Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–June 25
Jun 25, 2009
To view a complete story, click on a headline below:
Gov. Crist’s bill actions on Wednesday
Governor Charlie Crist signed 28 bills, including several education-related, into law and vetoed three bills Wednesday that passed during the 2009 legislative session.
Florida Senate 2010 Interim Work Plan Published; Includes Education Projects
An Issue Brief on Teacher Quality is among the education-related projects listed on the Florida Senate Interim Work Plan for 2010.
Florida voters may get last say on growth: ‘Hometown Democracy’ amendment wins slot on 2010 ballot
A proposed constitutional amendment that could bring more changes to growth management in the state than any other action in the past 30 years has officially made it onto next year’s general election ballot.
Broward schools plan for two years of federal stimulus funding
Expected $300 million will be divided three ways
The Broward School District has made a lot of specific plans for an expected $300 million in federal stimulus dollars, including funding about 155 jobs, officials said at a workshop today.
Broward tax collectors conducting countywide sweep
In a three-day sweep of area businesses that owe a total of more than $8 million in delinquent personal property taxes, county tax collectors are posting seizure notices.
Tax collectors are on the streets of Broward County at this hour, serving notice to businesses that are behind on paying taxes — pay up, or officials can seize and sell them in 30 days.
Broward School Board votes to fire almost 400 teachers
The Broward School Board voted unanimously Tuesday night to lay off almost 400 teachers, despite pleas from more than 150 parents, teachers and students — mostly from West Broward High School — to keep them in their jobs.
Volusia adds to tax for schools; Seminole next?
Property owners in Volusia County will be paying a higher school tax this year, and those in Seminole may be facing one, too.
Florida school enrollment continues free fall
In case you haven’t noticed the moving vans jamming your street or the vacant house up the road with the hayfield in the front yard, a lot of people are leaving Florida; for the last three or four years, that has meant declining enrollment in public schools. And the latest estimates by the state say it is likely to continue for some time.
Less spending, higher taxes hinder recovery
Expert says cut in education funds will slow recovery
Florida lawmakers’ aversion to expanding government and raising taxes could prolong the state’s recovery from recession and dampen future growth, according to a University of Central Florida economist.
Small school district has same money woes as big
Angry parents. Teary teachers. The stricken faces of school employees banished from the payroll. Bill Brumfield, 439 miles north of Fort Lauderdale, understood exactly what the Broward County School Board faced Tuesday night.
Number of Title I schools in Manatee soars
Superintendent: Schools where majority of students qualify for free or reduced meals slated to jump from 10 to 21
The number of Title I schools in Manatee County is increasing from 10 to 21, Superintendent Tim McGonegal announced Monday night.
Teacher furloughs on hold in Hillsborough County
Teacher furloughs are off the table in Hillsborough County, at least for now, union officials said Wednesday.
St. Johns schools’ funding needs may raise taxes
St. Johns County School Board members are looking for ways to offset two years of funding cuts to their capital fund budget, and that could mean higher property taxes.
Pinellas schools examine FCAT data to see how best to help low-performing students
Pinellas school officials need to look more closely at what’s going on between low-performing students and their teachers, School Board member Mary Brown said Tuesday.
Editorial: Betting, but with limits
Like dice, gambling and controversy sometimes come in pairs, especially in Central Florida. So it’s not surprising that a proposal to open a poker room in Longwood is running into some opposition in that Seminole County city.
Column: Bright Futures dimmed by lawmakers’ bad planning
The Bright Futures Scholarship program is in trouble. For several years now legislators have known that changes were desperately needed to the program. Only now, with the current budget crisis, is anything being done.
Column: Make public education more relevant to the working world
Our education system is failing — it’s not a secret. Despite the FCAT, remedial reading classes, rigorous curriculums, legislation that demands higher math classes, charter schools, vouchers, educational think tanks, and even threats of more or longer school days, we have been sliding faster than glaciers have been melting.
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to ccochran@cftlaw.com.