UTD In the News
Teachers Back to
School
Without Pay Raises
WPLG, Local 10
(August 21, 2008)
Classes Start in South
Florida with Smaller Budgets
Without Pay Raises
WPLG, Local 10
(August 21, 2008)
Classes Start in South
Florida with Smaller Budgets
CBS4
(August 21, 2008)
(August 21, 2008)
OpEd: Legislators missed lesson of book 'A Nation at Risk'
Tallahassee Democrat
(April 25, 2008)
Focus on South
Florida
WFOR - CBS 4
(March 23, 2008)
Miami-Dade Teachers
protest health insurance
The Miami Herald
(March 12, 2008)
Study: Fla.
education funding
affecting high wage jobs
WSVN - Fox 7 News
(Feb. 28, 2008)
Dade Schools chief Warns of Possible Layoffs
WFOR - CBS 4
(Feb. 14, 2008)
WFOR - CBS 4
(Feb. 14, 2008)
Teachers
Vote To Decide Health Care Futures
WPLG - Local 10
(Feb. 11, 2008)
From Homeless to
Multi-Millionaire
WFOR - CBS 4
(Feb. 2, 2008)
AFL-CIO Pushes for ‘No’ vote For
Amendment 1
WPLG - Local 10
(Jan. 17, 2008)
Miami 'Zone' Gives Schools
Intensive Help
"Education Week"
(Oct. 17, 2007)
Dade Teachers Flourish
Under New Leadership
"American Teacher"
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Legislative Session Round-up Budget Issues SB 2800: State Budget. Increase of $101.8 Million for MDCPS. This represents a 4.24% overall increase over and a 6.74% per student increase over 2006-07. Additionally, we maintained our non-recurring DCD Mitigation funding of $13 Million. An attempt led by Senator Alex Villalobos to modify the DCD formula for the upcoming year was ultimately defeated. We will continue in our efforts to improve the funding formula. HB 511: Allows School Districts additional flexibility within their budgets. Districts that certify that they are in compliance and will remain in compliance for Class Size Reduction student stations shall be able to use some construction dollars to fund limited expenses currently on the operational side of the budget. Performance Pay SB 1226: MAP replaces STAR. We have already discussed this issue at length. Although it is an improvement in the Performance Pay statute, it is still not satisfactory. Significant Legislation that was Defeated/Delayed Legislation to break-up school districts. MDCPS could have been split into 20+ districts. End-run of Florida Constitution and recent court ruling to reinvigorate vouchers. Rapid Re-write of the Sunshine State Standards into “World Class Standards” that included an increase in ongoing teacher certification requirement. Other Legislation that Passed HB 967: PE Bill. Modifies student requirements for PE and certification requirements for PE teachers. SB 2092: Technical modifications to graduation requirements. SB 988: Amends Jessica Lunsford Act to allow for an easier implementation. SB 2512: Modifies ESOL endorsement requirements for teachers already endorsed in Reading. Legal challenges are expected. HB 461&463: Pilot Drug Testing program for student athletes in football, baseball, and weightlifting. SB 450: Improves allocation of Teacher Lead funds to include job-sharers and attempts to further clarify eligibility for Pre-K teachers. HB 1161: High School to Business Career Enhancement Act. UTD Retirement Legislation UTD proposals to improve retirement benefits did not pass this session partly due to a horrible budget year. UTD will continue to work to improve salary and benefits via the legislative process. Property Taxes A Special Session has been called for June 12-22 to address this issue. We will continue to monitor the impact to public schools. |