School Board Meeting – February 15, 2006 

UTD President Karen Aronowitz and UTD First Vice-President Artie Leichner spoke on several items at the February 15 School Board Meeting. 

KAREN… 

Item A-2   

UTD President Karen Aronowitz told the School Board that UTD’s Education Summit, must include the voices of members of our community, including business leaders, religious faith leaders, philanthropists and parent communities.   

“The Education Summit is hosted by your education experts – United Teachers of Dade, and our teachers will be your hosts and guides at the summit.  Distinguished panelists will include Dr. Rudy Crew, Sister Jeanne O’Laughlin and the President of UTD, just to name a few,” said Aronowitz.

Aronowitz went on to say that UTD supported the important compact between MDCPS and Miami-Dade County. “Our summit will offer another level to this compact – a community compact that engages everyone in Miami-Dade to support the work of our public schools which ultimately determines the quality of life and the economic basis of our community,” added Aronowitz.   

Aronowitz invited everyone to save the date, April 22 and plan to participate in a Miami-Dade Community vision for our public schools. 

Item A-3  

UTD President Karen Aronowitz told the School Board that UTD was approaching the new contract negotiations with optimism about their shared interests which is to provide the best education to the students of Miami-Dade County and to reward the educators and educational support professionals who are directly responsible for our students’ success.  

“This collaborative process demonstrates the progressive work of the District and this union.  We are building a model of education for the 21^st century and UTD is proud to be among the authors of this effort,” stated Aronowitz. 

Item B-6 

Regarding the District’s five year budget analysis follow-up, UTD President Karen Aronowitz said, “In a community stretched for land and space, I urge that contingency plans consider facilities as assets that may provide creative solutions to special programs, locations and multiple purpose usage.” 

Item B-8 

In addressing the School Board item on tourism and hotelier task force for education discount and incentives, UTD President Karen Aronowitz stated, “Although I appreciate the generous intent of this agenda item and thank Dr. Perez and the Tourism and Hotelier Task Force for their support of teachers, once again this avoids the real reasons educators leave education.”  

Aronowitz went on to say that this reminded her of the loss we suffered through the District Cost Differential cuts when our teachers were said to want to live here due to our community ambiance. 

“Unless we can afford to live here, all the freebies, lap tops and discount coupons will fail to attract and retain the teachers we need for our district,” added Aronowitz. 

Aronowitz concluded by saying that as professionals, this diminishes the work teachers do to think that inadequate salaries can be replaced with a gaudy bag of gew gaws. 

B-14 

Aronowitz told the School Board that UTD supported the board item of the declining focus on student-oriented science research and participation in competitions, but pointed out the irony of the situation to everyone in the public sphere. 

“The Class Size Amendment directly impacts our science curriculum and overcrowded classrooms do not give students the necessary time to participate in labs other than as observers,” stated Aronowitz.  She went on to say that hands-on activities greatly increase enthusiasm and understanding of the sciences.   

“Efforts to modify or overturn the Class Size Amendment is to overturn the desire of Floridians to improve education in our state,” added Aronowitz.  She went on to encourage everyone to contact their State Senator and Legislators to tell them to implement the Class Size Amendment as it was voted for in every district of Miami-Dade County. 

Public Hearing 

In the School Board’s Public Hearing, Aronowitz reminded the School Board that the meeting was started honoring the teacher and students whose photographs were published in National Geographic Magazine.   

She pointed out that the state’s E-Comp plan which gives bonuses to only the top 10% on FCAT gains would not recognize this excellence.  “It undermines teacher professionalism,” she said. 

“This further erodes teacher salaries like the lure of lap tops.  We need to fill the pot to raise salaries for our best and brightest,” concluded Aronowitz. 

ARTIE… 

Item A-4   

In a request that the School Board endorse the School Health Connect Strategic Business Plan, First Vice-President Artie Leichner said “Wow” about phasing in a nurse, social worker and technician at all schools.  

He told the School Board that the process for implementation was well thought out and that the benefits for the students’ health would be excellent.   

“Having a social worker at every school would help with maintaining the stability of kids with difficult home situations,” added Leichner. 

Item A-7   

Leichner supported the request that the School Board acknowledge schools for Advanced Placement progress. 

“I congratulate all of the schools on behalf of AFT, NEA, FEA and of course UTD, and especially congratulate the UTD stewards who were recognized,” stated Leichner. 

He also reminded the School Board that the elementary and middle school teachers who had prepared the students to be successful in the AP classes needed to be congratulated as well. 

Item B-4   

Leichner also supported the request that the School Board authorize the Superintendent to explore the feasibility of collaborating with Jenelle’s Wishing Well and provide public awareness on carbon monoxide poisoning. 

“Anything that can help deal with health issues is important,” stated Leichner. 

A major component of this item was hurricane generator-related and Leichner told the School Board that UTD’s Executive Board was developing a variety of hurricane related recommendations to the Board. 

Item B-11   

 “Anything that educates parents and staff about ways to increase their income is important, and we should always educate as much as possible,” said Leichner when referring to the request to facilitate distribution of information about the Earned Income Credit (EITC).