Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–Aug. 31

Aug 31, 2007

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Dade schools must replenish reserves

Millions more spent on energy costs, the hiring of more teachers and other expenses caused the Miami-Dade school district to raid an already tight $70 million rainy day fund this summer, using almost half the money to keep the system in the black.

IRS urged to pursue government delinquents

Federal offices owe some $45 million in delinquent withholding taxes and the Internal Revenue Service needs to do more to ensure that the government lives up to its taxpaying obligations, according a report issued Friday.

Broward budget cuts hit single parents

Last year, single parents were able to persuade Broward County commissioners to continue to pay for a program that helps collect past-due child support.

City workers rip firings, claim union faces hostility

PORT ST. LUCIE — Wearing red shirts and toting signs that screamed “Save our workers!” and “All we want is dignity!” about 60 municipal employees gathered outside city hall Thursday to protest what they called fear and intimidation tactics by supervisors.

Nasty real-estate loophole should not be tolerated

In mid September, a special legislative session gears up to tackle a huge state budget deficit. State agencies, non-profit organizations, school districts and small counties are squirming.

Today’s Letters: A good lesson in government

No one will ever mistake me for being a shrinking violet when it comes to publicly expressing my negative feelings toward our abhorrent property tax system and skyrocketing homeowners insurance rates.

Pre-K dilemma: Broward’s worst schools in poor areas

Nearly all of Broward County’s poorly rated preschools are in poor or working-class neighborhoods — the very communities the state says are most in need of children having an early start to education.

Maybe this wasn’t the best move for Faliero

My three kids have embarked on another school year, and this particular start has come with a higher degree of concern.

Official inspires students

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist toured two ends of Brevard County’s educational spectrum Thursday, with stops at a top-performing elementary school and an institute that rehabilitates juvenile offenders.

Porter gives up her fight to teach

The hit-run driver shifts her focus to her dance studio rather than battle for her teaching credentials.

TAMPA — Jennifer Porter has had enough. The former Hillsborough County dance teacher, who fled an accident that killed two children and injured two others, has given up her fight to return to a public school classroom.

Get out of jail, flee? Firms warn bond ATM risky

Dining out, traveling and shopping all became fast and easy with the advent of the credit card. Now, so has something else: posting bond.

Savvy Teachers Use The Net to Engage Students

As children head back to school savvy teachers are looking for the best ways to help students maximize their learning potential.

Rose-Colored Views of an All-Black School

Last week, students from Washington’s Paul Laurence Dunbar High School headed back to a school that hasn’t changed in more than a century, at least in one way: Nearly all its students are black.