QEC Minutes 02.14.23Committee for Quality Education
MINUTES
February 14, 2023
9:00am-11:00am
Members Present: Beverly Heller, Laurie Kaye Davis, James Orlowsky, Rina Bass,
Julie Basner, Evie Fernandez, Tiere Hessert, Beth Edwards,
Members Absent: Mary Keinath, Joshua Levy, Yvette Tache, Amy Ostroff
Agenda
1. Introduction - made
2. Prospect of NBE Becoming a Charter School - discussed
C7 R:
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO ENGAGE A
CONSULTANT, FOR A FEE NOT TO EXCEED $75,000.00, TO ASSIST THE CITY WITH
THE PREPARATION OF A FEASIBILITY STUDY REGARDING THE POSSIBLE
CONVERSION OF NORTH BEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL FROM A PUBLIC
SCHOOL TO A CHARTER SCHOOL WITH THE GOAL OF ADDRESSING
MAINTENANCE ISSUES AT THE SCHOOL IN A MORE EXPEDITIOUS MANNER.
3. Amendment to Ordinance re: Composition of QEC to Include Reps from
Private & Charter Schools in Miami Beach – discussed with motion
R5 L:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY
OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2 OF THE MIAMI
BEACH CITY CODE, ENTITLED "ADMINISTRATION," BY AMENDING ARTICLE
Ill, ENTITLED "AGENCIES, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES," BY
AMENDING DIVISION 30, ENTITLED "COMMITTEE FOR QUALITY EDUCATION
IN MIAMI BEACH SCHOOLS," BY AMENDING SECTIONS 2-190.135-2-
190.137 THEREOF TO EXPAND THE COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE
INCLUDE REPRESENTATIVES FROM PRIVATE AND CHARTER K-12 SCHOOLS
IN MIAMI BEACH TO BETTER SERVE INTERESTS OF ALL STUDENTS IN THE CITY;
AND, PROVIDING FOR REPEALER, SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
Motion
Members Present: Julie Basner, Beverly Heller, Beth Edwards, Laurie Kaye Davis, James
Orlowsky, Rina Bass, Tiere Hessert, Evie Fernandez
Members Absent: Mary Keinath, Yvette Tache, Josh Levy and Amy Ostroff
Member Absent for Vote: Evie Fernandez
Motion Made by Rina Bass
Second by Beverly Heller
The Committee for Quality Education requests the Mayor and Commission be aware the QEC
supports education equality for all students of Miami Beach and encourages the commission to
ensure that all education related services provided by the City of Miami Beach are available to
all students residing in Miami Beach. However, the expansion of the QEC to include an
additional 10 charter or private schools presents concerns to the functionality of the QEC as it
currently operates. The increased membership challenges the efficiency of the committee,
jeopardizing the quality of the committee, while access to education resources can be provided
by the commission through avenues other than the expansion of the QEC.
The Committee for Quality Education urges the Mayor and Commission to support the above
request.
Motion Passage: Votes 7-0
Absent for Vote: Evie Fernandez