HomeMy Public PortalAbout2017-04 Supporting the Miami-Dade County Public School Board's Legislative PlatformRESOLUTION NO. 2017-4
A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE
VILLAGE OF KEY BISCAYNE, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING
THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL BOARD'S
LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM; PROVIDING FOR
TRANSMITTAL; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, the Village of Key Biscayne, Florida (the "Village") has made a commitment
to improving education for its residents; and
WHEREAS, the Village and the Miami -Dade School Board (the "School Board") have
partnered together in this effort through improvements at the MAST Academy and the Key Biscayne
K-8 Center; and
WHEREAS, in furtherance of this effort, the Village Council desires to support the School
Board's legislative platform attached hereto as Exhibit "A;" and
WHEREAS, in particular the Village urges the passage of legislation which establishes the
Florida Building Code for all facilities and the funding for full -day voluntary, pre -kindergarten
programs; and
WHEREAS, the Village Council finds that this Resolution is in the best interest and welfare
of the residents of the Village.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE
VILLAGE OF KEY BISCAYNE, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Recitals Adopted. Each of the above stated recitals are hereby adopted,
confirmed and incorporated herein.
Section 2. Support. The Village Council hereby supports the School Board's legislative
platform attached hereto as Exhibit "A."
Section 3. Transmittal. The Village Clerk is hereby authorized to transmit this
Resolution to the Clerk of the School Board.
Section 4. Effective Date. This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon
adoption.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 24th day of January, 2017.
ATTF,ST:
CONCHITA H. ALVAREZ, MMC, VILLAGE CLER
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND
LEGAL SUFFICIEN Y
VILLAGE ATT
2
EXHIBIT "A"
Miami -Dade County Public Schools
Superintendent of Schools
Alberto M. Carvalho
November 1, 2016
Dear Community Leader:
giving our students the world
Miami -Dade County School Board
Perla Tabares Hantrnan. Chair
Dr. Lawrence S. Feldman, Vice Chair
Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindi ngall
Susie V Castillo
Dr. Wilbert 'Tee° Holloway
Dr. Martin Karp
Lubby Navarro
Raquel A Regalado
Dr. Maria Perez Wurtz
Despite Florida's economic challenges during the last several years, Miami -Dade
County Public Schools has seen significant student achievement gains. The results are
compelling as the District continues to receive national recognition for student
achievement outcomes. To advance our progress and success, we need your continued
advocacy, and we respectfully request your support of the Miami -Dade School Board's
legislative platform for the 2017 Legislative Session. The enclosed platform was
adopted at the School Board meeting of October 5, 2016, and it reflects the legislative
needs identified by the School Board and staff as well as interested citizens, PTA/PTSA
groups, employee groups, administrators, students, and other community stakeholders.
We also respectfully request your support of The School Board's top priorities for the
upcoming legislative session:
Funding
Increase the state's investment in public education by helping to:
• Increase the state's investment in K-12 education with a higher Base Student
Allocation (BSA) of five percent annually to allow school districts to enhance
teacher salaries;
• Conduct an impartial third -party study to develop a cost of education index which
focuses on cost differences integral to educational institutions' operations
reflecting such costs as average teacher salaries, health insurance for
employees, property insurance per FTE, and transportation costs per FTE;
• Increase Safe Schools Funding minimally to pre -recessionary levels and revise
the funding formula so that each school district gets 50 percent of its previous
year's actual expenditures from the state;
• Provide funding for summer immersion programs for English Language Learners
(ELL);
• Provide supplemental funding to create community -based networks to ensure
safe neighborhoods for children and families;
• Extend and fund a longer school year for all students;
• Support maximum flexibility in the use of funds appropriated; and
• Oppose unfunded state mandates.
Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Grants Administration, and Community Engagement
School Board Administration Building • 1450 N E. 2nd Ave. • Suite 931 • Miami, FL 33132
305-995-1497. 305-995-3088 (FAX) • www dadeschools net
Capital
• Oppose any diversion of the Local Discretionary Capital Levy revenue from
traditional public schools to charter schools.
