Cut school admins, help classrooms?

The House policy and budget council just approved Rep. Juan Zapata's  proposal to cut administrative school district costs by 2.5 percent and move that money into the classroom.

"We're going to free up some dollars that we'll be able to put back into the classroom," said Zapata, Miami-Dade Republican. He said some of the most bloated administrative costs are in the Miami-Dade school district. "What's going on there is a shame."

But education reps don't want it.

Wayne Blanton, executive director for the Florida School Boards Association, said the change would take away the flexibility schools need in a time of shrinking dollars.

"That's a local issue," he said. "What might work in Pinellas County won't necessarily work for another district."

Comments

Did they actually pass this amendment? I thought it was withdrawn.

The amendment that the House Republicans passed actually says that all school administrators must take a 2.5% pay cut. It doesn't say anything about their own pay or anything about the dozens of Rubio consultants who are making $10,000 per month to tell him what he wants to hear. It was a stupid political stunt. I will be glad when Hasner and Zapata hear from the underpaid assistant principals that this amendment targeted for attack. They should be embarrassed to have personalized their inability to meet the state's needs by attacking hard working and dedicated people.

Wayne Blanton wanted school board members state-wide to lobby with the Home Builders Association to eliminate impact fees! You know...those new construction fees that PAY FOR SCHOOLS!

2.5% is nothing! Cut the admin and direct the dollars to the classrooms!

Local decisions, Wayne? AKA don't cut the part of the budget that pays the dues for the school boards association, right Wayne?

65% solution-pass it NOW! Democrats should sponsor it.