Capitol to Courthouse Headliners: Broward Schools Edition

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State could set school board salaries

School boards throughout Florida are hopeful that the coming days will bring a reprieve sought since 2002 when the Legislature started requiring members to vote for their own pay raises.

A bill awaiting Gov. Charlie Crist’s signature would bring school board members back in line with all other constitutional officers, whose salaries are set annually by the Legislature.

 

Schools gamble on storm coverage

Hurricane season is under way, but school districts across Florida are short on property insurance and counting on the federal government to pick up the pieces if a big storm strikes.

 

Don’t believe political doom, gloom

Response to the Legislature’s property tax cut package has been predictable.

“Too much,” shouts the big government multitude, including public employee unions and plenty of Democratic officeholders who predict the end of civilization in Florida as we know it if all the tax cuts go through.

 

Crist OK’s tuition hikes at 3 universities

In a major reversal in position, Gov. Charlie Crist told university presidents Wednesday he will allow the state’s top research schools to raise tuition gradually over the next few years as long as they wait until 2008 to begin.

 

5 arrested in high school pyrotechnics

Five recent graduates were arrested in connection with pyrotechnic devices that prompted evacuations at a high school earlier this month, authorities said Wednesday.

 

Broward schools weigh 3-year contract for Notter

Broward School Board members want to offer interim Superintendent Jim Notter a three-year contract — stretching to four if they’re happy with his performance — and a hefty raise.

 

Commission takes a fresh look at the property tax burden

Tax experts offered one more reason Tuesday why Florida’s property tax system is so difficult to fix: By shifting the tax burden to local governments, lawmakers have kept the state tax rate low.

 

Pembroke Pines charter schools’ bid for cash stalls

With the loss of up to $800 million in construction money looming over them, Broward School Board members decided Tuesday to hold off on giving Pembroke Pines charter schools a share of the school district’s construction money.

 

S.C. man could be first male PTA president

Chuck Saylors is set to do something no man has in the 110-year history of the PTA – lead the group, which began as the National Congress of Mothers.

 

Too much video gaming not addiction, yet

The American Medical Association on Wednesday backed off calling excessive video-game playing a formal psychiatric addiction, saying instead that more research is needed.

 

Commissioner Blomberg Announces Recipients of National Math and Science Partnership Grants

TALLAHASSEE – Education Commissioner Jeanine Blomberg today announced the selection of eight Florida school districts as recipients of $10.9 million in grants, which are part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Mathematics and Science Partnership (MSP) program.

 

Parents of teen hit by lightning sue school board

The father of a teenage football player killed by a lightning strike during a high school football game has filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the Broward County School Board saying the school did not provide sufficient warning, the man’s lawyer said.

 

Feds give state 60 days to reach a gambling deal with Seminoles

The U.S. Department of Interior warned Gov. Charlie Crist that if he doesn’t reach a gaming agreement with the Seminole Tribe of Florida soon, the federal government could get involved.