Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–November 11

 

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Revenue forecast may drop $1 billion

Florida CFO calls for special session

The state budget director said Monday economists might reduce Florida’s already shrunken revenue projections by up to $1 billion next week.

 

Revenue Estimating Conference Issues Revised Estimated PECO Amounts

During Monday’s meeting, the Revenue Estimating Conference on Public Education Capital Outlay issued revised estimated amounts available for appropriation to the Public Education Capital Outlay (“PECO”) program.

 

Gov. Charlie Crist might OK more borrowing to ease Florida’s cash crunch

Florida’s cash crunch is so severe that budget officials are asking Gov. Charlie Crist for permission to borrow up to $1.25 billion from trust funds to pay for basic services.

 

Gov. Crist calls for business tax cuts

Gov. Charlie Crist toured City Furniture’s headquarters and cited the company as an example of business success.

In an effort to express his support for struggling business owners, Gov. Charlie Crist visited the headquarters of City Furniture in Tamarac on Friday.

 

Obama’s effect on Florida’s economy

Tearing down free-trade agreements? Hiking taxes for small businesses? Imposing new federal oversight of banks and insurance companies? Charging more for hotel rooms because of higher unskilled labor costs?

Speculation is just heating up over how a Barack Obama presidency will impact area companies and the broader Florida economy.

 

Canvassing Commission:  Amendment 3 passes; two races call for recount

There will be no statewide vote recount as Amendment 3 passed beyond the margin that would have required it.

 

Some Broward County school projects will be eliminated because of declining student population

Smaller student population means fewer seats needed

Declining enrollment at Broward County public schools could prevent several planned schools and classroom additions from being built, including a new high school to relieve Cypress Bay High School.

 

EDITORIAL:  Floridians need more information before they vote on constitutional amendments

Government by amendment isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Americans have a constitutional right to petition for a redress of grievances, and when elected officials are unresponsive to the people’s needs, the people may act directly through the initiative process.

 

7 Years’ Bad Luck For Homeowners?

Up to 60 percent of homes selling in Florida’s hardest-hit markets are distressed properties, and consumers who bought at the height of the market will have to wait up to seven years before values rise to their original prices, a top industry economist said Friday.

 

COLUMN:  Truth about school funding is avoided

Maybe it was too unseemly to discuss in either polite company or a political campaign — what we’ve done to Florida schools.

 

South Florida officials say domestic partner benefits won’t change

Local government leaders don’t plan to retreat from offering domestic partnership benefits in the wake of voters’ decision last week to rewrite the Florida Constitution to outlaw gay marriage and anything similar to it.

 

Miami, Miami-Dade to again vote on Marlins stadium

As final votes near, hurdles remain for the Florida Marlins to secure their long-sought new baseball stadium.

In a near echo from this time last year, Miami and Miami-Dade commissioners are expected to take rapid-fire votes between Thanksgiving and Christmas to cement the future of a new Little Havana baseball stadium for the Florida Marlins.

 

Palm Beach County finds takers in $94 million bond sale, despite slumping economy

It took Palm Beach County financial managers less than four hours last week to find investors willing to give them $94 million in loans.

 

Should city pay for others to play?

Jacksonville taxpayers are being asked to shell out $430,000 – on top of the $500,000 the city already has paid – to cover losses from last year’s Atlantic Coast Conference football championship game at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium.

 

Projects caught in ‘legal limbo’

Government officials are tossing around terms like “legal limbo” when asked about the effect of two state Supreme Court decisions concerning community redevelopment districts and their ability to take on debt.

 

Governor Crist Thanks Corporate Sponsors for Supporting Students, School Choice Program

Celebrating school choice and success of Step Up for Students Scholarships

Governor Charlie Crist today attended the 5th annual “Step Up For Students” Rally and applauded the generosity and support of the many corporations that have contributed to the Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship Program. The Governor also celebrated the achievements of the Step Up For Students Scholarships, an initiative of the Corporate Tax Credit Program. This program allows low-income students to attend private schools or public schools outside of their district. 

 

More money didn’t mean more votes in Broward school race

Money usually translates to victory at the polls, as candidates with more cash have a better chance of getting their message out through ads and campaign literature.

 

Miami-Dade schools face another big cut

Miami-Dade schools face a potential $122 million deficit from problems in the budget and an expected state requirement for schools to spend less.

Its finances already strained in a difficult year, the Miami-Dade school system will need to cut as much as $122 million more from its budget, district officials said Monday.

 

Martin County Schools begin asking teachers to pay for classroom use during tutoring

Parents might pay more to have their children tutored by Martin County public school teachers, or they might have a harder time finding a teacher who tutors.

 

Hernando teachers, staff agree to scaled-back raises

Teachers and staff have reached tentative agreements on a new contract with the Hernando County School Board, officials said Friday.

 

No zero grades for Collier County elementary students

Fifty is the new zero for Collier County elementary school students.

 

In Florida, virtual school could make classrooms history

Thousands of Florida students may ditch public elementary and middle schools next year in favor of online classes at home — an option that could change the face of public education.

 

Soon, tutors will be graded like students, schools

By 3:50 p.m., most students at Fairmount Park Elementary are home. But in a scene that unfolds in dozens of places around Pinellas County every week, four first-graders are still here, camped out with a tutor. Their after-snack lesson is all about letters and sounds and stringing them together. On the table in front of them, a word on a laminated card: ‘sat.’ As Walker repeats each sound, she draws her hands apart, as if stretching a piece of mozzarella. The students mimic every move. Their futures depend in part on whether Walker’s lessons sink in.

 

EDITORIAL:  In school boards’ hands

Better place for oversight of readiness programs

When voters approved a voluntary, statewide pre-kindergarten program in 2002, the concept seemed pretty simple. They knew the program would be costly, but decided the money would be well-spent if it helped prepare kids to learn. Backers of the proposal suggested that Florida could copy one of the other states with successful pre-K programs.

 

Single-sex classes yield mixed results

Noah Johnson, 10, says spending his days in an all-boys classroom has caused him to put off dating for another year or so. ‘There’s no dating if there’s no girls in class, but Mom won’t let me date anyway,’ the fifth-grader said. ‘I’m going to date the old-fashioned way and wait until middle school.’ Noah is part of an experiment — now in its second year — at Enterprise Elementary that separates boys from girls during the school day, with the exception of physical education class and lunchtime.

 

State raises price of GED test to $70

State education officials have raised the price of the GED test from $50 to $70.

Department of Education officials say the $20 increase is needed to cover the costs of administering the General Education Development test. It’s the first such increase in a decade.

 

New law bolsters school anti-bullying efforts

There aren’t bruises or black eyes, but cyber bullying can be just as traumatic to children as old-fashioned playground fights.

With a mandate from a new state law, school districts throughout Florida are making sure their anti-bullying rules are clear. On Monday, the Duval County School Board joined them, spelling out that cyber bullying and cyber stalking are a violation of the district’s policy. School systems in Nassau and St. Johns counties are also updating their policies this month.

 

State Backs Public Records Request

Joel Chandler’s right confirmed to get information on school employees.

The state Attorney General’s Office said Monday that a Lakeland public records advocate has the right to access information about Polk County School District employees and dependents.

 

Could science standards devolve into new battle?

The science standards, developed by teachers and scientists, generated controversy over the description of evolution as a fundamental pillar of modern biology. Scientists gave the standards top ratings for accuracy and depth, but Christian conservatives said they were dogmatic.

After the evolution fight ended in February, everyone thought Florida’s new science standards were good to go until 2014.

 

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