Florida’s population decline of 58,294 from April 1st 2008 to April 2009, the first in 63 years, is also having a negative impact on its school system.
Included in the population exodus are 28,000 kids. This means that, when schools open next week, Florida school system will have that many fewer children.
With the falling school population comes a decline in funding, given that districts lose $8,500 for each child that leaves.
Given that state-wide enrollment is down 28,000, schools will further lose close to $240 million, which would imply even tougher choices.
In addition to per student funding, Florida schools are negatively impacted by a raft of other problems, including falling property values and reduced sales tax collections.
Stimulus dollars are currently being used to help plug some of the gaps in the school system. But, Florida educators are very clear that this is a temporary measure and lasting and more sustainable ways are needed to adequately fund schools, if students are not to be short-changed even more.
