Education spending has increased in the last 30 years.
When adjusted for inflation, per-pupil spending has nearly doubled from $6,037 per student in 1976-77 to $11,674 in 2006-07, the last year figures are available. This according to the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics.
For the record however, Florida spends about $6,900 per student and Scott proposes to shrink per-student funding to about $6,200. Basically the 76-77 level.
I wonder how the costs of supplies, insurance, and so many other things that teachers and schools need, balance out when adjusted for inflation?
Is this where we want to turn the clock back too? Is this what we want to do to our schools and children?
With an assist from the St. Petersburg Times Gradebook: http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/michelle-rhee-tells-florida-legislators-spending-on-education-is-way-up/1152830
Showing posts with label education budget. Show all posts
Showing posts with label education budget. Show all posts
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Rick Scott and his "troublesome" budget
From the Ledger.com
On Monday, Gov. Rick Scott unveiled his first state budget. Being a biennial budget, it fits the Scott mold by breaking the rules. Those in a business-world frame of mind might find such extracubular thinking brilliant.
For the business of Florida's people, there is a more stark term: unconstitutional.
The first paragraph in Section 19 of the Florida Constitution, paragraph (a), is entitled ANNUAL BUDGETING. Subsequent paragraphs specify many budgeting details. All are tied to an annual process.
If only it were as easy as ruling the budget out of bounds and having the Legislature build an appropriate budget of its own, although that is permissible.
BEWARE TRANSPLANT OPTION
Legislative budget leaders could just as readily transplant many of Scott's troubling two-year budget items into an annual form. In so doing, they would retain the essence of his budget and accomplish much of what Florida's tea party Republican governor seeks.
Budget leaders have intimated reluctance at that approach. The reason is Scott's promise of cutting taxes at the same time the state must cut a budget deficit of $3.6 billion. That may not be workable if the Legislature is to meet constitutional funding requirements and also meet constituents' expectations for state services.
Keep in mind, though, that plenty of legislators latched onto Scott's libertarian-conservative coattails during the November election. They rode right into Tallahassee with Scott. Those legislators would be likely to oppose any anti-Scott action.
TROUBLE IN TALLAHASSEE
Here are a couple of examples of why Scott's budget initiatives are troublesome.
His budget cuts more than $3 billion from education -- a 10 percent cut for each student. In Polk County, spending of $6,780.69 per student this year would be cut to $6,067.05 per student next year. Florida's public schools get the bulk of their funding from Tallahassee. Local funding must meet legislative edicts.
"That's absolutely insane," said Polk County School Board member Frank O'Reilly about Scott's education cuts. "Even before his proposed cuts, we are looking at trying to cover a $20 million-to-$25 million shortfall in the district."
As for teachers (as well as others in the state pension plan) being required to pay 5 percent of their salaries into their pensions, Marianne Capoziello, president of the Polk County Teachers Association, said: "We have done a study of teachers paying 5 percent of their wages to the state pension. Many are single parents and not the-most-well-paid. If it happens, it would take $1.9 million of discretionary spending out of the Polk County economy. The big picture is that, with this, everybody, not just teachers, suffers."
- A failure by the governor and his budget director to be forthright about which items are cuts and which are not. The governor claims to have cut $5.2 billion in "reductions and savings" in his budget. However, budget details show that Scott would transfer $1.7 billion of expenditures outside the budget while related income would remain within the budget. Senate Budget Chairman J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, called the Scott administration on the subterfuge.
In testimony before the Senate Budget Committee on Wednesday, Scott Budget Director Jerry McDaniel was asked this by Alexander: "I think that's more like about $3.5 billion in reductions you're actually proposing that are real reductions inside the budget or spending reductions. Is this accurate or not?"
"Yes sir, that's accurate," said McDaniel.
From failing to meeting the most basic of constitutional requirements for an annual state budget to fudging the facts on what would be cut and what would not, Scott has proved himself untrustworthy.