Teacher Shortage
• Implement and fund strategies to encourage and attract talented students to
enter into the field of education, such as teacher fellowships and loan forgiveness
programs.
Safety
• Establish a perimeter of safety around schools and increase penalties for the
unlawful firing of a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school.
On behalf of the public school students of Miami -Dade County, thank you for your
continued and consistent support, and I look forward to working with you again. If you
have any questions or need additional information, please contact Ms. Iraida R.
Mendez-Cartaya, Associate Superintendent, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Grants
Administration, and Community Engagement, at 305 995-1497.
Sincerely,
AMC:ajo
L390
Attachment
cc: School Board Members
School Board Attorney
Superintendent's Cabinet
Alberto M. Carvalho
Superintendent of Schools
Page 2 of 2
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
2017 STATE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
GOAL STATEMENT
The Florida Legislature should establish a five-year strategic plan to restore, stabilize, and increase
funding through the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP) to achieve at least the national
average in per pupil expenditures to provide the highest quality education and to enable all of our
students to be empowered to lead productive and fulfilling lives as lifelong learners and responsible
citizens.
2017 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY POSITIONS
FUNDING:
Increase the state's investment in K-12 education by increasing the Base Student Allocation (BSA)
by five percent annually to allow school districts to enhance teacher salaries.* (Tri-county Position)
Conduct an impartial third -party study to develop a cost of education index which focuses on cost
differences integral to educational institutions' operations reflecting such costs as average teacher
salaries, health insurance for employees, property insurance per FTE, and transportation costs per
FTE.* (Tri-county Position)(MDC)
Increase Safe Schools funding and revise allocation formula so that each district's allocation is equal
to fifty percent of prior year eligible district expenditures.* (Tri-county Position)
Fully fund the infrastructure cost and the acquisition of computers for the mandated expansion of
computer -based administration of statewide testing, and the digital content conversion required by
2016-2017.
Amend F.S. 1011.61 to fully fund programs taken by students beyond the 1.0 FTE cap or 25 hours a
week such as dual enrollment or virtual classes outside the traditional school day and year.
(Tri-county Position)
Provide school districts flexibility in the delivery of the additional 180 hours of instruction for the
lowest 300 elementary schools to include summer school, Saturday school, afterschool or any
combination of these strategies. (Tri-county Position)
Eliminate the arbitrary cap on the number of gifted high school students funded.
Provide funding for summer immersion programs for English Language Learners (ELL).
(Tri-county position)
Provide supplemental funding to create community -based networks that develop, coordinate and
provides quality education, parental training, accessible health care, housing, youth development
programs, and employment opportunities to ensure safe neighborhoods for children and their families.
ACCOUNTABILITY AND ASSESSMENT REFORM:
Revise the current accountability assessment system to:
Page 1 of 7
" A u t h o r i z e a l t e r n a t e m e t h o d s f o r a s s e s s i n g l e a r n i n g a n d a c h i e v e m e n t f o r s p e c i a l p o p u l a t i o n s
