Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–August 21
Aug 21, 2008
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Hearing Sept. 8 on tax-swap amendment
The Florida Supreme Court is getting a challenge to a ballot proposal that would trade a property tax cut for increases in other taxes.
Joint Legislative Budget Commission Meeting August 27
The Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research will make a presentation on the State’s Long-Range Financial Outlook
- To view Florida’s Three-Year Revenue and Expenditure Outlook Report, click here.
Haridopolos fights government spending, takes government salaries
State Sen. Mike Haridopolos has crisscrossed Florida this summer, warning voters of the evils of a proposed tax swap that could be on the Nov. 4 ballot.
Revenue Department dilutes Amendment 1 savings
A little-known state rule that is raising property appraisals in a plummeting real-estate market means some homeowners aren’t getting the break they might have anticipated from Amendment 1.
State Board of Education approves budget, seeks more
As expected, the state Board of Education on Tuesday approved a proposed $15.9-billion operating budget for schools and community colleges next year. Along the way, it also gently suggested that the Legislature find more money for schools — or potentially undermine Florida’s recent academic progress.
Florida Legislature Requests Voice in Redistricting Standards Ballot Placement
The Attorney General has filed a citizens’ initiative on legislative redistricting standards for the Court to determine whether it meets legal standards for placement on the ballot.
Education board makes strong statement
With Florida’s economy deep in the doldrums and no immediate relief in sight, one might expect that already-strapped public schools will be in for even tougher times over the next year.
EDITORIAL: Lawmakers are taking the easy way out when balancing the budget
Bleak tax-revenue forecasts for Florida have become depressingly familiar.
So have stopgap responses from the governor and legislators. They prefer the path of least resistance — cutting programs indiscriminately or raiding reserves — to the tougher but smarter course of running government more efficiently.
Florida board considers No Child Left Behind changes
Florida’s education board approved a federal pilot program on Tuesday to give the state more flexibility dealing with troubled schools.
District regains some say over charter schools
Broward County Schools once again has exclusive control over which charter schools can open in the district.
After storm delay, a smooth first day of school
Broward school district officials reported a smooth opening as more than 231,000 students headed back to class Wednesday for the delayed first day of school.
On the first day of school, Mattie Benson woke up at 4:30 a.m. and got to school by 6:15, getting ready for her day and eventually welcoming students with hugs.
Broward teachers don black to protest salaries
Some Broward teachers showed up at schools the first day of school dressed in black, launching what they say will become a season of protests if they don’t get raises soon.
On the opening day of the school year, hundreds of Broward County teachers arrived to work dressed in black pinstripes, black pantsuits and black polka dots.
COLUMN: Broward County school year’s first lesson–Lean times lie ahead
Dale Roland came back in black. Like many Broward teachers upset with a contract impasse, she wore protest clothes for the first day of classes at Coconut Creek High School.
Broward County schools ready to take on bullies
District aims to target attacks in cyberspace
Bullies beware. When school starts today, Broward County schools will be armed to take action against you.
All-boys academy opens in Miami
As thousands of students returned to school Wednesday, many eyes were on the district’s first all-boys public school.
The mission of the Young Men’s Preparatory Academy is a lofty one: It will make men out of boys.
Miami-Dade schools chief snubs meeting
A Miami-Dade School Board member and Superintendent Rudy Crew are at odds over a scheduled committee meeting that was rescheduled because of Tropical Storm Fay.
Some members of the Miami-Dade School Board and Superintendent Rudy Crew are at it again — this time over a previously scheduled committee meeting canceled by Tropical Storm Fay.
COLUMN: TV brings out worst of Miami-Dade School Board
Okay. I’ll admit it. I’m a fan.
I know. Pathetic. A waste of time better spent in pursuit of great reading (though I do get tired reading my old columns) or training my dog Jasper to bark at the UPS truck. I could be helping Charlie Crist plan his wedding. (I’m thinking morning suits with flip-flops.)
State gives county control of charter schools
State gives board charter school control
The buck stops with the Hernando County School Board for charter school applicants. The state Board of Education voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the School Board’s bid to have exclusive authority over its public charter schools. Four other counties, including Hillsborough, also gained that status. Charter applicants can still appeal a local denial to the state board. But applicants will no longer have the option of opening a school in Hernando via the Florida Schools of Excellence Commission, a separate body empowered to approve charters in other counties.
Charter changes inspire debate
Ballot questions alter amendment process
A variety of citizens groups are protesting two proposed amendments to the Sarasota County Charter that could save taxpayers money but might limit the public’s ability to create new laws.
Jeb Bush backs Dade Children’s Trust ballot initiative
Former Gov. Jeb Bush says in a television ad that a Miami-Dade program devoted to helping kids has earned the community’s respect and now deserves the voters’ support.
Former Gov. Jeb Bush wants voters to know that Miami-Dade County’s five-year experiment with the Children’s Trust has been such an unqualified success that he believes the program should be continued indefinitely.
EDITORIAL: Gov. Bush’s education plan went sadly awry in Florida
Well, I guess it’s really time to give former Florida governor Jeb Bush credit where credit is due: His much touted and lauded education reforms are finally showing results. We’re 48th! In childhood education, at least. Prepare to thumb your nose at the “loser” states.
FAMU savior investigated in North Carolina for old school ties
Since taking charge 13 months ago, Florida A&M University President James Ammons has cleaned up his troubled school’s finances, mollified angry lawmakers and removed the year-long stain of probation from FAMU’s name. His upcoming inauguration is billed as befitting a native son who ‘saved the institution from ruin.’ University system officials in North Carolina are investigating why, under Ammons’ leadership in 2004, North Carolina Central University set up a small satellite campus inside an Atlanta-area megachurch without getting approval from trustees, the state’s higher education board or accreditors.