Our future, our children and their education
Islander News. Letters to the Editor. June 5, 2008
Our future, our children and their education
Key Biscayne is what it is today because of individuals who
could see that great things could happen by planning for the future and
effecting change for the betterment of the entire community. Over the past
30 years, we have looked at the deficits that faced our community and took
direct action to control and improve the quality of life for all. Today, we
are looking at improving the quality of life for not only the 3,000
school-age children, their parents and relatives who call the Key their
home, but for the rest of the residents as well. A high school is not just
about the children who attend the school, it offers programs for all
residents through adult education and mentorship programs as well.
Many years ago, when many long-time residents either went to high school or
sent their children or grandchildren to high school off of the Key, the
demographics of Key Biscayne were very different. The Key was made up of
many snowbirds and the school-age population was so small that there were
talks of closing the Community School. However, since incorporation,
demographics have changed dramatically. We now have more than 3,000
school-age children living on the island and our feeder pattern high school,
Coral Gables High, is at 130 percent capacity. Spots in private schools are
limited and commute times have increased dramatically. Gas prices have hit
all time highs and are still rising, and we are realizing the effects of
global warming.
In the past, when changes in the population of Key Biscayne called for
changes to be made on the Key, our leaders have embraced those changes. We
incorporated, purchased the Village Green and built the Community Center.
Were those changes a mistake? Of course not. Change can be positive.
We are all fortunate to be able to live in a place like Key Biscayne. There
is no doubt that Key Biscayne is not like the "real world." But as the
parent of two children who attend a private school off of the island, I can
assure you that life at private school, which is where the majority of our
high school aged children will end up, is even farther from the "real world"
then life on Key Biscayne is. A public high school on Key Biscayne is what
is needed. It is not a luxury, it is a necessity. Our children are our
future (as well as the future leaders of our Village) and it is imperative
that we do what is right for them and their families.
Kathleen King
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