R9L-Discuss- Support Of M-D County Public Schools� Capital Bond Referendum -BowMl MIBE H
OFFICE OF THE MAYOR AND COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Kathie G. Brooks, Interim City M
fROM: Matti Herrera Bower, Mayor
DATE: October 17, 2012
SUBJECT: Miami~Dade County Public Schools Resolution for Commission discussion item
Please piece on the October 24, 2012 Commission Agenda the attached resolution in
support of Miami~Dade County Public Schools' Capital Bond Referendum to modernize and
construct schools, including technology upgrades at all schools
MHBilw
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RESOlUTION IN SUPPORT OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOlS'
CAPITAL BOND REFERENDUM TO MODERNIZE AND CONSTRUCT SCHOOLS,
INClUDING TECHNOlOGY UPGRADES AT All SCHOOlS
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County Public Schools will ask county voters to invest in their schools by
approving issuance of a $102 billion General Obligation Bond for renovating facilities, updating
technology, building school replacements, expanding capacity and enhancing facility safety; and
WHEREAS, inequity exists between instructional experience of students attending newer schools and
those In outdated buildings. To take full advantage of today's technology and digital leaming
environments, aging schools must be replaced or updated to ensure all students have access to cutting~
edge academic programming and modem safety and security measures; and
WHEREAS, approval by the voters of the bond referendum is essential ro the school district and the
business community as they seek a sustainable long-term solution for a!l of Miami-Dade County's public
school students ensuring that every student is prepared for the evolving workforce. Common sense and
numerous studies have concluded that students leam better in upgraded or newer facilities with advanced
technology, better air quality and less noisE:L Upgraded or newer schools also add value to homes nearby;
and
WHEREAS, approving a bond referendum now makes sense because construction bonds issued in
1988 are being paid off, so homeowners will not experience a significant increase in taxes. Therefore,
the proposed bond issue will have minimal Impact on the typical homeowner -· a projected $5 annually
per $100,000 of taxable property value in the first and a projected average of $27 annually per
$100,000 of taxable property value during the term and
WHEREAS, the timing of the issuance is critical in order to minimize the cost to taxpayers while
construction costs also are significantly !ower than at their peak, and interest rates are at historical tows;
and
WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County Public Schools' Capital Bond Referendum wi!l provide prosperity and
security in our community by bringing capital from outside the county that will be invested in the local
community, and ultimately providing students with more targeted academic oft'elings to become better
prepared for the 21$1 Century global ecooomy; and
WHEREAS, the long-term benefits of continuing the bond program in :2012 far outweigh the minimal
increase in taxes by creating an estimated jobs during the first three years of the bond and over
18,000 sustainable jobs during the life of the bonds according to a recent economic impact study; and
WHEREAS, Bonds will help enhance the safety and security of school buildings; renovate or upgrade
every school; guarantee technology equity across all schools; seek stakeholder input while minimizing the
burden on taxpayers; promote greater public/private partnerships; and provide transparnncy and
confidence with citizen advisory and oversight committees; and
WHEREAS, believes voters are empowered to determine If long-term needs of
school facilities benefiting a new generation of students merit continuing the bond program by authorizing
$1.2 billion of bonds ln2012o
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOlVED THAT:
-------supports Miami~Dade Public Schools' Capital Bond Refernndum to
modernize and construct schools, including technology upgrades at an schools.
NAME (print): _________ _ TITlE: __________ __
SiGNATURE:----------
DATE: _________________ _
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