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RESOLUTION NO. 2006- q 0 J A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SUNNY ISLES BEACH, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES AND 2006 STATE LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM; AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO DO ALL THINGS NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE TERMS OF THIS RESOLUTION; PROVIDING FORAN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the Florida Constitution provides that the education of children is a fundamental value of the people of Florida and a paramount duty of the State; and WHEREAS, the Constitution creates a clear mandate for a uniform and high quality education system and for the State to make adequate provision for this purpose; and WHEREAS, Florida is one of the leaders in the nation in mandating public school educational accountability measures and the School Board of Miami-Dade County has improved its overall grade from C to B in the state accountability system; and WHEREAS, the number of schools in Miami-Dade County, Florida, receiving a letter grade of A increased to 48%, highest percentage ever, despite tougher state standards and the number of schools receiving a repeat grade of F was reduced by 66% to 3; and WHEREAS, the number of third graders considered proficient readers in Miami-Dade County Public Schools rose to 61 %, the highest percentage ever. and 1,814 fewer third graders are at risk of being held back due to reading scores; and WHEREAS, Miami-Dade County Public Schools has reorganized its central office and eliminated more than 500 positions, freeing up $38 million for other educational needs; and WHEREAS, the School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, has constructed 18,000 new student seats to address overcrowding using local funds, more than three times the number planned by prior administrations, although the majority of state Classrooms for Kids allocations have gone to school districts without documented capital outlay needs; and WHEREAS, the School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, will need approximately $136 million in new monies above current funding levels to continue these initiatives, but the recent change in District Cost Differential could reduce the district's share of annual funding by as much as $78 million; and WHEREAS, Florida employers consistently rank improving education and workforce development as top concerns to the success of their business, and a highly qualified, trained workforce is critical to strengthening our business climate; and R2006-907 Miami-Dade Co School Leg Priorities Supported Page I of 3