Res. No. 034-09-12843RESOLUTIONNO. -14_09_12843
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE
MIAMI -DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS' LEGISLATIVE
INITIATIVE AND REQUESTS TO THE FLORIDA
LEGISLATURE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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 $400 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;
WHEREAS, the City of South Miami believes that funding a high 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 South Miami believes that adequate funding is needed
to achieve a high - quality education system measured by gains in student achievement;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA;
Section 1. The City of South Miami supports Miami -Dade County Public
Schools' legislative initiative and requests that the Florida Legislature:
Additions shown by underlinine and deletions shown by everstr lam.
Pg. 2 of Res. No. 34 -09 -12843
(i) 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; and
(ii) Restore the local Discretionary Capital Outlay levy to 2- mills; and;
(iii) Oppose legislation that reduces the number of in- service hours
required of teachers providing instruction to English Language
Learners.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this _J day of 2YJ" _, 2009.
ATTEST:
ezLl i
Y CLERK
REA VE AS TO F RM:
u igueredo,
Office Of City Attorney,
Nagin, Gallop & Figueredo, P.A.
WAMy Documents \resolutions\Resolution public schools.palmer.doc
Page 2 of 2
APPROVED:
COMMISSION VOTE: 4 -1
Mayor Feliu:
Yea
Vice Mayor Beasley:
Yea
Commissioner Newman:
Yea
Commissioner Palmer:
Yea
Commissioner Beckman:
Nay
Superintendent of Schools
Alberto M. Carvalho
The Honorable Velma Palmer
City of South Miami
6130 Sunset Drive
South Miami, FL 33143
Dear Commissioner Palmer:
Miami -Dade County School Board
February 6, 2009 Dr. Solomon C. Stinson, Chair
Dr. Marta Perez, Vice Chair
Agustin J. Barrera
Renier Diaz de to Portilla
Dr. Lawrence S. Feldman
Perla Tabares Hantman
Dr. Wilbert "Tee" Holloway
Dr. Martin Karp
Ana Rivas Logan
Our state and nation, as well as our community and school district are struggling through the sharpest economic downturn since the Great
Depression. Miami -Dade County Public Schools has been hit especially hard, having had to reduce its budget by neatly $300 million this
fiscal year alone, with more cuts to come. As protecting the classroom has been my top priority, 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 impact ourstudents.
As a longtime supporter of our schools, your organization can help us overcome this crisis and enable us to continue giving our students
the quality education they deserve. Our 2009 State and Federal Legislative programs are enclosed for your review. We are requesting that
your group adopt the attached resolution and forward it to, the Miami -Dade County Legislative Delegation.. By endorsing our program,
you can help us reach the °School Board's legislative goals. We must speak on in a clear and unified voice to let Tallahassee and
Washington know that education is a top priority.
Mindful of the current financial crisis that the Florida Legislature is facing, we are requesting at least level rather than increased funding.
Both the State and Federal Legislative Programs reflect our philosophy of fiscal responsibility, yet insist on adequate and equitable
funding (both operating and capital) to the District. Our programs also stress academic concerns, part icularly the need for reform at the
secondary level.
Approved by the School Board at its meeting of November 18, 2008, the programs reflect legislative needs identified not just by the
School Board, but also by interested citizen and PTAIPTSA groups, employee groups, administrators, and school -site personnel. Those
needs are enumerated in the enclosed resolution, and we gratefully ask that your organization endorse it and forward a copy to Miami -
Dade County Public Schools, 1450 N.E. Second Avenue, Suite 931, Miami, Florida 33132.
On behalf of the students of Miami -Dade County, I thank you for your continued support; it will help us reach our legislative goals and
provide our children with the education and skills they need to live productive lives and. compete globally. Should you have questions or
need additional copies of the printed legislative programs, please contact Ms. Iraida R. Mendez - Cartaya, Assistant Superintendent, Office
of Intergovernmental Affairs, Grants Administration, and CommunityServices, at 305 995 -1497.
Sincerely,
XI Alberto M. Carvalho
Superintendent of Schools
AMC:Ibd
L431
Enclosures
cc: School Board Members
School Board Attorney
Superintendent's Cabinet
School Board Administration Building • 1450 N.E. 2nd Avenue • Miami, Florida 33132
305 - 995 -1000 • www.dadeschools.net
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;
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;
Whereas, The School Board of Miami -Dade County, Florida, has experienced significant
budget reductions of nearly $300 million;
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;
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;
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;
Whereas, the believes that funding a high - 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 believes that adequate funding is needed to achieve a
high - quality education system measured by gains in student achievement;
Now, Therefore Be It Resolved That:
The supports Miami -Dade County Public Schools' legislative
initiative and requests that the Florida Legislature:
Fullfiil 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.
