HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2005-010
RESOLUTION NO.
2005-010
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA,
URGING THE ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD TO
INCLUDE A K-8 SCHOOL MODEL wnHlN THE ORANGE
COUNTY PUBliC SCHOOL SYSTEM FRAMEWORK, TO
EVALUATE EACH MIDDLE SCHOOL WNE, AND TO
INTEGRATE THE K-8 MODEL SO AS TO BEST SERVE THE
MIDDLE GRADE STUDENTS wrnUN EACH WNE AND
SPECIFICALLY WITHIN THE CITY OF OCOEE;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Ocoee desires to specifically urge the
Orange County School Board (the "Board") to consider implementing a K -8 school in lieu of any
proposed or future elementary or middle schools in the City ofOcoee for any site not yet acquired or
planned;
WHEREAS, the Orange County Public School System ("OCPS") currently
operates three (3) K-8 schools (Arbor Ridge, Blankner and Windy Ridge) (collectively, the
"OCPS K-8 Schools");
WHEREAS, on the 2004 FCAT, 8th graders at the OCPS K-8 Schools had the
top three (3) scores in the district on FCAT Math, FCAT Reading, and FCAT Writing;
WHEREAS, according to that certain K-8 Schools Report dated February, 2003
prepared by the OCPS Department of Program Services, the OCPS K-8 Schools ranked first,
second, and fourth in having the lowest rates oflevel 3 and level 4 discipline incidents in the
district's middle grades;
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WHEREAS, many school districts nationwide have made the decision to expand
or maintain their use ofthe K-8 model. These districts include, but are not limited to,
Philadelphia, Chicago, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Oklahoma City, Boston, Milwaukee,
New Orleans, and New York City;
WHEREAS, other school districts that have implemented the K-8 school model
consistently report increased performance, fewer discipline problems, and lower absenteeism
among K-8 middle grade students;
WHEREAS, K-8 schools are able to more effectively implement exemplary middle
grade programs, according to top educational researcher, Dr. David Hough, Acting Dean ofthe
College of Education at Southwest Missouri State University;
WHEREAS, OCPS currently does not support a K-8 model, and the Board has no
plans to implement more K-8 schools within the district;
WHEREAS, the City Connnission of the City of Ocoee desires to urge the Board to
modifY the approved Dejong Educational Framework to include as part of OCPS a K-8 school model
in addition to the three (3) existing models for elementary, middle, and high schools;
WHEREAS, the City Cormnission of the City of Ocoee desires to urge the Board
to evaluate each middle school zone, and integrate the K-8 model so as to best serve the middle
grade students within each zone, either by complementing the existing middle school or by
replacing the middle school; and
WHEREAS, the Ocoee Education Cormnission held a regular meeting on January
10,2005, during which it voted to endorse this Resolution and urge its adoption by the City
Cormnission of the City of Ocoee.
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NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF
THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
SECTION 1. Authoritv. The City Cormnission ofthe City of Ocoee has the
authority to adopt this Resolution pursuant to Article VIII of the Constitution of the State of
Florida and Chapter 166, Florida Statutes.
SECTION 2. K-8 Model. The City Cormnission of the City of Ocoee urges the
Board to modifY the approved DeJong Educational Framework to include as part of the OCPS a
K-8 model, in addition to the three (3) existing models for elementary, middle, and high schools;
SECTION 3. Evaluation and Implementation. The City Cormnission for the
City of Ocoee urges the Board to evaluate each middle school zone, and integrate the K-8 model
so as to best serve the middle grade students within each zone, either by complementing the
existing middle school or by replacing the middle school.
SECTION 4. Implementation in Ocoee. The City Commission for the City of
Ocoee specifically urges the Board to consider implementing the K-8 model in lieu of any proposed
or future elementary or middle schools in the City ofOcoee so as to best serve the elementary and
middle grade students of the City of Ocoee.
SECTION 5. Severabilitv. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or
portion of this Resolution is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of
competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent
provision and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion hereto.
SECTION 6. Effective Date. This Resolution shall become effective
immediately upon passage and adoption.
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PASSED AND ADOPTED this R day of 5u 1.-'1 ,2005.
APPROVED:
ATTEST:
C~OFOCOEE. ~~~
c;;S c:;L:rrl/~. . · /
S. Scott Vandergrift, Mayor
D~ ~
Beth Eikenberry, City Clert(j
(SEAL)
APPROVED BY THE OCOEE CITY
COMMISSION ON THE ABOVE DATE
UNDER AGENDA ITEM NO.~
FOR USE AND RELIANCE ONLY
BY THE CITY OF OCOEE, FLORIDA;
APPROVED AS TQ FORM AND LEGALITY
this J5 day of~l7 ,2005.
FOLEY''%yt>>LLP AI J
By: ~~ I~
City Attorney
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