s u c h a s E x c e p t i o n a l S t u d e n t E d u c a t i o n ( E S E ) a n d E n g l i s h L a n g u a g e L e a r n e r s ( E L L )
s t u d e n t s ;
" P r o v i d e F l o r i d a ' s s t a t e w i d e a s s e s s m e n t s i n m u l t i p l e l a n g u a g e s t o E L L w h o h a v e r e c e i v e d
i n s t r u c t i o n f o r l e s s t h a n t h r e e y e a r s a s a l l o w e d b y f e d e r a l r e g u l a t i o n s ;
" P r o v i d e a w a i v e r f r o m t h e p a s s a g e o f t h e E n g l i s h L a n g u a g e A r t s ( E L A ) r e q u i r e m e n t f o r E L L
s t u d e n t s w h o h a v e p a s s e d a l l o t h e r h i g h s c h o o l g r a d u a t i o n r e q u i r e m e n t s a n d h a v e b e e n
e n r o l l e d i n s c h o o l l e s s t h a n t w o c o n s e c u t i v e y e a r s ;
" D e l a y t h e i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f c o m p u t e r b a s e d t e s t i n g ( C B T ) u n t i l a l l d i s t r i c t s h a v e s u f f i c i e n t
i n f r a s t r u c t u r e a n d d e v i c e s t o e n s u r e t h a t t e s t i n g w i n d o w s a r e r e a s o n a b l e , m a x i m i z i n g
i n s t r u c t i o n t i m e ;
" I n c l u d e t h e p e r f o r m a n c e o f E L L s t u d e n t s e n r o l l e d i n s c h o o l f o r m o r e t h a n t w o y e a r s f o r
a c c o u n t a b i l i t y o n t h e F l o r i d a S t a n d a r d s A s s e s s m e n t ( F S A ) ;
" S e t g o a l s f o r E L L a n d E S E s u b g r o u p s b a s e d o n a c h i e v i n g l e a r n i n g g a i n s v e r s u s a c h i e v i n g
p r o f i c i e n c y ;
" D i s a g g r e g a t e E L A w r i t i n g a n d c o m p r e h e n s i o n / r e a d i n g s c o r e s ; a n d
" U s e g r a d u a t i o n o r c a r e e r r e a d i n e s s r a t e s f o r t h e a d d i t i o n a l a c a d e m i c a c c o u n t a b i l i t y i n d i c a t o r
f o r h i g h s c h o o l a n d g r o w t h i n t h e l o w e s t 2 5 p e r f o r m i n g h i g h s c h o o l s a s t h e s c h o o l q u a l i t y
i n d i c a t o r p u r s u a n t t o E S S A f o r e l e m e n t a r y a n d m i d d l e g r a d e s .
A C A D E M I C S :
A m e n d F . S . 1 0 0 7 . 2 7 1 t o c l a r i f y t h a t w h e n d u a l e n r o l l m e n t t a k e s p l a c e o n t h e p o s t - s e c o n d a r y
c a m p u s , t h e c o l l e g e / u n i v e r s i t y p r o v i d e s t h e s p e c i a l n e e d s a c c o m m o d a t i o n s a s p a r t o f t h e s t a n d a r d
t u i t i o n t h a t t h e s c h o o l d i s t r i c t p a y s .
R e q u i r e F l o r i d a D e p a r t m e n t o f E d u c a t i o n t o c r e a t e a S p a n i s h K - 5 e n d o r s e m e n t t o s u p p o r t t h e
i m p l e m e n t a t i o n o f S e a l o f B i l i t e r a c y a n d a s s i s t s c h o o l d i s t r i c t s i n i d e n t i f y i n g q u a l i f i e d t e a c h e r s i n t h e
a r e a .
E l i m i n a t e t h e r e q u i r e m e n t f o r a p u b l i c h e a r i n g o n t h e a d o p t i o n o f i n s t r u c t i o n m a t e r i a l s i f t h e t e x t b o o k
s e l e c t e d i s o n t h e s t a t e - a d o p t e d l i s t .
P r o v i d e t h e l o w e s t 3 0 0 p e r f o r m i n g e l e m e n t a r y s c h o o l s a y e a r o f p l a n n i n g p r i o r t o t h e r e q u i r e m e n t o f
t h e a d d i t i o n a l h o u r o f i n s t r u c t i o n .
S t r e a m l i n e t h e u s e o f d i s t r i c t - a p p r o v e d 5 0 4 p l a n s f o r s t u d e n t s t a k i n g t h e S A T a n d P S A T , a s w e l l a s
o t h e r s t a n d a r d i z e d t e s t i n g s u c h a s A P / I B / A I C E .