S
111111111111111,111 .1 qJ1111 1111111111i IN '' 1111111111 01' 3�'
the highest quality education so that
The School Board of Miami -Dade County, Florida
Dr Solomon C Stinson, Chair, Dr Marta Perez, Vice Chair, Agustin J Barrera, Renier Diaz de la Portilla
?Dr LaWYenc ,S 1 eldmap, Perla Tabares Hantman, Dr Wilbert "Tee" Holloway, Dr. Martin Karp, Ana Rivas Logan
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r *r a ">s `' � +' ' Alber�o��Ul+. Cat�alho ,SUp'erin�endentof8oho °o�s = �
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For further information contact:
Iraida R. Mendez - Cartaya, Assistant Superintendent
Mobile: 305- 606 -6553
imendez@dadeschools.net
Lisa M. Martinez, Director
Mobile: 786- 525.2218
lmmartinez@dadeschools.net
Miami -Dade County Public Schools
Office of Intergovernmental Affairs,
Grants Administration, and Community Services
1450 N.E. 2nd Avenue, Suite 931
Miami, FL 33132
305- 995 -1497 • FAX 305- 995 -3088
www.dadeschools.net
FUNDING FOR EDUCATION
Fulfill commitment made to hold school district operational
and capital funding harmless from the impact of property tax
reform and budget shortfalls by funding student enrollment at
minimally 2008 -2009 levels of $6,968.29.
Conduct an impartial third -party study of the Florida Price
Level Index to reflect the cost of housing, insurance, and
transportation rather than wages.
Delay the implementation of the Class Size Amendment at
the classroom level until 2010 -2011.
Extend the voter - approved operating millage authority from
four (4) years to ten (10) years.
Allocate additional funding for low-performing schools for
professional development and mentoring opportunities for
both administrative and instructional staffs.
(Continued...)
FUNDING FOR EDUCATION
Implement the following strategies to mitigate education
budget shortfalls:
Reallocate funds that normally would revert
back to the state's General Revenue Fund due to lower -
than- anticipated student enrollment;
Reduce or eliminate School Recognition awards;
Institute a moratorium on new programs;
Enforce a moratorium on unfunded mandates;
Provide flexibility in the use of all appropriated funds;
Use Working Capital Trust Fund to avoid further reductions
to education; and
Explore the feasibility of reducing the mandatory Florida
Retirement System (FRS) contribution rate on behalf of
employees.
Change reporting date for counties to submit a final adjusted
property tax roll to the Florida Department of Revenue from.
April to September 1 or impose a deadline for local property
appraisers to certify final tax roll prior to April.
Fund School Recognition, if at all, separate from the District
Discretionary Lottery.
Permit school districts to borrow from the Florida Retirement
Service pension program at the carry rate of interest earned
on its short-term holdings for up to nine months with a first
lien on property tax receipts and local operating millage
levy received in the fiscal year to provide insulation from
dependency on public markets during disrupted periods.
CAPITAL FUNDING
Provide unrestricted flexibility to pay for property and casualty
insurance out of capital funds.
Amend the Classrooms for Kids (class -size reduction capital
outlay) allocation formula for capital outlay funding to reflect
actual capital outlay need and the intent of the constitutional
amendment.
Restore the Local Discretionary Capital Outlay levy to 2 mills.
oppose legislation that re "flet rti(ication requ
for English for Speakers ca; slier -an g�es (ESOL)
teachers. ry RI
Provide
POLICY STATEMENTS
Ensure that public workforce education programs, affected
public schools, and school districts are authorized to provide
Supplemental Education Services (SES) consistent with
federal regulations.
Oppose legislation that subverts local control of local school
boards and superintendents.
Support maximum flexibility in the use of categorical funds.
Maintain the integrity of the FEFP and equity of funding
among school districts.
Oppose the imposition of unfunded, state - mandated
expenditures.
Support increased accountability measures for all publicly -
funded school- choice options.
Oppose voucher programs that lack equitable and sufficient
accountability measures.
Oppose any prescribed expenditure requirement such
as the "65 percent solution" as a mandate in the Florida
Constitution; further, oppose any such legislation, unless
established as a spending goal and the definition of
"classroom- related" expenditures includes all "instructional
support" expenditures.
