The 411 - News You Can Use About Broward Schools

Costs of construction have been on an unprecedented rise across the United States since late 2003. A significant increase in the volume of construction worldwide has put great demands on construction materials, causing average rises in material prices from 20% to 70%. In addition, interest rates, the value of the dollar, skilled labor availability, equipment availability, oil prices and other factors have generated construction cost increases. From 1999 to 2003, yearly increases in average construction costs were in the 2% to 4% range, but since the beginning of 2004, costs have increased from 20% to 50% in certain markets across the U.S. While this upward trend seems to have stabilized in many parts of the country, it has continued in South Florida. In this region, there are continued demands on a limited resource supply and a high volume of construction work triggered by the continuing influx of new residents and investors. The recent string of hurricanes further amplified the situation.

There is speculation by many experts in the industry that the costs of insurance and bonding will increase significantly and that shortages of certain materials and skilled labor will continue. Due to the uncertainty of all these factors, contractors are passing their risks on to property owners by increasing what they charge for construction projects.

There are a limited number of qualified contractors and subcontractors in the local market who are capable of constructing schools in South Florida to the established Educational Requirements. The result is that many local contractors and sub-contractors have high volumes of work and have changed their bidding strategies to a lower risk-higher profit approach. This has further contributed to a continuing increase in costs. Educational facilities construction costs in South Florida have increased an estimated 40-60% over the past 2 years, putting an additional burden on the school building programs needed to meet the demands of growth and class-size initiatives.

As a result of the situation I have described, it may be necessary to make modifications to current or proposed building and remodeling projects in the District, either to the scope of the projects themselves or to the time frames designated for their completion. However, I can assure you that the safety, security and educational needs of students will remain important considerations should modifications be necessary.

MAGNET PROGRAMS
The Magnet Program is now collecting applications for the 2006-2007 school year. The deadline to apply is March 21, 2006. For more information, log on to
(www.browardschoolsmagnetprograms.com) or call 754-321-2380.

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• Staff members at Riverland Elementary School who received $3,500 in prize money when their school was named the “Healthiest School” by Humana, Inc. and Vista Healthplan, chose to donate the money to the “Rebuild Lives” campaign sponsored by Habitat for Humanity and Oprah Winfrey. The program provides bedroom sets for children who were victims of Hurricane Katrina.
(http://www2.oprah.com/uyl/Katrina/
homes/homes_main.jhtml) • Piper High School staff and students worked hard to assist those impacted by Hurricane Katrina. JROTC instructor Sergeant Sosa launched a “Power of One” fundraising drive that netted $4,000. Health teacher Kay Anderson organized a blood drive and collected 134 pints of blood. Guidance Data Specialist Phyllis Hope working with the African American Research Library collected enough blankets, toiletries to fill a 17-foot U-Haul truck and Clerk Typist Linda Gould drove to Texas to rescue 80 dogs and 50 cats.

CAB CORNER

Business Use
Remember that the District E-mail system (CAB) is intended for school business purposes only. That means E-mail users should not use CAB to convey personal messages or to further private business enterprises or ventures. There are state and federal laws prohibiting the dissemination of E-mail messages that are intended to threaten or intimidate others or to defame the reputation and character of anyone. The District also has its own rules against improper use of E-mail by employees.

Reply To All
There have been numerous instances when E-mail responses intended for only one or a small number of recipients have been inadvertently sent to a large group. This occurs because the sender unintentionally selects the “Reply to All” icon rather than the “Reply to Sender” icon. This situation can be easily avoided by using the proper icon and by double-checking the address lines of your reply message before sending it. Only those you wish to receive your reply should be listed on the “To” and the “cc” lines of your message. It only takes a few seconds and you can avoid possible embarrassment and the clogging of CAB with messages sent to unintended recipients.

On The Record
Always remember that E-mail messages fall into the same category as anything written and disseminated in the District. It is, for the most part, “on the record” and must be provided to anyone who requests it. The Florida Public Records statutes constitute the most inclusive public’s right to know laws in the country. They cast a wide net and include most any written document – electronic or hardcopy – produced and disseminated within a government organization. With this in mind, it is important that an E-mail user take seriously every message they write, send or forward. If the message is not one you would be comfortable waking-up to in tomorrow’s newspaper, you would be wise not to write and send it.

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