HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdd on: School Board Legislative 2007 Session~~:~~~~~ , ~Q Q D oH .~1~1
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1515-200 NW 167 Street
Miami Gardens, Florida 33169
To: Honorable City Council Members
Mayor Shirley Gibson
Vice Mayor Oscar Braynon II
Councilman Melvin L. Bratton
Councilman Aaron Campbell
Councilman Andre Williams
Councilwoman Sharon Pritchett
Councilwoman Barbara Watson
From: Shirley Gibson
Mayor
Date: January 10, 2007
Re: RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR
THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD LEGISLATIVE 2007
SESSION.
Miami-Dade County School Board is the governmental entity who is officially charged to provide
access to public education to the students in Miami Dade County and is the fiscal agent for all funds
for this public purpose. I am submitting this resolution in support of the Legislative Agenda for the
Legislative 2007 session. A quality education is the most critical component in developing a workforce
that is prepared to meet the challenges of this era for future residents in the City of Miami Gardens and
Miami Dade County. Municipal support is needed to send a united message to the Legislature that we
are committed to securing funding to support quality education in urban areas such as ours.
RECOMMENDATION: That the City Council approve the resolution supporting the Miami-Dade
County School Board Legislative 2007 Session.
RESOLUTION NO.
RESOLUTION No. 2007-
y , '
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING MIAMI-DADE
COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR
THE LEGISLATIVE 2007 SESSION; PROVIDING FOR THE
ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS; PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
1 WHEREAS, the Florida Constitution provides that the education of children is a
2 fundamental value of the people of Florida and a paramount duty of the State, and
3 WHEREAS, the Constitution creates a clear mandate for a uniform and high
4 quality education system and for the state to make adequate provision for this purpose,
5 and
6 WHEREAS, Florida is one of the leaders in the nation in mandating public school
7 educational accountability measures and the School Board of Miami-Dade County has
8 earned a second straight grade of B in the State accountability system, falling just seven
9 points short of the cutoff score for a grade of A, and
10 WHEREAS, the number of schools in Miami-Dade County, Florida, receiving a
11 letter grade of A increased to 53%, the highest percentage ever despite tougher state
12 guidelines, and
13 WHEREAS, The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, has constructed
14 an additional 20,000 new student seats to address overcrowding; and
15 WHEREAS, the School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, will need
16 approximately $180 million in new funding above current funding levels to continue
17 program enhancements, and
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING MIAMI
DADE SCHOOL BOARD 2007
LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE 01.10.07 (1)
RESOLUTION NO.
18 WHEREAS, Florida employers consistently rank improving education and
19 workforce development as top concerns to the success of their businesses, and a highly
20 qualified, trained workforce is critical to strengthening the business climate; and
21 WHEREAS, the education system needs to respond to the workforce needs of
22 Florida's employers, including programs that expand career academies in high schools,
23 aligning career education with industry standards and workforce demands, and
24 expanding options for students to continue their education and enter the workforce, and
25 WHEREAS, the pre-K-20 education system is a key foundation for Florida's
26 future providing the talent base for economic diversification and an economic engine for
27 the knowledge economy, and Florida should continue to move its education system at
28 all levels (pre-K-20) into the top quartile in education, student rankings and graduation
29 rates based on national standards, and
30 WHEREAS, the City of Miami Gardens believes that funding a high-quality
31 education system is an investment in the ability to compete nationally and globally in the
32 marketplace, and
33 WHEREAS, the city of Miami Gardens believes that adequate funding is needed
34 to achieve a high-quality education system measured by student achievement,
35 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
36 OF MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
37 Section 1. ADOPTION OF REPRESENTATIONS: The foregoing Whereas
38 paragraphs are hereby ratified and confirmed as being true, and the same are hereby
39 made a specific part of this Resolution.
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING MIAMI
DADE SCHOOL BOARD 2007
LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE 01.10.07 (1)
RESOLUTION NO.
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Section 2. SUPPORTS: The City Council of the City of Miami Gardens hereby
supports the Miami-Dade County Public Schools' legislative initiative and request that
the Florida Legislature:
• Appropriate adequate funding to raise Miami-Dade's pre-pupil funding
sufficient to provide a rigorous, high quality educational experience for
every student and continue initiatives that are successfully raising
students achievement in the District; and
• Amend the Classrooms for Kids allocation formula for capital outlay
Section 3. EFFECTIVE DATE: This Resolution shall take effect immediately
upon its final passage.
