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SUPERINTENDENT ALBERTO M. CARVALHO UNVEILS PLAN TO PRESERVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, BALANCE BUDGET, AVOID LAYOFFS Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho has unveiled a plan that will avoid layoffs for thousands of Miami-Dade County teachers and other school employees, while balancing the District’s budget and at the same time, protecting important educational programs like art, physical education, languages and music. “The plan works in a very logical way to preserve our educational programs, protect our workforce, and maintain the financial viability of the school district,” said Carvalho. The school district has already taken more than $300 million in budget cuts to balance this year’s budget and is currently facing another $56 million in cuts, largely as a result of the Legislature’s recent Special Session. These reductions must be dealt with before the end of the current fiscal year, as required by state law. Carvalho’s plan calls for employees to move a number of work days from this fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2009, to the following fiscal year, which begins July 1. Employees would still receive their same annual salaries during the calendar year. The alternative to the plan would be to lay off more than 3,660 employees, including teachers. The Miami Herald called the plan “smart and creative”, and says it is “the district's best chance to avoid a deeper budget hole, massive layoffs and less spending in classrooms.” The plan will be discussed at the Miami-Dade School Board meeting on Wednesday, February 11, 2009. For more information, visit www.dadeschools.net. # # # 09-JJS/391/DF |
