Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–February 16

Feb 16, 2010

 

 

To view a complete story, click on a headline below:

 

Schools face big budget holes as stimulus runs out

The nation’s public schools are falling under severe financial stress as states slash education spending and drain federal stimulus money that staved off deep classroom cuts and widespread job losses.

 

Florida school districts, employees feel pinch of rising health care costs

As Florida school district budgets have been slashed by the state amid a rocky economy, public school employees are feeling – or may soon start feeling – some of the pinch in their health benefit costs.

 

Class-size limits may get 2nd legislative look

Proposal would relax rules voters approved in 2002

Theresa Hobbs’ daughter will start kindergarten in August, just in time for voter-approved limits on class sizes to take full effect.

 

With revenues falling, Miami-Dade School Board cuts spending

Preparing for a decrease in money coming in from tax revenues, the Miami-Dade School Board increased its rainy day fund.

Anticipating a decline in revenue from property taxes, the Miami-Dade School Board on Wednesday cut back spending by $30 million.

 

Sarasota School Board to examine budget cuts

Tuesday’s discussion, part of the board’s monthly work session, is inspired largely by the upcoming school tax referendum. On March 16, Sarasota County voters will decide whether to approve, for a third time, an additional school tax that adds $1 per $1,000 of assessed value onto property tax bills to fund schools.

 

Construction industry funded ’07 sales tax push

It’s a line made famous by Yankees’ great Yogi Berra, and has stood as a testament to the catcher’s famous ability to befuddle the English language. And now, it could hit home.

 

Governor Crist announces $10 million for solar energy in schools

Funds provided through Florida’s State Energy Program

Governor Charlie Crist today announced the award of $10 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 grants to the Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa Beach.

 

Polk’s Median Home Price Falls 20% in 2009

Professionals say distressed properties and foreclosures are to blame for decline from 2008 despite a gain in sales.

Tammy Johnson feels like she’s trying to do the impossible: Sell a house for $200,000 when the local median is half that amount.

 

Foreclosures soar in Manatee County

Foreclosures surged 150 percent in Manatee County last month when compared with a year ago, a probable sign that the new wave of foreclosures predicted by several state economists is under way.

 

Editorial:  Voucher bill will help kids, taxpayers

The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship has proved itself a valuable education tool since lawmakers adopted it nine years ago.

 

Tab for new approach to teaching math? $200 million

Educators say paying to improve math education is essential, despite budget cuts

Amid widespread budget cuts, the state plans to spend nearly $200 million to change the way it teaches math next school year in the hope that students will learn more if they cover fewer skills each year.

 

Clay School Board approves employee contracts; cost $1.2 million

The Clay County School Board Thursday approved 2009-10 contracts with the county’s teachers, support personnel and administrators.

 

School populations in Collier, Lee growing again, should stave off mid-year cuts

The Lee and Collier school districts seem to be past the era of declining enrollment.

 

Jacksonville charter commission voices support for appointed School Board

Dramatic changes to the Duval County school system – including how School Board members are selected – are needed to improve student performance, members of the Charter Revision Commission said Thursday.

 

Collier school leaders re-examine instructors teaching out of their field

After a long day at work, some Collier County teachers have to return to the classroom.

 

Flagler school superintendent resigns

Superintendent Bill Delbrugge is stepping down after five years at the helm of Flagler County Public Schools.

 

School bus wrecks are cause for concern in Florida

Occurrences in Lee soared during first semester, sounding an alarm

School buses are lit up like bright yellow Christmas trees, wrapped in reflective tape and strung with dozens of flashing lights.  But considering the frequency of bus crashes during the first semester – one every 1.84 school days – school buses might as well have bull’s-eyes painted on their side.

 

Column:  High marks for Florida high schools

Always eager to tout national rankings, particularly when they show Florida on the rise, state officials had a reason to beam last week with a new report from the College Board showing the state is among the nation’s leaders when it comes to the number of high school students passing Advanced Placement courses.

 

Polk School Board Rescinds iPod Giveaway Plan

The iPod plan is a NoPod plan.

 

Schools chief planning to better connect with parents

By using Facebook, Twitter and new public question-and-answer sessions, Palm Beach County school officials say they’ll do a better job of communicating.

 

Magistrate upholds South Florida student’s right to criticize teacher on Facebook

A student who set up a Facebook page to complain about her teacher – and was later suspended – had every right to do so under the First Amendment, a federal magistrate has ruled.

 

To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to sgray@cftlaw.com.