Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners — Thursday, June 9

 

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Broward names interim schools chief

With little interest to temporarily fill Broward’s top job, the School Board on Tuesday appointed the district’s chief operating officer to take over the reigns until a permanent superintendent can be hired.

 

Blog:  John Winn named interim education commissioner

John Winn , who helped create Florida’s A-Plus plan under Jeb Bush, is returning to the Florida Department of Education as interim commissioner, beginning June 11.

• Virginia’s education chief applies for Florida job
• Former New Jersey education chief applies for Florida post

 

Florida Tax Collections On the Rise

Florida tax collections are rising, reflecting a national trend as state revenues increase with a slowly improving economy.

 

Column:  Funding private business with taxes

If looking for something positive to come from the failed attempt by Jackson Labs to locate in Collier County, it would most certainly be the heightened awareness of both taxpayers and voters to local politics.

 

Governor Rick Scott’s veto of public TV and radio funds spares capital’s WFSU

Even as public television and radio stations across Florida work furiously to cope with the recent veto of nearly $4.8 million in state funding, there is one public broadcaster that will see its state support increased.

 

Virtual schools showing real growth

Kim Medley said she was “fed up” with public schools.

 

Column:  Property tax ‘do-over’ for GOP officials has a too-cozy feel  

Did local officials illegally give preferential treatment to two local Republican figures who sought a second chance at a property tax break?

 

Broward rejects Lauderdale Lakes’ plea for help

Lauderdale Lakes officials say the city’s financial books were a sham, a fairy tale woven by a city manager who lulled her elected officials to sleep for years while the city went down the tubes.

 

University Officials Appeal to Governor Scott on vetoes

With the annual budget bill on his desk, Governor Rick Scott is now hearing from state university officials who are urging him not to veto some $137 million in construction projects for the 11 state universities.

 

Florida graduation rate increases, but still far behind nation

A new report shows that Florida ranks 44th in the nation with a 63.9 percent graduation rate in 2008.

 

Turf battle looming between powerhouse universities and state board

An attempt to once again create a long-term plan for the future of the state university system is already coming under fire.

 

FCAT results are flat as state transitions to new test

The state is moving to a new version of the FCAT so education officials kept statewide levels the same as they were.

 

Thousands of Seminole County students await where they’ll go to school

Closing Longwood Elementary is forcing massive shifts in attendance zones for four neighboring schools in Seminole County, with nearly 2,800 students waiting to hear where they will go to school in the fall.

 

Manatee School Board nixes automatic teacher raises

Public school teachers in Manatee County will no longer receive automatic pay raises that reward them for years of experience under a plan approved by School Board members Tuesday night.

 

“Mend or End” tax credits, private Georgia school scholarships — group says

Officials with the Southern Education Foundation called on state lawmakers Tuesday to “mend or end” a $50 million-a-year tax credit program that funds private scholarships with little public accountability and widespread potential for abuse.

 

Florida lawmakers to seek input about redistricting in a series of public hearings

 Armed with terabytes of U.S. Census data and the limitless reach of social media, the Legislature is inviting the public this summer to help re-write the political landscape.

 

New Lee superintendent sets goals

With a white plume of smoke and dance music signaling his introduction, new Lee County Schools Superintendent Joseph Burke walked onto the stage at Fort Myers’ Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre to greet an audience of principals, district staff and business leaders.

 

Usually a job engine, localities slow US economy

In a healthy economic recovery, states and localities start hiring, expand services and help fuel the nation’s growth.

 

Educator and author Diane Ravitch battles the system she helped to build

Diane Ravitch has never been one to mince words.

 

New technologies are keeping kids tethered to their parents longer than previous generations

The big deadline for high school seniors to choose a college has passed, and parents’ thoughts are turning toward the joy of less laundry or the agony of how to pay the bills – and perhaps toward how much they’ll be in touch with their sons and daughters come September.

 

 

 

 

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