With the recession bottoming out (hopefully), and another $1 billion or so of federal stimulus money headed to Florida schools next year, the state Board of Education appears to be feeling pretty optimistic.

The BOE will consider a $19.3 billion legislative budget request when it meets in Miami next week – an increase of 8 percent over last year's budget. The 2010-11 proposal is more or less a wish list, with the Florida Legislature and Gov. Charlie Crist making the final decisions. But it may offer insight into what some decision makers are thinking six months before start of session. The proposed budget includes:

• $6.71 billion for the Florida Education Finance Program, an increase of $706.9 million, or nearly 12 percent

• $3.2 billion for class size reduction, up $353.7 million from last year

• $1.19 billion for community colleges, up $134.8 million