I urge the BOE to vote to support the proposal (B4) to develop comprehensive flood and heat vulnerability risk assessment in collaboration with Broward County, utilizing data and methodologies from the recently completed Countywide Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan. This simply makes sense in terms of increasing safety for the students and their communities. It would also provide a learning opportunity for the students, some of whom may be interested in careers in sustainability and environmental science.

Utilizing the data and planning already done by the county will obviously provide expertise and save the school district money. Given the increase in even sunny day flooding complicating transportation (including walking) to and from school, the danger of heat injury, especially to student athletes, and the danger posed by severe storms and increasingly severe hurricanes to both students and infrastructure, it is incumbent upon the Board to collaborate with the County to prioritize and plan the solutions to this growing problem