C A P I T A L F U N D I N G :
O p p o s e a n y d i v e r s i o n o f L o c a l D i s c r e t i o n a r y C a p i t a l O u t l a y l e v y r e v e n u e f r o m t r a d i t i o n a l p u b l i c
s c h o o l s t o c h a r t e r s c h o o l s . * ( T r i - c o u n t y p o s i t i o n )
S C H O O L R E A D I N E S S :
S u p p o r t s t a t e f u n d i n g f o r a h i g h - q u a l i t y , f u l l - d a y V o l u n t a r y P r e - K i n d e r g a r t e n ( V P K ) p r o g r a m f o r a l l
e l i g i b l e s t u d e n t s . * ( T r i - c o u n t y p o s i t i o n )
A m e n d F . S . 1 2 5 . 9 0 1 r e l a t e d t o C h i l d r e n ' s S e r v i c e s C o u n c i l g o v e r n i n g b o a r d s t o p r o v i d e
s u p e r i n t e n d e n t d e s i g n e e b e a v o t i n g m e m b e r .
P a g e 2 o f 7
Support the reinstatement of state funding to implement a developmentally appropriate on -going
assessment tool to timely measure children's progress and development, inform the teachers and
parents, and evaluate the programs effectiveness.
Streamline registration, certification of attendance and transfers of students to maximize operational
efficiency and facilitate appropriate funding for students served in VPK.
Amend F.S. 1002.69 to require a pre- and post -assessment tool to timely assess the VPK Provider
Kindergarten Readiness Rates.
CHARTER SCHOOLS:
Amend Florida statutes to allow school boards with at least 10 percent of student enrollment in
charter schools to analyze the need for additional charter schools and/or require new charters to
locate in areas to address overcrowding, provide choice opportunities to students/parents zoned to
failing schools, or meet a specific academic need the school district is not addressing.
(Tri-county Position)
Allow local school districts to negotiate an appropriate usage fee based on market comparables for
the use of public educational facilities.
Require charter school applicants to submit a letter of intent to the school district prior to submission
of the charter application identifying the educational program, inclusive of grade levels and number
of students; evidence of community support, need and demand; impact analysis on surrounding
community(ies), inclusive of public and non-public educational institutions; description of actual
physical location of the proposed school; and completed background verification at the expense of
the applicant.
Require charter schools to submit facility occupancy and use documentation by the 30th day prior to
the first day of the school year. If unable to meet the deadline, the school may default to an
automatic deferral and planning year. (Tri-County Position)
Clarify 1002.33 (9)(n)4., F.S. to ensure no additional action is required by the school board to
terminate charter contracts and close charter schools that are automatically terminated for academic
performance, after all applicable school grade appeals and exceptions are exhausted.
Clarify the use and permissible transfers/loans of FEFP funds and establish prohibition of
transferring FEFP funds outside the county in which those funds are generated in.
Support legislation that prohibits applicants that have existing schools under academic or financial
corrective action plans, investigation, investigation or some other kind of sanction to apply for an
additional charter.
TEACHER SHORTAGE:
Implement and fund strategies such as teacher fellowships and loan forgiveness programs to
encourage and attract talented students to enter into the field of education.* (Tri-county Position)
(MDC)
Allow school districts to re-employ teachers, other instructional personnel and substitute teachers
who are certified in a "critical shortage" field after one month of retirement without penalty to the
employee's pension. (Tri-county Position)
Page 3 of 7
SAFETY:
Increase penalties for firing a gun within 1,000 feet of a school.
Establish penalties for the unsupervised possession of a firearm by a minor.
Support legislation that provides exemption from public records requirements for personal
information of a witness to a murder.
FACILITIES:
Modify the utilization factor for K-8 centers as follows: 100% of FISH for the elementary school
student stations, and 95% for the middle school student stations.
Provide school districts flexibility to use the Florida Building Code in lieu of the State Required
Education Facilities (SREF).
Require local government agencies to consult with the local school district when considering a
variance for educational use.
Exempt school districts from paying ad valorem tax for leased properties similar to charter schools.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT:
Support legislation that attempts to strengthen the role of technical centers in the development of a
skilled workforce.
