School Board Approves Tentative
Labor Contract with School Police
The School Board ratified the proposed one-year collective
bargaining agreement with the Florida State Lodge, Fraternal
Order of Police (FOP). Under a new labor contract between
Miami-Dade County Public Schools and the FOP, Miami-Dade
County School Police will receive salary increases and step
advancements for eligible employees, effective August 21,
2003 and January 2, 2004, respectively. After several months
of negotiations, the School Board and the FOP reached a
tentative agreement on December 18, 2003. FOP bargaining
unit members subsequently ratified the agreement on December
20. Salary, education and training are just a few of the
issues that the contract addresses. The average increases
negotiated for 2003-04 include 8.71% for police officers,
9.47% for sergeants, and 7.90% for lieutenants.
Korn/Ferry To Facilitate Superintendent Search
Korn/Ferry International Incorporated has been selected as
the executive search firm to facilitate the district's
search for the next Superintendent of Schools. The School
Board initiated the selection process after Superintendent
of Schools Merrett R. Stierheim announced last year that he
would not seek to extend his contract when it expires in
June. The School Board will engage the services of
Korn/Ferry for four months. During this time, the firm will
be charged with identifying qualified candidates for the
superintendency. Specific services provided by Korn/Ferry
will include interviews with Board members, selection
committee members and others in developing a profile of the
skills, experience and personality most desired in a new
Superintendent; encouraging qualified individuals to apply
for the position; and developing a list of finalists for the
selection committee's consideration.
District Endorses Countywide Political Forum for Senior
High School Students
The Board approved a proposal, sponsored by School Board
Chair Michael M. Krop, instructing the district to support
activities associated with the February 24, 2004 Countywide
Political Forum to be held at Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior
High School, 1410 N.E. 215 Street. Students from high
schools throughout Miami-Dade County will participate. The
forum will include a political convention, with campaign
signs, banners and posters from various campaign offices,
and actual electronic voting machines provided by the
Miami-Dade County Elections Department. Organizers have
invited all major presidential candidates to make brief
presentations. Students will have the opportunity to ask
questions on domestic and foreign policy issues. Afterward,
each will vote for the candidate of his or her choice using
hand-held electronic polling devices. Ed O'Dell, NBC6
education reporter, will moderate.
Community and Civic Activist Dr. Horacio Aguirre Honored
by the School Board
As recommended by School Board Member Perla Tabares Hantman,
Dr. Horacio Aguirre, founding editor and director of Diario
Las Américas &endash; Miami's original Spanish
language daily newspaper &endash; was feted with a
proclamation from the School Board for his lifelong
contributions to society.
Appointments Approved by the School Board
The School Board approved the hiring of several new
employees to open, budgeted positions within the district.
Joining the ranks of district personnel are Aida G. Campos,
Coordinator, Instructional Television Services, Media
Programs; Lillian J. Claudio, Programmer Analyst II, Systems
and Programming Services; Terrence S. Phillips, Business
Manager, Booker T. Washington Senior High School; Christina
Scott-Stoffle, Media Relations Specialist, Public
Relations/Marketing; Perdeta Gayle-Jones, Audit Coordinator
II, Management and Compliance Audits; and Oria M. Lacayo,
Mayte Diaz, and Catrina Carswell, all appointed to the
position of Staff Auditor II, Internal Audits, Management
and Compliance Audits.
2004 Status Report on Increasing the Graduation Rate and
Decreasing the Dropout Rate
In its continued effort to identify ways to ensure
achievement among Miami-Dade County's public school
students, the School Board accepted a report on dropout
prevention submitted by the Ad Hoc Advisory Committee on
Increasing the Graduation Rate and Decreasing the Dropout
Rate. The report offers several recommendations, including
the development of a resource guide to include best
practices, as well as programs and support services that are
available to schools for students who are at-risk of
dropping out.
The Ad Hoc Committee was formed in December 2001 at the
School Board's direction to develop strategies to address
the district's graduation and dropout rates. Administrators
from various offices, teachers, representatives of community
organizations and parents were called upon to give input.