Given his history of being CEO of the Columbia/HCA hospital conglomerate at a time when it committed massive Medicare fraud -- for which the company paid fines of $1.7 billion, the largest fraud fines in U.S. history, and at which time Scott resigned from the company while receiving more than $300 million in stock, options and severance pay -- we must examine Scott's every move, every proposal and every assertion.
In short, distrust and verify.
On Monday, Gov. Rick Scott unveiled his first state budget. Being a biennial budget, it fits the Scott mold by breaking the rules. Those in a business-world frame of mind might find such extracubular thinking brilliant.
For the business of Florida's people, there is a more stark term: unconstitutional.
The first paragraph in Section 19 of the Florida Constitution, paragraph (a), is entitled ANNUAL BUDGETING. Subsequent paragraphs specify many budgeting details. All are tied to an annual process.
If only it were as easy as ruling the budget out of bounds and having the Legislature build an appropriate budget of its own, although that is permissible.
BEWARE TRANSPLANT OPTION
Legislative budget leaders could just as readily transplant many of Scott's troubling two-year budget items into an annual form. In so doing, they would retain the essence of his budget and accomplish much of what Florida's tea party Republican governor seeks.
Budget leaders have intimated reluctance at that approach. The reason is Scott's promise of cutting taxes at the same time the state must cut a budget deficit of $3.6 billion. That may not be workable if the Legislature is to meet constitutional funding requirements and also meet constituents' expectations for state services.
Keep in mind, though, that plenty of legislators latched onto Scott's libertarian-conservative coattails during the November election. They rode right into Tallahassee with Scott. Those legislators would be likely to oppose any anti-Scott action.
TROUBLE IN TALLAHASSEE
Here are a couple of examples of why Scott's budget initiatives are troublesome.
His budget cuts more than $3 billion from education -- a 10 percent cut for each student. In Polk County, spending of $6,780.69 per student this year would be cut to $6,067.05 per student next year. Florida's public schools get the bulk of their funding from Tallahassee. Local funding must meet legislative edicts.
"That's absolutely insane," said Polk County School Board member Frank O'Reilly about Scott's education cuts. "Even before his proposed cuts, we are looking at trying to cover a $20 million-to-$25 million shortfall in the district."
As for teachers (as well as others in the state pension plan) being required to pay 5 percent of their salaries into their pensions, Marianne Capoziello, president of the Polk County Teachers Association, said: "We have done a study of teachers paying 5 percent of their wages to the state pension. Many are single parents and not the-most-well-paid. If it happens, it would take $1.9 million of discretionary spending out of the Polk County economy. The big picture is that, with this, everybody, not just teachers, suffers."
- A failure by the governor and his budget director to be forthright about which items are cuts and which are not. The governor claims to have cut $5.2 billion in "reductions and savings" in his budget. However, budget details show that Scott would transfer $1.7 billion of expenditures outside the budget while related income would remain within the budget. Senate Budget Chairman J.D. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, called the Scott administration on the subterfuge.
In testimony before the Senate Budget Committee on Wednesday, Scott Budget Director Jerry McDaniel was asked this by Alexander: "I think that's more like about $3.5 billion in reductions you're actually proposing that are real reductions inside the budget or spending reductions. Is this accurate or not?"
"Yes sir, that's accurate," said McDaniel.
From failing to meeting the most basic of constitutional requirements for an annual state budget to fudging the facts on what would be cut and what would not, Scott has proved himself untrustworthy.
Given his history of being CEO of the Columbia/HCA hospital conglomerate at a time when it committed massive Medicare fraud -- for which the company paid fines of $1.7 billion, the largest fraud fines in U.S. history, and at which time Scott resigned from the company while receiving more than $300 million in stock, options and severance pay -- we must examine Scott's every move, every proposal and every assertion.
In short, distrust and verify.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Seminole County to lay off teachers, take kids lunch money to pay for budget cuts
From the Orlando Sentinel
by Dave Weber
SANFORD —– Employee layoffs, raiding construction funds, draining emergency reserves and even skimming money from the school lunch program are among options being considered by the Seminole County School Board to cover a $44 million budget cut for county schools proposed this week by Gov. Rick Scott.
