HomeMy WebLinkAboutSubmittal-Planning Department-Letter to Mayor from MDPSSuperintendent of Schools
*bertr3 U Carvalho
The Honorable Tomas Regalado
Mayor
City of Miami
3500 Pan American Drive
Miami, FL 33133
Dear Mayor Regalado:
December 8, 2016
Miami -Dade County School Board
Dr Lawrence S. Feldman, Chair
Dr. Marfa Pdrez. Vice Chair
Dr Dcrothy Bendross-Mindingall
Susie V Castillo
Dr. Steve Gallon tll
Perla Tabares Hantman
Dr. Martin Karp
-Submitted i:lf() theTR.
bhC tubby Navarro
record for 'te ml s l I Mari Tere Rojas
"n + City Clcrk
It has come to our attention that there is a proposed Public Art Ordinance, Sec. 62-661, scheduled
for second reading with the City Commission on ,January 12, 2017. The City of Miami is a pioneer in
arts and cultural engagement in the state of Florida. Miami -Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS)
congratulates you on this great commitment to arts and culture in our community. We were
especially excited to learn of the new City Ordinance, Sec. 62-661 (4), which provides funds for
cultural education, community outreach, and arts advocacy. To that end, we would like to be a
partner at the table as it pertains to youth arts programming in the City of Miami. We feel it would be
prudent if a representative from the school district participate as part of the Master Plan Committee
for this initiative as well as have a designated member on the city's Public Art Fund Advisory Board.
M-DCPS is committed to ensuring that all students in Miami -Dade County are engaged in creating,
developing, and molding their talents and abilities in a challenging, safe, and nurturing environment.
Our unwavering commitment to the arts is evident in our award-winning visual and performing arts
programs as well as the many arts magnet and choice programs across the county. M-DCPS has
prioritized arts programming in each of our schools despite ever-increasing financial pressures that
have unfortunately diminished arts programming in many other school districts across the state and
nationally.
As the arts education provider for students in more than 50 public schools serving city residents, we
request that the ordinance specifically list M-DCPS as an entity that would qualify to apply and
receive funding from this new source. Due to yearly fluctuating needs, we would appreciate the
opportunity to present our plan for enhanced arts programming in public schools serving City of
Miami residents on an annual basis.
We look forward to discussing this possibility further with you and your staff.
Sincerely,
lberto M. Carvalhof
Superintendent of Schools
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