PASSED AND ADOPTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MIAMI
GARDENS AT ITS REGULAR MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 10, 2007.
ATf EST:
SHIRLEY GIBSON, MAYOR
RONETTA TAYLOR, CMC, CITY CLERK
Reviewed by: Sonja K. Dickens.
City Attorney
SPONSORED BY: Mayor Shirley Gibson
MOVED BY:
SECONDED BY:
VOTE:
Mayor Shirley Gibson (Yes) (No)
Vice Mayor Oscar Braynon, II (Yes) (No)
Councilman Melvin L. Bratton (Yes) (No)
Councilman Aaron Campbell (Yes) (No)
Councilman Andre Williams (Yes) (No)
Councilwoman Sharon Pritchett (Yes) (No)
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING MIAMI
DADE SCHOOL BOARD 2007
LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE 01.10.07 (1)
RESOLUTION NO.
75 Councilwoman Barbara Watson (Yes) (No)
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING MIAMI
DADE SCHOOL BOARD 2007
LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE 01.10.07 (1)
f.Xk~i~r~t aM~ ~nt ~ a~a~atr~s ~ ~ - e~d
S-~p~aAn~ ai S~s ~l~ Ccwnty ScJrocJ Bcand
Re~a#~r F Gru~y Edt?. N~l~ $, ~)C16 AS+~ J. Barr+ara. Gha~
Per~a Tabares Ha~tmar-. V'~e Ch~r
. Fiank J. &~lal~os
Fveryn Larg~e6 Greer
' tJr: Robert B. lrx~ratrt
Dr. MerUt~ Karp
Arra Rlvas Lc~gart
[N. Marta Abr~ez
th. Sdatwn C. S'tinaot~
t3ear Mayor
i am attachin~g c~pies ~ Miami-Dad+~ Courity Pub!'~ School.s' 2~~7 Sta#e and Feder~ l.~g~t~s
Rrograms for your r+evisw ar~d supp~xt. As a~vays, we irsok to you for assistar~c;e in help~g ir~ ~et
tt~e Schc~o! Baard's legi~lative goais. 1.ast ye~r, aibeit a suoc~ssful legtslative year, the c~idren a~
M~ami-Dade Gcwrtty rec;~ived the smallest percentage increase jn the state~ as a resuit of sig~nt
legi~lativa poticy changes in the fundir~g formWa. The Qis~trict Cr~st DifiFererrtial {pCQ) i~~Y ~
h~s resulteci in a net ~uc~ion ~af $-~4 mlllion in funding to the ~lac~ a~stric~ budget~ and otF~-r
e~iuca~an~l fvnding polic~ss have resuited in an addi~ona( reduc#ion of fund'u~g of approximatety
$19 miilian. learring the District w#th limited resouraes to deat with sscala#ng aperating casts,
implementing new educatianal prograrras and provkfing teacher satary increases.
A ktase budget incxeas~ #hat keeps ~acs with it~flation, rru~ves Fiorida towards the U.S. average pe~
pup~l~ and af{ows for competit~ve salaries to c~r teachers is paramount if we are to cantinue the
successes af #he last two years. t can proud6y state that the student achieverr~nt is increasing in
tt~am~-Dade County with the grea#~s# Increas~ in au~- Ivwest performing schaots. For the flrst time
s~nce fhe State of ~forida began issuing sc~oo! acc~untability grades, mr~st schools have eamed
a ietter grade af A in 2t106. in additian, the p~rc~ntage of sd~rools receiving the state's top fwo
gredes fflr a# teast three con~tive years rose ta ~0 perc~nt. !n aEl~ 73 peresnt of the District's
schools eamed an A or 6 in 2~,06. Twenty-two oi` the 39 sc~oals that have extended sdiool days
and a i~ger schoai y~aar ~ovfc~tsd #hrough the 5c~~o) improvemenk Zc~r~e ralsed their lett~r grade.
!f we are to im~fement the fuur cr~tical ~xiorities ta~eted by our Board • eliminating i~vw perForming
schoals~ raising academtc student acttlev~m+~nt for afi students: reforming business practices ta
ensure efFlcienc;yr, effec~tiveness, and high ethical standards; ar~ci recxuiting, developing, and
~etaining high performing, diversa, and mativated`faculty and staff - it requires funding.
