Legislative Matter

Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 100406

Clerk's Official Copy

File Number: 100406

File Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted

Version: 0

Reference: R-141-10

Control: Board of County Commissioners

File Name: LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES FOR MDC PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Introduced: 2/18/2010

Requester: NONE

Cost:

Final Action: 2/2/2010

Agenda Date: 2/2/2010

Agenda Item Number: 11A7

Notes:

THIS IS FINAL VERSION AS ADOPTED; ALSO SEE 093332

Title:

RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES OF THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR THE 2010 SESSION OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE [SEE ORIGINAL ITEM UNDER FILE NO. 093332]

Indexes:

SCHOOLS

Sponsors:	Katy Sorenson, Prime Sponsor
	Audrey M. Edmonson, Co-Sponsor
	Sally A. Heyman, Co-Sponsor
	Barbara J. Jordan, Co-Sponsor
	Rebeca Sosa, Co-Sponsor

Sunset Provision: No

Effective Date:

Expiration Date:

Registered Lobbyist:

None Listed

Legislative History
Acting Body	Date	Agenda Item	Action	Sent To	Due Date	Returned	Pass/Fail

County Attorney	2/18/2010		Assigned	Jess M. McCarty

Board of County Commissioners	2/2/2010	11A7 AMENDED	Adopted as amended				P
REPORT:	County Attorney Cuevas introduced the foregoing proposed resolution into the record. Commissioner Seijas noted she could not support helping another governmental body raise property taxes while at the same time working to reduce them in the County’s budget. Commissioner Diaz concurred with Commissioner Seijas’ concern and noted he would not support this resolution. Commissioner Sorenson noted the item provided for the Commission to support the School Board in its quest for local control and in providing for an adequate system of public education in our county. It was moved by Commissioner Sorenson that the foregoing proposed resolution be adopted as presented. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Jordan Commissioner Sosa proposed a friendly amendment to bifurcate this item to remove the portion requesting a tax increase. Commissioner Souto expressed opposition to this resolution. Commissioner Gimenez noted he viewed the language “…increase total potential funding per student by $100…” as a request for the Legislature to provide the funding as opposed to raising taxes, and expressed his support. Following further discussion, the Board adopted the foregoing resolution as amended to delete the following language from the second bullet on handwritten page 4: “Restore the local Discretionary Capital Outlay levy to 2-mills” Commissioner Jordan asked to be listed as a co-sponsor of the foregoing resolution.

Legislative Text

TITLE
RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES OF THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOR THE 2010 SESSION OF THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE

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 School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, has experienced significant budget reductions of nearly $500 million; and
WHEREAS, Florida employers consistently rank improving education and workforce development as top concerns to the success of their businesses, and a highly qualified and trained workforce as critical to strengthening Florida�s 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; and
WHEREAS, the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners 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 Board also 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 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Supports Miami-Dade County Public Schools� legislative initiatives and requests to the Florida Legislature for the 2010 legislative session, in particular, the following:
� Increase total potential funding per student by $100;
� Conduct a third party study of the District Cost Differential; and
� Oppose legislation that reduces the number of in-service hours required of teachers providing instruction to English Language Learners.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit certified copies of this resolution to the Chair and Members of the Miami-Dade State Legislative Delegation.