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GOVERNOR CRIST PRAISES MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS Florida Governor Charlie Crist recently praised the efforts of Miami-Dade County Public Schools in balancing the school district’s budget during troubled economic times. Appearing on This Week in South Florida, a news program broadcast by WPLG Channel 10, Gov. Crist said, “The new superintendent has been doing a very good job trying to tighten the belt of the District … more of a focus on the classroom, and I applaud him for it.” With the approval of the Miami-Dade County School Board, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho has been able to trim millions of dollars in order to balance the budget. Over the past 12 months, Florida’s schools have suffered approximately $1.1 billion in budget cuts, affecting all 67 school districts in the state. Miami-Dade County Public Schools has reduced its budget by close to $300 million during this time period. In November 2008, with the wise support and authority of the School Board, the school district enacted the largest financial cutback in its history, saving $123 million. These reductions included a deliberate rollback of administration with a 27 percent cut to central office expenses and administrative salaries, the elimination of 440 positions, a substantial reduction in the number of employees making more than $100,000 a year, with the number of employees earning over $150,000 declining from 27 to 3, and a complete elimination of employees earning over $200,000. Among Florida school districts, Miami-Dade County Public Schools now has the lowest administrative cost per student, instead of 27th place which it held just months ago. In spite of these adjustments, the school district is currently dealing with approximately $56 million in budget cuts, which are largely a result of the Legislature’s recent Special Session. These cuts, which were approved by the School Board on February 11, 2009, will be used to balance this year’s budget, as required by law. Approximately $30.5 million in cuts can be made without affecting full-time personnel, leaving $25.5 million that must be resolved in other ways. One possible way of solving this situation is to reduce the work year for the fiscal year ending June 30, which would not affect annual salaries. This solution is subject to collective bargaining. Support for the Superintendent’s plan to reduce the work year has been strongly voiced by employees, through numerous calls and emails. One teacher wrote, “To me, it is a no-brainer when compared with the other alternative, which, as I understand, would cost many current employees their jobs. I find the attitude of those in opposition to the plan to be selfish and self-serving.” Another employee sent a supportive email saying, “I am very grateful that your ideas are saving our jobs and at no cost to the employees. Please count with my support.” # # # 09-JJS/401/VVL |
