HomeMy WebLinkAboutR-2024-053 Opposition of the Proposed Closing of Olsen Middle SchoolRESOLUTION NO.2024-C
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DANIA
BEACH, FLORIDA, ISSUED TO THE BROWARD COUNTY SCHOOL
DISTRICT (BCSD), IN OPPOSITION TO THE BCSD' S PROPOSED CLOSURE
OF OLSEN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND, ALTERNATIVELY, SUPPORTING A
BCSD DECISION TO TURN OLSEN MIDDLE SCHOOL INTO A K-8 OR A 6-
12 SCHOOL; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; FURTHER, PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City of Dania Beach, Broward's 1 st City is celebrating 120 years of a
rich tradition embodied in a pioneering spirit, excellence in municipal services, and passion and
pride in our community; and
WHEREAS, Dania Beach is experiencing a true "renaissance" with unprecedented
growth, along with historic investments in infrastructure, parks and public safety; and
WHEREAS, within a period of six (6) years the City has approved in excess of 10,400 new
housing units, many of which are affordable; and
and
WHEREAS, Dania Beach is not just a destination, it's the "epicenter" of South Florida;
WHEREAS, the City works very closely with our local schools and the City has
established an outstanding relationship with all of them; and
WHEREAS, the City is investing approximately $30 million dollars in improvements
adjacent to all our schools; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission unanimously approved a project investing $5 million
dollars in seven (7) acres on the Campus of Olsen Middle School to add a multitude of recreational
amenities including a track for track and field, multipurpose fields for sports, playgrounds,
basketball courts and other amenities to the site; and
WHEREAS, the gross amount of ad valorem taxes levied by the School Board of Broward
County in fiscal year 2023-24 equals $46,793,681, paid wholly by taxpayers and property owners
in the City of Dania Beach; and
WHEREAS, on January 18, 2023, the School Board of Broward County (SBBC) and the
City entered into a Recreation License Agreement to allow the City to make specific recreational
improvements and utilize portions of SBBC owned land (Site No. 47.1 a/k/a Olsen Middle School)
for recreational and parking purposes; and
WHEREAS, on January 23, 2024, the City Commission unanimously approved the
conceptual design for Olsen Middle School, which included specific amenities and site
improvements exceeding $5 million dollars of total investments for the students at Olsen Middle
School; and
WHEREAS, the City would also be interested in entering into a separate interlocal
agreement that would authorize the City to use the Olsen gymnasium, band room, and office spaces
and multipurpose rooms, including providing for maintenance of these areas in the City's annual
budget; and
WHEREAS, newly appointed School Superintendent Howard Hepburn, during a Town
Hall meeting at Hollywood Hills High announced on Monday, April 29, 2024, that "Awesome
Olsen" is being considered as a school to be closed; and
WHEREAS, in the short time that Principal Giancarli has been at the helm, she has
increased enrollment at Olsen Middle by 104 students in seven (7) months since October of 2023
to present; and
WHEREAS, the City has partnered with Olsen on the very successful REACH (Respect,
Endurance, Ambition, Community, Honor) program and the City of Dania Beach has seen the
great work and potential of Olsen; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission of the City of Dania Beach advocates to support the
continued operations for Olsen Middle School to stay open and be given the opportunity to
continue to thrive under the leadership of Principal Janet Giancarli and her team; and
WHEREAS, Olsen Middle School administers the following ICAN! Magnet Academy,
which provides unique academies to earn high school credit, with project -based learning, and for
career and college readiness programs: Academy of Business, Media & Music Conservatory,
Education, Hospitality & Tourism, and Robotics and Marine Science; and
WHEREAS, between October 2023 and May 2024, Awesome Olsen has attracted 104
new students, increasing its student enrollment from 558 to 671, and with its academies and its
new principal, Olsen will continue to grow; and
WHEREAS, Attucks and Pines gained only 34 new students and McNicol has a loss of 6
students; and
2 RESOLUTION #2024
Section 1. That the above "Whereas" clauses are ratified and confirmed, and they are
made a part of and incorporated into this Resolution by this reference.
Section 2. That the City of Dania Beach opposes the Broward County School District
(BCSD), determination to close Olsen Middle School and, alternatively, supporting a BCSD
decision to turn Olsen Middle School into a greater educational opportunity school to include more
grades.
Section 3. That. the City Clerk is directed to distribute copies of this Resolution to the
Broward League of Cities and to all municipalities within Broward County.
Section 4. That all resolutions or parts of resolutions in conflict with this Resolution
are repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 5. That this Resolution shall be effective immediately upon passage.
PASSED AND ADOPTEDon2024. , p ' n�,
Motion by l in . �JQii��%,S second by V 1(e F� l Leu '4j /
FINAL VOTE ON ADOPTION: Unanimous
Yes No
Commissioner Joyce L. Davis
Commissioner Tamara James
Commissioner Marco Salvino
Vice Mayor Lori Lewellen
Mayor Archibald J. Ryan IV
SIGNATURE PAGE TO FOLLOW
3 RESOLUTION #2024- D 3
ATTEST'
ELORA
CITY CLE ~=='
AS O FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
v L ,.
a
RESOLUTION #2024-_o