School Board - Regular Meeting

and good morning and welcome to the July 22nd, 2026 meeting of the Miami-Dade County Public School Board. Please stand as board member, Vice Chair Calucci leads us in the Pledge of Allegiance. to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Please pause for a moment of silent meditation. Thank you, you may be seated. Pursuant to its policies, proposed board member resolutions will be presented at 11 a.m. The board will then reconvene the regular public meeting, including other hearings,

Thank you, Madam Chair. And at this time, I do not have any public speakers. So Madam Chair, please present your item.

Well, good morning, everyone. And the presentation that I am going to do today, which is requesting, again, the approval of resolution number 26-034 of the School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, recognizing the retirement of Dr. Alexis Martinez is one that is very personal and very dear to me, since he has been not only an amazing professional in Miami-Dade County Public Schools, but also a very dear friend. So it is an honor and a pleasure for me to have this opportunity. I would like to, at this time though, also recognize some members of his immediate family and very close friends that

We have Mr. Roger Cuevas. Please join us, sir.

It is a great honor for me to bring this resolution to celebrate the retirement of an incredible educator with a remarkable career in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. The extraordinary career of Dr. Alexis Martinez stands as an absolute testament to nearly four decades of exemplary service, visionary leadership, and unwavering dedication to public education. As he retires, his enduring contributions have truly left an indelible mark in Miami-Dade County public schools and on countless lives of those he has influenced throughout his very distinguished career. Throughout his career, Dr. Martine

Thank you, thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you for being here and joining us today and with this great honor. At this time, I'll turn it over to my colleagues, Board Member Blanco.

Thank you, Madam Vice Chair. Dr. Martinez, congratulations. I first started taking notes, and the first thing I put was we never really had much of a chance to work together. And then I, what does that say, right? But I have to say this, when I walked in, I ran into a few people that I know from different parts of this world. And they were all here to recognize you. And they're all very good, special people, so that told me a lot. But as you shared about your career path, I couldn't help but identify a little bit with it, because when you do what you love with the science, and then you find a

Thank you, and at this time, Board Member Dorothy Bendres-Mentengal.

It's a homecoming for me. So many people out there, and they made me really feel good as you heard the Chair say, it's my birthday. You're supposed to clap. You know I'm a teacher by trade, so I have to tell you what to do. Thank you so much. And I think you might realize this. Each time I saw you, you were moving. You were going somewhere, doing something. 38 years. Maybe there are two of us here who might be able to outdo you. But we won't talk about that since we're having birthdays. Thank you for your service. I could never say I don't know how you do it because we just do it. As I was com

And thank you, Madam Chair. Dr. Martinez, like Board Member Blanco said, I didn't have an opportunity to work very closely with you. But what I have learned today speaks volumes. You said something that the classroom is four walls and lessons in life extend beyond the classroom. And that is the truest thing. We're learning constantly every day. And who would have thought, when you stepped into a classroom years ago, that you'd end up in another island, you know, with a migration crisis and impacting all of those lives. what an impact you have had on so many right here in this room. You got a p

Thank you, Madam Chair. And at this time, since we do not have a quorum, we will move on with our next presentation, which is B4, Request for Approval of Resolution No. 26-0305, of the School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, recognizing Ron McGill of Zoo Miami. And Board Member Blanco, as soon as the auditorium clears out, please present your item. I do not have public speakers at this time.

Thank you, Madam Vice Chair. So today I'm presenting the approval for Resolution Number 26035 of the School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, recognizing Mr. Ron McGill of Zoo Miami. Mr. McGill, if you could please join me along with Ms. Chattel from Zoo Miami. Mr. McGill needs no introduction, I think, to most of us here. But it's very unfortunate, although his family supports him extremely. His wife is unable to be here and his children. But we all know him as an educator, a conservation wildlife advocate, a storyteller. He's been communications director of Zoo Miami for 46 years, and the

I told Mr. McGill he could say a few words. They took the mic away.

Thank you, thank you for being here with us today and those wonderful stories. It was very, as a classroom teacher, I can appreciate great storytelling and that was top notch. At this time, I'll turn it over to my colleagues, Board Member Alonso

Thank you so much Madam Vice Chair for the opportunity to speak and thank you so much Board Member Blanco. I was running down here because I was excited that you were here and I thought I was gonna see some like crazy animal with you because I was running late from another meeting but you gave me so much more. And that's why you're being recognized here today. Those stories are amazing. And the purpose of our life, right? We talk about it all the time as board members on living purposeful lives. And you truly have done that. And you've inspired so many in our community. You've inspired me from

Well, I'm looking forward to having you at District 4 and throughout our entire district and speaking. Thank you so much for your hard work. And thank you for inspiring so many young people and inspiring adults in our community to not just learn about the zoo, but to enjoy life and to look at the greater purpose. So thank you. God bless you on your retirement. And I know that you're going to probably be working harder than you've ever worked now because now everybody here knows that you can come to our schools and speak.

