Scott Proposes ‘Historic’ School Budget Increase

January 13, 2015

Making good on a campaign promise, Gov. Rick Scott announced Monday he will ask lawmakers to provide the highest per-student funding for education in state history during the legislative session that begins in March.

Scott said his “Keep Florida Working” budget would include $7,176 per student, about $50 above the previous high in the 2007-08 budget year. That spending plan was approved before the financial crisis that caused the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.

“Our historic funding proposal of $7,176 per student will provide our schools the resources for our students to have the very best opportunity to succeed because we know the workers and leaders of tomorrow are in our classrooms today,” Scott said in a prepared statement. ” … These record investments will continue to equip our students for the jobs of tomorrow and help us on our path to be the number one destination for jobs.”

The proposal would mark an increase of roughly $261 from the current budget year, which ends June 30. But it still has to survive a legislative process in which lawmakers will be eager to fulfill their own priorities. So far, legislative leaders have been noncommittal when asked specifically about meeting Scott’s targets for education funding and a portion of the $1 billion in tax cuts he promised over two years.

The school funding proposal won Scott a rare compliment from the state’s largest teachers union.

“FEA applauds the governor for keeping his campaign promise and increasing the state’s budget allotment for public school students,” Florida Education Association President Andy Ford said. “We look forward to working with the governor and the Legislature to continue to invest to improve our local public schools and helping all of the students who attend them.”

Overall, funding for public schools would rise by $842.5 million, to almost $19.8 billion. The state’s share would increase to a shade over $11 billion, meaning about $400 million of the new funding would come from the state. Local taxpayers would pick up the rest.

Democrats have signaled that they’re not impressed by Scott’s pitch. After the governor’s inaugural address last week, Senate Minority Leader Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, said the proposed boost in education spending isn’t enough.

“We need to do a whole lot more than that, because coming to Florida to live is more than about lower taxes and warm weather,” she said. “It’s about the quality of life that you will have and the type jobs that we will offer these people.”

Scott is expected to release a full budget proposal in the next few weeks.

by Brandon Larrabee, The News Service of Florida

Comments

5 Responses to “Scott Proposes ‘Historic’ School Budget Increase”

  1. thetruth on January 14th, 2015 8:50 am

    Robby, thanks for your facts but you are simply wrong. I have broken bread with several teachers from several different schools, and at some point or another every one of the them that have a Professional contract aka Tenure has said that. They know that as long as they dont break the law they are good. So what do you have, a bunch of people who busted their tail for three years to get their “tenure” or professional contract and then some of them took their foot off the gas after that, not all of them but some of them. And if tenure has been gone since the 80’s then how come Governor Scott announced in March of 2011 that tenure was being eliminated. Bottom line is this like you said, imagine trying to get a loan knowing that essentially you are fired every May, and may or may not be rehired based on student numbers in August. All the bright young talent coming out of college is not going to teach with consistently low salaries, and dont even bother looking at the fancy salary scales they throw on their websites, they withhold step raises pretty consistently.

  2. Robby on January 14th, 2015 5:23 am

    Since this article is about education I guess we should deal with facts. There has not been “tenure” in Florida public schools (at least in the panhandle) since the late 80’s. Professional Services Contract is what some teachers have now and it simply gives them the same promise that every other Florida worker gets. You are hired until you do something worth being fired for. ALL Florida teachers hired in the last few years are on Annual contract which means all are let go at the end of every school year and then either rehired or not the next year. Imagine trying to buy a house or get a loan with that hanging over your head. I have NEVER heard a teacher say “I have tenure what can they do to me”, since that does not exist except in the University system in Florida. Now we have the facts. TThanks

  3. Ben Franklin on January 13th, 2015 11:16 am

    IMO…parent involvement is essential.

    Money can’t buy you love, or smarts….!

    In my humble opinion…

    Oh, @ John…Unions gotta’ go…

  4. thetruth on January 13th, 2015 10:39 am

    I agree John. Unions and Lazy teachers with tenure have ruined education, that and the good ole boy system downtown. How many teachers have said “I have tenure what can they do to me ?” When they eliminated it for new hires they should have eliminated it for everybody. Equal playing field. All the older teachers will complain about my comments but how many career fields can (could) you get guaranteed employment in the system until retirement after three years on the job ?

  5. john on January 13th, 2015 6:42 am

    History has shown that throwing money at the school system often does not work, yes teachers need to be held accountable for what they teach, and students also need to be held accountable. Pay good teachers well, and get the unions out with lazy teachers.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News