At a special meeting of the Miami-Dade County School Board, Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho presented a re-structuring overhaul of the District’s operations. The reorganization focuses on a realignment of purpose, functions, and positions, resulting in a savings of over $6.5 million for the school district. The plan was unanimously approved by the School Board.
The reorganization eliminates redundancies and duplication of services, promotes and augments transparency in function and management of the school district. The plan also places greater attention on early childhood education and helps align the arts and music programs along with science, moving from STEM to STEAM (adding the arts to STEM).
“Through efficiencies, strategic alignments, and reinvestments in the protection and expansion of school site programs, this reorganization plan will result in over $6.5 million in savings to the School Board,” said Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho.
In addition, School Board members also unanimously approved an item to create a task force that will advise the district on how to best move forward with plans to redevelop 10 acres of School Board-owned real estate. The land is located in the heart of Miami’s Arts and Entertainment District.
“We need to consider this not as a short-term deal that enlarges the coffers of the district for a year or two and then dries up,” said Carvalho. “This is an incredible opportunity to monetize and provide long-term funding for many educational programs.”
The District’s guiding principles and priorities for this redevelopment plan include maintaining a comprehensive educational presence in the area and a District administrative presence in downtown Miami inclusive of WLRN or considering other no cost alternatives. Additionally, maximizing the financial benefit to the Board, both short and long-term and complementing current community infrastructure, such as public transportation.
The District will now focus on setting up the expert task force to move forward with the redevelopment plans.