Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners — January 3
Jan 3, 2011
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Scott Not Shying From Pledge to Slash Taxes
Governor-elect Rick Scott, who will be sworn in Tuesday, has no plans to back off his campaign pledge to cut property taxes by 19 percent in the coming year, even though the state’s financial picture has worsened in the months since he first made that promise.
Governor-Elect Scott has sights set squarely on education reform
Should Florida offer to pay for any public school student to attend a private one instead?
Teachers, parents set stage for education war
Teachers and like-minded parents have struck first in an expected statewide battle over education changes being proposed by Governor-elect Rick Scott’s transition team.
Governor-elect Rick Scott eyes ‘game-changing’ education overhaul
Florida’s governor-elect wants to put the power of education in parents’ hands. But some of his ideas may not be legal, or politically popular.
Governor-elect Rick Scott wants Florida parents in the driver’s seat when it comes to their children’s education, and he’s considering a number of ways to put them there despite questions and criticism from school leaders.
Palm Beach County property appraiser says hearings flap could delay resolving tax disputes
Tax agent disputes concerns, defends his influx of appeals
Tax agent John McDonald makes a living trying to prove Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Gary Nikolits and his employees wrong.
The Monroe County school district soon will launch a website that will help the public determine whether people who are conducting fundraisers have the district’s permission.
Report: Florida lags in college enrollment, soars with college completion
Compared to other states, Florida doesn’t do well getting its kids to college, but once they’re there, it does a great job getting them a degree, says a new report from the Southern Regional Education Board.
Scott casts skeptical eye on state pension funding
The governor-elect says the retirement checks of a million current and future government retirees might be at risk, and pledges to bring the $122 billion plan under tighter control.
Days before taking office as Florida’s governor, Rick Scott said he is worried that the state’s public pension fund, which posted a $16.7 billion shortfall last year, is in even worse shape than the public has been told.
Judge Upholds Legislature Tuition Authority
A Leon County judge upheld the Legislature’s ability to set tuition for the state’s 11 public universities, knocking down a challenge from former Governor Bob Graham who thought the Board of Governors should control university costs.
Jeb Bush’s Influence on Education Policy Spreads
Three years ago, Jeb Bush left the Florida governor’s office with a legacy of having brought sweeping changes to his state’s education system, through hard-edged policies that gave parents and students more choices and demanded more of schools.
Public employees face wrath of strapped taxpayers
Union contracts criticized amid budget crisis
Ever since Marie Corfield’s confrontation with Governor Chris Christie this fall over the state’s education cuts became a YouTube classic, she has received a stream of vituperative e-mails and Facebook postings.
San Francisco Unified School District Moves Slowly to Manage Its Real Estate
Despite being one of the largest financially struggling landowners in the city, the San Francisco Unified School District has largely failed to actively manage its holdings, leaving a number of valuable properties idle for years.
Immigration: At what cost to schools?
Andrea couldn’t believe it when her cousin, a U.S. citizen, dropped out of high school.
Magnet teachers speak about value of programs
The continuing economic downturn and government cutbacks have affected budgets for the educational system in South Florida, and some educators are worried about the possible impact this may have on magnet arts programs.
For South Florida students, it’s buckle-down time
No more staying up late or sleeping in. When the school bells ring Monday it’s time to get back to work — a lot of it.
It’s time for teachers and students to get back to work.
Random tests credited with reducing drug use among high-school athletes
Two schools join three that started program
A random drug testing program in Palm Beach County schools is showing positive results in battling substance abuse, but the effort is still small in scale, officials say.
School districts help mentally disabled find jobs
Exceptional Student Education does not end with diploma
Belisha Noel was in the middle of a mock job interview, but she appeared to approach it the same way she would tackle the real thing.
Shower stalls stay dry at most public schools
Students would rather not bathe in front of peers after exercise
Today’s teens aren’t shocked by much.
Facebook free speech wins the day for former Broward charter school student
Back in 2007, Katie Evans wrote on her Facebook page that her Pembroke Pines Charter High School teacher was “the worst teacher I’ve ever met.” Her principal accused Evans of cyber-bullying against the teacher and suspended the girl for three days.
Is uniform policy making grade?
Educators, officials say it’s working; some parents, students still object to it
More than six months after the Alachua County School Board enacted a uniform dress code policy, administrators say it is working – shown in the hallways and in the classrooms.