'65 percent solution' school plan comes to Florida

[flashl]

The Associated Press

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. --Conservatives and libertarians nationwide tout the "65 percent solution" as a way to increase classroom spending without raising taxes.

The idea is to require schools to spend 65 percent of their budgets on classroom expenses as opposed to administrative costs.

It's been pushed for three years but has sputtered nationally, with only Georgia and Texas adopting it. Critics say it's deceptive and doesn't add up.

Backers hope to get over the hump this fall in Florida, where it has earned a place on the November ballot but is being challenged. Approval in Florida, supporters believe, could motivate more states to do the same.

[donco6]

1. It's stupid.

The law considers "non-instructional" the following expenditures:

Guidance Counselors
Social Workers
Psychologists
Nurses
All Staff Training
All General Administration,
All School Administration, including principal, secretary, office supplies, copiers
All Business services, like payroll and accounting
All Maintenance, including all Utilities - heat, electricity, phones,
All Transportation, buses, bus drivers
All Technology Services
All Community Services, such as building rental, swimming pools, field usage, etc.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

5. So what does that leave?

Are schools being required to spend 65% of their budgets on stationery and teachers salaries?

[LWolf]

2. I'm sorry.

Between that and this, I'm glad I'm about as far from Florida as I can get without going to Alaska or Hawaii.

I hope Floridians vote intelligently this fall. What can we do to help?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x3723872

[flashl]

4. Any and everything to help fight the monied interests that place this junk on ballots. nt

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. They tried this in my state too

We found lots of research that supported our opposition to it.

Also, remember the guy who is masterminding the 65% solution is the owner of overstock.com. He doesn't get any of my business. :)