Include representatives from the secondary schools' career and technical education programs in the
state's Articulation Coordinating Committee.
VIRTUAL EDUCATION:
Modify the requirement to offer two instead of three different virtual offerings to students in every
grade level.
Eliminate the requirement for a student to have attended a public school in the state the prior year to
be enrolled and reported by the school district for funding of virtual programs.
Modify the current virtual requirement of 1 credit to 1/2 credit for graduation.
Amend F.S. 1002.45(1)(b)(b) and eliminate the "written" notification requirement to parents regarding
open enrollment in virtual programs.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT:
Amend F.S. 97.041 to allow citizens who will be 18 years old by the time of the November general
election to vote in the Florida Primary Elections.
*Denotes priority issue
Tri-county Position — supported by Miami -Dade, Broward and Palm Beach county school districts
MDC- supported by Miami Dade College
Page 4 of 7
POLICY STATEMENTS:
Funding
Fully fund the class size reduction requirement while providing increases to the BSA and other
components of the FEFP.
Examine Florida's tax structure and phase out sales tax exemptions for non -essential goods and
services; ensure that internet sales remit necessary sales tax to Florida.
Oppose the imposition of unfunded, state -mandated expenditures.
Support maximum flexibility in the use of categorical funds and all funds appropriated.
Maintain the integrity of the FEFP and equity of funding among school districts.
Oppose any prescribed expenditure such as the "65 percent solution" as a mandate in the Florida
Constitution and further oppose any such legislation, unless established as a spending goal with the
definition of expenditures, to include all instructional support expenditures.
Oppose compression of the Discretionary Millage.
Support equivalent supplemental funding for the participation and the attainment of a diploma for
Advanced Placement, Cambridge (AICE), and International Baccalaureate programs.
Oppose legislation that increases the sovereign immunity liability limits on governmental agencies.
Commit to long-term funding stability for teacher performance pay and teacher evaluation systems.
Allow school districts to locally establish contract provisions inclusive of cost structures with
postsecondary institutions related to the delivery of dual enrollment,
Increase ESE per pupil funding to account for both student growth and inflationary cost particularly in
level 254 and 255 to provide early identification and intervention services for students with autism.
Support grant funding to create new and innovative programs and academies.
Modify the penalty for non-compliance with the constitutional class size requirement to be based on
the school -wide average for all public schools.
Fully fund the extension of the school year by 25 instructional days for the lowest -performing
elementary schools in lieu of extending the school day.
Support funding to offer an extended school year beyond 180 days for all students.
Maintain the current required employers' contribution rate to the Florida Retirement System by
absorbing any planned increase in local employer's contribution.
Capital Funding
Provide adequate school construction funding to support new and existing facilities, technology,
maintenance, land acquisition and class size reduction needs through the establishment of long-
term, stable and recurring revenue sources to fulfill the state's educational facility needs.
Page 5 of 7
Fully fund the Public Education Capital Outlay Program that involves construction and maintenance
programs for public school districts and ensure that school districts receive their fair share.
Oppose any further reduction in capital millage available to school districts for the purpose of
balancing the operating budget.
Oppose any attempt to equalize the capital outlay levy.
Oppose the deletion of impact fees unless replaced with another revenue source.
Expand the allowable use of a locally voted upon sales tax to include operating expenses that
maintain, renovate, or repair existing school facilities or maintain, secure, or upgrade school
technology equipment.
Support capital funding for charter schools that:
• Creates neither a reduction of funding to traditional public schools in operating or capital
funding nor a requirement for additional taxing mandate on the local school district;
• Requires public input; and
• Protects taxpayers' investment ensuring that capital funding be spent only on assets that can
be returned to the public school district.
Governance
Oppose legislation that subverts district governance of constitutionally elected local school boards
and elected or appointed superintendents.
Oppose legislation that modifies the governance structure of The School Board of Miami -Dade
County, Florida.
Oppose legislation that breaks up large school districts.
Charter Schools
Oppose any changes to current requirements regarding charter conversion of traditional public
schools that dilute the role of parents, teachers, and community stakeholders.
