Duval County schools facing $85 million shortfall

[fsu813]

Duval County Public Schools would take an $85 million hit next school year if the state's agencies take proportional losses and the state proceeds with a class-size amendment initiative, Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals told board members Monday.

Pratt-Dannals said the shortfall was based on current revenue figures.

The potential shortfall balloons to $135 million when retirements, medical insurance increases and contract increases are taken into account, Pratt-Dannals said.

"This is based on what we know at this point," Pratt-Dannals said. "Again, we hope it doesn't come to this because I have no idea where we're going to find that kind of money."

He said the district could use reserves to cover about $10 million of the shortfall.

Pratt-Dannals said the Legislature could decide that education takes less losses than others. Lawmakers could also mitigate the potential hit to education by increasing sales or property taxes, Pratt-Dannals said.

The class-size reduction initiative was put on hold this past year because of the state's budget woes. The shortfall would be about a 14 percent cut to the district's $900 million operating budget.

http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010-02-09/story/duval_county_schools_facing_85_million_shortfall

[Captain Zissou]

Sell their riverfront headquarters. That should cover a quarter of it.

[tufsu1]

Sell their riverfront headquarters. That should cover a quarter of it.

and where would you suggest they relocate to....and how should they cover the leasing and moving costs?

[fsu813]

I know of an abandoned Jewish Center in a historic district that would make a fine "headquarters"....

[tufsu1]

I know of an abandoned Jewish Center in a historic district that would make a fine "headquarters"....

ok...how much would it cost to make that happen?

[Springfielder]

Selling the current school board building is fine, but it would also cost a great deal to relocate everyone, not to mention having to renovate to meet the needs, of wherever they would move to. There are other empty schools that could be used, but again....it would cost to renovate and update those buildings.

There are many ways in which the school district can save money:
Starting with getting rid of the 'instructional coaches' that really are just those trying to justify their positions and have made no positive impact upon the students educational experience.
Move the regional superintendents and house them at a school within their region, and close/sell the buildings they work out of now.
Stop the spending for substitutes for workshops, there are far too many and it's a waste of money. Such things can be handled during early release days.

[Captain Zissou]

Whats the square footage of their current building? 60-80K tops...  There's easily space for that downtown, or near the core, without even it being class A (which I don't think they need). 

Sell their building and property for $20M-ish, even allocate $1M for build-out of new space downtown, another $100K for actual moving expenses, and BAM!

[JeffreyS]

How about if the state spends enough to cover the budget. We all pay school tax and Florida has made some educational progress. Cutting waste should be done but we all know in comparison this state does not spend much per student.

[tufsu1]

Whats the square footage of their current building? 60-80K tops...  There's easily space for that downtown, or near the core, without even it being class A (which I don't think they need). 

Sell their building and property for $20M-ish, even allocate $1M for build-out of new space downtown, another $100K for actual moving expenses, and BAM!

Their current building is not Class A so they definitely wouldn't need Class A in an different building.

But does it make sense to sell that building now in a depressed market...or should they wait until commercial values start climbing again?

[aaapolito]

Two Words: Charter Schools

[JeffreyS]

Two Words: Charter Schools

I like the premise of charter schools are they cheaper would they help make up this shortfall the thread is about?

[CS Foltz]

Why not locate JTA and the School Board in the same Bldg? There is one available......the Old JEA Bldg downtown could be set up on a long term lease or buy outright for around $11 Million Dollars....10 or 12 floors available and parking so WTH? Most of the Old Federal Reserve Bldg is available........I don't see the School Board doing much other than spending resources on themselves..........what about the kids? Well heres your chance to do something about the issue! Plenty of Bldgs available..........use your flippin imagination!

[aaapolito]

Two Words: Charter Schools

I like the premise of charter schools are they cheaper would they help make up this shortfall the thread is about?

Charter schools are public schools, funded by public money, but run by private hands.  Private entities tend to be a little better with money and therefore charter schools will be able to do more with less.  This will not close the budget gap for the upcoming year, but over the long term, the education budget will become more balanced.

[mtraininjax]

I hear the Laura trio is available, and they come with open-air windows, or no windows, if you need to be correct.

85 million? Hmm... seems that is how much the DCSB's new High School on the southside cost to build. Just saying...

[Charles Hunter]

Different money - the money to build the new HS was only available for capital projects, the upcoming shortfall is in operating (electricity, water/sewer, salaries, etc.) money.  State law prohibits using one for the other.