Of the 67 counties in the state of Florida, Miami-Dade County Public Schools fall third to last (65th) on the per student fund ranking list—Gadsden (67th), and Broward (66th) counties coming in right before.
On March 11 at the State Capitol, it was discussed between the legislature, and superintendents from the Florida Department of Education on fixing the budget for students. Florida Governor Rick Scott signed sweeping education legislation that came with a few changes that satisfied other counties and their leaders, according to News Channel 7 in Tallahassee, but Miami-Dade County feel quite the opposite.
Out of the $101.50 average state budget increase that is supposedly given to each county for educational purposes, Miami-Dade only has an increase funding of $65.06, and Broward $52.35. The legislative has offered a budget proposal that will add .47 cents to the increase funding for Miami-Dade. While Miami-Dade students, individuals, and leaders are grateful for the minor aid in the per-pupil funding, many hold negative opinions to the government on this case and are not afraid to voice it.
Average per-pupil expenditure, or simply funding per pupil, is the average government payment per student in each county. The funding goes into the base student allocation defined by the state representatives, senators, and governor. The increase given per student covers the utilities, property insurance, and salaries, and can be transferred to be used as school resources, such as initiatives for school safety, security, and health.
“Are South Florida’s children not children of the same God? Why are they, in the eyes and actions of some, worth 35% less? Stay tuned. (@MiamiHerald @MDCPS @SunSentinel @mdccptaptsa @CBSMiami @WPLGLocal10 @nbc6 @wsvn @Univision23 @Telemundo51 @DLasAmericas),” said MDCPS Superintendent Alberto Carvalho on Twitter.
What was added to the education reform on Sunday—HB 7055, and SB 4—will ensure that bullied students will have a voucher when paying for private school, scholarship opportunities will be offered for students who fail reading tests to pay for tutors, and allow millions to be directed from sales taxes to fund vouchers, and will expand the Bright Futures scholarships programs. These are the only additions currently confirmed with the legislator.
Carvalho is not the only one to express his thoughts; Senator Bill Montford voted ‘no’ to a bill proposal that is to be passed. All members of the Leon Delegation, with the exception of Montford, agreed that there will be an approval of a $88.7 billion state budget with a $170 million in tax cuts. $400 million will be used to prevent mass shootings at public schools (Tallahassee Democrat).
“The base student allocation pays to keep the school doors open and is the operational budget. The cost of doing business is not covered by 47 cents. Florida school districts will have to cut programs and will have to find a way to save money and scrape by,” said Montford.
While Florida schools continue to argue on the budget issue for education, the legislature is attempting to change the budget for charter schools. According to the CT Mirror, with the $6.3 million increase charter schools have, the legislator approved a budget with an additional $613,500. This continues to be a growing problem between leaders in education for public schools, and the government for many reasons; not only is the increase funding already low for Broward and Miami-Dade, but the budget, and the Education Cost Sharing grant does not cover aid for students transferred in other schools affected by the hurricanes.
