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Miami Lakes budget cuts eliminate most town-funded youth programs; Imagination Library remains via donation
Summary
At its Oct. 20 meeting, the Miami Lakes Educational Advisory Board heard that the town removed most budgeted funding for middle‑school and youth programs, leaving only a donation-funded Imagination Library and a limited set of events; an amount of about $35,000 was cited as removed from middle‑school allocations.
The Miami Lakes Educational Advisory Board was notified Monday that the town’s recent budget revisions removed most of the funding that had supported middle‑school programs, STEM activities and other youth initiatives.
Board members said the cuts affected funding that had been allocated to several middle schools, including Bob Graham and a K–8 program; speakers cited a figure of about $35,000 for the affected middle‑school allocation but said the exact amounts were “not specified” in the meeting record. The town did not leave the board with general operating funds for those programs, members said.
The only regular programming the board said remained was the Imagination Library, which the meeting record shows is continuing only because of an outside donation. The board also retains two events (a January spelling bee and an end‑of‑year awards program), both of which members said are largely supported by donated goods and outside sponsors rather than town funding.
Board members emphasized that the decision was made at the town level and outside the Educational Advisory Board’s control. One member summarized the position expressed by town staff during the meeting: the budget changes were made by the town and therefore “were already out of our hands.”
Members discussed the practical effects on schools and students. They said some programs that had been supported by town funding — including in‑school STEM offerings — were now cut and that principals and teachers would need to identify alternative funding or sponsorships to continue those activities.
The board did not vote on any remedial motion during the Oct. 20 meeting. Members said they will continue regular contact with school principals and will try to coordinate sponsorships or donated services where possible, but no formal plan to replace the town funding was adopted at the meeting.
For now, board members said they will document the changes and continue outreach to principals and community sponsors; the board will revisit the topic in upcoming meetings if additional information about the town budget or restored allocations becomes available.
