the least top-heavy district in Florida and by far the least top-heavy of the four in the Tampa Bay area, according to the latest Department of Education figures.
College tuition costs in Florida likely to rise again
For the second year in a row, students at state universities might be seeing double-digit increases in tuition. Part of the increase would come from additional charges the schools are allowed to impose.
U.S. Senate Democrats want bailout for public school jobs
The Senate’s most powerful Democrat on education unveiled a $23 billion bailout for public schools on Wednesday, hoping to keep classrooms staffed as cash-strapped states burn through the last of their federal stimulus dollars.
Chances appear better this year for abortion limits, school prayer and school vouchers
Abortion, school prayer and school vouchers are perennial issues that conservative lawmakers try to advance and Democrats consistently oppose.
Florida bill aims to decriminalize teen ‘sexting’
A bill in the Florida Legislature seeks to make ‘sexting’ between minors a noncrime — at least the first time they get in trouble.
Pull up your sagging pants, Florida legislator tells students
Orlando Sen. Gary Siplin again pushes ban on exposing underwear
Pull up those droopy drawers, son. Waging a campaign against low-slung jeans, state Sen. Gary Siplin is pushing a bill to require schools to ban “clothing that exposes underwear or body parts.”
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