Florida School Boards Association
TALLAHASSEE – Florida’s $143 billion pension fund has been on a “circular roller coaster ride” this year, which could result in the first year of a negative return since the fund plummeted 19 percent in 2009. But over the long term, the fund — which pays retirement benefits for state, county, school system and higher-education…
TALLAHASSEE — A coalition of teacher unions and civil rights groups representing millions of public school children gets a second crack at persuading the courts they have the right to sue the state over a school voucher program that pays for children to go to religious private schools. But before they walk through the courthouse…
After meeting for about a half hour with Republican Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday, incoming Florida Senate president Joe Negron, R-Stuart, said he and the governor seem to be in general agreement about their future goals for Florida’s 12 public universities. Enhancing the State University System — and adding $1 billion in funding to it over…
Twenty-two local schools will get a piece of the $134.6 million pie that is school recognition dollars — an initiative that annually awards schools for achieving either an “A” or substantial progress on state-issued report cards. And while school officials will readily accept the newly minted checks, they also critique the program’s incentive methods, weighing…
Teachers and other school employees who have long anticipated a bonus from the state’s A-Plus plan shouldn’t have to wait much longer. The money should be delivered to school districts on Tuesday, according to the Florida Department of Education. School grade appeals have been reviewed, and the 2015 grades are now formalized. So the $134.6…
The Florida Gulf Coast University board voted Tuesday in favor of a program that will allow students to receive a rebate of their freshman year tuition. The board voted 11-0 in support of the rebate program. FGCU’s goal is to roll out the initiative when the fall semester starts in August. Students will have to…
Let’s begin with a choice. Say there’s a check in the mail. It’s meant to help you run your household. You can use it to keep the lights on, the water running and food on the table. Would you rather that check be for $9,794 or $28,639? It’s not a trick question. It’s the story…
Next year’s state budget boasts what Governor Scott has called record funding for K-12 education. After deep cuts spurred by the Recession, per-pupil spending, known as FEFP, or Florida Education Finance Program has indeed hit a new high—but not when you account for inflation. In real terms, the state’s contribution is down nearly 8%, and…
TALLAHASSEE- A four-week trial challenging Florida’s entire public education system and its hallmark components — such as standardized testing, school grades and “school choice” options, like charter schools — concluded Friday. Numerous witnesses, including state Education Commissioner Pam Stewart, testified in Leon County Circuit Court during the trial, which began in mid-March. Judge George Reynolds…
TALLAHASSEE — After cutting state borrowing by about $2.5 billion since he took office, Gov. Rick Scott has reversed course and backed a legislative plan to finance more than $600 million in education construction projects in the new budget. It will mark the first time since 2011 that the state has issued bonds to pay…