Class size and vouchers on 2008 ballot?

What Gov. Jeb Bush couldn't do, maybe former House Speaker Allan Bense can. Bense, a Panama City Republican, and other members of the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission on Friday heard from groups advocating a change in the state's five-year-old class size constitutional amendment and for dealing with a state Supreme Court ruling that struck down Bush's signature private school voucher program.

The associations that represent school boards and school superintendents said they need flexibility from the hard caps in the class size amendment that districts must impose by 2010.  They said they supported freezing class size limits at current levels _ which is on a school-wide average _ and using any freed up money for salaries.

Meanwhile, the private think-tank the Collins Center for Public Policy said commission members should consider taking action to keep intact programs such as voluntary pre-K and the state's corporate tax scholarship program, which provides vouchers to low-income children. They called the Supreme Court ruling Bush v. Holmes, which outlawed vouchers for students at low-performing schools, a barrier to "innovations" in education. Center officials contended Florida saves money by having private school voucher programs and charter schools.

The commission, which has 25 voting members, needs just 17 votes in order to put a constitutional  amendment directly on the 2008 ballot. Several members of the commission are former top aides to Bush, who tried unsuccessfully to get the Legislature to preserve vouchers and to change the class size amendment. Bense, who also supported those efforts, said Friday that anything that impacts the budget is fair game for the commission to consider.

But the talk of undoing class size and vouchers drew a swift rebuke from the lawyer who convinced the Supreme Court to topple Bush's voucher plan.

"It's a last gasp of Gov. Jeb Bush to do this from beyond the grave,'' said Ron Meyer.

Comments

[Hardworking Taxpayer]

Ron "Darth Vader" Meyer only cares about protecting the education bureacracy and beating Jeb Bush. Florida's voucher programs are hailed as one of our Country's great education reforms. It focuses on on families and doing what is best for them. The public education system will always be the primary delivery system for most kids but it cannot be everything to everyone and if it insists on trying then it might actually fail. Thank God for leaders like Jeb Bush who have the courage to LEAD.

[Student]

I hate the Class Size Amdt.
It was the worst idea in the world.

[Dianne]

The public spoke very loudly on this when they passed the amendment. Trying to subvert it will NOT get anyone re elected. The Boards and legislators need to figure it out. Broward County is already in compliance. It isn't all that hard.

[Dianne]

The public spoke very loudly on this when they passed the amendment. Trying to subvert it will NOT get anyone re elected. The Boards and legislators need to figure it out. Broward County is already in compliance. It isn't all that hard.

[Hay Day]

As a public school Kindergarten Teacher, I can tell you that the very best education has taken place because of our "Small Class Size" Amendment.

There is much waste in Tallahassee that should be used for the Class Size Amendment. For instance, many politicians attend regular football games,cell phones, decorated offices, parties and dinners...all compliments of the residents of the public. As a voter, I would rather put that money into a "small class size" rather than a party and decorations for a career politician.

[Hay Day]

After reading my last note I need to make myself clear.

Politicians receive cell phones and much other technology, they decorate their offices, they attend parties, football games and dinners...all compliments of the the residents of the State of Florida.

I think that if all of that "fluff" money were eliminated, there would be plenty of money for the Class Size Amendment.

The Class Size Amendment is the very best gift ever given to the children of the State of Florida.