Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–June 20

 

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‘Tax swap’ battle to hit mailbox, radio, TV near you

The next property tax fight is under way.

On Monday, a broad and powerful coalition will announce plans to oppose a November ballot that would greatly reduce property taxes for schools but increase the sales tax.

OPINION:   Involve public in growth decisions

If it prevails in the current lawsuit, the Florida Hometown Democracy constitutional amendment could qualify for this November’s election.

“Dueling Columnists”:  Try to convince me that certain state spending is necessary

Here’s a preview of today’s live “Dueling Columnists at the Riverside Hotel,” a luncheon program when Kingsley and I face off with a well-known politician or public-policymaker. We’ll be dueling with Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio about the drastic (draconian?) $5.5 billion cuts in the 2008-2009 state budget.

“Dueling Columnists”:  Blame spending, taxes for Florida’s woes

Tallahassee is only shelling out about $3,700 for each Florida resident, Stephen tells us. Oh, woe is us!

Dade schools reveal they overspent millions

Already needing to close a projected budget gap for the next fiscal year, Miami-Dade School Board members got more bad news: The current year’s budget is millions in the red.

For the second year in a row, the Miami-Dade school district will need to raid its rainy-day fund to close the year in the black, Superintendent Rudy Crew said Wednesday.

Palm Beach County to keep tax rate steady

The majority of Palm Beach County commissioners vowed Wednesday to not increase the county’s tax rate next year, turning down a recommendation from their top administrator that could have resulted in a property tax hike for the county’s priciest homesteads.

$15 million in county cuts sought

Administrator Bob Weisman started looking for at least $15 million to slash from next year’s budget Thursday, a day after commissioners rejected a proposed increase in the county’s property tax rate.

Collier’s property tax forecast for fiscal year ‘09 not all doom and gloom

Despite concerns about, and frequent reference to, state-mandated tax rollbacks and decreases in Collier County property values, county officials believe next year’s property tax revenue will be about the same as the current fiscal year.

OPINION:  Leon County still can say no to Amendment 1

The Leon County Courthouse served as a backdrop for a recent HBO drama recounting how George Bush hijacked the U.S. presidential election in 2000.

Children’s Services Council to build headquarters

Building will rise on 2 acres in Lauderhill

The Children’s Services Council of Broward County approved Thursday spending $8 million for new headquarters.

School-district workers try to keep jobs

Dozens of school-district employees addressed the Miami-Dade School Board in an effort to save their jobs.

After hearing from dozens of school-district employees, parents, and members of the community, the Miami-Dade School Board prepared to take up Superintendent Rudy Crew’s proposal to eliminate hundreds of positions late Wednesday.

Broward schools to pay more for resource officers

Hoping to soothe a lingering sore point with Broward cities and the Broward Sheriff’s Office, School Board members on Tuesday pledged to spend more money on school resource officers.

School district: No money for pay raises; $63 million in cuts possible

When the School District unveils its budget recommendations next month, it won’t include any money for employee raises.

Board supports most cuts

Faced with slashing $4.5-million from next year’s budget, Hernando school superintendent Wayne Alexander has offered a long list of deep spending cuts. On Tuesday, the School Board largely backed his tough choices.

Martin County schools brace for even more budget cuts

Not only are Martin County school officials expecting to start the school year with more than $4 million less than last year, but they’re also bracing for additional budget cuts.

Schools give initial approval to new anti-bullying policy

Initial OK given to more training, broader definition

The Broward County School District on Tuesday began creating one of the state’s first districtwide policies to stop and prevent school bullying.

Weston mayor gets cool reception on creating charter school system

Mayor Eric Hersh’s move to establish a city-run charter school system already is causing a stir.

EDITORIAL:  Crisis brings out best, worst in School Board

Review of Rudy Crew’s Performance is Misdirected

You could see this one coming for months now, but Miami-Dade School Board member Renier Diaz de la Portilla took the first real steps on Thursday to try to oust Superintendent Rudy Crew.

4 Dade School Board members face challengers

The Miami-Dade School Board could be in store for a shake-up this summer: Four of the five board members up for reelection this year are facing challenges.

Leaders meet at Disney to tackle education reform

Everyone seems to be talking about change these days. This week, that includes a group of education reformers, with former Gov. Jeb Bush leading the way.

                                                                                                                      
Florida school policy onstage

Florida is No. 1 in the nation in vouchers. It’s No. 2 in charter school enrollment. It’s No. 4 in the percentage of high school students passing college-level exams.

Graduation Rate Calculation To Get Overhaul

Florida high school staff are in line to become detectives, tracking down and verifying every student leaving their school.

Miami green plan going national

Schools in Miami and across the country will compete to receive a ‘green’ makeover worth about $250,000.

A green initiative that sprouted in Miami will spread across the country in the fall.

From the office to the classroom

On a usual day, Kendra Goodman meets with vendors, reviews contracts, develops bid specifications and all the things you would expect the director of purchasing for a school district with a $1.1-billion budget to do.

A new way to fund Florida universities?

For years, Florida universities have had one major way to collect more dollars: Get big.

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