Island Coast to host forum on district’s budget
The Lee County School District announced last week that Superintendent James Browder’s public forums have been rescheduled to report the local budgetary situation to the community.
In April, the superintendent visited schools in each of the three zones to brief parents on where the district stood financially. They canceled the final three forums to wait for the Florida Legislature to release official budget figures.
Now the district has real numbers to report to the community.
“It is the same as the other ones, but with updated numbers,” said Joe Donzelli, spokesperson for the school district. “We have a better picture of what our budget will look like.”
Starting this week, Browder and other school officials will speak live from different schools in each zone. A forum will be held today from 6:30-8 p.m. at Island Coast High, 2125 De Navarra Parkway.
Others will also be held at East Lee High on Wednesday and Fort Myers High on May 27.
On May 11, the district’s budget department briefed the board and community on Lee County’s financial situation. The worst case scenario had centered around a $70 million budget shortfall, but now the board is expecting a shortfall of $43 million.
The amount of funding provided by the state per individual student will drop $341 from the year before and targeted reductions will be made to the arts, music programs, supply dollars, department positions and other areas.
Browder also identified a one-time opportunity for the district to generate $16 million to fill some of the budget holes by raising local taxes. A new statute gives the district the opportunity to raise discretionary millage by 0.25, increasing the overall millage from 7.758 in 2010.
It is likely that the superintendent will discuss the proposed tax increase at the upcoming budget forums. The effect on taxpayers will range from $18.75 to $68.75 depending on individual home values.
For more information, visit: www.leeschools.net.
Island Coast to host forum on district’s budget
The Lee County School District announced last week that Superintendent James Browder’s public forums have been rescheduled to report the local budgetary situation to the community.
In April, the superintendent visited schools in each of the three zones to brief parents on where the district stood financially. They canceled the final three forums to wait for the Florida Legislature to release official budget figures.
Now the district has real numbers to report to the community.
“It is the same as the other ones, but with updated numbers,” said Joe Donzelli, spokesperson for the school district. “We have a better picture of what our budget will look like.”
Starting this week, Browder and other school officials will speak live from different schools in each zone. A forum will be held today from 6:30-8 p.m. at Island Coast High, 2125 De Navarra Parkway.
Others will also be held at East Lee High on Wednesday and Fort Myers High on May 27.
On May 11, the district’s budget department briefed the board and community on Lee County’s financial situation. The worst case scenario had centered around a $70 million budget shortfall, but now the board is expecting a shortfall of $43 million.
The amount of funding provided by the state per individual student will drop $341 from the year before and targeted reductions will be made to the arts, music programs, supply dollars, department positions and other areas.
Browder also identified a one-time opportunity for the district to generate $16 million to fill some of the budget holes by raising local taxes. A new statute gives the district the opportunity to raise discretionary millage by 0.25, increasing the overall millage from 7.758 in 2010.
It is likely that the superintendent will discuss the proposed tax increase at the upcoming budget forums. The effect on taxpayers will range from $18.75 to $68.75 depending on individual home values.
For more information, visit: www.leeschools.net.
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