Twice in the past 18 months the electorate of Monroe County has approved the renewal of financial resources for the Monroe County Schools. In November, 2014, 64% of the voters approved a ten year extension of a ½ cent sales tax for capital projects, technology and school security, and more recently on March 15th nearly 72% of the voters approved a four year renewal of a ½ mill to be used for operating expenses. Both of these initiatives provide essential resources for the Monroe County Schools and our continued efforts to “Chart the Course to Excellence”. I am truly grateful to the public and the communities of Monroe County for their continued trust in and support of the Monroe County Schools. On behalf of myself, the School Board and most importantly the employees, students and families of the Monroe County Schools I say THANK YOU!

The flip side of trust is accountability and that is what we, the Monroe County Schools, owe to you for your continued expression of trust and support. I encourage and expect you to hold us accountable for the use of the resources you have provided. I can promise you that we will invest these resources wisely. We will invest the capital resources provided in buildings you can be proud of that operate efficiently and support 21st century learning, in technology that leads to improved student achievement, and in necessary measures to assure student and staff safety. The operating resources of the .5 mill will allow us to continue to provide reasonable compensation to our employees, to maintain the breadth and quality of programs that our communities expect and to introduce new initiatives that will keep our students competitive in an increasingly global economy. These are promises made that are promises to be kept.

In 2014-2015 we advanced our ranking among the 67 school districts in the State of Florida from #23 to #14. In 2015-2016 we hope to continue this pattern of growth and improvement. None of this would be possible without the continued trust and support of our communities. Again, thank you.

Sincerely,
Mark T. Porter
Superintendent of Schools

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