Thank you, Madam Vice Chair. I was telling my colleague to my left that, yeah, left, when he said he was looking for an animal, then I would have vacated this seat. My first teaching job was at Pine Villa, and I never knew a school was that far south. Then the children trust Member Blanca to want to go to the zoo. So I made nice with all of the parents, because I wasn't going. You know, we needed chaperones. So you saved me a long time ago, you didn't know it. But I whispered selfish, the word selfish, when my seatmate said, you're welcome to District 4. You're welcome to this whole dais in te

And Board Member Blanco, thank you for bringing Mr. McGill here today. You are a legend in this community. And I can't say it any other way. I mean... Ever since I was in the classroom, when I would take students on field trips every year, the zoo was always one of them. And as we were talking here on the dais, there are some students that never have the opportunity to go to the zoo unless they go with school. So I think, and it was always one of the favorites, there's just something so majestic about the creation of the animals and what's created there and it lets them appreciate the wonders

Thank you so much and congratulations, and at this time, we still do not have a quorum, so we will continue on with our next presentation, which is request approval of resolution number 26-036 of the School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, recognizing Samantha Quarterman for her outstanding contributions and dedication to the Miami-Dade County community. At this time, I do not have any public speakers, so I will be turning it over to Dr. Bendros-Bendingal. Please present your item.

Madam Vice Chair, I believe we do have some speakers.

I don't know if they signed up. Give me one moment. I don't have them on my list here, but I will get them. Just give me one moment.

Yes, and through the, Mr. Harvey. We can go ahead and do that even though we don't have a quorum, we don't need a motion. It's okay, correct? Correct, yes. Perfect, okay, thank you. Perfect, thank you. State your name for the record and then we'll write it on the, correct, Madam Secretary? Through the chair, correct. Okay, so just go ahead and you have two minutes to speak. Just state your name for the record.

Thank you for being here. The next speaker, please state your name for the record. Yes, the children, please come up.

Come on, we don't have all day. Okay. There you go.

Thank you so much. May I have the next speaker, please?

Excuse me, sir, for just a moment. Just a moment. The clock isn't running. I'm sorry. Can we? Oh, I get more time? No, no, no, no.

Thank you, sir. The next speaker, please.

Did we get all of the speakers? Okay, did you have a child you wanted to speak for you? No, for you, not you, for you. Because these are beautiful children. You know I was at graduation. That's why I asked. But if you want to come now.

Happy birthday! You snuck that one in. And that is good. Madam? Oh, you're back? Okay, good, okay. Okay, so am I continuing with the vice chair or you? It doesn't matter? Okay, wonderful.

When you say Liberty Square, I listen carefully. I spent 15 years of my life in Liberty Square. And I want you all to look at me. I clean up pretty well, right? If I can get out of Liberty Square. I did not know we were on welfare until I went to college. He's looking at me like, you were on welfare? Yes, if you lived in Liberty Square, you were on welfare. Judges, doctors, lawyers, and the Supreme Court Justice, Katonji Brown Jackson, her parents grew up with me in Liberty Square. So think about it. You ain't got to look at me with that look. This is what you look like when you pay attention.

Yes, please. Well, before we do anything, I guess it's appropriate we have the children, and it's all about you. You're our future. And we have a birthday girl, so let's sing happy birthday to our wonderful Dr. Bendros Mendingal. So on three, everybody join me, and here we go. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, Dr. Bendros Mendingal. Happy birthday to you. Congrats. I'm sorry? Okay. Okay.

Absolutely. All right, everybody's sharp.

All right, so congratulations. You know, it takes one person in this world to make a difference. Each one of us can make a difference. Every single one of us. Starts with a dream, and then it is followed by perseverance and you have to have grit because you know what? Balls will be thrown out of left field, you know, constantly. And you have to get yourself back up when you think you failed or you haven't been able to achieve the dreams that you once had, but you keep on going. And you keep on going. And every day you're making a difference and touching the lives of so many people. You don't e

Thank you, Madam Chair. Dr. Ben-Jasmin Nigal, happy birthday. Thank you for bringing this angel. I'm speechless. You know, many times we find ourselves saying someone should do something, or someone needs to do something. But you are that someone. And not many people have the courage to set aside in many ways, their lives to give, because to start something like you've started, I know takes a lot of work. and you sacrificed a lot of yourself, I'm sure, in the beginning, probably putting many of your own resources or sacrificing the opportunity to create resources for yourself in order to give

Thank you so much, Madam Chair, and thank you, Dr. Dorothy Bendos-Mendigo. Happy birthday again, and today is a national holiday here at Miami-Dade County Public Schools. I was just a little afraid when we started singing if Madam Chair was gonna ask us to start dancing, too. I behaved, too. She behaved, so thank you so much, Madam Chair. This is what it's all about, about, as our board member says always, it's all about the ones with the little legs. And it's you guys. You guys are the true meaning of why we all do what we do. And you all inspire individuals like your leader at your school to

Thank you, Board Member Alonso. And now we have Vice Chair Colucci.

