Miami-Dade Student Gov't Signs On To Support Bond Referendum

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Everyone agrees that more money should be put into our public schools, but no one wants to pay for it.

In Miami-Dade, Superintendent Alberto Carvalho is promoting item #222 on the November ballot which asks voters to approve a $1.2 billion dollar bond referendum to improve schools.

The measure has already received the support of the county's commission and school board.  On Wednesday more than 450 students with the Miami-Dade County Student Government Association signed on to be its latest cheerleaders on behalf of all the kids in the county.

So how much will it cost homeowners on their property tax bills?

Carvalo has said for the average household it will only be an additional $9.70 for the first couple of years.  For the totality of the bond, Carvalho has said it should be no more than $27 dollars.

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.

The bond money would be used for not only infrastructure but also for advances in technology.

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.

Whether you take an interest in this bond issue or not you are going to have the chance to vote on it November.  To take a look at the complete list of how this is going to impact a school in your neighborhood go to: http://bondsforschools.dadeschools.net/Files/Final_Project_List_By_School.pdf

There is also PAC formed in support of the referendum.  You can read more about that here: www.buildingfortomorrow.org