Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–Aug. 20

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Editorial:  Back to the cutting room

Schools start this week in a state of financial uncertainty. Not only are the budget increases passed by the Legislature in March not what they appear to be on the chalk board, but the property-tax cuts it mandated for most cities and counties are indirectly and adversely affecting public schools.

 

‘Net loss

Uncollected sales tax hurts Florida

There isn’t much good news to report on Florida’s financial outlook.  In the short term, lawmakers come back to town in a month for emergency surgery on the budget following substantial reductions in anticipated revenue.

 

Skewed cap

To cut taxes, deal with Save Our Homes

Earlier this month, a Leon County judge dismissed a lawsuit by three Alabama residents who own homes in Florida and who charged that the state’s homestead exemption’s selectivity is unconstitutional. In the three residents’ defense, William Slaughter, their attorney, spoke of “the uniqueness of the Florida scheme and the degree to which the disparities it generates are accelerating right now and will continue to accelerate with time.” Slaughter’s words ring true, although not as he intended them.

 

Florida in trouble

State faces a $1.5 billion budget shortfall

The state of Florida’s economy should worry every Floridian – a lot. In recent weeks there have been ominous signs of economic distress that belie Gov. Charlie Crist’s happy-go-lucky demeanor.

 

Fasano steps into fray between schools, county

At the outset of the 2007-08 school year, there are indications the high-profile brawling between school superintendent Heather Fiorentino and County Administrator John Gallagher could be eased by a new referee.

 

Tax cuts hit cities unevenly in Broward

The communities with many of the condos and homes most affordable for middle-income families in Broward County would take the biggest financial hit if a shake-up of state property tax breaks wins voter approval.

 

Palm Beach County School District aims to end “boundary jumping”

Boundary jumpers face perjury charges

Better think twice before lying to enroll your child in a public school outside your home boundary, administrators warn.

 

Debate over class rank

Did the Miami-Dade School Board do the right thing last year when it decided to get rid of valedictorian and salutatorian honors in the county’s public high schools, beginning with the class of 2007-’08?

 

Broward schools try to remove fear factor for freshmen

Of 21,000 freshmen entering Broward County high schools Monday, 2,400 might not graduate, if last year’s dropout figures are a good predictor.

 

Where have all the students gone?

Central Florida’s population is growing like mad. So why is school enrollment leveling off?

For years, Central Florida schools have bemoaned the student population explosion and the pricey consequences of housing and teaching all those kids.

 

New year, new challenges for schools

Parents and students in the northern region of Miami-Dade County have a lot of new things to contend with this academic year, including a record number of new schools opening up.

This time last year, discussion of the new school year centered on talk of new school supplies, new school clothes and new classmates.

 

Cash crunch curtails efforts to purchase property

TALLAHASSEE A state program to buy beaches, forests and sensitive wildlife habitats and preserve them from development is running low on cash just as landowners are more willing to sell at bargain prices, environmental advocates said.

 

‘Super exemption’ is not what it appears

The State Legislature has proposed a “solution” to the tax crisis in the state by asking the voters to approve a new “super exemption” for real estate valuations. Let’s see how this could play out in Broward County.

 

Teachers slam state merit-pay program

Educators and union officials say bonuses rely too heavily on test scores.

As appealing as teacher-bonus pay might sound, the idea never had much luster in Florida — and it’s losing what little it had.

 

In the beginning: Enrollment already exceeds space at prep school

Dan Guernsey expected maybe 70 children to walk through the doors of Ave Maria Grammar and Preparatory School when it opens its doors.

 

Exercise Classes Now Mandatory For Kids

TALLAHASSEE | Like many fifth-graders, Mallory Greenfield can’t wait for physical education class – but it used to be just once or twice a week. Now it’s going to be every day.

 

KidCare looks for children to enroll

State leaders hope a back-to-school publicity campaign will help fill 33,000 open spots in KidCare, Florida’s health insurance program.