Florida wants to raise property taxes to pay for more charter schools, yet public schools lack funds
Last edited Sun Nov 25, 2012, 07:00 PM - Edit history (1)
Our public schools are greatly in need of resources now. Yet here is a state panel recommending that our taxes go up to fund more charter schools.
If our property taxes go up, the public schools should benefit. I don't want my taxpayer money used for education services that will be turned over to private companies that lack any local control.
http://www.news-press.com/article/20121115/NEWS0104/311150021/1009/NEWS0107/Education-panel-backs-property-tax-hike?odyssey=nav
A state-appointed education task force is recommending increasing property taxes in an attempt to make funding more equitable between charter and traditional schools.
Traditional and charter schools are growing, yet property values have remained low since the recession. The K-12 Public School Facility Funding Task Force, which met this month, would recommend providing more funding for all public schools to meet growth needs.
The proposal asks the Legislature to identify a reliable source of money for charter schools because they do not get any property tax money. It also asks that school boards get the ability to levy an additional 50 cents per $1,000 in taxable property value for building construction and maintenance. Now it’s capped at $1.50. However, the proposal would mandate that 25 cents of that additional 50 cents goes to charter schools.
Even though many call themselves "public charter schools", they are not able to be regulated by local school boards.
The article is correct. It is "siphoning public money to go to private entities".
This is really an unfair push by education "reformers". Many charter schools in Florida are closing for failing grades or financial failure. One charter school in Orange County, FL that was closed put the principal first and the students last.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/11/03/1154823/-FL-failed-charter-school-did-without-computers-library-or-cafeteria-Principal-got-824-000
"While Young was getting a handsome salary, the school, made up of concrete portables, lacked computers, a library or a cafeteria for some 180 mostly at-risk and underprivileged students.
..."The principal in question not only received a $519,000 severance check, but she took home her $305,000 annual salary for a grand total of $824,000 during the 2010-2011 school year. The Orlando Sentinel also reported last week the school only spent $366,000 on teacher salaries and instruction during that school year. Nothing can justify that imbalance, especially for the leader of a charter that failed."
There are other examples, but one is very recent in Lee County, Florida.
http://www.news-press.com/article/20121108/NEWS0104/311080034/Lee-County-School-Board-close-another-charter-school?nclick_check=1
We’re having these situations, it’s almost a regular thing for charter schools,” said board member Jeanne Dozier, referring to Richard Milburn Academy. “We’re talking about kids here, this is not a business. This is not an easy task for us, it’s not something we want to do.”
..."The school hadn’t submitted a financial audit or an approved corrective action plan detailing finances from as early as February. The school initially submitted an action plan, but it wasn’t in compliance with state statute. Currently the corrective action plan is three months overdue and the annual financial audit is two months overdue, said Keith Martin, the board’s attorney.
.."According to the district, as of Jan. 31 the school had an accounts payable balance of $146,637, an operating fund balance of $1,311 and the school’s net loss was $113,788.
Imagine running a public school with such carelessness.
The company that manages the school refuses to respond to the county's queries.
There were two other charter schools closed for questionable financial dealings.
http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/8431
I read the word "error" in the article, but that is not an error. It is not just an error when the school reports that 465 students were in a course, yet they can only document 13 students. That's just dishonest and fraudulent.
North Nicholas High and Coronado High schools reported inaccurate numbers of students participating in on-the-job training programs, the state audit shows.
An audit of Coronado High School found there was no documentation to show 465 students participated in an on-the-job course. In a letter from Coronado Principal Arthur Nauss to the Florida auditor general, the school could provide documentation of 13 students in the course.
..."The district’s preliminary estimates show North Nicholas owes $204,236 and Coronado owes $267,543, based on per-student funding from 2011, said Lee County schools Budget Director Ami Desamours.
Claiming 465 students while only proving 13 students? That is no mistake.
That was taxpayer money they owed. And now the state panel is trying to raise our taxes to pay for more shenanigans like this.
It appears only public school teachers have to be accountable. The reformers can get away with anything.
Crossposted at Twitter
= new reply since forum marked as read
Almost every neighborhood has them. Behind each one a heartbreak I know.
Will be thinking about you and your family.
I thought the pension fight was done. Will have to keep up better.
Good to see you again.
Until 1999 and jebbie took over. Lawton Chiles had us on the right path and was making head way until jeb was finally elected. Mind you he ran and lost to Chiles in 1994. It was until Childes wasn't running that jeb was able to win. I miss Lawton Chiles 
I remember when we had bright futures, oh it's still here its just a shell of what it used to be. Bright Futures is what helped us afford to send our kids to college.
I don't have kids & the change in the school system since I was a kid is shocking.
Good to see you!
Arne just announced that ed policies won't change this term. I am very angry about that, but I think everyone expected it. Both parties depend on the billionaires who are leading the privatization of education.
https://twitter.com/madfloridian/status/272571531689861120
So I'll keep trying.
please keep it up
There are some great education posts in the Education forum here if you haven't read there. The subject needs a lot of attention.
