HomeMy Public PortalAbout2006-10 Supporting Miami-Dade County Public SchoolsRESOLUTION NO. 2006-10
A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE OF KEY BISCAYNE,
FLORIDA; SUPPORTING MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC
SCHOOLS AND CALLING UPON THE STATE OF FLORIDA
LEGISLATURE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE FUNDING TO
ACHIEVE A IHGH-QUALITY EDUCATION SYSTEM.
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 uniforn and high quality
education system and for the State to make adequate provision for this purpose; and
WHEREAS, Florida is one of the leaders in the nation in mandating public school
educational accountability measures and The School Board of Miami -Dade County has improved
its overall grade from C to B in the state accountability system; and
WHEREAS, the number of schools in Miami -Dade County, Florida, receiving a letter grade
of A increased to 48% - highest percentage ever ---- despite tougher state standards and the number
of schools receiving a repeat grade of F was reduced by 66% to 3; and
WHEREAS, the number of third graders considered proficient readers in Miami -Dade
County Public Schools rose to 61% - the highest percentage ever -- and 1,814 fewer third graders
are at risk of being held back due to reading scores; and
WHEREAS, Miami -Dade County Public Schools has reorganized its central office and
eliminated more than 500 positions, freeing up S38 million for other educational needs; and
WHEREAS, The School Board of Miami -Dade County, Florida, has constructed 18,000 new
student seats to address overcrowding using local funds - more than three times the number planned
by prior administrations--- although the majority of state Classrooms for Kids allocations have gone
to school districts without documented capital outlay needs; and
WHEREAS, The School Board of Miami -Dade County, Florida, will need approximately
$136 million in new monies above current funding levels to continue these initiatives, but the recent
change in District Cost Differential could reduce the district's share of annual funding by as much
as $78 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 is 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, aligning career
education with industry standards and workforce demands, and expanding options for students to
continue their education and enter the workforce; and
WHEREAS, ensuring excellence in education and workforce is a top strategic priority to
achieve Enterprise Florida's vision of Florida as a global leader in knowledge -based jobs, leading -
edge technology and competitive enterprises in the 21st century; and
WHEREAS, the pre -K-20 education system is a key 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; and
WHEREAS, the Village of Key Biscayne believes that funding a high -quality education
system is an investment in the ability to compete nationally and globally in the marketplace; and
WHEREAS, the Village of Key Biscayne believes that adequate funding is needed to achieve
a high- quality education system measured by student achievement,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE
VILLAGE OF KEY BISCAYNE, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That the Village of Key Biscayne supports the Miami -Dade County Public
Schools' 2006 legislative initiative.
Section 2, Effective Date. That this Resolution shall be effective immediately upon
adoption hereof.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 14th day of March , 2006.
1
MAYOR ROBERT OLDAKOWSKI
zia'Abt
CHITA H. ALVAREZ, CMC, VILLAGE CLE
APPROVED AS tJ ORM AND LEGAL SUFFICIE
VILLAGE A T R EY