Q&A of the Day – Where’s the money South Florida Schools should be saving?
Each day I’ll feature a listener question that’s been submitted by one of these methods.
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Today’s entry: Great points U made on school closure. I've written emails to Alberto M. Carvalho and Manny Diaz to tell them about the 450.00 a month per pupil that is being saved by at home learning, asking them when we will be seeing this reflected in our property taxes.
For anyone who wants to see schools reopen, just start demanding that schools pass the money they're saving on to the people who pay property taxes. I still think it was a big mistake to have given Florida teachers a 10,000 dollar a year raise. It seems to me they are getting more money and doing less work, perhaps spending less money too?
Bottom Line: This conversation introduces all of the politically incorrect conversations almost all news media won’t touch but absolutely should be part of this conversation. Starting with the savings by the school districts. As I recently outlined, and you cited the savings per pupil, per month, to the school districts for virtual education over classroom education is approximately $450 per month. We absolutely should have a full accounting of expenditures by the school districts and the cost savings should be refunded by the school districts. We have paid for services, classroom education, which aren’t being performed. We are owed this money. Then consider this. According to a study by the Census Bureau, 30.8% of Floridians have either missed a mortage or rent payment or are at risk of doing so this month. How far would $450 per household per month go towards helping these 3.6 million households retain their home?
Yesterday Superintendents Carvalho and Runcie suggested the cost savings might be minimal or even non-existent. If that proves to be the case, there should be full disclosure as to what the offsets are so residents can have clarity as to how their money was reallocated. One thing I can tell you with absolute certainty. If we ended traditional public school in lieu of Florida’s Virtual School, there would be a minimum of $450 monthly savings per pupil. This is real money, and these are dire times for millions of Floridians. I have no doubt that many of those at risk of losing their homes would be able to save them if they were refunded for the services not being rendered by South Florida’s School Districts. Now, regarding teachers...
What’s happening right now with the Florida Education Association’s lawsuit to attempt to prevent any classroom education in Florida’s schools this fall is the quintessential reason why we should consider ending public sector unions. An aggregate of 68% of parents polled last week wanted classroom education this fall. Gallup’s survey released this week showed 72% of parents want the option, yet the largest teacher’s union in the state is fighting to attempt to prevent it. This is an example of collectively bargaining against the interests of the parents and children they’re hired to serve. This is even more offensive against the backdrop of what you referenced regarding the record setting raises teachers were just provided. How many Floridians are now earning more than they’ve ever earned? Not many, right? But Florida’s public-school teachers are, which also means record windfalls for the unions which are using dues paid from taxpayers, to sue to stop the services taxpayers paid for and generally want. What’s more is that for many families, the ability to provide for their family and earn a living are inhibited by the forced virtual education. It’s long been a false narrative that teachers are poorly compensated relative to their constituents. Prior to the record raises they received during this year’s state session here’s how much more they were earning compared to their constituents:
- The average teacher earned about $5,000 more than the average full time employed Floridian
- Salaries for teachers had risen 17% over the past decade in Florida compared to 13% for all Floridians
- Average fulltime employed Floridian works 60 days more per year than public school teachers
As always there are two sides to stories and one side to facts. What’s happening with public education in South Florida right now is a tremendous disservice to Floridians. I’ve watched as other news outlets have continued to ignore the realities I’ve once again outlined. It’s up all of us to take back our schools. I strongly encourage all South Floridians to let their school board members know how they feel and demand accountability for your tax dollars. Something I commonly detect from frustrated listeners is a sense of helplessness. You’re not. Remember, every school board member, every school administrator, every teacher – works for you. The question is whether you choose to engage and use your voice.