Repeal the Florida Schools of Excellence Commission
Support state funding for a high - quality, full -day Voluntary
Pre -K (VPK) program under the Florida Department of
Education.
Oppose legislation that breaks up large school districts
Maintain the current dual delivery system of post- secondary
programs.
Oppose the deletion of impact fees unless replaced with
another revenue source.
any attempt to equalize kh Il,a,ttai outlay,
jsiation that would liintt offering giftgd programs
Nbh school students .
for the expansion of the
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Miami -Dade County Public Schi
giving our students the world
2009 Federal Legislative Program
11V Congress
first congressional session togeth'ef W1
commitment to our nation's children by
M
ucation Act (No Child Left Behind) • Head Start
The School Board of Miami -Dade County, Florida
For further information contact:
Iraida R. Mendez - Cartaya, Assistant Superintendent
Mobile: 305 - 606 -6553
!men dez @dadeschools.net
Lisa M. Martinez, Director
Mobile: 786- 525.2218
Immartinez@dadeschools.net
Miami -Dade County Public Schools
Office of Intergovernmental Affairs,
Grants Administration, and Community Services
1450 N.E. 2nd Avenue, Suite 931
Miami, FL 33132
305- 995 - 1497• FAX 305 - 995 -3088
www.dadeschools.net
FUNDING FOR EDUCATION
Increase the federal investment in public education to fully
fund the implementation of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act
and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Support adequate funding for safe and drug -free school
initiatives.
Support reform of formula funding disparities as identified by
the General Accounting Office report of January, 2002, which
hinder funds from reaching the nation's poorest students.
Support legislative efforts to require corrective sampling
of flawed 2000 Census data to account for an estimated
population undercount of at least 1.9% in Miami -Dade
County.
(Continued ... )
ELEMENTARYAND SECONDARY
EDUCATION ACT
(NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND)
Reauthorize and modify the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act (No Child Left Behind Act 2001) to:
recognize student progress in lieu of the
current all -or- nothing approach and recognize degrees of
progress for schools;
ensure fair accountability by providing flexibility for special
education and English Language Learners (ELL's) and
other formula adjustments, and by requiring identical tests
for Title I and Title III students in non - public schools;
ensure standards are meaningful by developing uniform
benchmarks of proficiency for all states to use;
reward and retain quality teachers by supporting measures
that raise pay for teachers in fields with shortages and in
high -needs communities, that create career ladder paths,
and that assist with rising housing costs;
allow districts to pay for monitoring and other
implementation costs of the Supplemental Education
Services out of the required 20% set -aside and ensure that
public schools are not unfairly prevented from providing
remedial services to students; and
allocate immigrant funds under Title III based on the
number of recently- arrived foreign -born students.
HEAD START
Increase funding for the newly- reauthorized Head Start
Program,
IMMIGRATION IMPACT
Address the impact of federal immigration policies on local
school district funds by supporting the Entrant and Refugee
Assistance Program under the Targeted Assistance and
Immigrant Education appropriation serving foreign -born,
limited English proficient (LEP) students and their families.
Support the DREAM Act or similar legislation that provides
immigration relief to a select group of students who grew up
in the United States, who have good moral character, and
who are pursuing a college education or have enlisted in the
military; and give states the authority to determine whetheG
to grant in -state tuition to statoye- g@ ents regardless of
immigration status. "S 11 15,
MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT
Oppose any policy revisions to restrict school -based
reimbursement for administration expenditures and certain
transportation costs for services provided to low- income
children with disabilities.
SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION
Support long -term extension of the Qualified Zone Academy
Bonds (QZAB) program, which provides for interest -free
loans to be secured by eligible school districts, and modify
program to permit school construction and land acquisition.
SECONDARYSCHOOL REFORM
Support continued and additional funding for secondary-
education reform, including themed, career path -based
academies and smaller learning communities.
TECHNOLOGYIN SCHOOLS
Support continued annual allocations for the Universal
Service Fund Program (E -Rate) and streamline refund
procedures to provide schools and libraries with
affordable access to state -of -the -art networking and
telecommunications technology.
WORKFORCE PREPARATION
Enhance funding and effectiveness of public vocational
training, adult education, family literacy, and career academy
programs through improved coordination with partner
agencies through the reauthorization of the Workforce
Investment Act (WIA) legislation.
Oppose any efforts to reduce funding for vocational and
technical education programs authorized through the Carl D.
Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act.
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giving our students the world