UTD President Karen Aronowitz speaks at School Board Meeting

UTD Supports School Board Proposal for Health and Wellness of Students - UTD supported the District’s proposal for a system of Health and Wellness at the School Board’s November 16 meeting.  “How much learning is lost to our students due not only to specific illnesses that keep them away from school but from lethargy, inability to focus, hyperactivity due to an imbalanced diet and lack of exercise?”, asked UTD President Karen Aronowitz.   “You know that UTD spoke for recess.  We are now speaking for daily physical education as a requirement.  We ask for the District’s assistance in a roll out that does not crush our teachers’ abilities to fulfill all the requirements,” added Aronowitz. 

UTD Salutes School Board and Superintendent for Listening to Members’ Input on Hurricane Make-up Days - On behalf of United Teachers of Dade, UTD President Karen Aronowitz saluted the School Board and our Superintendent in working out the details for hurricane make-up days.  “Allowing our input into the decision helped craft the most efficient, least disruptive calendar for our students and allowed families’ plans to remain in tact.  We believe our input, and the input  of our fellow union brothers and sisters will maximize attendance for everyone,“ stated Aronowitz. 

UTD Supports Board Item for Emergency Preparation and Protocol - UTD President Karen Aronowitz said, “United Teachers of Dade is pleased with the board item of Emergency Preparation and Protocol so that everyone is in place and aware of the quick and efficient response necessary for the life and safety of our students, our faculties, and our employees of Miami-Dade County Public Schools.”  Aronowitz told the board that UTD would provide their suggestions “gratis” to this planning, in a spirit of cooperation. “Please feel free to call on United Teachers of Dade if any assistance can be offered,” added Aronowitz. 

UTD Cautions Board to Research Grants Accepted by District - UTD President Karen Aronowitz cautioned the Board to research grants before the district accepts them.  “The grantor of the gift and the recipient of the gift are not normally the same.  But when our district accepts grants that are locked down in terms of program and vendor without the input of our district, is it really a gift?  Aronowitz reminded the board that she had mentioned before the need to know where the grant program fits in terms of the academic day and what portion of the day will the grant program take.  Aronowitz went on to say, “I urge the Board to be cautious in accepting such grants, especially when the principal or owner of such grant programs are not known to us.  Is there an alternative agenda behind such a condition of acceptance when values curriculum is addressed?  I am anxious to know whose values are we supporting.” 

UTD Supports Career and Professional Academies Return to Edison Senior High and Available in all High Schools - Addressing the board item regarding Career and Professional Academies returning to Edison Senior High, UTD President Karen Aronowitz stated that “UTD is happy to see Career and Professional Academies return to Miami Edison Senior High.  Learning is not restricted to passing one test;aspirations lead in many directions.  In the superintendent’s secondary school reform agenda, he recognizes that we are preparing our students to be successful as they move into their adult lives.  There is not a single path to success.  Career and Professional Academies in our high schools offer our students the chance to begin their careers with us.

UTD Supports Managerial Exempt Personnel (MEP) Salary Plan Recommendations - UTD President Karen Aronowitz told the Board that UTD supports this board item because UTD supports our colleagues in their need for just compensation. “As Florida faces its most severe teaching shortage ever, we ask for the same consideration for teachers and other education support professionals.  Teachers never see 5% increments in their salaries,“said Aronowitz.  Aronowitz went on to say that it had been 20 years since credential pay for educators has changed, yet the cost of obtaining advanced degrees has certainly not stood still.  “We are eager to begin work on our next contract, but no contract will be successful if our state does not properly fund our public schools.  It is not a question of slicing the same pie into ever smaller pieces.  It is time to add more filling to that pie,“ added Aronowitz. 

UTD Speaks Out at School Board’s Public Hearing - During the School Board’s Public Hearing, UTD President Karen Aronowitz acknowledged the legislators of the Miami-Dade Delegation who last year supported the implementation of our constitutional amendment limiting the number of students permitted in each class.  “Miami-Dade County Public Schools has been successful in meeting the requirements of this law as it unfolds.  Class size impacts the learning environment and is proven to improve student achievement," stated Aronowitz.  She told the Board that the number one reason given by parents in choosing private schools is a smaller class size and the more individualized attention that each student receives.  Aronowitz reminded the board that once again, the legislature is proposing to place this item before the voters to rescind this amendment.  “We as a School Board and as a community must hold our legislators accountable for implementing the law as written and for making sure that our state provides the required education our children need to compete in the global economy,“added Aronowitz.   Aronowitz told the board that she encouraged all members of the community to support the Class Size Amendment enacted into law and to let our Miami-Dade Legislators know that they do.  “The students of MDCPS are counting on us,” stated Aronowitz.