Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–May 13
May 13, 2008
Â
To view a complete story, click on a headline below:
Â
If you’re a Florida voter, prepare for a workout Nov. 4.
State budget winners and losers
WINNERS
Medically needy: About 20,000 people who qualify as medically needy will continue to receive state help to pay for medication and hospital care.
From unprecedented prices at the gas pump to high property tax bills, the Florida Legislature took a pass on hot-button pocketbook issues in 2008.
Exiting lawmakers diminishing South Florida’s legislative clout
This was supposed to be a golden era for South Florida, an unprecedented four-year period of political power where lawmakers with ties to Miami-Dade and Broward counties — and the clout to bring the area money and push for local priorities — were firmly in charge of the Florida Legislature.
Democratic lawmakers warm up to vouchers
In 2001, Democrats in the Legislature pounded Republican plans to start a private school voucher program for poor and predominantly minority kids.
Study gives Fla. C-plus on No Child Left Behind standards
Florida rated a C-plus for difficulty on reading and math tests used to meet requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act last year, a study released Monday showed.
Miami-Dade to consider closing schools
Miami-Dade public schools officials’ first attempt at closing underenrolled schools earlier this year angered hundreds of parents, leading Superintendent Rudy Crew to shelve the proposal.
Palm Beach County: Want to know where tax dollars go? Check Web site
With the click of a mouse, Palm Beach County residents can find out what the government is doing with their tax dollars.
School budget cutbacks draw hundreds in protest in St. Lucie
Signs of “Our Librarians Rock! Taking them out is a CROCK!” greeted visitors at Monday’s budget forum where district officials discussed proposed budget cuts that include transferring librarians to classrooms and having later start times for schools.
School secretaries to get pay raises in tentative deal
School secretaries will get 2 percent pay raises if the Palm Beach County School Board on Wednesday ratifies a tentative agreement.
Manatee schools could pay price of storms
Manatee County school children, parents, teachers and school employees had better start praying for a quiet hurricane season.
Broward, Palm Beach County students score higher on FCAT writing
The results are in for the writing portion of the FCAT and it looks like both Broward County and Palm Beach County have reason to celebrate.
EDITORIAL: FCAT proves its worth even though fixes still needed
ISSUE: Writing scores improve, top state averages.
Thumbs-up to Broward and Palm Beach County students who scored important gains in this year’s FCAT writing exams.
Schools can’t afford to offer FCAT online
Except for retakes, students use paper, pencils
Broward and Palm Beach County high school freshmen and sophomores finished the reading FCAT by mid-March.
OPINION: School bullies: Law can’t resolve social problem
Florida has finally addressed an issue that has long plagued schools in this state and beyond: school bullying.
Higher education will feel deep budget pains next year
Fewer students, fewer professors and higher tuitions could be a hallmark of Florida’s public universities next school year.
The state’s overall budget will have about $7 billion less than the previous year and include a 6 percent decrease in funding for the university system, about $130 million in cuts.
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to ccochran@cftlaw.com