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<br />JI <br /> <br /> <br />December 4, 2009 <br /> <br />liIiami-Dade county School BoaITl <br />Dr. Solomon C. stinson, Chair <br />Perla Tabares Hantman, V'rce Chair <br />Agustin J. Barrera <br />Renier Diaz de /a Portif18 <br />Dr. Lawrance S. Feldman <br />Dr. 'Wilbert "Tee" Holloway <br />Dr. Martin stewart Karp <br />Ana Rivas Logan <br />Dr. Marla POI9Z <br /> <br />SuperinfBndent of Schools <br />AJbedo M. Carvalho <br /> <br />The Honorable Lewis J. Thaler <br />City of Sunny Isles Beach <br />18070 Collins Avenue <br />Sunny Isles Beach, Florida 33160 <br /> <br />Dear Vice Mayor Thaler: <br /> <br />Our state and nation, as well as our community and school district are still struggling <br />through the sharpest economic downturn since the Great Depression. Miami-Dade <br />County Public Schools (M-DCPS) has been hit especially hard, having had to reduce its <br />budget by more than $400 million over the last three years. As protecting the classroom <br />has been and will continue to be my top priority, budget cuts to-date have been aimed <br />at central administration which has been reduced by 27 percent, reductions to salaries <br />of between two and ten percent, and a reduction of the work year for all employees with <br />the exception of teachers. Unfortunately, the financial outlook for the state remains <br />bleak, with projected deficit budgets for the next three years. <br /> <br />As a longtime supporter of our schools, your organization can help M-DCPS overcome <br />this crisis and enable us to continue giving our students the quality education they <br />deserve. Our 2010 State and Federal Legislative programs are enclosed for your <br />review. We are requesting that your organization adopt the attached resolution and <br />forward it to the Miami-Dade County Legislative Delegation. By endorsing our program, <br />you can help us attain the School Board's legislative priorities. We must speak out in a <br />clear and unified voice to let Tallahassee and Washington know that public education is <br />a top priority. <br /> <br />Mindful of the current financial crisis that the Florida Legislature is facing, we are <br />requesting a miniscule increase of $100 per student, the restoration of capital funding, <br />and support for a re-evaluation of the District Cost Differential. Both the State and <br />Federal Legislative Programs reflect our philosophy of fiscal responsibility, yet insist on <br />"adequate" and "equitable" funding (both operating and capital) to the District. Our <br />programs also stress academic concerns, particularly rigor and relevance. <br /> <br />Approved by the School Board at its meeting of October 14, 2009, the programs reflect <br />legislative needs identified not just by the School Board, but also by interested citizen <br />and PTAlPTSA groups, employee groups, administrators, and school-site personnel. <br />Those needs are enumerated in the enclosed resolution, and we ask that your <br />organization endorse it and forward a copy to Miami-Dade County Public Schools, 1450 <br />N.E. Second Avenue, Suite 931, Miami, Florida 33132, as well as to the Miami-Dade <br />County Legislative Delegation, 13550 S.W. 88 Street, Suite 150, Miami, Florida 33186. <br /> <br />School Board Administration Building · 1450 N.E. 2nd Avenue · Miami, Florida 33132 <br />305-995-1000 · www.dadesohools.net <br />