Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Miami-Dade School Board plans more job cuts
MIAMI (WSVN) -- The Miami-Dade School Board is meeting to vote on the school district's budget, which is getting very close to a state deadline that could make their budget illegal.
In order to balance the $158 million deficit, the school board plans to cut 440 more jobs. If they do not, the state could deem their budget illegal.
Superintendent Alberto Carvalho expects to meet the deadline by Tuesday night with the School Board's approval. "I think the Board understands the predicament we are in," he said, "and the Board appreciates the transparency with which we have moved through these very important budgetary issues, and I do believe I will have the Board's support in approving these proposed budget cuts."
Carvalho said his plan should keep many of those whose jobs are threatened in the school system as others retire or leave.
As the meeting continued into the afternoon, teachers stood outside the School Board's building protesting and holding signs that said, "Thanks for nothing." One even held a live turkey to remind people that Thanksgiving was not far away and may not come for some teachers.
A year early, the School Board agreed to give County teachers a raise, which was placed on hold this year, when the state cut the County's budget of $250 million. Karen Aronowitz of the United Teachers of Dade said, "We expect that the School Board, after all these suggestions are taken, will be able to find the money to find what they have said they will pay for teachers."
Also possibly on the chopping block are four "F" grade schools: Miami Edison and Miami Central Senior High Schools and Liberty City and Holmes Elementary Schools.
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