SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER DR. STEVE GALLON III TO PROFFER BOARD ITEM H-15 SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES DURING GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN AT JANUARY 16 SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
CONTACT: Pavi’Elle Phillips
305-995-1334
district1@dadeschools.net
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF DR. STEVE GALLON
January 11, 2019
At the School Board meeting of January 16, 2019, District 1 School Board Member Dr. Steve Gallon III will proffer Board item H-15, Support for Students and Families during Government Shutdown.
The Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) has a long standing and distinguished record of altruism and of standing in the gap of service and support for students and families in need. Consistently, the School Board and the Superintendent have been a strong, unified voice on issues of provision, advocacy, equality, and social justice. From providing assistance and relief to areas and nations devastated by disasters to taking an affirmative position on issues that adversely impact immigrants, the School Board, along with the Superintendent, employees, and even students themselves, have responded with love, compassion, generosity, and kindness to those in need. It has been during these times that the community, nation, and world have seen the beauty and humanity of the Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
The political gridlock that currently exists in Washington, D.C. has brought certain sectors of government operations to a grinding halt and has officially resulted in a government shutdown. A government shutdown occurs either when Congress fails to pass funding bills or when the president refuses to sign a funding bill before the current appropriations expire. During a government shutdown, federal agencies must cease all operations and services deemed non-essential while essential functions such as airport security and law enforcement continue to be performed. Laid off workers are sent home without pay while other employees must work without getting paid. The common denominator is that people do not get paid and their financial stability is devastated—leading to an imminent threat and harm to them meeting their basic needs such as housing, food, clothing, and in some instances, medical needs.
The present government shutdown, which directly impacts nearly a million employees and vicariously impacts millions more, is entering three weeks and is now the longest government shutdown in U.S. history.
As South Florida is home to many employees and families who are being impacted by the government shutdown and whose children attend Miami-Dade County Public Schools, it is incumbent upon the District to contemplate potential impacts on the learning and lives of its students and their families, assess ways in which such impacts may manifest in schools and classrooms, and explore ways in which to offer support, resources, and assistance to mitigate and abate such adverse impacts.
This item seeks to affirm the School Board’s recognition of the potential adverse impact that the present government shutdown may have on its students and their families and their commitment to provide additional support and assistance, where feasible and appropriate. It also authorizes the Superintendent to contemplate and examine the potential impact on the learning and lives of students, assess ways in which supports, partnerships, resources, and assistance that may be available and provided for students that are adversely impacted by the government shutdown.
To read the full item, Click the link below:
http://www.dadeschools.net/schoolboard/agenda/h15.pdf
