Where have all the children gone?

No one was expecting a banner year for growth this year.

But after Florida's public school enrollment dropped by 8,627 children in 2007-08 -- only the second decline in student population since 1985 -- state planners had suggested we might see a turnaround. They based the 2008-09 education appropriation on 2,631,386 students, an increase of 1,682.

Well, just like the state's continually falling revenue estimates, the enrollment projection is on its way down, too.

In a call with superintendents this week, top Department of Education officials reported that 10th-day counts around Florida now lead them to expect no growth at best, and 6,623 children fewer in 2009-10. Even the five counties that saw their numbers rise last year, including Pasco, are feeling the pinch. (Nearby districts Hernando and Manatee are shrinking, too.)

Many district officials have noted that the lower than predicted enrollment could take millions of dollars from their budgets, a tough reality at a time when they're already trying to cope with rising costs and declining tax income. The only silver lining might be the state's one-year stop-gap funding rule, where districts get 48.67 percent of the budgeted money for each child who was expected but didn't show up.

Comments

[terminator]

too bad for them!

looks like school district administrators are on the endangered species list.

thank god for recessions and budget cuts. we're finally able to start cleaning up the cess pool known as Florida public education.

As terminator would understand if he had a single brain cell, this isn't good for anyone that works for the schools nor is it good for the students. Falling FTEs will result in cuts both at the school level and in the district administration. I would suspect that some of the "missing" students are really in the expanded CIT voucher program while others have moved to states where the goal of the state government isn't to destroy the public schools. It is too bad that termie couldn't go with them.

[Alex]

More evidence that Florida is shrinking. This is an unimaginable nightmare to the state's policy-makers and planners. Our entire economy and funding system is based on perpetual growth. Get ready for more pain.

[terminator]

3:41 (school district bureaucrat) doesn't seem to understand that "bigger isn't necessarily better" and many of Florida's large school districts have become fat, bloated, wasteful monopolies serving the self interest of educrats, crooked lobbyists and school board insiders who have made a cottage industry out of raping the public school budgets, denying teacher's raises and depriving Florida schoolchildren of an adequate education.
With the state's current real estate recession and subsequent legislative budget cuts due to follow we are undergoing "creative destruction" which will rid our school systems of waste and abuse while improving education outcomes.
Let the cuts begin. See you in Tally!

Dear termie,

I am not a school district employee. I do have children in public school. I do know a LOT more about the schools than you do even though you have spent your entire career failing in the field. There are so many excellent people working for the success of all children that it is sad to have you even remotely associated. Are you sure that you can't become a teaching assistant for Marco's class at FIU?

[terminator]

9:22
dream on my friend!

gulp, gulp, gulpity gulp....how does that school district kool-aid taste?

better smoke another crack rock and do another shot of bureaucratic waste while you're at it.

your not in termie's league...don't make me give you a smackdown!

9:22
dream on my friend!

gulp, gulp, gulpity gulp....how does that school district kool-aid taste?

better smoke another crack rock and do another shot of bureaucratic waste while you're at it.

your not in termie's league...don't make me give you a smackdown!

It is time for Leadership in Pinellas County Schools.

Soon we will have a new Superintendent and two, maybe three new School Board members. All of them have seen or studied Districts that have taken major steps in re-organizing their Districts.

Instead of using budget cuts and Tallahassee as excuses for failure, these School Districts found ways to improve education for their students by utilizing "Best Practices", making the tough decisions, re-organizing their Districts and putting "Student Achievement" above everything.

I urge you to go to; www.studentsfirstpinellas.org
and see how you can help.

Bob

"Cess pool known as Florida public education"? Geeze, a tad bit of a generalization. What's the matter, can't get your way? Cesspool, BTW is one word cesspool. You are ridiculous