The Miami-Dade School Board approved a budget proposal by Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho for the 2014-2015 school year. The budget protects teachers and the classroom with an increase in school spending of $43 million and a reduction in administrative spending of $5 million, down 57 percent since 2008.
The budget protects taxpayers by lowering the tax rate and continues to expand Exceptional Student Education (ESE) support and parental choice options in addition to protecting the economic viability of the school system.
Carvalho credited the school district’s strong financial position to careful debt service management.
“This is a budget that serves students, parents and the community,” said Carvalho. “It maximizes learning opportunities for students and protects the taxpayer by lowering the tax rate.”
In a nutshell, the budget will preserve teacher employment, protect the classroom, increase school spending, expand parental choice options, expand ESE support, increase safety/security spending, continue to shrink central office, protect the economic viability of the school system, protect taxpayers, and continue implementation of General Obligation Bond projects.
What this budget does not do is harm elective programs, reduce district reserves, increase tax millage, or reduce athletics and after-school activities.
“Protecting teachers and advancing the needs of our students are the values that define the budget approved by this Board,” said School Board Chair Perla Tabares Hantman.
A final budget hearing will be held Wednesday, September 3.