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RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS� STATE LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE; URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO HOLD SCHOOL DISTRICTS HARMLESS FROM THE EFFECTS OF PROPERTY TAX RELIEF AND STATE BUDGET SHORTFALLS BY PROVIDING PER STUDENT FUNDING AT A LEVEL NO LOWER THAN THE FISCAL YEAR 2008-09 LEVEL; FURTHER URGING THE LEGISLATURE TO RESTORE THE LOCAL DISCRETIONARY CAPITAL OUTLAY LEVY TO 2-MILLS AND NOT PASS LEGISLATION THAT REDUCES THE NUMBER OF IN-SERVICE HOURS REQUIRED OF TEACHERS PROVIDING INSTRUCTION TO ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS

BODY
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 Florida Constitution creates a mandate for a uniform and high quality education system and for the state to make adequate provision for this purpose; and
WHEREAS, the Miami-Dade County Public Schools have experienced significant budget reductions in recent years of nearly $300 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 into the top quartile in education quality, student rankings and graduation rates based on national standards; and
WHEREAS, 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, adequate funding is needed to achieve a high-quality education system measured by gains in student achievement,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Supports Miami-Dade County Public Schools� state legislative package and urges the Florida Legislature to:
a. Fulfill its commitment to hold harmless the Miami-Dade County Public Schools from the effects of property tax relief and state budget shortfalls by providing per student funding at a level no lower than the Fiscal Year 2008-09 level of $6,968.29 per student;

b. Restore the local Discretionary Capital Outlay levy to 2-mills; and

c. Not pass legislation that reduces the number of in-service hours required of teachers providing instruction to English as a Second Language Learners.

Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit certified copies of the resolution to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, the Chair and Members of the Miami-Dade State Legislative Delegation and the Chair and Members of the Miami-Dade County School Board.
Section 3. Directs the County�s state lobbyists to advocate for the issue identified in section 1 above, and directs that the 2009 state legislative package be amended to include this issue.