Thank you, Madam Chair. First and foremost, I want all of you in the front and the back just to turn around so we can look at the back of your shirts. Because there's some words on there that you were speaking that just stood out to me. Unity, love, and hope. You can turn around and I can see you all standing there so nice and straight and tall. You're being very patient. I promise I won't talk for a long time.

Yes. But I'm going to take a little bit of time because you're here today with a very, very special individual. And I'm sure I don't have to tell you that. Samantha, I'm going to say the following. The words that you bring to mind are you reap what you sow. And you are sowing such beautiful seeds. Thank you for doing that. Thank you. You truly are doing God's work. Thank you. That mustard seed is going to grow tremendously. And each of you are one of those seeds, and you're going to sprout into something very beautiful, and you're going to do great things. Remember that. Remember that. You hav

Samantha, thank you for the work that you're doing for these students. And I know not only are you on a journey, you are on a mission. You are on a mission, and you are truly doing God's work on earth. God bless you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much, Vice Chair Colucci and all my colleagues on the board for your comments. I will be going to Dr. Lewis in a in a moment, but you're absolutely right. It's a mission and it's a mission impossible made possible. So congrats, Dr. Lewis, sir.

Thank you. So to bring closure to where we are right now, remember students, Your attitude will determine the altitude that you reach in life. Don't forget that. And I believe that there is a special gift for you, Dr. Bendros Mendingo, flowers and balloons and cake. Oh kids, you're gonna have a grand old time. So there it is. Congratulations and God bless. Dr. Bendros-Meningo, I hate to be a party pooper, but I need you up here for the vote. If you could just come up real quickly and then we'll get you right back down. I need a quorum. Ah, we do too, thank you. Oh, so you heard me.

Do I have a second? All in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed, nay. Seeing none, motion passes. We have three board member resolutions on today's agenda. Do I hear a motion to approve? And we moved agenda items B3, B4, and B5 to the floor. All right, do I have a second? Second. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Nay. All right, seeing none, motion passes. Do I hear a motion to approve these items? Do I have a motion? Yes. Second. All right. All in favor say aye.

Any opposed, nay. All right, seeing none. We didn't do co-sponsorships. If we want to do co-sponsorships, we can do so at this time. Are we interested? Yes. All right, so let me have a motion to co-sponsor B3, B4, and B5.

Do I have a second? Second. All in favor, aye. Aye. Any opposed, nay. Thank you. Seeing none, motion passes. And now do I have a motion to approve the item as amended? Second. Second. All in favor, aye. Aye. Any opposed, nay. Seeing none, motion passes. And we will be back here at 1.45 this afternoon. The meeting is now adjourned.

Good afternoon and welcome as we reconvene the July 22nd, 2026 meeting of the Miami-Dade County School Board. The time is 1.47 p.m. and I would like to officially call this meeting to order. Please stand as Dr. Bendros Meningo leads us in the Pledge of Allegiance. To the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Please pause for a moment of silent meditation. You may be seated. At this time, if there is anyone from the audience who has not signed up to speak but who would like to address

I have filed the appropriate paperwork with our board attorney's office. I will be abstaining from item E-148 for personal conflict. Thank you very much, ma'am.

I've also filled out the paperwork. I'll be abstaining from F4 and F5 as my wife is on the Hialeah Housing Eight Authority Commission Board. So it's not an actual conflict, but just in case I'm recusing myself from both items.

Okay, so F4 and F5. All right, thank you. So it was noted for the record that Ms. Mariblanco abstained herself from agenda item E148 during committee meetings, and she would be abstaining from voting and filing her respective form AB memorandum of voting conflict for the county, municipal, and other local public officers for conflict of interest. We have also been apprised now that board member Espino is going to abstain from F4 and F5. And so, general counsel to the board, sir, at this time, this is all that we have for the abstention process.

So general counsel to the board, are all of our agenda items properly before the assembly and in compliance with board policy, state statutes, and all other legal requirements under which this board operates?

Thank you. We will now go through the consent agenda. This is the time that board members advise me of those items they wish to address. Items for which the board has signed up to speak will not be placed on the consent agenda. All items not reserved for separate consideration will then be approved under the consent agenda. The board members will be provided the additional speakers once sign up is complete. Do I hear a motion for approval of speakers to agenda items and public hearing topics not previously signed up to speak? So moved. Second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed nay? Seeing

All in favor, aye. Aye. Any opposed, nay. Seeing none, motion passes. Do I hear a motion to approve the item as amended? So moved. Second? All in favor, aye. Aye. Any opposed, nay. Motion passes. I will now go through those items the board members wish to address. All right, we shall begin with Dr. Bendros-Mendingo, ma'am. I have you down for age seven and board announcements. Is that correct, ma'am? Thank you. Board Member Geller does not have anything. Board Member Alonso, you don't have anything. Is that correct, sir? Yes? Thank you. Board Member Espino, I do have you down, sir, for D69. Th

Madam Chair, I did submit those, however, D70, I've had conversation with district staff, I no longer need to speak to that item.

