FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wed, Dec. 15, 2004

CONTACT: John Schuster Miami-Dade County Public Schools 305-995-1126

AGGRESSIVE PLAN PROMISES NEW SCHOOLS ACROSS THE COUNTY

MIAMI &endash; An aggressive plan to build 47 new schools and 22 school additions, as well as remodel or replace dozens of school buildings and campuses, was approved by the School Board Wednesday.

The proposed Five-Year Capital Plan is designed to jump start the school district's construction program and to accommodate a student population that will experience great demographic changes in coming years. Factors such as birth rates, new and planned housing, immigration patterns, intra-county relocation patterns, Florida's class size reduction mandate and instructional initiatives &endash; including the potential need to provide pre-kindergarten space in elementary schools &endash; figured into the plan. Given its comprehensive scope, the plan provides a roadmap for meeting all of the district's needs, including new capacity, existing facility renovations and educational enhancements.

"The quality of the physical environment where children learn and teachers teach sends an unmistakable message to students, teachers, parents and the community," said Superintendent Rudolph F. "Rudy" Crew. "Well-designed, well-maintained school facilities communicate that we value high-quality education and that we care about how and where our students learn. Their success is of paramount importance to us."

A copy of the full proposed plan is available at the school district's website, www.dadeschools.net.

The plan marks a first; past capital plans have satisfied the requirements of state law, but fell short of portraying the full scope of facility needs. All current school sites were surveyed in recent weeks to provide an accurate assessment of current and projected needs.

The total projected cost for the plan is $3.1 billion. Although current revenues will not support a plan of such magnitude, the district's new focus on business accountability, combined with results projected in the early years of the plan, will aim to generate public support and confidence to implement the full plan.

As a result of the Board's vote Wednesday, the school district plans to reach out to parents and other residents over the next 60 days to solicit their reactions to the proposed plan and any additional recommendations they may have. The centerpiece of this outreach will be a series of nine public hearings on the proposal hosted by School Board members in their respective electoral districts.

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