Key Point: “What Scott has proposed is bumping up the per-pupil spending (the only one that really counts) from $6,262 a kid to $6,372. That sounds fine and dandy … until you realize that it used to be $6,897. Rick Scott was the one who cut it. So, according to the state’s own numbers, the governor cut $600 and is now talking about giving back $100. And that makes him the next education governor? That’s like a playground bully stealing a handful of marbles and then expecting the class Good Samaritan award for returning just a few.”
 
Scott Maxwell: Rick Scott says more for schools? Bring it, governor!
 
Suddenly, Rick Scott says he wants to treat them better.
 
Good for him. I like that. So do most parents and teachers.
 
In fact, except for the people who type in ALL CAPS on Sentinel comment boards about the evils of public schools, fluoride and the new Muppet movie, most civilized Floridians agree that our cash-strapped schools and kids deserve better.
 
Fewer class offerings, underpaid teachers and 9:30 a.m. lunch times aren’t good enough.
 
So if Scott is trying to improve Florida’s below-average funding, again, I say: Kudos, governor.
 
Now for the reality check.
 
What Scott has proposed is bumping up the per-pupil spending (the only one that really counts) from $6,262 a kid to $6,372.
 
That sounds fine and dandy … until you realize that it used to be $6,897.
 
Rick Scott was the one who cut it.
 
So, according to the state’s own numbers, the governor cut $600 and is now talking about giving back $100.
 
And that makes him the next education governor?
 
That’s like a playground bully stealing a handful of marbles and then expecting the class Good Samaritan award for returning just a few.
 
There are also some stimulus dollars in the mix. But the real reason Scott’s proposing cuts one year and increases the next is that he got smacked around — by you.
 
Floridians — especially parents — spoke up. And Rick Scott listened. (It’s amazing what kind of motivation a 26 percent approval rating can provide.)
 
So, if Scott is ready to treat schools better, bring it on! But let’s also be honest about how we got here — and how far we still have to go.
 
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-scott-maxwell-rick-scott-schools-120911-20111208,0,5654085.column