Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–February 23
Feb 23, 2010
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As Florida lawmakers scramble to lower unemployment taxes, stimulus funds untapped
Last year, with unemployment heading higher and worries about the states ability to pay for unemployment benefits growing, business groups asked the Legislature to pass a temporary $650 million-a-year tax increase to buoy the fund that pays jobless Floridians.
Schools face pressure and budget cuts
Florida’s education system faces a tough challenge this year, as lawmakers seek higher standards for learning in the upcoming legislative session, but do so at a time when dollars are precious.
After cutting tens of millions of dollars and numerous positions over the past two years, Florida school districts are headed for yet another year of belt-tightening.
Recent cold costly for government
From repairing cracked roads to keeping cats and dogs reasonably cozy, the unrelenting cold weather of recent weeks is going to cost government agencies money at a time when many are short of cash.
Forum discusses Miami-Dade schools budget gap
Revenue into the Miami-Dade school system, the nation’s fourth largest, has dropped by $1.2 billion over the past three years.
Ex-Budget Director Under Jeb Bush Hired to Consult Senate
Former Gov. Jeb Bush budget director Donna Arduin’s firm will be paid as much as $35,000 over the next five months as an economic consultant to the Senate’s budget committee, according to a new contract approved by Senate President Jeff Atwater.
Q&A: Proposed extension of the special Sarasota school tax
Before voters decided to support a special, local tax for public education in 2002 and 2006, my colleagues and I posed a long series of questions to school district officials.
Editorial: Ease class-size limits
To avoid more stress on cash-starved school districts, legislators should add flexibility to caps.
After they took a look at their budget prospects this month, school officials in Orange and Seminole counties sounded like skiers approaching a precipice.
Homeowners with Bad Drywall Qualify for Lower Property Appraisals
Palm Beach County homeowners with defective Chinese drywall are now eligible to get their property appraisals cut by almost three-quarters.
Magnet enrollment limits may boost neighborhood schools
The Duval County School Board is studying the impact of reducing student slots at popular magnet schools to help boost lagging enrollment at neighborhood schools – an idea that’s already drawing criticism.
Jefferson County Schools cut spending, hope to make the grade
Bill Brumfield didn’t exactly know what he was getting himself into when he was elected as Jefferson County Schools superintendent in November 2008.
Northeast Florida parents struggling to find safe places for children after school
There are several options, including sports and child care.
When Maribel Hernandez got the school bus postcard two weeks before her daughter headed off to Douglas Anderson School of the Arts this year, she felt her stomach drop.
Proposal would end federal oversight of Orange schools
Early next month, the federal courts will begin to close a long and painful chapter in the history of Orange County Public Schools, a district that once ran separate educational systems for black and white children.
Marco YMCA, high school venture to share land
Marco Island’s YMCA campus may become the site of the newly conceived public charter high school.
USA Today: With city loans, homeowners go green now, pay later
Putting solar or other green upgrades on homes and businesses is getting less painful in more cities that are rapidly launching programs to enable owners to pay back upfront costs over years.
High Schools to Offer Plan to Graduate 2 Years Early
Dozens of public high schools in eight states will introduce a program next year allowing 10th graders who pass a battery of tests to get a diploma two years early and immediately enroll in community college.
In tough times, you bargain hunt for quality.
Pew Report: Florida Failing To Address Children’s Dental Health Crisis
Florida is failing to ensure the dental health needs of its children, according to a report released by the Pew Center on the States.
Courts struggle to keep up as cash-strapped parents try to modify child support
Cash-strapped parents seeking child support relief have clogged the state’s family court system, forcing hearing officers to work overtime and judges to play case managers.
Collier to test out report cards without grades in four elementary schools
When the report cards come out next school year, it will be the students getting the grades, but the parents getting the education.
Rules for counting graduates about to get tougher
A report on changes in how graduation rates are calculated for Florida high schools will be presented Tuesday to the Volusia County School Board.
St. Johns school district unveils 10-year strategic plan
More character building, an aggressive stance on education funding and greater community involvement are on the horizon for St. Johns County schools as the district takes a look at the next 10 years of public education.
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