As the 2020-2021 school year is underway in several districts across the state, that’s not the case in South Florida. As of now, we’ve been conditioned for a delayed start to the school year with online-only education options. As I’ve frequently cited, the per-pupil cost for Florida’s Virtual school is approximately $450 per pupil per month less than traditional classroom education. While it’s been explained to me by Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto Carvalho that spending would be higher than Florida’s Virtual School due to certain expenses for the physical schools even if they’re not operating, it still stands to reason that there should be/would be meaningful cost savings. But that’s not proving to be the case based on the tentatively proposed budgets for the 2020-2021 school year in South Florida’s school districts. In fact, significant increases are being sought by Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach County's school districts.
These are the proposed increases for the upcoming school year:
- Broward: $61 million or 2.4%
- Miami-Dade: $415.65 million or 7.5%
- Palm Beach County: $217.5 million, or 11%
Each school district has a tentative budget which will increase spending despite the lower costs associated with delaying the school year and offering only online options. What’s more, is the remarkable 7.5% increase in Miami-Dade and the astonishing 11% increase in Palm Beach County. Taxpayers are paying record-high taxes for education that isn’t being delivered as paid for. Moreover, is that the school districts appear to have budgeted to spend all of the increases in revenue brought about by higher tax revenue received, especially from property taxes. I find it indefensible that these school districts are intent on absorbing/reallocating all cost savings with online education and spending record amounts of money during a time that’s extraordinarily difficult for millions of South Florida’s families. Those who work in these school districts are clearly operating in a world that is insulated from the realities of what most families face.
It’s offensive that the Palm Beach County School District would be intent on taxing homeowners out of their homes so that they can increase spending by double-digits while denying parents the option of classroom education. We have clear examples of school districts serving themselves rather than the residents who pay for them. It’s time to make noise and take back our schools. What’s happening is wrong and it’ll only change if we all do our part to demand accountability for what we pay for and our money back for what we’re not receiving.
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