Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–May 25
May 25, 2010
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Florida Property Tax Amendments Survive Another Court Challenge
A pair of state constitutional amendments that give tax breaks to primary homeowners survived another legal challenge Monday as the Florida Supreme Court refused to hear the case.
- Florida justices refuse to hear homeowner tax case
- THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA: Florida Supreme Court upholds ‘Save Our Homes’ exemption
- State Supreme Court Saves “Save Our Homes”
Florida gets federal grant to track students
Florida will get $10 million for a new data system to track student progress, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced today.
Unpaid property taxes soar in Brevard
12,000 Brevard owners owe more than $31 million
For the third straight year, unpaid property taxes are at historically high levels.
Florida’s biggest teacher union backs Meek – and Crist
In a stunning thank you for a veto of teacher merit pay – and perhaps a bow to political reality – the state’s largest teacher union on Saturday said that while it backs Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Kendrick Meek as expected, it also would be fine with no-party Charlie Crist and co-endorsed both.
State sizing up the class size amendment
The strictest part of Florida’s class-size law kick in this fall. Will voters dial it back in November?
St. Lucie County School Board to decide on extra tax levy Tuesday night
At its meeting Tuesday night, the St. Lucie County School Board will decide whether to ask voters to approve a special tax of 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value in November.
Clay schools facing budget shortfalls again
Based on projected revenues and expenses, the Clay County School Board must cut about $10.8 million from its upcoming 2010-11 budget and $16.2 million from its 2011-12 budget to maintain state-required reserve fund levels, said George Copeland, assistant superintendent for business affairs.
Blog: Showdown on Seminole sales tax is Tuesday
Seminole County School Board members have been been wanting an answer for more than six months.
Blog: State audits Seminole schools
It’s hard for a school district to get through a state audit of its books without some errors turning up, and Seminole is no exception.
Schools to make push for federal reform grant
The Pasco County School Board wants to give Race to the Top another go as the federal grant program enters round two.
Blog: 38 districts (36 with union support) now part of Florida’s Race to the Top plan
Thirty eight school districts have now signed up to take part in Florida’s effort to win federal Race to the Top money. Districts have until tomorrow to let the Florida Department of Education know if they are in – or not.
Cash-strapped districts cutting summer school across country
Across the country, districts are cutting summer school because it’s just too expensive to keep.
As cash-strapped state and local governments look at layoffs to save money, workers are turning to unions to protect their jobs and wages.
Study: Millions of Medicaid Kids Don’t Get Exams in Florida and other states
Nearly three-fourths of children in 9 states not receiving all checkups
Almost three-quarters of children on Medicaid in nine states are not getting all of their legally required medical, vision and hearing examinations, including immunizations, according to a new government study.
The rule is meant to keep state funds from religious organizations
A century-old provision of the Florida Constitution may soon be dusted off for the first time before the state Supreme Court, with the fate of millions of dollars in state funding to religious organizations hanging in the balance.
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