But even those measures won't be enough to fill the gap, school district officials conceded Tuesday after looking at where they could trim the budget for next school year. The district has at best a $17 million hole.
Next step: Pray that the state Legislature won't go along with Scott's plan to reduce spending on public education in Florida by nearly 15 percent, officials said.
"Otherwise, you are going to see major cuts here," School Board Chairman Dede Schaffner said. "We won't have any choice."
The Seminole School Board always begins the budgeting process for the following school year early, and this year its first look at the spending plan coincided with Scott's release of his proposed state budget. On Monday, the governor called for massive cuts in state spending, with public schools getting a heavy hatchet.
John Pavelchak, head of finances for the school system, outlined how the board might begin to cover the cuts, but told the board on Tuesday that it would be tough because the easy budget reductions already have been made. The board has eliminated about $91 million in spending over the past couple of years.
"When you have had to cut like we have had to cut, where do you go?" Pavelchak said.
Among suggested cuts are eliminating 45 teaching positions, plus about $1.2 million in support personnel, with exact positions to be determined. The district also might be forced to dip into school construction funds to help with operating expenses, although just last month the board complained it had only a fraction of the money needed for school repairs.
Pavelchak said the board also could take $553,000 from the school lunch program for other uses, plus dip into textbook funds as well to meet other needs.
Tentative plans also call for drawing down emergency reserves. But Superintendent Bill Vogel said he is concerned that would leave the district with less than 2 percent of its operating budget to handle emergencies. The district typically likes to keep 6 percent or more on hand toward hurricane damages, mid-year cuts in state funding or other contingencies.
Dave Weber can be reached at dweber@orlandosentinel.com 407883-7885.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/os-seminole-school-budget-020911-20110208,0,5696810.story
by Dave Weber
SANFORD —– Employee layoffs, raiding construction funds, draining emergency reserves and even skimming money from the school lunch program are among options being considered by the Seminole County School Board to cover a $44 million budget cut for county schools proposed this week by Gov. Rick Scott.
But even those measures won't be enough to fill the gap, school district officials conceded Tuesday after looking at where they could trim the budget for next school year. The district has at best a $17 million hole.
Next step: Pray that the state Legislature won't go along with Scott's plan to reduce spending on public education in Florida by nearly 15 percent, officials said.
"Otherwise, you are going to see major cuts here," School Board Chairman Dede Schaffner said. "We won't have any choice."
The Seminole School Board always begins the budgeting process for the following school year early, and this year its first look at the spending plan coincided with Scott's release of his proposed state budget. On Monday, the governor called for massive cuts in state spending, with public schools getting a heavy hatchet.
John Pavelchak, head of finances for the school system, outlined how the board might begin to cover the cuts, but told the board on Tuesday that it would be tough because the easy budget reductions already have been made. The board has eliminated about $91 million in spending over the past couple of years.
"When you have had to cut like we have had to cut, where do you go?" Pavelchak said.
Among suggested cuts are eliminating 45 teaching positions, plus about $1.2 million in support personnel, with exact positions to be determined. The district also might be forced to dip into school construction funds to help with operating expenses, although just last month the board complained it had only a fraction of the money needed for school repairs.
Pavelchak said the board also could take $553,000 from the school lunch program for other uses, plus dip into textbook funds as well to meet other needs.
Tentative plans also call for drawing down emergency reserves. But Superintendent Bill Vogel said he is concerned that would leave the district with less than 2 percent of its operating budget to handle emergencies. The district typically likes to keep 6 percent or more on hand toward hurricane damages, mid-year cuts in state funding or other contingencies.
Dave Weber can be reached at dweber@orlandosentinel.com 407883-7885.