Thank you very much. All right, Board Member Colucci, I don't have you down for anything, ma'am, is that correct? Thank you. And we don't have, Board Member Santos is not here, and the student advisor is not here yet. Before the vote on the consent agenda is taken, I will call those persons who have signed up to speak to items that are part of the consent agenda to address them. Therefore, at this time, I will call those members who have signed up to these items to address the board now.

Do we have any speakers that have signed up?

Thank you. All right, we have Cheryl Mullinax on C1. Is Ms. Mullinax here? Okay. Well, I have Ms. Mullinax on C2, on D19. I have Nancy Lother on D21. Nancy, good afternoon, ma'am.

Thank you. Thank you very much. Nancy Vega? Nancy Vega.

No, it is D71. Ah, no, it's C71. Let me put on my glasses. Mine says D71, so. Oh, I'm sorry, D71, you're right, I'm sorry. Thank you. Okay.

Thank you, I appreciate it. Cheryl Mullenix, one more time. These are all the speakers that I have that signed up to speak, so therefore we shall continue with the agenda at this time. The vote on the consent agenda shall be bifurcated into two separate votes as follows. A vote on all items in the consent agenda excluding item E-148-F-4, and F5 since board member Blanco and Espino have declared a conflict of interest for the record. May I have a motion? Do I have a second? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed nay. Seeing none, motion passes. A separate vote. Madam Chair? Yes, sir?

Okay, so repeat what you want me to say.

We'll do that, not a problem. All right, so I make a motion to have the vote now on F4 and F5. Do I have a second? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed say nay. Motion passes. Do I have a motion for E148? Do I have a second? All in favor say aye. Thank you, item passes. This bifurcation now shall allow the board to address items efficiently while maintaining the compliance with conflict of interest guidelines. The results of both votes shall be recorded separately in the official minutes of this meeting. And may I have a motion and a second to approve agenda items, again, E-148, F-4, and F-5

Thank you. All right, thank you very much then. All right, Mr. General Counsel, sir, this concludes this portion.

Thank you very much, sir. All right, so we now move to Ms. Yopis. I would like to request that you please read into the record and for the listening public the items that were just voted on for the consent agenda. These items will not be discussed. Ms. Yopis, the floor is yours, ma'am.

Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Yopes. And now can you please read the agenda items that will be discussed in today's meeting?

If your item passed under the consent agenda and you did not address it prior to the vote, but you still wish to be able to speak during the public hearing, please, again, go to the lobby counter outside the auditorium where staff will advise you and be happy to help. In the process, do I hear a motion for approval of the bid opening list for June 11th, 2026, June 16th, 2026, June 18th, 2026, and June 23rd, 2026? I have a motion, all right, a second. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed nay, motion passes. Do I hear a motion for approval of the board minutes for the regular school board meet

Thank you very much. I'm gonna open it. Any of my colleagues wanna make a comment? All right, well, I just wanna thank you. This was wonderful. We get to truly, not only us sitting here on this dais, but everyone who is watching the meeting gets to see why MDCPS is truly your best choice. And the fact that we are starting at the early years, which is when these children are sponges, truly from zero to five. is when all that learning is taking place and that foundation is being built. And with that foundation comes success. By the time they get to third grade, it's too late if they didn't start

Yes, thank you very much, sir. So we now are going to proceed to D69. D69 is a proposed renaming of Hialeah Elementary School at 550 East 8th Street, Hialeah, Florida. And I do not have any speakers that have signed up, but I do have Board Member Espino, sir. You signed up for this item.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Let me just pass it this way and pass these this way. Colleagues, as I said during committee, it's an honor to have worked with a group to initiate and propose a renaming of Hialeah Elementary to Lincoln Diaz-Balart Hialeah Elementary. in recognition of a man whose life was defined by public service, unwavering principles, and a deep love for our community and our country. Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart devoted decades of his life to serving the people of South Florida. He was a tireless advocate of freedom, democracy, educational opportunity, and the values that made

Thank you very much, sir. And yes, indeed, it was an honor for me also to chair the meeting that was conducted with members of the community that came to that meeting to express their sincerest support for the renaming of this school, which is so well-deserved. And thank you, Board Member Espino, for bringing it forth and for all the wonderful words that you have shared with all of us with reference to such a special human being who made a MASSIVE DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF SO MANY, AND ESPECIALLY OUR STUDENTS. SO BOARD MEMBER GELLER, SIR, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, AND THANK YOU, BOARD MEMBER ESPINO, FOR BRINGING THIS. LINCOLN WAS MY FRIEND FOR OVER 40 YEARS SINCE WE WERE YOUNG LAWYERS AT THE SAME TIME AND FIRST WHEN HE WAS FIRST DIPPING HIS TOE INTO POLITICS. I admired him tremendously. And among his very many attributes, he was a patriot. And I use that as a term of art to describe who he was and what he stood for. And I don't mind saying that he profoundly influenced my personal views on a number of things, but particularly when it comes to the issue of Cuba, where I've chosen to associate myself for over 30 years, maybe closer

POINT MEMBER GELLER, CAN YOU SPEAK A LITTLE CLOSER TO THE MIC, SIR?

