Florida lawmakers agree on one issue: Charter schools need more money for renovations, equipment and software. But House lawmakers have rejected a proposal that school districts say would take money from their traditional public schools and give it to charter schools. Committee chairman Rep. Marti Coley, R-Marianna, said lawmakers need to find a funding solution […]
Some Tampa Bay lawmakers are reacting with anger and defiance to a Senate proposal to cut 58 percent of state funding for the University of South Florida. Those proposed cuts are more than twice as big as the proposed reductions for other universities, according to an analysis by USF. Senate Finance Chairman J.D. Alexander of […]
School plays and football games could soon start with a student-led prayer or inspirational message, if a bill making its way through the legislature becomes law. But some lawmakers are concerned about giving students an open forum at school events. Supporters see the bill as a way to allow student-led prayers at school events. They […]
The University of South Florida is holding an emergency meeting today after a recommendation to disproportionately cut USF’s budget, compared to other state Universities. Of the $400 million recommended to be cut from the entire state university system, $79 million would come from USF, according to theĀ Tampa Bay Times. The budget recommendation comes after Polytechnic […]
Seminole County’s school board has found itself a political target at home, and in Tallahassee, for its threat to close down schools due to budget cuts and declining revenue. Seminole is facing a $20 million budget shortfall next year, largely due to the end of one-time federal assistance. The district has proposed everything from saving […]
As the legislative session approaches the midway point, education will take a prominent place in the Florida Legislature this week amid budget talk and proposed tuition increases. The Florida House has announced its budget proposal; now itās the Senateās turn. Senate President Mike Haridopolos has scheduled a series of budget subcommittee meetings as the chamber […]
Gov. Rick Scott has thrown out a handful of education markers for lawmakers this session, most notably threatening to veto any budget that does not increase K-12 funding. Scott told lawmakers that he also opposes a proposed budget that would raise tuition at state universities. But it’s worth underlining a passage in the Orlando Sentinel’s […]
Governor Rick Scott keeps saying he will veto any budget bill that does not significantly increase funding Ā for Florida public schools. And he’s proposing an extra billion dollars. But it turns out not all of that money would actually be new money for schools, according toĀ the Governor’s top education policy chief, Scott Kittel. Here’s the […]
Gov. Rick Scott insists lawmakers add $1 billion for K-12 education this year, but that money won’t go as far replenishing cuts as first thought according to a Legislative budget update this morning. Scott Kittel, Scott’s education policy adviser, told a House budget subcommittee this morning that the state now expects more students than initially […]
The biggest issues affecting education debate in Tallahassee this year may have nothing to do with classrooms. The once-every-ten-years redistricting, South Florida casinos and overhauling state insurance rules should provoke contentious debate, lawmakers and education advocates said. Those bills could squeeze out education as the sessionās marquee issue. Last year the Legislature approved a sweeping […]
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