Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–June 15
Jun 15, 2010
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Miami-Dade schools budget plan avoids layoffs, tax hike
Miami-Dade School Board members gave the thumbs-up to a first draft of the district’s $4.3 billion budget.
Palm Beach County schools solve budget crisis with limited classroom cuts
Teachers union leader calls administrator furloughs a ‘PR move,’ blasts lack of raises
Put Palm Beach County Schools Superintendent Art Johnson down for a 10-day unpaid furlough next school year. That’s $11,731 in salary and benefits out of his pocket.
Florida slams brakes on ‘double dipping’ July 1
Teachers and government workers who retire must wait six months before returning to the job
In 2007, Jon Wilson retired after 38 years teaching history at Hollywood Hills High School. His retirement: One month.
South Florida water managers try to hold tax rate steady, salvage land deal
A worsening budget crunch and pressure from federal judges to speed up Everglades restoration so far haven’t soured South Florida water managers on a half-billion dollar land deal with U.S. Sugar Corp.
Florida’s special tax districts hurt, too
At the Palm Harbor library, none of the choices are easy.
Wall Street Journal: Schools Face Test on Budget Math
For seventh-grader Kyle Scarpa, budget strains affecting schools across the country are hitting where it hurts.
The financial industry collapse has decimated local communities in the form of decreased revenues and harmful budget cuts to school districts across the country.
Editorial: Budget balancing acts
Counties’ revenues are down, but needs and demands are not
Local governments have the same problem that many residents do: Their income is declining as the economy sputters, making it harder to meet their obligations. But unlike some taxpayers, Manatee and Sarasota county governments were able to build and sustain budget-stabilization reserves to help them through hard times.
Way found to rescue sinking Broward school
Broward School Board members found a way to pay to repair a high school that is sinking, but still can’t afford to replace an inadequate cafeteria at another school.
Column: What’s in store for Brevard schools?
How did the Legislature’s increase in education spending turn into a $17 million cut to local schools? What’s next for freshman sports? And how will recent School Board decisions affect your tax bill?
Property tax rate in Naples likely headed up in fiscal 2011
The city’s maximum tax rate for fiscal 2011 may be set at rollback rate, but Naples officials said Monday they hoped to stay below that rate when it comes time to finalizing the budget later this summer.
Sheriff Steube: Tax hike needed to keep Manatee safe
Telling the Manatee County Commission his budget was pared to the bone, Manatee County Sheriff Brad Steube asked the board to consider raising the property tax rate to maintain public safety.
Maintain or increase? Clay commissioners ponder 2010-11 property tax rate
For the third year in a row, Clay County commissioners faced with declining revenues and increasing costs have two financial choices, neither of which they like.
Rate hike concerns put Pasco sheriff’s plan for special tax district on hold
Commissioners put the brakes Tuesday on setting up a special taxing district for the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office after questioning the increase it could impose on most taxpayers.
Blog: Pasco County teacher early retirement news will be in the mail
Today was the last day of classes for Pasco County schools. Teachers have two more days, and then they’re done, too.
‘An expense we can do without’: Bay cutting funds for school deputies
Everyone wants them, everyone thinks they’re needed, but no one wants to pay for them.
Pinellas performing arts magnet undergoes budget cuts
Three teaching positions are being cut from one of Pinellas County’s star magnet programs, setting off a fire storm of false rumors Wednesday that the Pinellas County Center for the Arts program is history.
State sends extra help for high schools
Florida has been grading schools and tracking progress on the FCAT for years, but state oversight has taken on a whole new meaning for some low-performing area high schools.
Los Angeles school bond measure falling short of required two-thirds majority
The $100-per-parcel tax would raise $92.5 million annually for four years to offset some of the district’s looming funding cuts.
A long-shot parcel tax to offset some of the looming funding cuts in the Los Angeles Unified School District claimed a majority of votes but was falling well short of the required two-thirds majority in early returns Tuesday night.
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