YES, MA'AM. YOU DIDN'T MENTION THE TREMENDOUS SERVICE. BROTHER JOSE PERFORMS FOR THE PUBLIC IN HIS BROADCASTING CAPACITY, HIS NEWSMAN CAPACITY, BUT CERTAINLY MARIO, CHRISTINA, DANIEL. Very happy. Those of us who mourn his loss as the loss of a friend and a leader are all very gratified, Board Member Espino, that you brought this, so thank you very much.

Thank you so much. And at this time, I need a motion to approve D69. Second. All in favor? Aye. Any opposed nay? Seeing none, Motion passes. Congratulations to the family, and thank you once again, Board Member Espino. We are now going to proceed to F1.

I'm sorry to interrupt, Madam Chair, but as you know, I was here, but I had to step out for a few moments. I would like just if the official record would show me as a yes vote on the consent agenda. Thank you.

All right, I'd like to move to F1 at this time. F1 is to authorize the superintendent to finalize negotiations and execute a lease agreement with the Greater Love Full Gospel Baptist Church Inc. for the operation of an early childhood education program at Myrtle Grove Elementary. I do have a board member who signed up, and that is Board Member Blanco.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I did sign up to speak on F1 and F2. They're really mirror items. As you mentioned, F1 is with the full gospel at Myrtle Grove. F2 has to do with Kayleen's Learning Center at Sunset Park Elementary School. This is, first of all, let me just say I'm in full support of the item. These are things that we have been talking about for a while and how we can use how we can maximize our properties and build opportunities for us to both create revenue and to hopefully also increase enrollment. So I'm in full support of both items. I brought up F1 because Myrtle Grove right now i

Okay, so thank you, Madam Chair, follow up. So I think, you know, if we can, and I know, right, it's probably assumed, but because we don't have board policy on something like this, because it's a new endeavor, if we could add that to recommend four on both F1 and F2. Again, F1, that school doesn't happen to be in my district, but we serve the students. of every district and the schools. So if we could add some of that language that I mentioned in consultation with those different individuals, with the school administrators, region, district, and the school board member to kind of know and als

Thank you. I do have two board members I would like to speak, Board Member Alonso and then Board Member Espino, sir. You have three. Oh, I have another one, Dr. Bendrosman in Gola Swell. Okay, go ahead, Board Member Alonso.

Thank you so much, Madam Chair, for the opportunity to speak on this. And thank you, Board Member Blanco. As we discussed in committee, these are questions I've been asking. I have two schools in my district that I represent that are revenue generating schools now through programs that we brought in. In one of them, we have an autistic charter school. In another one, we have an early learning center. and the questions have come up, but as you said, this is new to our district, and I appreciate adding this language here, but I do believe that we do need policy that will follow these with some f

Okay, I do have Dr. Bendros-Meningo, I have Board Member Espino, and I have Vice Chair Colucci.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I totally agree with all that's been said. And thank you, Member Alonso, always going to the very bottom of what we do, and you too, Member Alonso. So I want to put some thoughts on record, and it goes as such. I support this item and the district's efforts. I'm not the board member for District One, but I know that school. I know that school really, really well, and I probably would say that the former representative of District 1 is probably looking and listening. So let me just go on. The district's efforts that we are expanding access to high-quality early childhood

Yes, thank you very much, ma'am. Board Member Espino, and then I have Vice Chair Colucci.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And Board Member Blanco, thank you for bringing up those comments because really this is the first time we've had an opportunity to discuss it after we passed the strategic plan, which I don't know if you all recall, but we had a specific conversation on this very issue that we adjusted from the days where key result three and objective four, I just pulled it up again, that says develop a transparent facilities reinvestment framework to be presented and adopted by the school board that guides how resources generated through school re-envisioning, consolidation, co-locat

Thank you very much, sir. Vice Chair Colucci.

Yes, and thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you, Board Member Blanco. I really appreciate your comments. I think they're timely, they're important. And I do want to, I was just, as you said, Board Member Espino, I was just going to state what you stated, that we had this discussion as far as the strategic plan, which was a starting point, but I look forward to now taking the next step and really putting this in, starting to build a policy framework for this. So again, I look forward to items being brought forth on this because it is something that we really have to consider as we continue to mo

And thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Vice Chair Colucci, and of course, I absolutely concur with the same, and I do look forward also to the board item that Board Member Alonso will be bringing to us. At this time, if you would like to make a motion so that we can add the language. I heard Mr. Perez say that they would be open to adding the language that you recommended, Board Member Blanco. I just wanna verify one more time. Mr. Perez, sir, you are open to, again, addressing the issue that was brought forth by Board Member Blanco and adding some of the language which she recommended. Is tha

Yes, that's acceptable to me. Board Member Blanco? Yes, thank you. All right, so make your motion, please, Board Member Blanco. Make your motion. It's a motion to amend, recommend four as stated by Mr. Raul Perez.