Establish a level playing field for traditional public schools by extending the current statutory
flexibility such as the exemption from State Education Required Facilities (SREF), categorical
funding, accountability, class size reduction compliance and related penalties assessed on charter
schools.
Choice
Support increased accountability measures for all publicly funded school choice options.
Oppose all publicly funded programs that lack equitable and sufficient accountability measures.
Oppose implementation of additional or any increases in funding of choice programs while requiring
more accountability from schools receiving Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTCS) funding.
Page 6 of 7
Academics
Oppose legislation that would limit offering gifted programs to eligible high school students.
Require the state to provide a minimum of one-year lead time on new state requirements for school
districts.
Maintain the current dual delivery system of post -secondary programs.
Support amending F.S. 1019.534 and 1019.535 adding the attainment of the Advanced Placement
Capstone diploma as one of the eligibility requirements for Florida Bright Futures Scholarship
Program.
Ensure charter and private schools receiving public monies adhere to the same teacher certification,
student placement, and progression policies to ensure compliance with federal and state
accountability requirements.
Student Safety/Wellness
Support legislation that proposes a "slowing down zone" within an area prior to entering a school
zone.
Support funding to provide training for students, parents, teachers, school administrators, counseling
staff, and volunteers to learn how to recognize behaviors that lead to bullying and harassment.
Ensure any casino authorized in Florida is at least 1,000 feet from a school or land designated for
school purpose.
Support legislation that precludes a child victim or witness to a crime be subjected to a discovery
deposition in any criminal court proceeding.
Support telemedicine legislation that facilitates effective and efficient use of technology to provide
health services to schools minimizing the length of time students are out of school due to illness.
*Denotes priority issue
Tri-county Position — supported by Miami -Dade, Broward and Palm Beach county school districts
Page 7 of 7
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
2017 FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM
MISSION/GOAL STATEMENT
Provide the highest quality education so that all of our students are empowered to lead
productive and fulfilling lives as lifelong learners and responsible citizens.
As the first session of the 115th Congress convenes, we urge the President and Congress to
reaffirm their commitment to our nation's children by reinvesting in public education.
FEDERAL EDUCATION RESOURCES
Exempt K-12 and workforce education spending from budget cuts under sequestration reduction
or related budget balancing negotiations, and at a minimum, increase funding to meet increased
costs due to inflation, increased number of students, and critical unmet needs.
Increase the federal investment in public education to fully fund the implementation of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and Individuals with Disabilities Education
Act (IDEA), and enact the IDEA Full Funding Act.
Increase federal entitlement funding to school districts through Title I appropriations for
disadvantaged students, Title II for improving teacher/principal training and recruiting, and Title
I I I for English Language Learners (ELLs).
Oppose formula changes that dilute funding for high -need public schools including public
portability or private school choice programs that lack the same level of academic and fiscal
accountability by which local school districts are governed or that public school students must
adhere.
ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT (EVERY STUDENT SUCCEEDS ACT)
Monitor the impacts of the reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act (Every
Student Succeeds Act 2015), and support legislative or regulatory modifications that provide
adequate flexibility, guidance and support for local implementation and measures of progress
for students and schools.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Support the reauthorization and expansion of Early Head Start/Head Start programs that
provides increased funding and appropriate early education standards that are aligned with
state academic content standards designed to ensure school readiness.
Support federal funding to develop, expand, and enhance quality voluntary preschool programs
while ensuring the adoption of developmentally appropriate early education standards that are
aligned with state K-12 academic content standards.
Support legislation that encourages states to develop and expand effective, innovative
preschool delivery models that promote high -quality childhood education programs and ensure
school readiness.
Page 1 of 4
IMMIGRATION IMPACT
Address the financial impact of federal immigration policies on local school districts as they
address the increased demand for immigrant education and integration programs by supporting
the Refugee and Entrant Assistance Programs under the Targeted Assistance and Immigrant
Education allocation serving foreign -born students and their families.