Understanding that the Fbrida Legislature and the residents of 1Niami-Dade Gounty deserve a
retum on their investment, bath the State and F~dera! Legislatlve Programs ro~ect a phifasophy
of fiscal responsibility yet insist on adequate and equ~tabte funding, operat~ng and capital, to fhe
C3istrict. The pragrams also teflec# ac:~demic concerns by addressing the nesd for refann at the
secandary fevei. The proposals were apprtzved by The School B~ard of Miam~-dade County,
Fiorida, at its ~ctaber 11, 2tl06 meeting. The programs are aased on legistative needs expressed
by the Baard, interested citizen groups and PTA/PTSA grvups, employee grc~ups, adrt~inistrafc~rs,
and schod-site Fersonnei. Attached is a caopy of a Resah.~iv~ in support of the Bvard's legislative
priarities and 1 woutd greatt3r appreciafe ya~r arganiz~tion's e~tdvrsement af #hese privrities.
Page 1 of 2
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 endorsemeM 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 chiidren the education and skilis to live
productive lives and compete globally. Shouid you have any questions or need additional
copies of the printed legislative programs, please contact Mr. Alberto M. Carvalho, Associate
Superintendent, Office of Intergovemmental Affairs, Grants Administration, and Community
Services, at 305 995-2532.
Sincerely,
.
Rudolph . Crew, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
RFC/AMC:Ibd
1321
Attachments
cc: School Board Members
SuperintendenYs Cabinet
School Board Attomey
Dr. Magaly C. Abrahante
Ms. Iraida R. Mendez-Cartaya
Dr. Linda D. Brown
Page 2 of 2 •
r ~
' S
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
2007 STATE LEGISL4T/VE PROGRAM
MISSIONlGOAL STATEMENT
Provide the highesf qualiiy education so that a/l of our studenfs are empowered to lead productive
and fulfilling lives as lifelong leamers and responsib/e citizens.
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
FUND/NG FOR EDUCATION (District Goal I- Ensure achievement of high academic
standards by ali students; District Goal II - Devetop our students so that they are able to
successfully compete in the global economy)
Increase educational fundinq throuah the Florida Education Finance Proqram (FEFP) towards the
national averaqe in per qupil expenditures, takinq into accoun~ actual student enrollment, cost of
e ui . (GFCSB)
Increase Safe Schoals, Suppiemental Academic Instruction, ESE Guaranteed Allocation to
accommodate student enroliment and inflation. (GFCSB)
Create and fund a housinQ supplement for teachers with five or fewer vears of service whose
district housinq cost are above the state averaae. (GFCSB)
Combine the two current local discretionarv millaqes (.51 and .25) equal'~zed to no more than the
state-wide averac~eper student. (GFCSB)
CAP/TA~ FUND/NG (District Goal IV - Reform business practices to ensure efficiency,
effectiveness and high ethical standards)
• 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 constitutionai
amendment. (GFCSB)
• Repeal statutory limitations on the use of the 2-mill capital outlay lery. (GFCSB)
SECONDARYEDUCATION REFORM (District Goal I- Ensure achievement of high academic
standards by all students; District Goat il - Devefop our students so that they are able to
successfuliy compete in the global econorny)
Provide formula or competitive funding for secondary education reform that supports an extended
school day and year, and encourages themed, career path-based academies and smaller leaming
communities. (GFCSB)
Page 1 of 3
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (District Goal V- Recruit, develop, and retain high-
pertorming, diverse, and motivated faculty and staf~
Modifv the Special Teachers Are Rewarded (STAR) proaram to arovide districts the flexibilitv to
establish and implement differenfiated aav scales that recoQnize teacher performance and ailow
fo~ the creation of a teacher career lattice and incentive fundin4 to lure exqerienced/accomalished
teachers to low-pertorminq.schools.
LEGAL (District Goal IV - Reform business practices to ensure efficiency, effectiveness
and high ethical standards)
Support the passage of a legislative claims relief act on behalf of the Estate of Jaime Gough.
Amend state statutes making it a felony violation for applicants and teachers who knowingly
attempt to fraudulenUy obtain and/or maintain teacher positions.
POUCY STATEMENTS
Oppose legislation that subverts local control of local school boards and superintendents.
(G FCSB) .
Fully fund the operating and capital ouHay costs of implementing the class size reduction
constitutional amendment. (GFCSB)
Support ma~amum flexibility in the use of categorical funds.
