The 2022 City of Miami Beach Resident Survey indicates that education is an important factor contributing to a resident’s quality of life. Approximately forty-seven percent (47%) of Miami Beach residents responding to the survey feel a high level of satisfaction with local public schools regarding student achievement. A community’s positive attitude and support towards student education contributes to the overall educational, economic, and social experience of both students and parents. School celebrations, promotions and graduations may impact how students, parents, and residents perceive education quality, which in turn affects their overall assessment of quality of life.

Miami Beach public schools range in student population, graduating class size and level of Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA) involvement, support and capacity. The graduations and promotional ceremonies for these schools typically attract between 100 to 1500 attendees depending on the school and size of the class. While some schools may opt to host graduation on campus or at a larger public school, due to space constraints and other factors, it has become customary for schools and PTSAs to seek a larger private (or public) venue to host these events. The cost of the celebrations can range between $5,000 to over $20,000 for room rental, production, parking/transportation, and food & beverage. While Miami-Dade County Public Schools may allocate a conservative budget for these ceremonies, it is not unusual for PTSAs to raise funds to augment the event budget and to secure a family-friendly Miami Beach or other nearby venue.

Miami Beach Senior High (MBSH) has not hosted its graduation in Miami Beach for a number of years. In previous years MBSH hosted graduation at the Fillmore Miami Beach at the Jackie Gleason Theater, but has outgrown the venue. In prior years, MBSH has hosted graduation at institutions of higher learning such as the University of Miami and Florida International University. Recently, some Miami Beach public schools, students, and parents have shared their request for Miami Beach venues for such student festivities. A few schools have requested the City’s support in hosting graduations and promotional ceremonies at City-owned venues to inspire and advance the next generation of leaders.

During the October 18, 2023 City Commission meeting, Commissioner Fernandez referred a discussion (Item C4 C) to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee (FERC) to discuss the utilization of the Miami Beach Convention Center room rental fee waiver for the 2024 MBSH graduation ceremony.

The Administration sought to determine whether and by what means the Miami Beach Convention Center (MBCC), a City-owned asset, can be leveraged for MBSH and all other public school promotions and graduations. Meaningful rationales include:

1) Education is a Public Good. Education is considered a public good that benefits society. Investing in public school graduations contributes to the overall well-being and development of the community. Celebrating educational achievements fosters a sense of pride and community spirit.

2) Equal Access to Opportunities. Public school graduations/promotions provide an opportunity for students to celebrate their accomplishments and mark the completion of a significant milestone. Ensuring that all students, regardless of their socio-economic background, can participate in graduation/promotional ceremonies promotes equality, equity, access, and a sense of inclusivity.

3) Community Building. Graduation/promotional ceremonies are community events that bring together families, friends, and educators to celebrate the achievements of students. These events contribute to community cohesion and can strengthen the bonds within a city. Investing in such events is an investment in the social fabric of the community.

4) Boosting Morale and Motivation. Graduation/promotional ceremonies serve as positive reinforcement for students --- recognizing their hard work and dedication. A well-organized and memorable graduation/promotion boosts morale and motivation among students, encouraging them to pursue further education or enter the workforce with a sense of accomplishment.

5) Positive Branding and Public Relations. Supporting public school graduations/promotional ceremonies enhance a city's image and brand reputation. It demonstrates a commitment to education and the success of its residents, which has positive effects on how the city is perceived by both residents and nonresidents.

For these reasons and as a result of inquiries from residents, parents and students, the Administration sought to explore the feasibility of hosting all Miami Beach public school graduations and promotions in the MBCC.

The recommendation is to coordinate and host (in conjunction with the schools and PTSAs), over a two (2)-day period, multiple graduations/promotions. This concept creates efficiency by capitalizing on the utilization and leveraging of labor, staging, production, food and beverage and event planning. The return on investment is to provide Miami Beach parents, students, teachers, administrators, and families a cost-effective and convenient option to celebrate milestones for Miami Beach’s next generation.

The participating schools would include the following public schools (at their option):

1) Biscayne Beach Elementary
2) Miami Beach Fienberg Fisher K-8
3) Miami Beach Nautilus Middle School
4) North Beach Elementary
5) Miami Beach Senior High School
6) Miami Beach South Pointe Elementary

The Economic Development Department, Education and Performance Initiatives Division, and MBCC management and vendors collaboratively seek to organize, coordinate and host simplified graduation ceremonies, for the last week of May 2024 – which is typically a slow sales period for the MBCC. The City would provide a package including waiver of MBCC room rental fees and sponsorship for the cost of production (including, but not limited to, chairs, stage, podium, microphones, tables, decorations, signage, lighting, audio/visual), Wi-Fi, streaming, security, cleaning, student and dignitary staging areas, and light food and beverage. The MBCC campus also provides a lovely, scenic backdrop pre- and post-celebration, with dining and leisure, including the on-campus Rum Room restaurant, Pride Park, and Collins Canal Park.

Schools could augment and financially contribute to any special requests, labor, designs, production, and/or food and beverage needs, above and beyond the package provided by the City, if desired. This proposal offers several benefits and efficiencies including:

• Reduced travel time and energy waste as students and their families do not need to travel off-island;

• Access to MBCC and other adjacent parking facilities; and
• Generous space accommodations allowing students to invite more loved ones to witness their advancement.

City staff has reached out to all Miami Beach public schools to gauge interest. To date, the following schools have expressed interest in hosting their 2024 promotional ceremonies in the MBCC:

1. Miami Beach Fienberg Fisher K-8
2. Miami Beach South Pointe Elementary

The following schools have made other arrangements for 2024 graduation/promotions, but are potentially interested in hosting their ceremonies in 2025:

1. Miami Beach Senior High School
2. North Beach Elementary
3. Miami Beach Nautilus Middle School
4. Biscayne Beach Elementary

Note that MBSH has expressed a preference for stadium/bleacher/theater-style seating for enhanced visibility. This is a desirable feature currently offered at its planned 2024 graduation site at the University of Miami’s Watsco Center. At this time, should schools intending to host graduation ceremonies at other venues reconsider, the Administration would welcome their participation in the City’s recommended program for 2024,

To offset the cost for the basic graduation package as described above, the Administration recommends City sponsorship, in an amount not to exceed $50,000, in addition to the MBCC room rental waiver for the space (Grand Ballroom and/or Ocean Drive Ballroom). The sponsorship would offset the cost for the three (3) 2024 promotions. If additional schools decide to opt-in for the 2024 graduation package at a later date, the Administration does not anticipate that the sponsorship value would exceed $50,000 for Fiscal Year 2024.