Support increased funding for school districts during periods of immigration influx and waiver of
the award ceiling for high -impact communities, and ensure that later -arriving children of
refugees are accounted for in whatever funding formula is used, without imposing a requirement
of individualized documentation on school districts.
Support federal funding directly to school districts to address the burdensome costs of serving
the needs of unaccompanied children arriving at our schools and to ensure districts' operational
readiness.
Support provisions of a comprehensive immigration bill that supports English language literacy,
and technical training as well as the DREAM Act or similar legislation that would provide
immigration relief to a select group of students who grew up in the United States, have good
moral character, and are enlisted in the military or pursuing a college education.
SCHOOL NUTRITION
Support the reauthorization of the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act that:
• Provides program funds to support the costs of food service employees receiving
training and professional development;
• Reduces costly and onerous mandates on school districts;
• Avoids new limits on the number of eligible participants, including higher thresholds for
community eligibility, verification burdens, or limits on the frequency of applications; and
• Increases the federal commodity food allocation for school meal programs to support
healthy eating options for students and off -set higher costs of purchased foods for
districts.
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/RENOVATION
Support supplemental allocations for large school districts with high levels of free and reduced -
price lunch participants to implement "green" sustainable projects, including upgrading
technology infrastructure, replacing school buses or maintenance vehicles to improve
operational efficiency and to reduce the carbon footprint, and extending the useful life of existing
school buildings by eliminating adverse indoor environmental conditions that are not conducive
to learning.
Page 2 of 4
Extend the federal tax deduction (Section 179d) to encourage energy efficient building
renovations.
STUDENT PRIVACY
Support reauthorization of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) in a manner
that respects student privacy rights without burdensome administrative duties to local school
districts, including cumbersome administrative or legal requirements, or opt -out provisions that
would jeopardize the role of educational research.
TECHNOLOGY IN SCHOOLS
Support increased resources with local flexibility and expand eligible expenditures to include
educational linkage beyond the school 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.
Support modifying FCC regulations to provide E -rate funding to school districts, not individual
schools, to use based on needs as determined by the districts.
Redress disproportionate impacts of 2014 E -Rate Modernization Orders on high -poverty
schools and large districts, including higher local contributions from the most -impoverished
schools (Category Two services) and the budget impact of fully phasing down large -district
legacy systems by 2019 (Category One services).
WORKFORCE PREPARATION
Support increased funding to meet the demands for workforce skills development under the
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the Carl T. Perkins Career and Technical
Education Improvement Act, and related legislation or initiatives, including programs that impact
low -literacy and disadvantaged populations.
Preserve the role of district -operated adult education and job training programs.
HEALTH CARE
Retain tax -advantaged status of employee and employer contributions for healthcare premiums
and costs including Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Health Reimbursement Accounts
(HRA) as well as Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA).
Delay or exempt school districts from the implementation of the excise tax currently scheduled
to become effective in 2020 under the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as the Cadillac
Tax.
PERSONNEL
Implement and fund strategies such as teacher fellowships and loan forgiveness programs to
encourage and attract talented students to enter into the field of education.
Enhance resources to recruit, develop, and retain highly -qualified teachers in fragile or low -
performing schools.
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STUDENT SAFETY
Support legislation that provides supplemental resources to assist school districts in deferring
internet crime and cybercrime through awareness and promotion prevention to our students,
teachers, and parents.
Support federal funding to local law enforcement and school districts to ensure that schools
have well -trained and equipped police personnel to protect children while in schools.
Increase funding and need -based grants that foster safe, healthy, supportive, and drug -free
environments, so as to implement and expand interventions that focus on reducing disruptive
and aggressive behaviors and strengthen students' emotional and behavioral competencies.
Support juvenile justice reforms that strengthen educational outcomes.
Provide supplemental funding to create community -based network that develops, coordinates
and provides quality education, parental training, health care, housing, youth development
programs, and employment opportunities to ensure safe neighborhoods for children and their
families.
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