Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–January 15
Jan 15, 2009
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State budget cuts hit education
Florida lawmakers passed a plan Wednesday to close a $2.3 billion budget shortfall, with Democrats blasting education cuts and Republicans saying they acted responsibly in tough economic times.
State deficit reversed, but what is ahead?
Slashing hundreds of millions of dollars from schools and betting heavily on help from Barack Obama, state lawmakers removed a $2.3 billion budget deficit Wednesday with warnings that the worst was yet to come.
Crist sees room to ease sting of cuts
Gov. Charlie Crist said he would restore “compassion” to the state budget when considering $2.8 billion in adjustments a divided Florida Legislature approved Wednesday.
State may pay more if it needs to borrow
Florida’s bond rating may be cut by Standard & Poor’s because the housing-market collapse stopped the state’s growth, curtailed tax income and made it harder to balance the budget.
Teacher pay, roads among Florida stimulus ideas
Merit pay for teachers, road and school construction and business development grants are some of the ideas being floated as Florida begins preparing its wish list for an anticipated federal economic stimulus package.
Legislature should end school bonuses but leave FCAT intact
The Florida School Recognition Program wasn’t based on sound education or management policies.
School Board Pay Cuts Pressed By Legislature
As school districts consider layoffs and salary cuts, the Legislature is asking elected school board members to think about reducing their own pay.
Schools huddle up on budget woes
They all shared an unwanted reality that could get downright dreadful if budget cuts continue.
Sympathetic head nods were seen across the room as school officials shared their budget cuts and the ones they’re considering during the regional Superintendents Summit Tuesday at the Howell Center in Tallahassee. The event was hosted by the Leon County School District, and the goal was to allow officials to talk candidly about their frustrations, along with sharing practices that may work in other districts.
County agrees to dip into cash reserves to pay $4.1 million elections bill
Broward County’s emergency cash reserves were all but drained Tuesday to pay for November’s presidential elections after bills ran twice as high as planned.
Miami-Dade School Board learns to play nice
An air of civility has swept away the rancor in Miami-Dade School Board meetings — and it could pay off in Tallahassee.
Six months ago, community leaders compared Miami-Dade School Board meetings to a circus.
Escambia Schools freeze hiring
District trying to lessen effects of $5.4 million in cuts
The Escambia County School District issued a hiring freeze Monday – the first of several steps to be taken to address an estimated $5.4 million in state budget cuts approved in the recent legislative special session.
Volusia County School officials reverse course on sports, science fair cuts
Volusia County students will be able to participate in junior varsity sports, cheerleading and district academic competitions like science fairs and music festivals this spring after all.
Pasco schools say virtual ed’s a real budget breaker
As Pasco schools look to the future of education, online courses for kindergarten through eighth grade rate high on the priority list.
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