May 18, 2013
Gov. Bush is upset with those who claim funding for public schools will be cut in next year's budget.
Bush says the school system will see an increase of about $600-$700 million in next year's spending plan.
But he admits that additional money won't go very far because of the class size reduction requirements that local school districts must begin complying with.
Bush says the class size amendment may force local school districts to do a better job of stretching their dollars.
But he argues the budget proposal being considered in Tallahassee should not be seen as a budget cut.
He says that instead of paying teachers more, the state is going to have to follow the voters' mandate to reduce class sizes.
School boards don't deny there will be more money in the education budget. They say there just isn't enough to pay for the additional financial burdens they are facing.
