Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–August 7
Aug 7, 2008
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August 1, 2008 Florida Ad Valorem Assessments Estimating Conference
Crist pushes tax-swap amendment as economic stimulus
Gov. Charlie Crist told business executives today that passage of the ‘tax swap’ constitutional amendment on the November ballot will spur Florida’s economic recovery.
Crist aide had barred support for a tax hike
Gov. Charlie Crist’s newfound support for a property tax cut on the November ballot clashes with a pledge his office made to constituents just six months ago.
Crist disavows letters opposing tax swap
Gov. Charlie Crist said his aide got it wrong six months ago when he wrote constituents to say the governor would oppose any plans to swap property tax cuts for other tax increases.
Crist Still Mum on School Funding in ‘Tax Swap’
$9 billion would need to be replaced if proposal is OK’d.
Three days after he said he supported the plan, Gov. Charlie Crist on Wednesday continued to avoid suggesting how the state would replace $9 billion or more to maintain school funding if voters approve the ‘tax swap’ on the November ballot.
Survey: Florida’s proposed property tax amendment not popular
Chris and Debbie Oerly never expected to save much from the Amendment 1 property tax plan voters passed overwhelmingly last January but they didn’t expect to be hurt.
Educators: Say ‘No’ to ‘tax swap’
Florida’s public school educators just don’t trust the Legislature.
That distrust is largely what fuels their universal opposition to Amendment 5, the so-called “tax swap” measure.
Senators call tax swap into question
The old axiom that nothing is certain but death and taxes got a new spin from a couple of Republican state senators Wednesday afternoon.
Crist’s push for Amendment 5 shows his support for better education is hollow
When it comes to improving public education in Florida — and using it to make our children competitive in the global economy — Gov. Charlie Crist loves to talk the talk.
EDITORIAL:Â Crist owes Floridians an $8 billion answer
Gov. Crist came out this week in strong and irresponsible support of Amendment 5 on the November ballot, another sign that he hopes to be a short-termer in Florida.
EDITORIAL: Ambushing education
Reject deceptive ballot measures to allow taxpayer funding of private schools
We’ve warned repeatedly on this page about the danger to Florida schools posed by Amendment 5, which may be on the Nov. 4 ballot and would end stable property tax-based funding for education.
Gov. Charlie Crist backed the property tax initiative Amendment 1 on the promise that it would cause Florida’s sagging economy to take off.
It didn’t.
COLUMN: Sneaky school amendments might pull fast one on Florida voters
Patricia Levesque, the executive director of former Gov. Jeb Bush’s educational think tank, took time out from maternity leave to ask me a question on Wednesday.’Why is it that the same Catholic school that can’t teach a 5-year-old using an opportunity scholarship voucher can teach a 4-year-old in a [state-backed pre-kindergarten] program?’ she said from Tallahassee.
COLUMN:Â Passage of Amendment 5 could result in tax increase
Public education in Florida is teetering on the brink of disaster.
If you follow the advice of Gov. Charlie Crist, oblivion could be the next stop.
State: Property values rebound unlikely in ’08
The values of homes, businesses and other properties across Florida declined $153 billion during the last year, and the murky economic picture isn’t expected to improve until some time in 2009, state officials said.
Broward School district toughens enrollment rules
Parents who use false addresses to enroll their children in schools they aren’t supposed to attend could be charged with a felony under a stricter registration policy passed Tuesday by the Broward County School Board.
Part-time teachers sue School District
A group of former and current Broward County part-time teachers is suing the Broward County School District, claiming they never got the chance to appeal a School Board decision to not make pension or Social Security contributions for its temporary employees.
Broward schools chief rated highly
Broward Schools Superintendent Jim Notter had a successful inaugural year, according to his glowing job evaluation.
Broward Schools Superintendent Jim Notter earned such high marks on his first evaluation Wednesday that his contract will be extended a year — through 2011.
Broward County: Board approves $4 million to replace high school pool
The Broward County School Board found $4 million to replace South Broward High School’s leaky, 50-year-old swimming pool Wednesday when it approved the district’s reduced five-year capital plan.
Superintendent Crew weighing whether to stay in job
After surviving an attempted firing, Superintendent Rudy Crew is weighing whether he should stay in Miami-Dade.
A day after surviving a narrow vote to fire him, Miami-Dade Superintendent Rudy Crew said Tuesday he could decide within weeks whether to quit on his own accord.
Effort to oust Lake Superintendent Anna Cowin early has little precedent to succeedÂ
The vote was unanimous from Lake County School Board members: We want Gov. Charlie Crist to give Superintendent Anna Cowin the boot.
Manatee schools consider new tax
With no end in sight to district budget woes, frustrated Manatee School Board members are searching for a new revenue stream.
Florida legislators to schools: Let’s get physical
Do your kids practice karate a few nights a week?
That activity — along with soccer or any other workouts — could get children excused from physical education at elementary and middle schools one year from now.
Frequently asked questions about schools
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