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/education/os-seminole-school-budget-020911-20110208,0,5696810.story
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Scott breaks promise, cuts education spending
From Politifact.com
Gov. Rick Scott unveiled his highly anticipated state budget on Feb. 7, 2011, which, as promised, calls for major reductions to government spending along with tax cuts for property owners and businesses.
Scott's two-year spending plan would shrink the overall state budget from $70.3 billion to $65.9 billion in 2011-2012 and to $63.3 billion in 2012-2013. Cuts were expected almost everywhere -- except in the area of education, where Scott has said that funding would remain the same.
At least, that's what people thought.
Scott's proposed budget for next year includes billions of dollars in education cuts. (The actual cut depends on what education budget figure you consult, but the cut would be between $3.3 billion and $4.8 billion, with per-student funding to decrease by 10 percent.) Some of that loss is offset by having teachers contribute 5 percent to their retirement and by the inclusion of temporary federal education dollars. Still, per-student funding would shrink if Scott's budget is ultimately approved.
"I've heard nothing but that education funding wasn't going to be touched," said Florida Education Association spokesman Mark Pudlow. "We all were wondering what kind of alchemy we were going to see. Of course, what we saw was tons of cuts to education."
When Scott met with reporters after announcing his budget, he was asked if he had flipped on his campaign rhetoric.
"No, it's not going back on anything I promised," Scott said. "What I said throughout the campaign and what I'm saying today -- any money that came out of state general revenue, we're not cutting that. Any money that they relied on federal bailouts, that is different."
But that's not what Scott said just four days prior in Tampa.
During an announcement where Scott said he would cut local school property taxes, called the required local effort, he was asked specifically about the effect on education funding. Here's the question and answer from Feb. 3, which we just happened to record:
Question: You referred to cuts in the RLE (required local effort) property tax. Do you have a plan to make up that revenue or will the schools take that as a loss?
Scott: "No, my commitment is to make sure the money that they've received they'll get again. Where I'm getting the savings is, I'm reducing the state government. What I'm trying to do is keep the school budgets the same."
School budgets are funded through multiple sources. Local districts contribute property taxes through the required local effort, which is set by the state, and additional optional property taxes, which are set by county school boards. The state contributes general fund revenues through the state sales tax, as well as money from education trust funds. And the federal government contributes as well. The combination produces total school funding.
If one part of the funding -- required local effort -- is reduced while the other parts simply stay the same, the result is less school money overall.
Speaking in Tampa, Scott made no effort to distinguish or differentiate the funding formula -- all he said is he would keep school budgets the same.
We also found references during the campaign when Scott was on the record saying education funding would not be cut as part of his budget.
During the primary, Scott said he could offset a reduction in the school property tax through a combination of a larger share of sales taxes and other general revenue, according to the Palm Beach Post. When Scott's primary opponent, Attorney General Bill McCollum, called that plan "unrealistic," Scott said the money for schools could be found by cuts in non-education spending, the Post reported.
And then during the general election, Scott again was asked to respond to questions over his education spending plan. According to the Associated Press, a spokeswoman for Alex Sink, Scott's Democratic opponent, called the Scott plan a rip-off of education. Here's how Scott responded in a Sept. 28 story: "We're not slashing the budget, our focus is to spend the dollars well," he said. "We're gonna drive down property tax rates, but we're gonna do that as we figure out how to save money. We're gonna make sure the money is there for education."
Again, Scott offered no suggestion he was talking only about general revenue funding.
One more thing: In comments after releasing his budget, Scott said he only promised no cuts to general revenue -- but he's actually making a slight cut there as well. Scott's budget includes about a $155 million cut in general revenue funding in 2011-2012. Yes, it's a small cut from a proposed budget of $12.3 billion, but it's a cut nevertheless.
At the very least, Scott deliberately and purposely suggested that education funding would be held harmless in his first state budget. He made comments to that effect just days before his budget was released. Yet, when he announced his budget, cuts were included. We rate Scott's claim False.
http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2011/feb/08/rick-scott/education-cuts-show-rick-scotts-budget/
Gov. Rick Scott unveiled his highly anticipated state budget on Feb. 7, 2011, which, as promised, calls for major reductions to government spending along with tax cuts for property owners and businesses.
