Sarasota FL's economic downturn results in 50% rise in free school lunches

[graywarrior]

This is big news, but not surprising here in southwest Florida. You can rent a brand new 3 bedroom/2 bath/2 car garage home in Charlotte County for as low as $1000 per month. You can even name your own price and you will likely get it.

(snip)
Southwest Florida's stagnant real estate market has already brought growth in public school student enrollment to an abrupt halt.

But now the area's economic downturn is having a new effect on Charlotte, Manatee and Sarasota classrooms: an increase in the number of students getting free or reduced-price lunch because of their families' low income.

(snip)
The increase also means more students qualify for special services under the federal No Child Left Behind Act -- which the districts have to pay for.

(snip)
Sarasota administrators also believe the high cost of housing was driving families out of the neighborhoods that feed their schools.

(snip)
Sarasota school officials say the increase in low-income children seems to be countywide, not concentrated in the schools that typically have higher poverty rates.


http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20070901/NEWS/709010307

[Demeter]

1. Quel Surprise!

So much for the growing, bustling US Economy.

[graywarrior]

3. Downtown Sarasota is loaded with new condo's but no one living in them

And still, they continue to build. The big contractors do, anyhow. Small contractors can't get the banks to give them the money. People from other states with 800 credit scores cannot get mortgages here.

[NC_Nurse]

2. You're leaving there, aren't you?

You didn't buy a house, I hope. :o

[graywarrior]

4. No, I didn't but now would be the time IF the bank would give me a mortgage.

Theny won't.

[sarcasmo]

5. One more sign of that fine economy.