2008-26787 ResoRESOLUTION NO. zoos-z67s7
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, SUPPORTING THE
LEGISLATIVE AGENDA OF SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-
DADE COUNTY DURING THE 2008 SESSION OF THE
FLORIDA LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade Public Schools (MDCPS) provides educational services to
the Miami Beach community; and
WHEREAS, MDCPS has been negatively impacted by legislative funding policies
approved by the State of Florida; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Constitution provides that the education of children is a
fundamental value of the people of Florida; and
WHEREAS, MDCPS will need approximately $100 million in new monies above
current funding levels to continue current program offerings; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach believe that
funding ahigh-quality education system is an investment in the abilityto compete nationally
and globally in the marketplace; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach believe that
adequate funding is needed to achieve ahigh-quality education system measured by
student achievement; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission support the legislative agenda of the
School Board of Miami-Dade County; and
NOW,, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission support the Legislative Agenda ofthe School Board of Miami-Dade County for
the 2008 Session of the Florida Legislature.
PASSED and ADOPTED this 12th
ATTEST:
City Clerk
Robert Parcher
F9ECON\$ALL\KEVIN\CORRESPONDENCE\RESOS AND CMS\MDCPS.DOC
day of march , 2008.
r
ayor
Matti Herrera Bower
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RM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
City Attorney Date
Im MIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR AND COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager
Jose Smith, City Attorney
FROM: Richard L. Steinberg, Commissioner R~SIm~
DATE: March 6, 2008
SUBJECT: Agenda Item- Resolution inSupport ofMiami-Dade County Public School's Legislative
Priorities
I would like to place the following resolution on the March 12th Commission Agenda.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact my Aide, Ms. Marlene
Taylor at ext. 6087.
RLS/mt
Attachment: Letter and draft resolution
N Agenda Item J
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Date 3-/o?-D~
Superintendent of Schools Miami-Dade County School Board
Ruddph F. Crew, Ed. D. Agustin J. Barrere, Chair
February 20, 2008 Perla Tabares Hantman, Vice Chair
Renier Diaz de la Portilla
Evelyn Langlieb Greer
Dr. ~/bert "Tee"Holloway
Or. Martin Karp
The Honorable Richard Steinberg Ana Rivas Cogan
City of Miami Beach Dr. Marta Perez
1700 Convention Center Drive Dr. solomon C. Stinson
Miami Beach, FL 33139
Dear Commissioner Steinberg:
As the 2008 legislative session quickly approaches, we are reaching out to our stakeholders for
support of the legislative priorities of The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida.
Unfortunately, overthe past several years, Miami-Dade County PublicSchools (M-DCPS) has been
adversely impacted by legislative funding policies exporting sorely needed state dollars to other
school districts throughout the state. The District Cost Differential (DCD) policy alone has resulted
in a net reduction of $212 million in state funding to the local District budget. Other factors such
as declining enrollment and the state's economic slowdown has netted a reduction in overall
funding to the District of approximately $129 million, leaving the District with limited resources to
deal with escalating operating costs, implementing new educational programs, and providing
teacher salary increases.
We are requesting a base budget increase that keeps pace with inflation, moves Florida towards
the 'United States average per pupil, and allows for competitive salaries to our teachers is
paramount if we are to continue the successes of the last few years. I can proudly state that the
student achievement is increasing in Miami-Dade County with the greatest increases in our lowest
performing schools. The majority of the District's students are now scoring at the higher
achievement levels on the FCAT SSS Reading at grades 4 through 7 and the percent of students
scoring at grade level or above have increased at three of the seven grade levels. On FCAT SSS
Mathematics, the majority of students are now scoring at the higher achievement levels in grades
'w-J~ aid 7-"0. He;'e t6J, un ii.0ieaSing r?U,'i',bCr of Stiidvlt5 SCvrin~ at grade ie'vel Gr obGVe.