All right, all in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed, nay. Seeing none, motion passes. Now I need a motion to approve the item as amended. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed, nay. Motion passes and F2 is very similar. So let's make a motion to F2.

Motion to amend recommend four. as stated by Mr. Rowe-Perez for an item F1. I'll second.

Do I have a second? Vice Chair Calucci, all in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed, nay. Seeing none, motion passes. Now I need a motion to approve the item as amended. So moved. Do I have a second? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed, nay. Seeing none, motion passes. And now I'm going to need a motion to move to the H items. Move it. Second.

Aye. Opposed, nay. Seeing none, motion passes. We now have the eight items on the board, on the floor. The first item is my item, and that is Miami-Dade County public schools, humanitarian relief efforts for victims of Venezuela's strongest earthquake in more than 100 years. And first and foremost, I wanna thank my colleagues on the board who supported this item when I brought it forth. Sincerely appreciate. the fact that we are proud here in Miami-Dade County Public Schools to be very compassionate when our neighbors need us. The school board has a very longstanding tradition of providing hum

Thank you, Madam Chair, and I just wanna echo some of the sentiments I said during committee. First of all, thank you for bringing this forward. This earthquake has been felt in Miami, perhaps not literally, but certainly figuratively because of the number of families that have family members still in Venezuela and Caracas. I WILL TELL YOU, AS I MENTIONED IN COMMITTEE, DISTRICT FIVE, SPECIFICALLY DORAL BECAME THE EPICENTER OF THE DISASTER RELIEF. THAT'S WHERE GLOBAL EMPOWERMENT MISSION GEM IS LOCATED AND THE CITY OF DORAL WITH ITS LEADERS, MAYOR FRAGA, OUR OWN SCHOOL MEMBER EMPLOYEE, COUNCILWO

thank you thank you so much board member espino and you're absolutely right people do get tired but not only do they get tired and again i speak through the experience i went through with hurricane andrew that is when they need the help the most the teachers at the school at the time of hurricane andrew that had lost everything the children that is when the emotional needs of all of those affected truly starting to become evident because the months were going by, you still didn't have your homes, you still were going through tremendous stress, and it did create a lot of anxiety, depression, an

And I know we've had numerous conversations on this item and anything related to it. Nonetheless, our charge is to do what we were elected to do, and that is to make sure that we take care of all of the children. But when some of them are right in our forefront, right in our faces, there's a message that they're sending us when it keeps popping up. So I'm going to get right into the conversation. This item is about reaffirming that education must remain the driving force behind every redevelopment decision involving district-owned property in District 2. As our neighborhoods continue to grow a

Thank you so much. And I don't have anyone else who signed up, but I do have two people that want to speak now. So Board Member Espino and then Board Member Geller.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And Dr. Bendros-Mendigo, I wasn't able to be at committee. We had a loss in the family. But I appreciate you very much bringing this item, and especially for what you've had to endure and wait to get this I-PREP developed. I think it's not only right, but it's necessary. A humble recommendation is in number three. You have parcels one, two, three, four, five, and six, but it doesn't contemplate other parcels that the district could potentially acquire, or if at some point in the assemblage a developer comes and says, I happen to have another parcel here, like a swap of

As always, for following this up, as you have done so persistently and wonderfully. I thank you also, Board Member Espino, for that observation of a way that we could make this even a little stronger. But we just had this in front of us, colleagues, We just had it come up in the context of that parcel seven and moving forward. And on that occasion, just a few weeks ago, we were notified, I thought rather abruptly, that the proposed plan to make this effective was not gonna work. They said, suddenly, oh, well, everything's set to go except, We can't put I-PREP where we were gonna put I-PREP. No

Thank you. I just want to thank the maker of the item. I know that this has been going on for years. I've been with you since the previous board was here and this was started. I've been next to you listening to your immediate pleas to get this scenario addressed in front of the commission in the city of Miami. You went with parents from IPREP community, and your voices were heard. Mm-hmm. And so what I would like to have, and I thank you for the item, I would like to have Mr. Perez for some clarity. I do want to understand, I know that when we were in committee, it was stated that there were r

I'm tired of it. I was going to call him.

Yes, that's fine. And the follow-up questions are going to be done by Dr. Bendros-Mendingo.

So thank you very much. I'm gonna turn it over to Dr. Bendos-Meningo, but just wanna make sure for the sake of the listening public and all of us on the dais, nothing's gonna happen without everything coming back to this board and the board making the final determination. Is that correct, sir?

Thank you. Dr. Bendos-Mendigo, ma'am, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I believe you've asked the questions, as I said, and my mic was open, so I know it was heard. I would like to make sure that what we do today leads us to a possible, I won't say conclusion, but an answer to what we have proposed, as the Chair said, years ago, months ago, and we continue to talk about this item, I would like, through the chair, the staff would make sure that when we come before the public, we have all of the information that we need to appease the public as it relates to this item. This is not old. I'm sorry, it is old. I was gonna say it's not new. So i

I think it makes perfect sense, absolutely. Mr. Perez, did you wanna respond? Thank you, Madam Chair. All right, so I'm going to vote right now on the item, and we just finished hearing the board member who proffered the item. We all spoke, do you wanna speak again, sir?

