Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–Aug. 22

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Broward school district, teachers agree on contract

Broward County public education officials announced Wednesday they have reached a new teacher contract, three days into the new school year.

 

Thousands return as schools open in Palm Beach County

A small group of 5- and 6-year-olds made history for the Palm Beach County School District today with what may be the first kindergarten class in a high school.

 

State educators update Crist on school nutrition

Students who have never seen a cucumber or strawberry. Principals searching for loopholes in the state’s new physical education requirement. School vending machines filled with candy and other calorie-packed treats.

 

Palm Beach County scraps budget advisory panel

Officials blame Newell for agency’s failures

 Two Palm Beach County commissioners took their first public swipes at former colleague Warren Newell — now headed for a likely prison term on federal corruption charges — as they voted Tuesday to disband a panel he once chaired, the county’s Budget Advisory Committee.

 

2 Democrats looking to shake up Fla. Senate

Faced with majority Republicans’ insistence on closing a state budget shortfall by whacking programs instead of considering ways to increase tax revenue, two South Florida Democrats want to shake up the collegial, let’s-all-get-along style of the Florida Senate.

 

Delray Beach to borrow $25 million for fire station, park projects

City commissioners Tuesday authorized borrowing $25 million to cover costs for city projects, such as a new fire station and park improvements.

 

State: Hollywood school will keep I grade

Hollywood Hills Elementary remains without a letter grade despite a school district appeal, and North Fork Elementary was graded F after its appeal, the state Department of Education said Tuesday.

 

Area DCF supervisor fired; no local input on replacement

The state Department of Children & Families has abruptly replaced its mental health program supervisor for Northeast Florida, a position that oversees services to about 3,500 people in Duval, Nassau and Clay counties, and at least one local advocate is protesting the lack of community input.

 

Best bet for the state

Floridians have been encouraged to think of gambling as an investment. But gambling grows more like an infection than an investment, which comes to mind as Gov. Crist negotiates gambling rights with the Seminole Tribe.

 

Safety patrol trips escape budget cuts

The Alachua County Sheriff’s Office is not planning to cut its support of the annual Washington, D.C., safety patrol trips for area fifth-graders, the agency announced Tuesday amid rumors that budget restraints would force the office to drop the program.

 

Ex Universities Chief: Bright Futures the ‘Dumbest’ Idea

TALLAHASSEE | Florida’s former universities chief told a crowd of the state’s top education officials Monday that Bright Futures scholarships are taking money away from the state’s schools and low-income students that need more help.