We've cut the fat.

Faced with nearly two billion dollars in state funding shortfalls since 2007, we at Miami-Dade County Public Schools have carved huge savings from our budget, thus protecting the classroom and largely avoiding layoffs while boosting efficiency and, miraculously, student performance at the same time.

Now, at the start of a new school year, we’ve been forced by another state funding shortfall to cut even deeper. Our 2011-12 budget takes us all the way to the bone, largely sparing flesh by further streamlining operations and dedicating these savings to the classroom while even lowering taxes and boosting reserves.

Through fine fiscal surgery by staff and courageous leadership from the School Board, we have managed to hold the classroom harmless once again. These cuts come at a particularly inopportune time, with our students continuing to score impressive gains on state, national, and international assessments. Some have dubbed our success “the Miami-Dade miracle,” but our short-term miracle could disappear in the long term if state funding continues to vanish.

Still, our schools are positioned for another strong academic year. The following are highlights of the budget, including a cost-savings reorganization approved by the Board in July.

Classroom Investments
The bulk of cuts comes from restructuring and further downsizing administration, including the consolidation of the regions from five to four and alternative education centers from six to two. All told, we have shrunk central administration by 58 percent since 2008.

Smaller, Smarter Operations
In approving our largest reorganization ever, the School Board has eliminated operational redundancies and institutionalized operational improvements to the tune of $13.7 million in annually recurring savings. With our new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system in place on time and under budget, and our food services department turning years of deficits into a projected $10.3 million annual profit, our operations are more efficient and more effective.

Fiscal Stability
Though forced to make huge budget cuts, we have managed to build our reserves from $4 million in 2008 to $83 million today. At a time when the U.S. government, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac have been hit with Wall Street downgrades, Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ bond rating is up, reflecting investors’ confidence in our school district.

No Teacher Layoffs
With school districts across the state and country laying off employees, including teachers, we at Miami-Dade County Public Schools have kept layoffs to a minimum, with most coming from our shrinking capital construction program. In keeping with our pledge to hold our classrooms and students harmless, no full-time teacher has been laid off for economic reasons.

Lower Taxes
To ease the burden on county residents, we have accomplished all of this without raising taxes. In fact, the School Board has cut the tax rate from $8.2 to $8 for every $1,000 of assessed property value, for an average $50 savings on the school tax bill for the typical homeowner.

Saving Ourselves
Miami-Dade County Public Schools has clearly done its part in shielding our students from the pain of Tallahassee’s slashing. Now it’s your turn. The hurt won’t stop until you—our business community and taxpayers—demand that Tallahassee put a stop to it. Learn more about the impact of school funding cuts, and tell others what you know. Then call your legislators and hold them accountable—and do it now. We can’t afford to wait until the next legislative session. Our students are banking on you.

For more information, visit gafla.dadeschools.net.