Miami Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) will have to make some "bone cutting" decisions if the state budget does not take action to find ways to keep the same funding amount for education.
Since 2007-08 school year, MDCPS’ total budget has shrunk from $6.3 billion to $4.3 billion -- a $2 billion decrease. Further reductions will affect the progress MDCPS is experiencing in building a world class educational system. The time for action is now. We are asking for you to get educated on education and the key education budget issues as our state legislature meets on the state budget.
Here are the three major issues affecting our local public education budget:
Provide level funding/replacement of federal stimulus funds
• $907 million to sunset June 30, 2011 statewide
• $121 million to sunset June 30, 2011 for Miami-Dade County Public Schools
• 2000 Miami-Dade school district jobs in jeopardy
Eliminate penalties associated with class-size reduction non-compliance
• School districts should not be penalized for non-compliance, not a constitutional requirement
Address inequity of education funding formula for urban schools
• Loss of District Cost Differential and the addition of the Compression Adjustment in the education funding formula diminishes adequate funding to urban school districts
• Miami Dade County Schools receives $118 less per student in state funds than the state average
• Miami Dade County citizens pay in $200 in taxes more on average to the state on a per student basis towards educating a child than the average taxpayer statewide
Here is what you can do:
• Get Educated on Education - click on the following link http://gafla.dadeschools.net/financialoutlook.asp to hear and see a prerecorded webinar explaining the above issues
• Email your appropriate state legislator to express your support for the "Hold Public Education Harmless" issues (see attached pdfs with legislator by school and email addresses)
MiamiFLCOC_1898_MDCPS budget-facts
MiamiFLCOC_1896_2010-11_School_List_Elected_Officials
• Forward this email to your employees, colleagues, family and friends
Thank you,
Maria C. Alonso Marilu Kernan Rafael Saldaña
Chairman Education Committee Chair Education Committee Vice-Chair
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