[RandyRep]

Can you give us more information? How many students are there in Florida schools? What is the current Florida state budget?

This appears to mandate a 50% increase (approximately) in classrooms and teachers by 2010, with interim reductions to get there.

Some things that could be done:

1) Short term - portable classrooms or re-dividing existing classrooms is the only answer. Put 3 classes in 2 classrooms somehow.

2) Long term - pass a big bond issue to build the classrooms and provide college scholarships for student teachers.

3) Have a real debate if the people want to raise taxes or cut expenses. If the former, which taxes - sales, property, income? If the latter, which expenses - welfare, healthcare, etc. In the end - put the choices on the ballot and MAKE THEM CHOOSE!

4) Reduce the number of students in public school - reduce the minimum compulsory attendance age to 14.

5) Put requirements on continued public school attendance - good behavior, doing homework, high test scores, etc. Penalize (with fines, etc) parents of kids who are disruptive or non-learners (kind of reverse vouchers!).

[WestPoint90]

I really like your #3. I was also wondering if they could change the rules about the lottery here. We supposedly give a ton of $$ from the lottery to 'education'. I know alot of it is legit and goes to scholarships. I think that we could do a great service for education by amending those rules and allowing $ to go towards building schools.
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