[Speed Gibson,
Monday May 5, 2008 at 7:58am]
It Could be Worse
We constantly hear the various education "experts" around our state express concern how the sky is falling on our K-12 public school districts, finanancially that is. And it's been falling for some time they claim. It could be worse.
Here in Pinellas County in Florida (St. Petersburg), this huge system serving over 100,000 students, it is worse.
Three months ago, they passed a referendum for at least $40 million in higher property taxes. About 80% is supposed to go for higher teacher pay, the rest for arts and technology. Now, they face a $43 million shortfall, allegedly the work of the Florida Legislature.
They've whittled this deficit down to about $11 million by layoffs and school closings. The next move being considered is a pay cut. The 14,000 teachers would see a 2% reduction, and the support staff 3% to 6% reductions.
They're not talking about reduced growth rates that may or may not keep up with inflation or other indexes, what the Minnesota education establishment often inaccurately calls a cut. Floridians make real, Funk & Wagnalls, Merriam-Webster cuts. So I don't want to hear how tough it is in Minnesota anymore. It could be worse.
It certainly is here. Not surprisingly, the Pinellas County Schools Superintendent resigned April 17th to become Vice President, Education and Corporate Relations for Scholastic Corporation.
Here in Pinellas County in Florida (St. Petersburg), this huge system serving over 100,000 students, it is worse.
Three months ago, they passed a referendum for at least $40 million in higher property taxes. About 80% is supposed to go for higher teacher pay, the rest for arts and technology. Now, they face a $43 million shortfall, allegedly the work of the Florida Legislature.
They've whittled this deficit down to about $11 million by layoffs and school closings. The next move being considered is a pay cut. The 14,000 teachers would see a 2% reduction, and the support staff 3% to 6% reductions.
They're not talking about reduced growth rates that may or may not keep up with inflation or other indexes, what the Minnesota education establishment often inaccurately calls a cut. Floridians make real, Funk & Wagnalls, Merriam-Webster cuts. So I don't want to hear how tough it is in Minnesota anymore. It could be worse.
It certainly is here. Not surprisingly, the Pinellas County Schools Superintendent resigned April 17th to become Vice President, Education and Corporate Relations for Scholastic Corporation.