Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–April 8

 

 

To view a complete story, click on a headline below:

 

Seminoles OK gambling compact; Crist hopes to sign bill next week

An agreement with the Florida Seminole Indian Tribe that would provide the state at least $1 billion over the next five years could be signed by early next week, Gov. Charlie Crist said Wednesday.

• A long-sought casino compact between state government and the Seminole Tribe of Florida started moving quickly today at the Capitol.
• Editorial:  Seminole gambling deal gives Florida needed revenue
• Editorial: Budget winner–Gambling deal no gamble for schools

 

Florida Legislature poised to pass education overhaul today

A group of far-reaching education reforms appears headed for final passage in the Legislature today — leaving the final say up to Gov. Charlie Crist, whose support for the most controversial part of the package may be wavering.

• Gov. Charlie Crist urges legislators to soften teacher bill
• Crist hints he’ll veto teacher merit pay bill
• Schools say pay reform bill will impoverish them
• South Florida’s educators fear proposed changes in public education

 

What Floridans need to know about the teacher pay bill

Supporters, critics try to narrowly define the measure.

As the fight over a controversial teacher contract bill has moved through the Legislature, both sides have struggled to define the bill as simply as possible.  

 

Florida Senator Thrasher defends his education bill

But St. Johns teachers and school officials aren’t convinced.

State Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, calls the teacher merit pay bill “a pretty positive piece of legislation,” and as far as he’s concerned there’s no need to mend fences with St. Johns County educators, parents and School Board members who are angry they were not consulted beforehand about the monumental legislation.

 

Broward’s multi-millionaire Senator Jeremy Ring votes his mind, rankles critics

Jeremy Ring is the Democrat every Republican can love.

 

Sarasota School Board seeks quick ruling in Sunshine suit

TAX VOTE: The School Board says it cannot otherwise plan for 2011

The Sarasota County School Board has asked a judge to quickly throw out the Sunshine Law case that seeks to overturn the results of March’s tax referendum.

 

Orange County schools to sell buses, cut transit staff, trim millions

Decision comes after critical audit; more severe moves could come next year

Orange County’s public-school district will sell buses, cut staff and take other steep steps to shave as much as $7 million from its transportation budget this year.

 

Science, math looming larger for Florida diploma

A measure in the Legislature set for a final vote Thursday would add more rigorous courses to graduation requirements and replace the FCAT in two subjects.

 

Central Florida counties differ on rehiring school ‘retirees’

New DROP rules mean some school administrators must go — but others can ‘retire’ and be rehired before law kicks in

Deputy Superintendent Tim Huth and 25 other longtime Volusia School District administrators will lose their jobs this summer under strict implementation of a new state law designed to replace them with younger, lower paid employees.  

 

Bar may get higher for Florida’s middle school civics students

Hoping to educate students to not look foolish if quizzed by a talk show host, Florida lawmakers are poised to enact a law that would force kids to pass a middle school civics test in order to get to high school.

 

Florida Senate panel approves a vote on children’s service boards

A Senate committee Wednesday approved a controversial bill that would require eight countywide tax-supported children’s service boards to be reaffirmed by voters every six years – starting this November.

 

Proposed changes to Bright Futures program make it harder to get and keep scholarships

Florida’s Bright Futures scholarship could face so many new restrictions that many students may have a hard time getting the full value of the award.

 

Broward schools face possible changes to health insurance

With possible layoffs looming, Broward school officials discussed ways to save on climbing health insurance costs to save jobs.

 

To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to bellis@cftlaw.com.