Carvalho To Pitch Bond Referendum

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Money to repair and update schools in Miami-Dade may be on the November ballot.

This week district school Superintendent Alberto Carvalho will pitch a $1.2 bill bond referendum to the School Board, according to CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald. If the board approves, it would then need voter approval.

This is not the first time the school district has taken this step.

In 1988, voters approved $980 million for capital improvements. Money from those bonds built schools like Miami Northwestern in Liberty City.

Carvalho said, if approved, money from the bonds would go toward upgrading and renovating schools like Miami Norland Senior High and American Senior High. Parts or entire campuses would be replaced and there would be some new construction where enrollment is expected to increase.

The fourth largest school district in the nation, Miami-Dade has virtually no capital dollars and has about $2 billion in capital needs. Because of this maintenance on nearly 400 schools and facilities has been delayed.

Broward County faces a similar problem with around $2 billion in unmet capital needs.