February 22, 2011
Dear Parents:
Due to the governor’s budget proposal, K-12 schools could lose $703 per pupil, which amounts to a reduction over $49,000 to Micanopy Middle School (on back). Micanopy Middle School is only one of the few charter schools that provide transportation for its students. This is possible through funding donated to the school by the parents. Micanopy Middle School will continue to provide this service, however, the number of stops will be reduced by half beginning the 1st of March. The following is the revised list of bus stops that will take effect then:
MMS SCHOOL BUS ROUTE
1. 441 & Avenue E (9 St.)
2. 19120 NW 60 Av.
3. Gainesville Rd. & NW 152 St. (Library)
4. Hwy 316 & NW 29 Tr
5. 820 Hwy 316 W (Citra)
6. Hwy 316 & Jacksonville Rd.
7. Jacksonville Rd. & NE 163 Ln.
8. Hwy 318 & NE 19 Ct.
9. 441 & SE 169 Av.
Sincerely,
Bobby Johnson
Principal
Governor’s budget would cut K-12 spending per pupil by $703
By Jackie Alexander & Nathan Crabbe
Staff writers
Published: Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 7:46 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 7:46 p.m.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott’s budget has the Alachua County Public Schools crying foul but the University of Florida breathing a sigh of relief.
SCOTT’S BUDGET BY THE NUMBERS
$703: Proposed cut in per student funding.
$19 million: Estimated cut to Alachua County Public Schools.
$6 million: Amount paid by teachers into the retirement fund.
$13 million: Total estimated cut to Alachua County schools.
$867 million: Estimated cut in school property taxes.
Scott’s budget would spare state universities from deep cuts aside from reductions to employee benefits, while slashing funding for K-12 schools. He proposes cutting per-pupil spending by $703 and total K-12 spending by at least $1.75 billion.
Alachua County Public Schools officials say Scott’s budget could cripple a system already using stimulus money, reserves and an additional mill to close budget gaps. Superintendent Dan Boyd estimates the proposal, if enacted, would amount to $13 million in cuts after a refund of $6 million in pension payments.
“That’s going to be a significant hardship on the district in light that we’ve been cut so much since the 2007-2008 school year,” he said.
Scott also proposes requiring state employees, including teachers, to start paying 5 percent of their salaries into their retirement accounts. Teachers union president Karen McCann said that amounts to a pay cut for employees who are already underpaid.
