Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–Tuesday, December 15
Dec 15, 2009
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Federal grant may give schools up to $700M
As Florida races to win up to $700 million in federal grant money, teachers unions in the state’s two largest school districts are balking.
Blog: Want Race to the Top funds? Prepare to make big changes, DOE tells districts
Florida school districts that want a slice of the federal Race to the Top grant money Florida hopes to win will need to make significant changes in how they reward and evaluate teachers, among other moves that break from the status quo.
Dispute Over State Fund Heads to Legislature
Whether Florida’s $150 billion in investments should be watched over by trustees with more financial expertise who can devote more time to the job will be an issue for the Legislature next year.
Fewer students don’t mean Florida schools flush with cash
In its early life, Camelot Elementary was Central Florida’s poster child for runaway school growth. At its most crowded, the east Orange school had more than 1,320 students on a campus built for 740 and needed 45 portable classrooms to accommodate everyone.
The depth of Space Coast parents’ engagement in their children’s education was on display in February at Melbourne’s King Center, when thousands turned out for a town hall meeting to oppose state budget cuts to schools.
Senate key to sales tax deduction in Florida
Floridians are watching closely to see whether lawmakers debating a longer life for some popular tax breaks agree to extend the federal income tax deduction for sales taxes.
Growth management lawsuit will go forward
A South Florida-generated lawsuit, which claims sweeping growth management legislation signed into law in June is unconstitutional, will move forward.
Fortune: S. Fla. home prices to continue tumble
Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach are among the top 100 cities in the nation where housing prices are expected to tumble even further in 2010, according to Fortune magazines 2010 housing outlook.
Editorial: Manatee school board should crack down on double-dipping
District can enact tougher policy than state law
This coming Monday, Manatee County School Superintendent Tim McGonegal will present the school board with his recommendation on how long retired district employees must wait before they can reapply for a school job.
Patrons adjust to budget cuts at Broward libraries
Gone are the leisurely Sunday trips to the library that single mother Karen Purdy relished with her 7-year-old daughter, Jessica.
Lee County seeks grant for PSAT test
Hoping to boost its students’ SAT scores, which have lagged behind state and national averages, the Lee County School District is seeking grant money that would allow its freshmen to take the PSAT, the precursor of the SAT college entrance exam, for free.
Pasco school buildings don’t make grade
Walls are cracking, a building has sunk 2 inches, and the plumbing is old, but help could be on the way for Richey Elementary.
Clay school district declares impasse on teacher pay
Clay County teachers want – and insist they have earned – more money.
Flagler school district awards raises
Flagler County school employees soon will see a little something extra in their paychecks after the School Board approved a request by district officials to hand out increases.
Zero Tolerance: Sensible Change in Policy
It was called a zero-tolerance policy, but as time went on, it looked more and more like a zero-judgment policy.
Florida’s Commission on Ethics seeks more power, autonomy
Criticized as a toothless tiger, the Commission on Ethics wants more authority to investigate and punish wayward officials in Florida.
New York School Districts Scramble After Albany Delays Aid
The Mount Vernon School District has largely stopped ordering supplies and equipment for its schools. The Saugerties Central School District has warned 36 teachers that they could face layoffs.
Indiana Key Panel Sends Property Tax Caps Bill to Full House
Bills aimed at placing caps on property tax bills to the state constitution are now before both chambers of the Indiana General Assembly, days before it convenes on Jan. 5.
Broward teachers union alleges bus safety problems, corruption
Accusing the Broward school district’s transportation department of an array of problems, including bus safety, sexual harassment and nepotism, the Broward Teachers Union asked Gov. Charlie Crist on Thursday for an independent investigation.
Report: South Florida has six of nation’s best high schools
A study by U.S. News & World Report found that six of the nation’s 100 best high schools are in South Florida.
Florida’s teacher of the year started on ‘Miami Vice’
To see Florida’s top teacher, turn on the TV and find an old episode of “Miami Vice.”
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