Radioactivity Wednesday 8 30 17
Why are Florida’s Public Schools Having Budget Problems?
Good morning, welcome to Radioactivity. I’m Rob Lorei. 
Facing budget problems the Hillsborough School District is in the process of eliminating about 3500 positions in the district. This is in response to the district’s ongoing budget problems. Also this month it was widely reported that air conditioning systems in Hillsborough public schools were breaking down at an alarming rate—leaving some schools sweltering in the summer heat.
The problems at Hillsborough public schools are not unique—there are a budget problems at Florida school districts. Around the state other school districts are facing shortages in their building and maintenance funds. Some districts are facing teacher shortages. Why? We’re going to talk with State Representative Janet Cruz of Tampa, a Democrat and the House Minority leader.
In an opinion column she wrote last week for Florida Politics she blamed the state legislature for the budget problems. She said this:
“For the last 20 years, there has been a relentless assault on traditional public schools in order to siphon your tax dollars into the pockets of corporations and eventually privatize Florida’s entire public education system.”
http://floridapolitics.com/archives/243566-janet-cruz-hillsborough-school-ac-issues-part-much-bigger-problem
One Response to “Why are Florida’s Public Schools Having Budget Problems?”
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Great guest! Florida’s public school system is the next casualty of the GOP’s scorched earth policy. Charter schools may be not for profit, or non-profit, but they are out to make a buck for those who set them up. What is surprising and distressing is how much is being done in the shadows in Florida, like using building money on Charter school facilities and NOT public school buildings. Kudos to Janet Cruz for being an advocate for Florida’s students. I hope she does run for governor.