Senate education budget released yesterday

Here is a link to the Senate education budget released yesterday: http://www.flsenate.gov/data/committees/Senate/meeting_packets/EA.pdf.
 
Budget Notes:
Total budget for $21.5 billion for 2008-09 ($12 billion in state budget plus $9.5 billion local effort).
Reduction of ($883.6) million in recurring general revenue. Added $41.9 million in education enhancement trust fund.
Pre K -12 Education Summary:

• FEFP- The 2008-09 FEFP is $18.5 billion, or $7.011 per student. This is a reduction of ($298.1) million, or -1.59%. The per student reduction is ($115.91), or -1.63%.
• Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK)- No reduction s for VPK program funding, with $343.7 million provided. Student enrollment growth results in a base student allocation of $2,572 (down form $2.677) a -3.9% reduction.
• School lunch- were not reduced to maintain federal matching funds.
• State Board of Education – All categories reduced at least -10% in GR. Assessment and evaluation GR reduced by ($13.3) million, or -28.4%. the funds freed up by this reduction are used to partially restore two priority programs , A++ (3.2 million ), and reading grants ($10 million).
• Florida Schools of Excellence - $500,000 provided to continue operations.
• All other programs and categories are reduced by -5.1%.
• No new programs created or funded.