Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–December 17
Dec 17, 2009
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School class size, high-speed rail on Florida’s agenda
The Florida Legislature could act next year to ease the disastrous economic impact of the class-size amendment on public schools, says former State Rep. Dudley Goodlette of Naples.
More stable funding source than property tax
Both Gainesville and Alachua County are trying to plug current or expected holes in their fire department budgets, and the effort has each government revisiting the potential establishment of a fire assessment fee on taxpayers.
Melbourne company gets property tax cut for 30 new jobs
This fall, HTF, Inc., executives applied for property tax breaks, increasing the chances they would stay on the Space Coast amid competition from officials in Indiana and Mississippi also interested in the company, according to records from the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast.
Alachua School Board: No more paying city fee
The Alachua County School Board voted unanimously on Tuesday to stop paying $12,000 a month to the city for stormwater fees.
Editorial: Pay for performance
The gist: School districts should embrace merit pay to reward teachers and win reform dollars.
Florida Education Commissioner Eric Smith informed superintendents last week that the state remains a strong contender for up to $700 million in federal money that could fund much-needed reforms.
- Blog: Florida Education Association urges locals to beg off Race to the Top agreement
- Broward schools officials, teachers union to discuss finances
- Blog: Pinellas teachers union — Too many unanswered questions about Race to the Top
Growth management lawsuit will go forward
A South Florida-generated lawsuit, which claims sweeping growth management legislation signed into law in June is unconstitutional, will move forward.
Jacksonville-area agency wants to take Florida’s control of local growth
A Jacksonville-based council of local governments wants to take over the state’s job of regulating development in Northeast Florida.
Editorial: Florida lawmakers must settle gambling issue in spring
Lawmakers are right that it’s not the time to call a special legislative session to address gambling issues. But dealing with gambling, as Tallahassee must this coming spring, is long overdue.
State nixes stimulus funding for Volusia, Flagler
The tentative five-year work plan for Volusia and Flagler County roads and bridges presented by state transportation officials during a public hearing Wednesday night wasn’t all some local officials hoped for.
Incumbents dread amendments to end custom-fit districts
One of the great unchanging things about the Florida Legislature is the way it resents being told what to do by voters.
Relief center plan lifts spirits
West Dade Federation officials have temporarily lifted the 2,000-student cap at Ronald Reagan Doral Senior High School, allowing 80 high schoolers to enroll, but parents say that is not the solution for the area’s only high school.
Seminole sneaks in school rezones
Good morning, Seminole County parents! Your kid may have been rezoned to a new school last night!
Hollywood to discuss new Montessori school, embattled CRA
Hollywood city commissioners are expected Wednesday to vote to ask the Broward school district to set aside a large chunk of seats at a new school for city residents next year.
Bill amendment would hinder annexation
Antiannexation activists in this unincorporated area got a glimmer of hope that they’d be protected from being made part of a city, thanks to a last-minute move by the county’s legislative delegation.
Census Bureau Launches 2010 Census in Schools Program in Broward County, Florida
U.S. Census Bureau and Broward County officials will launch the 2010 Census in Schools program at Broward County’s Nova Blanche Forman Elementary School.
Politics muddy investment reforms
The need to continue reforms in managing Florida’s mammoth financial investments remains regardless of how the discussion has this fall become politicized.
Blog: Florida sees steep decline in National Board certified teachers
Florida has dropped from No. 1 in the annual count of new National Board certified teachers to No. 5, with only about one-third the number of educators completing the program as a year ago.
Fla. legislator files bill to do away with FCAT
A Florida representative from Miami who proposed a failed 1 percent sales tax for education last year is suggesting another big change: to do away with the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, or FCAT.
New York Gov. Paterson Sued Over School Payments
A coalition of teachers unions and local school officials mounted a legal battle on Wednesday against Gov. Paterson, arguing that his decision to unilaterally withhold about $582 million in school aid and property tax reimbursements from school districts violated New York’s Constitution.
State Farm says it’s paying to much in property tax to Bloomington
State Farm Insurance thinks it’s paying too much in property taxes in its hometown of Bloomington, Ill. If the company is right it could cost local schools and government millions of dollars.
Broward School Board passes new lobbying rules
Lobbyists doing business with Broward County schools will face sanctions ranging from a warning to a two-year suspension if they do not follow rules unanimously approved Tuesday.
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