Yesterday, The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, held a school repurposing and budget workshop, facilitated by Michael Bookman of the Florida School Boards Association. Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) continues to weigh alternatives for weathering a budget crunch brought on by significant funding cuts by the Florida legislature and an economic downturn.

Statewide Cuts Lead to Reduction in Force

The budget discussions continue to focus on cutting more than $284 million from the District’s 2008-09 budget, based on an expected $75 million decrease in state funding and over $200 million in increased costs. (To review the budget workshop presentation, click here.)

An outcome of the state funding cuts is the reduction in force. Superintendent Rudy Crew stated, “When a state significantly under funds the system, there are going to be reductions in force. The reality is not a pleasant picture, and we are exercising compassion and being transparent with the decision process. There is no guile, the numbers don’t add up, and I want to be absolutely clear that everyone will soon start to see the impact of the decisions being made. Unfortunately, this will effect many more for a rolling period of time, as we get clarity on the state funding cuts.”

The School Board will vote on the reduction-in-force recommendation at its May 21, 2008 meeting. The reduction in force would take effect on June 30, 2008, or soon thereafter.

School Repurposing Back on the Shelf

No schools will be repurposed prior to the start of the 2008-09 school year. Associate Superintendent Freddie Woodson said there is not enough time to make the decision on which schools would be repurposed and to inform families in those schools prior to the opening of schools in August.

Before any decisions are made, the District will establish a clear, uniform method for determining which schools would be considered for repurposing. (To review the school repurposing presentation, click here.)

Budget Background

M-DCPS has anticipated the tough economic times ahead and the difficult choices its schools would be facing. Although the Florida Constitution mandates high-quality public education, and good public policy dictates that in times of economic difficulty existing resources be equitably allocated, Florida lawmakers have severely cut funding to public schools. These fears have become a reality, and the tough choices are now being made.

At the April 28, 2008 budget workshop, a majority of the School Board supported the following key considerations:

• Eliminating 261 positions from the District's central administration, saving $20 million.
  
• Eliminating bonus pay for administrators, including principals and assistant principals, saving $1.4 million.
  
• Resolving not to rehire administrators or teachers who have already retired, saving $13.9 million.
  
• Imposing pay cuts for administrators, principals and assistant principals, saving $1 million.
  
• Eliminating all non-mandatory summer-school programs, saving $9.9 million.
  
• Increasing the price of school lunches by 50 cents (free/reduced-price lunch students exempt), offsetting the cost of food service by $3.7 million.
  

At the April 21, 2008 School Board meeting, the Board approved a reorganization plan that will save the District approximately $13.7 million in recurring annual costs. The reorganization will take effect on June 30, 2008, or soon thereafter.