Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Dale V.C. Holness
Department: County Commission
Information
Requested Action
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A. MOTION TO NOTE FOR THE RECORD that the Board of County Commissioners (“Board”) will consider the approval of a Resolution renaming a portion of NW 11th Street between NW 27th Avenue and NW 31st Avenue in the Broward Municipal Services District (“County Road”) as “Panther Lane” at the meeting of the Board on Tuesday, October 19, 2021.
ACTION: (T-2:31 PM) Approved. (Refer to minutes for full discussion.)
VOTE: 9-0.
B. MOTION TO DIRECT County Administrator to solicit the input of at least three local municipalities, homeowners’ associations, or other appropriate community groups of the Board’s proposal to rename the County Road, as required under Section 18.43(i) of the Broward County Administrative Code. (Commissioner Holness)
ACTION: (T-2:31 PM) Approved. (Refer to minutes for full discussion.)
VOTE: 9-0.
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Why Action is Necessary
Motions A and B, which address public notice and input, are required to accomplish the renaming of the County Road.
What Action Accomplishes
Enables the Board to consider the referenced renaming on October 19, 2021.
Is this Action Goal Related
No
Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
Dillard High School is a historic public middle and high school located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida that serves 2,211 students in grades 6-12. The school was established in 1907 and named for black-education advocate James H. Dillard, a white philanthropist, educator, and promoter of education for black children and was the first public school for people of African descent in Ft. Lauderdale. Dillard High School incorporated two magnet programs to integrate and expand the educational horizons of this historic school and has emerging computer technology courses in digital media, computer programming, robotics, and electronic technology hardware/network support. Minority enrollment is 97% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Florida state average of 62% (majority Hispanic and Black). The student to teacher ratio of 19:1 is also higher than the Florida state level of 15:1. The graduation rate is 94%.
Dillard's first principal was Joseph A. Ely. When the building, now the Old Dillard Museum, was built in 1924 it was an elementary school; by the time he left in 1937, when he moved to Crispus Attacks High School (today a middle school), he had succeeded in expanding Dillard to include high school classes. He was responsible for getting the school’s name changed in 1930 to honor James H. Dillard. He was replaced by Clarence C. Walker, Sr., who was principal until his death in 1942. Dillard High moved to its present, newly built building in 1950. Dillard’s campus also hosts the district’s only Performing Arts and Computer Technology Magnet Programs. It is the oldest surviving black school in Fort Lauderdale. In 1975 County Commissioner Dale V.C. Holness attended their driver education class taught by longtime Chief of Staff to Congressman Alcee Hastings, Art Kennedy.
Awards and accolades include: In 2012, The Dillard Center for the Arts Jazz Ensemble had the honor of performing with jazz great Wynton Marsalis as his demonstration band at the Midwest Clinic. Additionally, in both 2011 and 2012 the Jazz Ensemble won the Essentially Ellington competition of Jazz at Lincoln Center under the direction of director Christopher Dorsey. Dillard was also recognized by US News & World Report as a national “Best School’s Bronze Award” recipient. Dillard High School has a long tradition of athletic excellence that includes numerous district and state championships (their basketball team has won six state championships). Notable alumni include Singer/songwriter, Jason Derulo, Elias Soriano, Heavy metal vocalist, Basketball player Keyon Dooling and NFL players Pat Sims and Lorenzo White.
This item proposes renaming a portion of NW 11th Street between NW 27th Avenue and NW 31st Avenue in the Broward Municipal Services District (“County Road”) as “Panther Lane”, a request made by current Principal, Cassandra Robinson. The portion of NW 11th Street between NW 23rd Avenue and NW 26th Avenue, which is in the City of Fort Lauderdale city limits, has the primary name of “Panther Lane,” and the naming of the County Road would serve to extend the portion of the right-of-way already designated as “Panther Lane” to incorporate the portion of the right-of-way on NW 11th Street between NW 27th Avenue and NW 31st Avenue.
Pursuant to Section 336.05, Florida Statutes, the Board is authorized to name and rename County-owned streets and roads. Section 18.43 of the Broward County Administrative Code (“Administrative Code”) establishes the Board’s policies for naming property, buildings, structures, or facilities, including roads.
This item provides notice that the proposed designation of the County Road will be on a future Board agenda, as is required under Section 18.43(h) of the Administrative Code and directs the County Administrator to solicit community input from three local municipalities, homeowners’ associations, or other appropriate community groups. Correspondence will be included in the Board agenda item considering the proposed Resolution designating the County Road.
Source of Additional Information
Heidi Richards, Chief of Staff, District 9, 954-357-7009
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The Fiscal Impact Statement by the Office of Management and Budget will be provided at the October 19, 2021, meeting.