Broward Schools & Property Tax Edition: Capitol to Courthouse Headliners–Tuesday, December 8
Dec 8, 2009
To view a complete story, click on a headline below:
Florida‘s public schools battling funding cuts
Just a few years ago, Camelot Elementary was overrun with students. Portable classrooms took up the basketball court and baseball diamonds, and 1,320 children were being educated on a campus built for 740.
Blog: Property tax news hangs dark clouds over school budgets
Property values across Florida are continuing to fall and the financially stressed public-school system can expect another drop in its tax base next year, state officials warn.
Broward Unions balking at county furloughs despite budget deal
A key component is unraveling in the deal struck this fall to cut Broward County government services and keep property tax rates level.
Sunshine state slowdown: Exodus from Florida may wreak havoc on schools
In its early life, Camelot Elementary was Central Florida’s poster child for runaway school growth.
Tampa CDD defaults may be disaster for a swath of homeowners
More than 50 of Tampa Bay’s community development districts are in or near default, a condition that could have serious ramifications for thousands of homeowners across Tampa Bay and accelerate the decline of already troubled Florida banks.
State Revenue Prediction Offers Hope
In one of the most hopeful signs since the state’s economy began its deep slide three years ago, Florida economists said Friday that sales taxes and other revenue that support government services will expand this fiscal year and grow even more next year.
- State economists updating Fla. revenue estimate
- Blog: A first look at the new tax forecast. Politics at play?
Editorial: Leave housing trust fund alone
The most meaningful thing Florida policymakers can do to help fire up the economy is get the housing market moving again. Residential housing is overbuilt in many areas, and folks are on the brink of foreclosure in others or already out of their homes.
Class sizes grow amid state’s fiscal woe
First increase since 2002; could cost more than $400 million to comply with law next year
Class sizes in Florida’s public schools crept upward this year for the first time since 2002, a reversal fueled by Florida’s worsening budget crisis.
Titusville may drop transportation impact fees
Sandra Jankovich wants to turn an empty parking lot into a fast-food restaurant and create 37 new jobs.
Graduation rates increase in Broward, Palm Beach
More students graduated from Broward and Palm Beach County public high schools last year, mirroring state figures that show a rise in the graduation rate for Florida schools.
Broward Teachers Union sues to halt insurance hike
The Broward Teachers Union said it filed a lawsuit Thursday asking to halt a school district health insurance increase while a School Board member is being investigated for a possible ethics violation.
New K-8 school is a first for Broward
When Broward County opens its first K-8 school next fall, it will make its first foray into an education model that Miami-Dade has embraced for years.
Henry Cuesta, 6, pogo-hopped around the playground with the rest of his first-grade class during P.E. Nearby, teenage schoolmates swung badminton rackets before running sprints.
Hernando schools pay deal on track with increased health care benefits
In era of tight belts and tense negotiations between unions and government, Hernando County’s teachers and school workers are headed for a contract after a relatively smooth path to compromise.
Editorial: City-school politics
School rezoning is often an emotional earthquake for small communities.
Fingerprint rule deters parent volunteers
Coaches want rules loosened to help transport athletes
Coaches and athletic directors want the Brevard County School Board to loosen restrictions on parents who drive students to out-of-town games and events.
Florida education commissioner Eric J. Smith speaks at a summit with Pasco school principals at Sunlake High School in Land OLakes Thursday afternoon. Among the issues discussed was score levels on the ACT and SAT to replace 10th grade FCAT scores.
Federal funding, push by students and school boards leads to new geothermal projects on campus
While solar and wind power get most of the headlines, geothermal power is quietly gaining traction on college campuses where energy costs can siphon millions each year from the budget.
Ten years ago, then-Gov. Jeb Bush issued his One Florida initiative to eliminate affirmative action in state contracting and in admissions at the state universities. The governor’s action followed a wave of similar developments in the nation.
Obama will use $3.5 billion to prod local officials to close, reopen worst-performing schools
The Obama administration will spend at least $3.5 billion to push local officials around the country to close failing schools and reopen them with new teachers and principals.
New York Times: Tax Tax Revolution
One sure way for a government to save taxpayers money is to do a job only once, not twice or more. A research report released last week by the New York State comptroller, Thomas DiNapoli, backs up that sensible but all-too-often-ignored principle with real-life examples of governments saving money by sharing services, consolidating functions and cooperating.
To unsubscribe from this newsletter, please send an e-mail to ccochran@cftlaw.com.