Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners — Thursday, February 10

Feb 10, 2011

 

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Florida Governor Scott’s budget called ‘worst-case scenario’ for Broward schools

If the state budget proposed by Governor Rick Scott makes it through the Legislature, Broward County schools would be forced to lay off at least 1,270 teachers, cut more programs and reduce other staff and administration, district officials said Tuesday. 

 

Palm Beach County school officials hope legislators dial back governor’s budget proposal

Palm Beach County school officials on Tuesday said they hope the state Legislature shreds Governor Rick Scott’s state budget proposal and eliminates potentially deep funding cuts for the 2011-12 school year.

 

Florida school leaders:  Scott plan would mean layoffs

Governor Rick Scott’s proposal to slash public school spending by at least $300 per student, and possibly much more, will mean layoffs and steep cuts in transportation, art, music, athletics and extracurricular activities, education and teachers union officials said Tuesday.

 

12,000 jobs axed, but Florida schools fear more cuts

Florida educators worried over possible layoffs and other casualties resulting from Governor Rick Scott’s proposed budget have been cutting their staffs for years.

 

Governor Scott’s Budget Looks Like a ‘No Sale’ to Lawmakers

Rick Scott’s $65.9 billion proposed budget drew reviews Tuesday ranging from tepid to downright mean as legislative committees dominated by fellow Republicans got their first look at the new governor’s first spending proposal.

 

Governor Rick Scott overstated budget cuts, legislators say

Governor Rick Scott made a campaign-like splash this week, proclaiming to national cable news audiences and tea partiers that his $65.9-billion budget proposal to lawmakers would cut government spending by around $5 billion.


Opinion:  Did Rick Scott lie about school funding?

The budget proposal that Governor Rick Scott unveiled this week would cut public education spending in Florida next year by at least $3.3 billion.

 

Editorial:  Too much of Governor Scott’s budget stretches from unrealistic to draconian

THE ISSUE:  Governor Scott releases budget proposal.

Balancing Florida’s bleeding budget gap will take a lot of work. Unfortunately, the proposal Governor Rick Scott released on Monday would make the task even harder.

 

Expanded voucher program appears dead for now

A bold plan to create one of the nation’s most expansive private school voucher programs appears dead for the upcoming legislative session.

 

Plan to correct class size passes Palm Beach County school board to avert $16 million penalty

By a unanimous vote, the Palm Beach County School Board agreed to accept the district’s class-size compliance plan, six days before the plan must be submitted to the state to avoid a $16 million penalty.

 

Rhee Challenges ‘Criminal Standard’ of Teacher Tenure

Former D.C. schools chief tells Senate panel that ‘the system’ fails instructors

Tackling the politically charged subject of tenure, school reformer Michelle Rhee told a Florida Senate committee Wednesday that teacher-protection rules undermine quality education.


Tough Choices Ahead for Florida Local Governments

Retirement obligations called ‘ticking time bomb’ in LeRoy Collins Institute report

“California, here we come.” Unless it’s vacation you’re talking about, you don’t want to hear that and you don’t want to go there.

 

Scott wants to speed up hike in Bright Futures requirements

To help contain ballooning Bright Futures costs, lawmakers voted last year to hike scholarship requirements step by step for the next several years.

 

South Florida board:  Scott plan to cut water district taxes 25 percent threatens jobs, Everglades cleanup

The South Florida Water Management District may be forced to lay off employees and halt some Everglades restoration efforts if Governor Rick Scott sticks by his proposal to cut water management districts’ property taxes by 25 percent, board members and staff said Wednesday.

 

Florida students’ scores among tops nationally in Advanced Placement report

Florida high school students continue to rank among the top in the nation when it comes to performance on college-caliber Advanced Placement exams, according to results released Wednesday.

 

 

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