Provide funding through a stable, long-term revenue source for the actual capital outlay needs of
districts based on existing student station deficits, projected enrollment growth, the need for
replacement, remodeling and maintenance of facilities, and providing for cost enhancements
associated with varying local construction costs, state-mandated requirements and adverse
environmental conditions. (GFCSB)
Maintain the integrity of the FEFP and equity of funding among school districts.
Oppose the imposition of unfunded, state-mandated expenditures. (GFCSB)
Support increased accountabi(ity measures for all publicly funded school choice options.
Oppose voucher programs that lack equitable and sufficient accountability measures.
Maintain the current dual delivery system of post-secondary programs. (GFCSB)
Oppose the deletion of impact fees unless replaced with another revenue source. (GFCSB)
Oppose any attempt to equalize the 2-mill lery.
Encourage the education of parents and children regarding the dangers of sexual solicitation and
abuse of youth.
Page2of3
e
- t '
Modifir the Jessica Lunsford Act to reauire Levei II back4round screeninq onlv for those aersons
who enter school qrounds unsupenrised and are in direct contact with Pre-K-12 students. (GFCSB)
Onpose anv prescribed expenditure reauirement such as the "65 percent solution° as a mandate in A
the Florida Constitution; further, oapose anv such leqislation unless established as a saendina qoal d
d
and unless the definition of "classroom-refated" expenditures includes all °instructional suaaort' 8
exqenditures. I d
J
Reqeal the Florida Schools of Excellence Commission. (GFCSB)
Supt~ort state fundinq for a hiqh qualitv, full-dav Voluntarv Pre-K NPFO proaram under the Florida
Deqartment of Education. (GFCSB)
Support state fundinq for the expansion of the HealthConnect Proqram in our schools.
Suaport the modification to the current transportation fundinq formula to include use of the Averaqe
Bus Occupancv (ABOI formula mod'rfier in lieu of a°per availabie seat" basis.
Maximize education and iob-traininq oaportunities for low-wacae workinq parents under new federal
welfare requlations.
Ensure that qublic workforce education aroarams, effective public schools, and school districts are
authorized to provide SES consistent with federal reQUlations.
Supoort amendinc~ the Florida Teacher Lead Proqram to include ful!-time pre-kinderqarten
teachers.
~GFCSB - Greater Florida Consortium of Schaol Boards
Page3of3
s ,+
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
2007 STATE LEG/SLATIVE PROGRAM
MISSION/GOAL STATEMENT
Provide tf-e highest qua/ity educafion so fhat all of our studenfs are empowered to /ead productive
and fulfilling lives as lifelong leamers and responsible citizens.
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES
FUNDING FOR EDUCATION (Dtstrict Goal I- Ensure achievement of high academic
standards by all students; District Goal II - Develop our students so that they are able to
successfully compete in the global economy)
Increase educational fundinq throuqh the Florida Education Finance Propram (FEFP) towards the
national averaqe in aer pupil expenditures, takinqinto account: actual student enrollment, cost of
livinq, equalizinq features in the FEFP formula, inflation, lncreasinqutility and insurance costs, the
actual cost of deliverinq programs to special poqulations, and the principals of adeguacv and
e ui (GFCSB)
Increase Safe Schools, Supplemental Academic instruction, ESE Guaranteed Allocation to
accommodate student enrollment and inflation. (GFCSB)
Create and fund a housinct supplement for teachers with five or fewer vears of service whose
district housingcost are above the state averaqe. (GFCSB)
Combine the two current local discretionarv millaQes (.51 and .25Zequalized to no more than the
state-wide avera4e per student. (GFCSB)
Provide a minimum guarantee to ensure that everv student in Florida receives an increase of no
less than the percentac~e increase in the base student allocation.
CAPITAL FUND/NG (District Goal IV - Reform business practices to ensure efficiency,
effectiveness and high ethica! standards)
• 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. (GFCSB)
• Repeal statutory limitations on the use of the 2-mill capital outlay levy. (GFCSB)
SECONDARY EDUCATION REFORM (District Goal I- Ensure achfevement of high academlc
standards by all students; District Goal Il - Develop our students so that they are abte to
successfully cvmpete in the global economy)
Provide formula or competitive funding for secondary education reform that supports an extended
school day and year, and encourages themed, career path-based academies and smaller leaming
communities. (GFCSB)
Page 1 of 3
d •
PROFESSlONAL DEVELOPMENT (District Goai V- Recruit, develop, and retain high-
pertorming, diverse, and motivated faculty and staffl
ModifY,the Sqecial Teachers Are Rewarded ISTARI qroaram to~rovide districts the flexibilitv to
establish and implement differentiated pav scafes that recoqnize teacher aerformance and allow
for the creation of a teacher career lattice and incentive fundina to lure experienced/accomplished
teachers to low-performinq schools.
