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2009-27005 ResoRESOLUTION NO. 2009-27005 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, TO SUPPORT MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS' LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE AND REQUEST THAT THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE FULFILL ITS COMMITMENT TO HOLD SCHOOL DISTRICT OPERATIONAL AND CAPITAL FUNDING HARMLESS FROM THE IMPACT OF PROPERTY TAX REFORM, RESTORE THE LOCAL DISCRETIONARY CAPITAL OUTLAY LEVY, AND OPPOSE LEGISLATION THAT REDUCED THE NUMBER OF IN-SERVICE HOURS REQUIRED OF TEACHERS PROVIDING INSTRUCTION TO ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS. WHEREAS, the Florida Constitution provides that the education of children is a fundamental value of the people of Florida and a paramount duty of the State; and, WHEREAS, the Constitution creates a clear mandate for a uniform and high quality education system and for the State to make adequate provision for this purpose; and, WHEREAS, The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, has experienced significant budget reductions of nearly $300 million; and, 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 as critical to strengthening our business climate; and, WHEREAS, the education system needs to respond to the workforce needs of Florida's employers, including programs that expand career academies in high schools, align career education with industry standards and workforce demands, and expand options for students to continue their education and enter the workforce; and, WHEREAS, the Pre-K-20 education system is the 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; and, WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach believes that funding ahigh-quality education system is an investment in our state's and our community's ability to compete nationally and globally in the marketplace; and WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach believes that adequate funding is needed to achieve ahigh-quality education system measured by gains in student achievement. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED THAT THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA hereby support Miami-Dade County Public Schools' legislative initiative and request that the Florida Legislature: • Fulfill its commitment to hold school district operational and capital funding harmless from the impact of property tax reform and budget • shortfalls by funding the student enrollment at minimally 2008-2009 levels of $6, 968.29; • Restore the local Discretionary Capital Outlay levy to 2-mills; and • Oppose legislation that reduces the number of in-service hours required of teachers providing instruction to English Language Learners. PASSED and ADOPTED this 25th day of February 2009. MAYOR Matti Herrera Bower ATTEST: CITY CLERK Robert Parcher APPROVED AS TO FORM ~NGUAGI ~c FOIE E~ECUTIO~ ~ ~ v~ ate ~`w.,.~1er~~n~ll Ti41n• V V~~MV^~VVM A Resolution to support Miami-Dade County Public Schools' legislative initiative and request that the Florida Legislature fulfills its commitment to hold school district operational and capital funding harmless, restore the local discretionary capital outlay levy, and oppose le islation that reduces in-service hours for En lish Ian ua a learner teachers. Ke Intended Outcome Su orted: Enhance Learning Opportunities for Youth Issue: Shall the Ma or and Ci Commission a rove the Resolution? Item Summary/Recommendation: The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, has experienced significant budget reductions of nearly $300 million. The Constitution creates a clear mandate for a uniform and high quality education system and for the State to make adequate provision for this purpose. In addition, Florida employers consistently rank improving education and workforce development as top concerns to the success of their business, and a highly qualified, trained workforce as critical to strengthening our business climate. The City of Miami Beach believes that funding ahigh- qualityeducation system is an investment in our state's and our community's ability to compete nationally and globally in the marketplace and that adequate funding is needed to achieve a high- quality education system measured by gains in student achievement. To protect youth in the classroom, MDCPS budget cuts to date have been aimed at central administration, which has been reduced by 27 percent, including reductions to salaries of between 2 and 10 percent. This action positions Miami-Dade as the district with the smallest administrative cost per student in the entire state. Unfortunately, additional budget reductions will likely affect our students. Approved by the School Board at its meeting of November 18, 2008, the MDCPS State and Federal Legislative programs reflect legislative needs identified not just by the School Board, but also by interested citizen and PTA/PTSA groups, employee groups, administrators, and school-site personnel. Adviso Board Recommendation: N/A Financial Information: Source of Amount. 'Account ' Approved Funds: ' ~ NIA # 2 OBPI Total ''' Financial Impact Summary: Ci Clerk's Office Le islative Trackin Dr. Leslie Rosenfeld, Organizational Development Sian-Offs: ..Department Directo Assistant City Manager City Mana er KGB JMG F:\obpi\$ORG DEV & PERF IMP\O anizational Development\Committee Quality Education\Compaet\RESOlutions\ DC Support Summary.doc --- 1 ~ ~r ~ ~ ~~ A~~t~DA ~T~~w G7~3 oA~ir 2-2s ~ ~ MIAMIBEACH City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, Florida 33139, www.miamibeachfl.gov COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and Members of the City Commission FROM: Jorge M. Gonzalez, City Manager DATE: February 25, 2009 SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, TO SUPPORT MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS' LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE AND REQUEST THAT THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE FULFILL ITS COMMITMENT TO HOLD SCHOOL DISTRICT OPERATIONAL AND CAPITAL FUNDING HARMLESS FROM THE IMPACT OF PROPERTY TAX REFORM, RESTORE THE LOCAL DISCRETIONARY CAPITAL OUTLAY LEVY, AND OPPOSE LEGISLATION THAT REDUCED THE NUMBER OF IN-SERVICE HOURS REQUIRED OF TEACHERS PROVIDING INSTRUCTION TO ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS. ADMINISTRATION RECOMMENDATION Approve the Resolution. BACKGROUND The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, has experienced significant budget reductions of nearly $300 million. The Constitution creates a clear mandate for a uniform and high quality education system and for the State to make adequate provision for this purpose. In addition, Florida employers consistently rank improving education and workforce development as top concerns to the success of their business, and a highly qualified, trained workforce as critical to strengthening our business climate. The City of Miami Beach believes that funding ahigh-quality education system is an investment in our state's and our community's ability to compete nationally and globally in the marketplace and that adequate funding is needed to achieve ahigh-quality education system measured by gains in student achievement. To protect youth in the classroom, MDCPS budget cuts to date have been aimed at central administration, which has been reduced by 27 percent, including reductions to salaries of between 2 and 10 percent. This action positions Miami-Dade as the districtwith the smallest administrative cost per student in the entire state. Unfortunately, additional budget reductions will likely affect our students. Approved by the School Board at its meeting of November 18, 2008, the MDCPS State and Federal Legislative programs reflect legislative needs identified not just by the School Board, but also by interested citizen and PTA/PTSA groups, employee groups, administrators, and school-site personnel. Resolution of the Mayor and City Commission to support Miami-Dade County Public Schools' legislative initiative Page 2 CONCLUSION The Administration recommends the approval of this Resolution. This approval will assist the Department in accomplishing its measurable objectives linked to the City's Key Intended Outcome of Enhancing Learning Opportunities for Youth. JMG/KGB/LDR