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Veto Freezes Tutoring Program: Gov. Jeb Bush's Veto for Pembroke Pines Means the City Won't Expand an After-School Tutoring Program in the Charter Schools

Posted on: Sunday, 4 June 2006, 06:00 CDT

By Amy Sherman, The Miami Herald

Jun. 4--Gov. Jeb Bush recently vetoed $50,000 in state money that the city of Pembroke Pines had sought to expand after-school tutoring in the city's charter schools.

The city's elementary and middle charter schools now offer after-school tutoring for students in grades 3 through 8 who scored below grade level on the FCAT, said Sean Chance, principal at Pines Charter East Elementary. Students receive about three or four hours of extra help. About 375 students participated last year.

Educators hoped to expand the program to offer tutoring to students who just barely met grade level.

"The idea comes from the teachers," Chance said. "As an educator, you are aware that students who just met the criteria are most likely to have a backward slide."

Charter schools pay teachers to provide tutoring in reading, math and writing. Lessons are offered either on Saturdays, before or after school depending on the school. The teacher-student ratio is no more than one teacher per 10 students. The free program is not required, but most parents sign up their children if they are eligible, Chance said.

The charter schools have provided some form of after-school tutoring since 2001.

"It's a shame," said Pines Mayor Frank Ortis. "We need that money. It's a shame (Bush) considers that a turkey. I guess he indicates we should do it ourselves or find another funding source."

During the last week of May, Bush vetoed about $448 million from the state's spending plan, including millions for cities in Broward. Bush also vetoed after-school tutoring money for Hallandale Beach, money for parks projects in Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach and emergency response or hurricane-related projects in Davie and Southwest Ranches. Bush has said the main reason for the cuts was to save money for a rainy-day fund.

Charter schools are free public schools run by someone other than a county school board, in this case, Pembroke Pines. The city launched its charter system in 1998 and now has seven schools. The state provides money for charter schools.

Pines has continued to plan for expanding its charter school system, despite frequent cries by city officials that the existing schools are underfunded. The city plans to add a kindergarten through eighth grade school at the Howard C. Forman campus on University Drive. That school is expected to accommodate some students who will move into the future City Center development at Palm Avenue and Pines Boulevard.

City officials are feuding with Broward school district officials about money for the city's charter schools. City Manager Charlie Dodge wants a portion of the school district's property taxes that go toward building schools. Pines gets capital money from a state fund, which hasn't kept pace with rising charter school enrollment statewide.

For more on charter schools see pinescharter.com

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Miami Herald

Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.

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Source: The Miami Herald

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