Support the creation of an elite cadre of "tum_around" schooi leaders enablina districts to brinq
back hiqhlv effective retired orincipals to serve as mentors in low-qerforming schools.
LEGAL (Dlstrict Goal IV - Reform business practices to ensure efficiency, effectiveness
and high ethical standards)
Support the passage of a legislative claims relief act on behalf of the Estate of Jaime Gough.
Amend state statufes making it a felony violation for applicants and teachers who knowingly
attempt to fraudulentfy obtain and/or maintain teacher positions.
POL/CY STATEMENTS
Oppose legislation that subverts local control of local school boards and superintendents.
(GFCSB)
Fully fund the operating and capital outlay costs of implementing the class size reduction
constitutional amendment. (GFCSB)
Support maximum flexibiliry in the use of categorical funds.
Provide funding through a stable, long-term revenue source for the actual capital outlay needs of
districts based on existing student station deficits, projected enrollment growth, the need for
replacement, remodeling and maintenance of facilities, and providing for cost enhancements
associated with varying local construction costs, state-mandated requirements and adverse
environmental conditions. (GFCSB)
Maintain the integrity of the FEFP and equity of funding among school districts.
Oppose the imposition of unfunded, state-mandated expenditures. (GFCSB)
Support increased accountability measures for all publicly funded school choice options.
Oppose voucher programs that lack equitable and sufficient accountability measures.
Maintain the current dual delivery system of post-secondary programs. (GFCSB)
Oppose the deletion of impact fees unless replaced with another revenue source. (GFCSB)
Oppose any attempt to equalize the 2-mill levy.
Encourage the education of parents and children regarditlg the da~ge~s of sexual SOIICitatiorl a~d
abuse of youth.
Page 2 of 3
Modifir the Jessica Lunsford Act_tA.rsau~re I.QUS~J.~tl.h~~.:s~ur~j ^^-~~-•-- --~-~ __._ .,.
Suoport state fundinq for a hiQh Qualitv, full-dav Voluntary Pre-K (VPK) arogram under the Florida
Department of Education. (GFCSB)
Support state fundinq for the expansion of the HeaithConnect ProQram in our schools.
Support the modification to the current transportation fundin4 formufa to include use of the Averaae
Bus Occupancv (ABO) formula modifier in lieu of a"per available seaY' basis.
Maximize education and iob-traininp opqortunities for low-waqe workinq parents under new federal
welfare requlations.
Ensure that public workforce education procuams. effective nublic schools, and school districts are
authorized to provide SES consistent with federal requlations.
Page 3 of 3
Resolution on Legislative Needs
Whereas, the Florida Constitution provides that the education of children is a fundamental
value of the,geople of Florida and a Qaramount duty of the State;
Whereas, the Constitution creates a clear mandate for a uniform and hlqh ctualitv education
system and for the State to make adequate provision for this purpose;
Whereas, Florida is one of the Ieaders in the nation in mandating public school educational
accountability measures and The School Board of Miami-Dade County has earned a second
straight grade of B in the state accountability system, faHing just seven potnts short of the
cutoff score for a grade of A;
Whereas the number of schools in Miamf-Dade County, Florida, receiving a letter grade of A
increased to 53%- highest percentage ever - despite tougher state;
Whereas The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, has constructed an additlonal
20,000 new student seats to address overcrowdfng using local;
Whereas The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Fiorida, will need approximately $180
million in new monies above current funding leveis to continue program enhancements;
Whereas, Florida employers consistently rank (mproving education and workforce
development as top concerns to the success of their business, and a highly qualified, trained
workforce is critlcal 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 Flortda'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-quafity education system is an
investment in the ability to compete nationally and globally fn 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' leg(slative initiative and
requests that the Florida l.egislature:
/ appropriate adequate funding to raise Miami-Dade's per- pupil funding sufficient to
provide a rigorous, high quality educatlonal experience for every student and contlnue
initiatives that are successfully raising student achievement in the District; and
~ amend the Classrooms for Kids allocativn formula for capital outlay funding to reflect
actual capital outlay need.