May 1, 2008
John Johnston, Managing Editor
BocaNews.com

“Persistence,” was House Majority Leader Adam Hasner’s smiling reason why the “65-Cent Solution,” was recently approved by the Florida Taxation and Budget Reform Commission (TBRC).

Hasner first promoted the 65-cent idea to the Boca Raton News in 2005.

“This measure will ensure that a minimum of 65 cents of every dollar Florida spends on education is spent inside the classroom for higher teacher salaries and students, not on wasteful bureaucracy,” said Hasner.

Governor Charlie Crist agrees, saying after the TRBC approval: “I applaud the Commission’s wisdom in giving the people of Florida the opportunity to choose transparency in public school spending. I believe the 65 percent requirement will open a window that will shine a light on areas where school districts can save money and better support student achievement.”

What the TRBC approved was Constitutional Proposal 26 – a proposal to amend the State Constitution to require that sixty-five percent of school funding received by school districts be spent on classroom instruction, rather than administration. The Legislature will define classroom instruction and administration in statute, and the sixty-five percent requirement will commence during the 2009-2010 school year, if Florida voters approve the idea.

As defined by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), classroom instruction includes teacher salaries and benefits, classroom supplies, special education and second language education, arts, music, and athletics.

In Florida, the NCES found in a 2002-2003 study that not a single district in Florida spent 65 percent in its classrooms.

“Today we celebrate a victory on behalf of Florida’s students and the educators who selflessly devote their lives toward the education of our children,” said Representative Hasner. “I am grateful to the members of the Taxation and Budget Reform Commission who worked diligently to pass this proposal. When it comes to education funding, how much you spend is not as important as how wisely you spend it.

Hasner noted that the proposal puts more than rhetoric into educational action.

“We’ve demanded academic accountability from students and teachers for results inside the classroom, now it’s time to demand fiscal accountability from administrators to make certain our dollars are going toward the place where they can make the greatest difference in the educational gains of our children – the classroom,” he said, adding: “Anyone who cares about the state of our education system in Florida should be encouraged by today’s news. With one vote, the people of Florida have been giving the opportunity to vote for a measure which will increase classroom funding without a tax increase.”