Last year science was tested for the first time and presented a challenge for many of our students
causing an increase in the number of "F" schools. We have addressed our students' science
needs as we addressed reading, writing and math, and we are confident that the results achieved
in student achievement will exceed expectations.
If we are to tackle the four critical priorities targeted by our Board -eliminating low performing
schools; raising academic student achievement for all students; reforming business practices to
ensure efficiency, effectiveness, and high ethical standards; and recruiting, developing, and
retaining high performing, diverse, and motivated faculty and staff while developing our students
for a global economy - it requires funding. We understand that the Florida Legislature and the
residents of Miami-Dade County deserve a return on their investment.
Page 1 of 2
School Board Administration Building • 1450 N.E. 2nd Avenue • Miami, Florida 33132
~`°-- 305-995-1000 • www.dadeschools.net
I am attaching copies of M-DCPS' 2008 State and Federal Legislative Programs for your review
and support. As always, we look to you for assistance in helping to meet the School Board's
legislative goals by approving the attached resolution on the School Board's priority and
transmitting it to the members of the Miami-Dade Delegation. The programs were approved by
The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, at its October 11, 2006 meeting. The
programs are based on legislative needs expressed by the Board, interested citizen groups and
PTA/PTSA groups, employee groups, administrators, and school-site personnel. Attached is a
copy of a resolution in support of the Board's legislative priorities and I would greatly appreciate
your organization's endorsement of these priorities.
On behalf of the students of Miami-Dade County, i greatly appreciate your continued support in
reaching our legislative goals and. providing our children the education and skills to live
productive lives and compete globally. Should you have any questions or need additional
copies of the printed legislative programs, please contact Mr. Alberto M. Carvalha, Associate
Superintendent, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Grants, Marketing, and Community
Services, at 305 995-2532, or Ms. Iraida R. Mendez-Cartaya, Administrative Director,
Intergovernmental Affairs and Grants Administration, at 305 995-1497.
Sincerely,
Rudolph F. rew, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
RFC/AMC:Ibd
L1036
Attachments
cc: School Board Members
School Board Attorney
Superintendent's Cabinet
Ms. Iraida R. Mendez-Cartaya
Ms. Lisa Martinez
Page 2 of 2
~~
Whereas, the Florida Constitution provides that the education of children is a
fundamental value of the oeoale of Florida and a paramount duty of the State;
Whereas, the Constitution creates a clear mandate for a uniform and hioh quality
education system and for the State to make adequate provision for this purpose;
Whereas, The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, will need approximately 5700
million in new monies above current funding levels to continue current program
offerings;
Whereas, Florida employers consistently rank improving education and workforce
development as top concerns to the success of their business, and a highly qualified,
trained workforce is critical to strengthening our business climate;
Whereas, the education system needs to respond to the workforce needs of Florida's
employers, including programs that expand career academies in high schools, aligning
career education with Industry standards and workforce demands, and expanding
options for students to continue their education and enter the workforce;
Whereas, the pre-K-20 education system is a key foundation for Florida's future
providing the talent base for economic diversification and an economic engine for the
knowledge economy, and Florida should continue to move its education system at all
levels (pre-K-20) into the top quartile in education quality, student rankings and
graduation rates based on national standards;
Whereas, the believes that funding ahigh-quality education system is
an investment in the ability to compete nationally and globally in the marketplace; and
Whereas, the believes that adequate funding is needed to achieve a
high-quality education system measured by student achievement;
Now, Therefore Be It Resolved:
The supports the Miami-Dade County Public Schools' legislative
initiative and requests that the Florida Legislature:
• Appropriate funding increase of at least 5100 million in order to maintain
current program offerings, meet rising costs of insurance, utilities and
labor contracts;
• Amend the Classrooms for Kids allocation formula for capital outlay
funding to reflect actual capital outlay need;
• Oppose legislation that reduces the number of in-service hours required of
teachers providing instruction to English Language Learners; and
• Oppose any attempt to modify gifted program criteria that would limit gifted
program offerings to our students.
~.~ ~~