Well, I'm trying to second that amendment.

Well, yes, that's where I'm going. So we have a motion. Now we have a second. Any further discussion? Yes, go ahead, sir.

I just want to, perhaps we can hear from Mr. Perez again in a moment. I'm sorry to kind of jump ahead, but I do want to see if we can get a little bit more follow-up. But first, I just want to say that I agree with the sponsor about having what it takes to appease the public, I think was the phrase he used. But I want to be sure that we also appease my dear sister and the birthday girl, and that it be satisfactory not only to the public, but first to her. having stayed so doggedly on pursuing this item and refusing to let it slip beneath the waves. And that information needs to be in her posse

Always. Thank you. Always through the chair. Never without the chair, ever.

Yes, thank you so much, and at this time, Mr. Perez, sir, you are recognized.

Well, I had a question for him. Yes. So, through the chair, I understand, I think, what you said. We're pursuing all options. I think the board is about to amend the item to indicate specifically, as both Board Members Spino and the sponsor have said, that we look at other properties and other opportunities. And I understand you're looking at those, and I appreciate that. I guess it's a two-parter, and then I'll be quiet so you can Tell us what you can. Number one, is the fire station currently the most likely, most available option? Do we think it could work? I know previously Board Member Es

Thank you. All right, at this time I have a motion, I have a second. We've had discussion. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed, nay. Seeing none, motion passes. Now I need a motion to pass the item as amended. Do I have a second? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed, nay. Thank you, motion passes. We have now concluded all the business of the board. Mr. General Counsel, sir, is that correct?

Thank you. So therefore, according to the published agenda, we have addressed everything during the regular school board meeting. and pursuant to our published agenda, we are now going to begin the public portion of our meeting, and I will be calling speakers who are present immediately at this time, and we are officially starting at 3.15 p.m. for the public hearing portion.

Thank you, Mr. General Counsel, sir. And now I will begin calling names. The first one is Antonio White. Mr. White's not here. Okay. Danielle Boye.

After reporting these concerns, I received retaliation, and I reported that too.

It's all right, no problem. All right, where is our secretary? She's on her way down, thank you.

Thank you very much, ma'am. Thank you. Natalie Contreras. Natalie Contreras. Thank you. Marlene Yanez. Nancy Lawther.

Thank you. Cassie Creed? Cassie Creed? Good afternoon, ma'am.

Angel Lopez. Angel Lopez? Daniela Sorto?

Think about that. Thank you, Ms. Rupp. Esther DeVarona.

Thank you. I've been apprised that Antonio White will not be here. I'm gonna call again those that I previously called that were not present. Natalie Contreras. Okay, Marlene Yanez. Elias Safey.

Okay, thank you. Theophilus Williams. Okay. And all the others were here, okay. So I'm going to, at this time, take it back to announcements and we'll go back to the public hearing after we do announcements instead of ending and taking a break because by 4.30 is a time that we have to remain. Mr. General Counsel, sir, is that acceptable to you?

Thank you, Mr. Superintendent, for that clarity. That's very important because those students are amazing and we need to make sure that we do everything in our power to ensure that the services that are necessary are provided. Thank you. Yes, sir?

Madam Chair, if I could have a moment just to follow up on something. I wasn't gonna speak, and I never speak when there's public speakers, but because I think this is a very sensitive, important topic, I myself had the opportunity to shadow a school interpreter that was working with our students that are hard of hearing in one of our elementary schools where we have specialized programs for these students. I wanna share with the superintendent, our teams are doing incredible work out there when it comes to these, and I was in a classroom where we had a teacher plus an interpreter plus support

Absolutely, thank you Board Member Alonso, and I too can state the same, because number one, I was a board member, appointed, not elected, but appointed for eight years. I traveled once a month. and to a school called the School of the Deaf and the Blind in St. Augustine, Florida. I got to see firsthand the needs of all of those children and all of the amazing services that were being provided to them. And I can tell you that some of the schools that I have visited here have also done the same. The one area though, Mr. Superintendent, that maybe we can take a deeper dive in is this is a field

That's the verification and that's good that the listening public is hearing us and we shall definitely wait and I've been apprised that Mr. Safey is on his way as well. He should probably be getting here any moment. So I'm gonna open up to announcements and we have Dr. Bendros-Mendingo, ma'am.

