Wayne Blanton
Wayne Blanton
billion dollars five four half maybe short takes trade
We can't keep up. We're four and a half billion dollars short on the construction side. If that's what you have to trade for five more students, then that's maybe what it takes to trade.
governor solution takes
For the governor or the Legislature to always say that this is a one-size-fits-all solution usually does not work, and it takes a cooperative effort.
excellent
Overall, it's going to be an excellent year.
budgets good percent states
Overall, it's a very good budget. It's a 6 percent to 7 percent increase. Considering what other states are doing, it's substantial.
budgets good looking proposal teacher
Overall, it's a very good budget, especially looking at his proposal for teacher recruitment and retention.
fixed legislate policy rather
We think we're going to get it fixed legislatively. It has always been our policy that we'd rather legislate than litigate.
care concerns fuel given health higher hired increases instead pay percent raise rising taking teachers three tremendous
We have tremendous concerns in three areas: transportation, because of rising fuel costs; utilities, because of rising fuel costs; and increases in health care costs. We could have given teachers a 7 percent pay raise instead of taking those things away. We could have hired more of those teachers at a higher salary.
attractive florida
When you set that criteria, you will get it. Florida is an attractive state.
agree creates debate disagree emphasis engaging provided public school whether
Whether you agree or disagree with his policies, he has provided a lot of emphasis on public schools. Engaging the public in the school debate ... creates a better atmosphere.
level local schools
At the local level we know where the schools are. We can go out and see them. We can plan.
administer amount beginning bigger fair issue
There's a fair amount of coordination beginning to go on. The bigger issue is how to administer it once it happens.
count learn
First, you need to learn to count to three. Then, you need to learn to count to five.
chicken good sky
You don't want to be Chicken Little and say, 'The sky is falling,' because right now we're in pretty good shape.
anyone board budget courts money portions position school schools spend telling
Our position is that statewide, the school board has a budget and allocates money to all schools in their district. We don't want legislation, the courts or anyone else telling us where to spend portions of (the districts') budgets.