Miami-Dade School Board to consider $1.2 billion bond

Miami-Dade, the nation’s fourth-largest school district, is broke in terms of capital dollars and has about $2 billion in unmet capital needs and deferred maintenance at its nearly 400 schools and facilities. How willing recession-weary voters are to pay for that with general obligation bonds remains to be seen, but concern about the schools’ infrastructure has intensified over the last year among educators, board members and parents.

Half of the school buildings are more than 40 years old, and one-third are at least 50 years old. With leaky pipes and stinky hallways, Miami Norland has waited for years for a new building.

Broward County Public Schools faces a similar situation, with about $2 billion in unmet facility needs, and most of the capital budget going to debt service.

Broward Superintendent Robert Runcie recently told the state Board of Education that funding for capital needs was among the district’s top challenges. Runcie told The Miami Herald the district would eventually have to take the case to voters in some way, like a multi-year special tax, in the next couple of years.

“It’s a numbers game, and we don’t have the money right now,” Runcie said. “Ultimately, the public is going to have to have a really good understanding and see that the success of the public schools affects the overall fate and vitality of their community.”

Over the last year, the Miami-Dade School Board has grown more concerned about the situation with the school infrastructure and technology.

During budget discussions, board members stressed the need to find a long-term solution. Carvalho said he’d bring a solution “very soon” and that it would build on several principles, including community support, partnership with the private sector and minimizing the burden on taxpayers.