Amendment 3 would change state spending limits. Analysts say it is more restrictive, while school and local government officials worry it will mean cuts in state funding.
One amendment would limit how much more the Florida Legislature can spend from one budget to the next. Another would limit how quickly the tax values of property can increase.
We’ll look at the first today, Amendment 3, and leave the other, Amendment 4, for tomorrow.
Amendment 3 would scrap the state’s current spending cap — which has never been exceeded — based on growth in personal income sources.
If state revenue collections exceed the amount the Legislature is allowed to spend, the extra money would have to be put into a rainy day fund for use during an economic downturn. Once that fund reaches 10 percent of the state budget, lawmakers could use excess money to reduce property taxes paying for schools or refund the money to taxpayers.
U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, a Jacksonville Democrat, has asked the U.S. Department of Education to investigate K12.
U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville, has asked the U.S. Department of Education to investigate K12, a publicly traded online education provider that operates in 42 Florida school districts, including in Miami-Dade, Broward, Hillsborough, Orange and Duval counties.
“Given the seriousness of the allegation and their potentially damaging effects on Florida students enrolled in the program, I respectfully request a federal investigation of this matter,” Brown wrote.
Auburndale Fruit Company supplies watermelon as part of Florida’s “Farm to School” Program.
Florida and other states are phasing in new standards for school lunches. Fat and calories are being reduced as more fruits and vegetables are offered.
The National School Lunch Program requirements stem from the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010, which focuses on improving child nutrition.
Amendment 12 will be the last question voters face at the polls. The amendment asks voters if they want to change how the student member of the Florida Board of Governors is chosen.
The last of a long list of ballot questions facing Florida voters would change how the student member of the Florida Board of Governors is chosen.
Amendment 12 would create a new council of student body presidents who would elect the student member of the Florida Board of Governors.
Currently the student member is chosen by the Florida Student Association — a private, non-profit organization of elected student body leaders.
So what’s the difference?
Supporters of Amendment 12 are concerned that the Florida Student Association has charged dues to join. Florida State University was the biggest school which in the past has chosen not to participate with the Florida Student Association because of the dues.
Lawmakers said the dues made it seem like, in the words of Rep. Matt Gaetz, the Florida Student Association was a “pay-to-play” organization. In response, the Florida Student Association has waived its membership dues so the organization is open to students of every school.
Florida is implementing new requirements for kids who buy lunch at school. This tray belongs to a student who liked the pizza more than the healthy offerings.
“I hate them.”
“They’re disgusting.”
These sentiments are from elementary students around Tallahassee who aren’t fans of their school’s vegetables.
“I cannot think that they’re actually real.”
“Our vegetables don’t taste real and they look like green spaghetti.”
Fortunately, not all of their peers agree.
Today, kids at Ruediger Elementary School are getting broccoli and bananas on their plates. They have other options, too.
“I take the salad and I take the fruit,” 11-year-old Shaniya Storey said. “I eat most of the carrots off the salad.”
Florida teachers may soon have debit cards to cover their classroom supplies.
The governor who cut $1.3-billion in education funding during his first year in office – then put a billion back during the second year – now wants to give every teacher in Florida a debit card.
That’s one element of Governor Rick Scott’s new education plan.
The debit cards would enable teachers to stop spending so much of their own money on supplies for students. Scott is calling it the Teacher Supply Program.
He said it would be “supported by state, district and hopefully private sector jobs to purchase supplies for their classroom without spending personal money like they do today.”
A survey conducted by the National School Supply and Equipment Association found that teachers cover 77 percent of their classroom supplies.
But there’s a conspicuous absence from the education agenda he released Thursday: The parent trigger.
Last year the parent trigger was the most devisive education issue of the Legislative session. The bill died on the session’s final day when a sponsor turned against the bill, resulting in a tie vote.
The bill would allow the majority of parents at chronically failing schools to decide how to restructure the schools. That can include closing the school, firing the principal and/or staff or converting to a charter school.
Supporters, such as former Gov. Jeb Bush, say the bill will be back this year. And political groups, such as StudentsFirst, have staff in Florida working on the issue.
Those opposing the parent trigger are getting ready as well.
If a governor is using education to help broaden his appeal, staying away from the parent trigger might be a wise idea. Instead, Scott is focusing on increasing the number of students who can enroll in charter schools.
Gov. Rick Scott unveiled an education plan that he says focuses on preparing high school gradiates for college or careers.
Gov. Rick Scott unveiled his education plan this morning.
Many of the details had already been reported, but the overall plan focuses on making sure high school graduates are ready for college or a career.
Among the highlights:
Preparing teachers and schools for the switch to Common Core standards, considered tougher than those currently in use in Florida. Scott is asking for $2 million to help train teachers.
Allowing school districts more flexibility from state regulations and loosening restrictions on charter school enrollment.
Seeking private donors to pay for debit cards teachers can use to purchase school supplies.
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