[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: It Could be Worse

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
It Could be Worse
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1209992286.shtml


   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.