Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–July 18

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“Best and Worst School Districts for the Buck”

A new study by Forbes magazine ranks Montgomery County public schools fifth in the nation “for the buck,” with nods to Howard and Loudoun schools for delivering return on educational investment. It ranks D.C. and Alexandria schools among the worst.

 

OP-ED:  Courts show real agenda of officials

For those readers who suspect that local governments operate with private agendas, away from public view, this story is for you.

 

School District to outsource jobs

The Escambia County School Board voted Tuesday night to outsource janitorial jobs in a move that drew stiff opposition from employees and union officials.

 

Broward plans cuts, but could avoid layoffs

The owner of the median homesteaded property in Broward will save almost $150 on the county portion of his or her tax bill if county commissioners adopt a proposed 2007-08 budget released Tuesday.

 

Benefactor helps La. couple keep home

SLIDELL, La. — An anonymous benefactor helped settle a long-standing lawsuit in which a land company claimed ownership of a house sold without the residents’ knowledge over a $1.63 tax bill.

 

Need To Fix DCF ‘Urgent,’ Its Chief Says

TAMPA – Three months after Candice Clark snatched her daughter, Courtney, from a court-appointed caregiver in Lake County, the toddler was spotted in a neighboring county.

 

Schools Exceed $3 Billion

TAMPA – The Hillsborough school board Tuesday approved a tentative $3.05 billion budget, which is $19.5 million more than last year’s but comes with a slightly lower tax rate.

 

Home Plan Links City To Charity

PORT RICHEY – They toil long hours in hospitals, schools and government offices. They fight crime, protect lives and property, and keep the local economic engine humming.

 

Budget Cuts Claim Tampa Police Scholarships

TAMPA – A scholarship program that paid to train dozens of future police officers has been eliminated under the city’s budget cuts.

 

Realtors backing property-tax reform

Businesses skittish about supporting the amendment
 
Florida Realtors will spend up to $1 million to support a property tax amendment voters will decide on in January, providing the first glimpse of organized political backing for the plan.

 

Fight looms on Dade’s proposed cuts to service groups

The Dade mayor’s proposal to cut funding for community-based organizations is likely to cause a stir with commissioners, some of whom have ties to `CBOs.’

 

State to address Front Porch fate

Council members of Front Porch Pensacola hope for word on the future of the organization next Tuesday, nearly four months after allegations of fraud led the state to suspend operations.

 

Tax order imperils some Delray events

DELRAY BEACH — Drastic changes to the city’s special events policy could push out celebrations such as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the Wackona Bed Race and the Cinco de Mayo Festival.

 

Missing-child report pins bulk of blame on agency

The foster girl’s caseworker may have been the one who failed to report her missing to Florida law enforcement for four months.

 

Record numbers visit Florida state parks

A record-breaking 19.5 million people visited Florida state parks over the past year, funneling almost $900 million into the economy, officials said Tuesday.

 

School district budget proposal biggest yet despite tax reductions

The Palm Beach County School Board will get its first look today at a proposed $3.6 billion budget – its biggest ever.

 

Martin schools plan includes $70 million for new facilities

STUART — Martin County School Board members got their first peek Tuesday at a proposed $337 million budget that includes money for a new elementary school, renovations at existing schools, plus additional teachers and school buses.

 

Best And Worst School Districts For The Buck—Part I

More spending doesn’t necessarily buy you better schools. With property taxes rising across the country, we took a look at per-pupil spending in public schools and weighed it against student performance–college entrance exam scores (SAT or ACT, depending on which is more common in the state), exam participation rates and graduation rates.

 

Hartford’s Tax Challenge

Hartford suffers all the usual ills of Connecticut cities: A high poverty rate, high taxes and boundaries that have limited the city’s growth for many decades. These are challenge enough. But last year the capital city went through its first property revaluation in eight years. The results will begin having an impact on tax bills this month.