Thank you, Madam Chair. More than likely, my announcement will become more of a statement. I know they're gone, but I want to thank those retired teachers for speaking with us today and the poignant remarks they made. I am indeed pleased. I just hope they would get in front of some of the issues. They would be very helpful to us. And I know someone made mention that some of their emails, et cetera, were not responded to. Well, just give us a chance to do what we can. Why? Because our marching orders to a degree come from a place called Tallahassee. I want you all, those retired teachers and ot

And now we have Vice Chair Colucci. Thank you, Madam Chair, and I just quickly want to make three very brief announcements. I know one, we've declared a special holiday today for Dr. Bendros Mendigal, so happy birthday. I also want to congratulate, I was remiss yesterday with our meeting, I didn't get to, I'm sure she's tuned in, Board Member Santos on the birth of her baby boy, so congratulations to you and to our Madam Chair. tomorrow marks 50 years of her marriage to her wonderful husband. So it's her 50th wedding anniversary. Thank you. So we have a lot to celebrate and wish you 50 more. T

Thank you so much. Yes, Board Member Blanco.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and I know I didn't sign up for announcements, but we do have some time. I just want to announce for those that may be listening, tomorrow from 4 to 6 p.m. at South Dade Senior High, we'll be having a book bag distribution along with other elected officials. I'll have lots of resources for parents from the library to Parent Academy, Title I, Migrant Education. We'll have plenty of book bags to give away. First come, first serve until we run out, and we will also have barbers there providing free haircuts.

Thank you, anyone else? Okay, I would also like to inform the families in my district to make sure to follow me on social media. I am going to have several backpack giveaways together with elected officials from different municipalities. We have a lot of need in our community, and I'm very grateful to the partnerships that we have established in Miami-Dade County Public Schools with other municipalities and the county. so please follow the social media so that you can get the exact information as to the dates and times when we will be engaging in those activities. Also, I want to commend and c

Thank you. That is wonderful news. Really looking forward to it. And Board Member Blanco?

Thank you, Madam Chair. Mr. Superintendent, I just want to thank you for that wonderful news. Venetian Park is in my district. When we're talking about enrollment and consolidation of schools, it's a brand-new school that we opened last year. And... having visited, having met with the principal, and seeing how the enrollment has, I mean, I wanna say quadrupled or more, I think, in just one year, speaks volumes to the work that is being done there, and so I'm excited to hear this new development, and I was just noticing today in the morning scrolling through social media the things I say the st

Thank you, Board Member Blanco, for sharing that with us. Do I have anyone else that would like to make any announcements at this time? Okay, let's look at the time. It is 419. I'm going to call names again and see if anyone has arrived. We'll start with Natalie Contreras. Marlene Yanez. Elia Seyfi. Theopolis Williams.

Thank you very much, sir. Theopolis Williams. Okay, I believe I have called everyone on the list, and the time is 421, so we have a few more minutes before 430, so we're going to, let's see, okay, so we're gonna make some additional announcements. I have a few more to make, and I know that Board Member Alonso also has some more to make. Let's see where we are.

It's not an effort to kill time, but I wasn't going to speak on it, but I want to congratulate Board Member Blanco and the superintendent on Venetian and the incredible team that worked on it. I was in Tallahassee and actually Paul Burns, who was our interim temporary commissioner of education for a while, had come up to me and shared with me how impressed he was when he did a walkthrough with Mr. Mateo and the team over at that school. And I'm honestly a little bit jealous. I can't wait to have one in District 4, as well as I'm sure every board member wants it, right? And it's truly the evolu

Thank you, Board Member Alonso, and I'm very happy to hear you saying that this would never ever be able to replace a teacher, because I was watching TV and saw that in some states, they actually showed the picture of artificial intelligence with a robot, basically, doing the job of a teacher, very. So I do wanna take this opportunity though to commend and congratulate every single member of the Miami-Dade County public school family that helped together as a solid team to attain that A grade for the seventh year. This is not an easy task in the third largest school district, where we have a p

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO ANOTHER EXCITING OPENING OF SCHOOLS THIS YEAR, AND AS YOU MENTIONED, DASSA, AND I'M GOING TO DR. BENDROLZ-MENINGEL, TOO, THIS IS A WONDERFUL EVENT, TRULY TO the enthusiasm as we prepare to open schools one more time. So to everyone who will be attending DASA, I know that it's gonna be another phenomenal year with our amazing administrators who are at the schools. making magic happen each and every day. Dr. Bendrill-Sminnickle, ma'am?

Yes, Madam Chair, thank you. I want to know if there is anyone who can respond to the question, what's happening with our children who might be under fear of TPS?

All right, who will be responding? Yes, sir?

Follow up, Madam. Yes, yes, ma'am. Being totally transparent, I've met with some of the leaders and, of course, some of the community-based organizations, one in particular, St. Law, who's now head by Tamara LaBruce. I want to make sure that if the phone calls come through, not if, but when they come through, that we are quick to answer them. And I believe Ms. LaBruce is going to look into doing a meeting of sorts so that we will know, and as you said, large populations, I speak for all of us pretty much, but in District 2, and I'll be meeting with some of them tonight. Yes, I will, to talk ab

Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you. So upon exhausting all of our public speakers at the public hearing portion of our meeting, the time is 4.33 p.m., and this meeting is now adjourned.