School funding lawsuit appealed

Eddie Farah

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 415

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On Monday, a three-judge appellate panel asked for a new trial in a lawsuit challenging the state's funding formula by five county schools districted. At a later date, the 1st District Court of Appeals will rule whether to reverse a trial judge's decision made last year that ruled the five districted "failed to show what the Legislature did concerning the state's funding formula, was illegal or unconstitutional

Under the new formula, Duval County received an increase of $8.85 million; Clay County received $1.25 million; Nassau County received about $485,000, and St. Johns County, $68,000

The new formula also contributed to Monroe County because of the desperate situation. Even though Monroe passed an additional half-mil tax - 50 cents per $1,000 of property value, teachers cannot afford the lowest housing, which costs about $350,000. Lawyers of Broward and Palm Beach County school board claim they never received a fair chance to present their case. They also argued Judge Davey erred by failing to allow legislative staffers t verify the authenticity of documents introduced and issued a written decision inconsistent with his court comments.

Also a Florida Supreme Court opinion issued After the Judge Davey's decision struck down a voucher program that allowed children from facility public schools to attend private schools at taxpayer expense.