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

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Snowbird couple may take Save Our Homes law to U.S. Supreme Court

TALLAHASSEE The man who led a drive to put a homeowners tax break into the state constitution said Tuesday he was confident the amendment will survive an appeal that could wind up before the U.S. Supreme Court.

 

State budget-slashing ideas leave no services untouched

Poor pregnant women could face extra hurdles to get a Caesarean section. Some criminals could spend less time in prison. Hospitals might lose money they get to treat poor immigrants. Tipsters could get less reward money to help find missing kids.

 

Challenge on tax break tossed

Out-of-state residents said Save Our Homes is unfair.

TALLAHASSEE – The man who led a drive to put a homeowners tax break into the state constitution said Tuesday he was confident the amendment will survive an appeal that could wind up before the U.S. Supreme Court.

 

Teachers’ Increases Awarded As Planned

LAND – O’ LAKES – A tight budget year that could get even tighter almost led to a delay in the payment of the annual step increases that are tacked onto the salaries of Pasco County teachers.

 

Taxation Process Changing

TAMPA PALMS – New Tampa’s oldest community development district is abandoning the taxation process it has employed since 1986, replacing it with one used by an overwhelming majority of Florida’s CDDs.

 

5 Pinellas schools listed for closing

The superintendent’s recommendations include details on a new student assignment plan.

Pinellas school superintendent Clayton Wilcox has recommended closing five schools as part of an effort to slim down and redesign the system.

 

Delray Beach: Reshuffling of city budget restores $1.8 million in grants

Some grants for special events and nonprofit groups that were taken out of the proposed 2007-08 budget have been restored.

 

Growth showdown may be headed for 2008 state ballot

Businesses and developers have already poured money this summer into fighting the Florida Hometown Democracy group that wants to stop local governments from rubber-stamping development.

 

Board aims for $3.8 billion budget

Universities are asking for more money, even as they face sharper cuts

The appointed board that governs Florida’s public universities is preparing to meet in Tampa this week to finalize its 2008-09 budget request to the state Legislature, pledging to run a tight ship in response to a slowing state economy that might lead to budget cuts of up to 10 percent this year.

 

Superintendent Crew on guard after threats

Threatening phone calls and voice-mail messages are prompting Miami-Dade schools Superintendent Rudy Crew to take extra precautions with his safety as police investigate the intimidation, officials said Tuesday.

 

School board member on list of contenders for Newell seat

Palm Beach County School Board member Bob Kanjian has told Gov. Charlie Crist he’s interested in replacing Warren Newell on the county commission, the governor’s office said Tuesday.

 

Union protests Fisher Island tax adjustments

Union leaders demanded that residents of Fisher Island, the nation’s wealthiest community, stop using Miami-Dade’s Value Adjustment Board to lower their property tax assessments and instead pay the full value of the property taxes they owe.

 

After achievement gap, group faces money gap

With a grant gone, a tutoring organization seeks money to keep building on its success.

Stefanie Bay was afraid she would never pass the test she needed to get her high school diploma.  After she failed the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test four times, her mother enrolled her in a free tutoring program called Bridging the Achievement Gap.

 

We All Have A Role In Raising Kids

In a few days, thousands of area teachers will head back to their jobs.  These men and women, serving public and private schools, represent the business end of probably our most important cooperative community effort.

 

Some Wonder if Cash for Good Test Scores Is the Wrong Kind of Lesson

Should cash be used to spur children to do better on reading and math tests?

Suzanne Windland, a homeowner raising three children in a placid enclave of eastern Queens, doesn’t think so. Her seventh grader, Alexandra, she said, had perfect scores last year. But she doesn’t want New York City’s Department of Education to hand her $500 in spending cash for that achievement.