Do Gov. Crist's budget numbers add up?

A chorus of doubt emerged this week as the details of Charlie Crist's education budget emerged.

Superintendents in Clay and Pasco, among others, have noted that the enrollment projections were old, as were the revenue estimates. Senate Education Appropriations chairman Steve Wise criticized Crist for putting temporary federal stimulus funds to use covering recurring costs such as payroll.

"We don't want to give anybody false hopes," Wise told the Gradebook.

He said the money would be better spent on things like making the FCAT computerized and installing better security systems in inner-city schools than pouring it into teacher pay. "That is the worst idea that we have going," he said of the latter. "It delays the inevitable. ... I think we're going to have to (cut pay), even with the stimulus package."

Luckily, Pasco superintendent Heather Fiorentino noted, the governor's budget is only a recommendation, and the Legislature will set the final plan with his input, but also more up-to-date information.

We have heard some chatter that the governor might just be painting a happy face on education funding, which has so many parents and educators riled up these days, to keep the voting public pleased, if you get the drift. But then when the checks come and they're smaller than proposed, well, at least he tried.
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