Scott's two-year spending plan would shrink the overall state budget from $70.3 billion to $65.9 billion in 2011-2012 and to $63.3 billion in 2012-2013. Cuts were expected almost everywhere -- except in the area of education, where Scott has said that funding would remain the same.
At least, that's what people thought.
Scott's proposed budget for next year includes billions of dollars in education cuts. (The actual cut depends on what education budget figure you consult, but the cut would be between $3.3 billion and $4.8 billion, with per-student funding to decrease by 10 percent.) Some of that loss is offset by having teachers contribute 5 percent to their retirement and by the inclusion of temporary federal education dollars. Still, per-student funding would shrink if Scott's budget is ultimately approved.
"I've heard nothing but that education funding wasn't going to be touched," said Florida Education Association spokesman Mark Pudlow. "We all were wondering what kind of alchemy we were going to see. Of course, what we saw was tons of cuts to education."
When Scott met with reporters after announcing his budget, he was asked if he had flipped on his campaign rhetoric.
"No, it's not going back on anything I promised," Scott said. "What I said throughout the campaign and what I'm saying today -- any money that came out of state general revenue, we're not cutting that. Any money that they relied on federal bailouts, that is different."
But that's not what Scott said just four days prior in Tampa.
During an announcement where Scott said he would cut local school property taxes, called the required local effort, he was asked specifically about the effect on education funding. Here's the question and answer from Feb. 3, which we just happened to record:
Question: You referred to cuts in the RLE (required local effort) property tax. Do you have a plan to make up that revenue or will the schools take that as a loss?
Scott: "No, my commitment is to make sure the money that they've received they'll get again. Where I'm getting the savings is, I'm reducing the state government. What I'm trying to do is keep the school budgets the same."
School budgets are funded through multiple sources. Local districts contribute property taxes through the required local effort, which is set by the state, and additional optional property taxes, which are set by county school boards. The state contributes general fund revenues through the state sales tax, as well as money from education trust funds. And the federal government contributes as well. The combination produces total school funding.
If one part of the funding -- required local effort -- is reduced while the other parts simply stay the same, the result is less school money overall.
Speaking in Tampa, Scott made no effort to distinguish or differentiate the funding formula -- all he said is he would keep school budgets the same.
We also found references during the campaign when Scott was on the record saying education funding would not be cut as part of his budget.
During the primary, Scott said he could offset a reduction in the school property tax through a combination of a larger share of sales taxes and other general revenue, according to the Palm Beach Post. When Scott's primary opponent, Attorney General Bill McCollum, called that plan "unrealistic," Scott said the money for schools could be found by cuts in non-education spending, the Post reported.
And then during the general election, Scott again was asked to respond to questions over his education spending plan. According to the Associated Press, a spokeswoman for Alex Sink, Scott's Democratic opponent, called the Scott plan a rip-off of education. Here's how Scott responded in a Sept. 28 story: "We're not slashing the budget, our focus is to spend the dollars well," he said. "We're gonna drive down property tax rates, but we're gonna do that as we figure out how to save money. We're gonna make sure the money is there for education."
Again, Scott offered no suggestion he was talking only about general revenue funding.
One more thing: In comments after releasing his budget, Scott said he only promised no cuts to general revenue -- but he's actually making a slight cut there as well. Scott's budget includes about a $155 million cut in general revenue funding in 2011-2012. Yes, it's a small cut from a proposed budget of $12.3 billion, but it's a cut nevertheless.
At the very least, Scott deliberately and purposely suggested that education funding would be held harmless in his first state budget. He made comments to that effect just days before his budget was released. Yet, when he announced his budget, cuts were included. We rate Scott's claim False.
http://www.politifact.com/florida/statements/2011/feb/08/rick-scott/education-cuts-show-rick-scotts-budget/
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