School Board - Regular Meeting

Good morning and welcome to the August 11th, 2026 meeting of Miami-Dade County Public School Board. Please stand as our Vice Chair, Ms. Monica Colucci leads us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Please pause for a moment of silent meditation. You may be seated. Before I proceed, I wanna take a moment of personal privilege to introduce to everyone a brand new member of our team, and this is recognizing our newly elected student advisor, Alejandro Duran Jr., a senior, at the School for Advanced Studies in Homestead Campus, and he is now officially representing every single student in Miami-Dade County

Thank you so very much. And mom, yes, those tears are tears of joy. And as a mom, we all know how you feel. Very proud. Thank you, Alejandro. We look forward to working with you throughout this entire year. So at this time, pursuant to its policies proposed board members, resolutions will be presented at 11 a.m. The board will then reconvene the regular public meeting, including other hearings in accordance with policies of the board at 1 p.m. or soon thereafter. If there is anyone from the audience who would like to address the resolutions that are being presented today but has not signed up

We do not have any public speakers at this time, so please present your item, Madam Chair.

It is truly a tremendous honor for me to present this proclamation. I would like to ask Mr. Britton Bonowski to please join me at this time. Where you are, come on up. Absolutely. Right next to you.

Thank you. It is truly an honor for me to present this resolution. The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida is recognizing Mr. Britton Bonowski, Executive Director of the College Football Playoff Foundation. The College Football Playoff Foundation harnesses excitement and reach of college football to create meaningful educational opportunities for our students and teachers across the entire country. As a philanthropic arm of the college football playoff, the foundation invests in programs that support literacy, enhance classrooms, recognize educators, and improve learning environments in

Thank you, and yes, we look forward. We've done the middle schools. Let's go down to the elementary and K-8s for this upcoming year, I think. Also, one more thing. We've got, well, we'll have nine board members, and we have one brand new amazing student advisor as well. Maybe we could all have those orange jackets so we could walk down there with you today. Anyways, with that said, let's turn around to our board at this time.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Congratulations to you. And at this time, I want to open it up to my colleagues, Board Member Alonso,

Thank you so much, and thank you, Madam Chair, for recognizing this incredible organization. We all see Linda around there, around town, but it's really the Orange Bowl and the partners that come together to be able to support these great initiatives. I have personally been at several of our middle schools where we've been able to open up these centers, and it's so amazing to see the smiles in the children's face, right? And that to me is the number one thing when I walk into one of those events, where they can see all that innovation and the transformation of these spaces for them, where they

Yes, thank you, Madam Chair, Madam Vice Chair. Thank you for all that you do to celebrate all of our children and my seatmate, my colleague just said the words that I was going to mention, but I'm gonna mention them anyway. I wanna make sure that I'm more actively involved in what you do and look for you to spread this wealth this kindness to all of the schools. I don't know how many you've done in District 2, but I will speak with my team to make sure that you get there. And when you come, I'll be there to cheer you on. I used to be a cheerleader, so I know exactly how to do that. And thank y

Thank you. And I just want to say thank you so much for your service. Oh, would you like to say something? No? Okay. I just want to say thank you so much for your service to our schools and our district and to our students. Orange Bowl Committee and Miami Loves Teachers, it's just such great initiatives. What you do every day makes a difference, not only in our schools, but in the lives of children, because when they go into these spaces, I was just at one, couple of months ago at one of the schools in my district and you see the excitement in the students faces as they go into these innovatio

Thank you so much and congratulations to you and at this time we do not have a quorum so later on we will vote to approve the proclamation, thank you. So at this time, We're going to move on to item B4, which is request approval of resolution number 26-038 of the School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, recognizing Victor Benitez, president and owner of Gus Machado Fort. At this time, I do not have any public speakers signed up, so Mr. Alonso, please present your item.

Mic check. Thank you so much, Madam Vice Chair, for the opportunity to be here today in this very special moment for not just me, but for the entire Benitez family. Many people know if you live in Hialeah or Northwest Dade, the name Gus Machala Ford. But behind that name, there's a special person who's always there for our community and never wants to take credit for anything. and his name is Victor Benitez. And today I wanted to make sure that I recognize him for not just the work that he's done at Gus Machado, but the work that he's done in our community. So Victor, if you can come up with y

Thank you, Board Member Alonso. And at this time, I would like to turn it over to my colleagues, if anybody would like to share something. Dr. Bendros-Mendingal. Thank you, Madam Vice Chair.

A good while ago, I was an administrator in Hialeah, James Bright, and J.W. Johnson. And I would pass what was 103rd Street and 49th Street, and I would see the sign, I don't think I ever met you. but I am glad that I get to meet you today, such an auspicious occasion. To my colleague, thank you for honoring those who deserve honor. Everything you said about this wonderful person, I know it's true because again, remember what I said a good while ago, I saw your work. I believe at the time, your dealership was right on the corner. I can't remember the avenue, but I do know it was 103rd Street,

Thank you, Dr. Bendros-Mendingall. At this time, do I have anyone else that would like to speak?

Well I wasn't here so I missed it because I was outside with the other group but I just have to say thank you first to Board Member Alonso for recognizing such an amazing individual. And I know that your commitment and your love for what you do and the passion you've exhibited throughout all these years but most importantly the compassion that I have witnessed from you. I want to say thank you. Thank you so, so very much on behalf of everyone in Miami-Dade County Public Schools, particularly our students. And our principal over here, why aren't you standing over here with this amazing family,

Thank you, Board Member Colucci. Board Member Alonso, thank you as always for bringing people that are so worthy of recognition. We have met, but we really haven't had an opportunity to talk much. However, as a Board of Director on the Ed Fund as well, I tend to see you on a little screen when we have our Zoom meetings. But truly, thank you for all that you do for this community. Like they've mentioned, it's because of people like you that this community can thrive. So thank you so much. But one of the things that has always struck me and has struck me even more today is your humility. with ev

And Board Member Alonso, I just wanna say thank you for bringing Mr. Machado to us. Mr. Machado, you encompass, I'm sorry? Benitez, I'm sorry. I am like Victor Benitez, yes. I just want to say that you encompass the American dream. Your story is that of so many that came to this country that faced trial and tribulation and triumphed and succeeded. And when you did, you gave back tenfold. So thank you for that. It does not go unnoticed. It goes well recognized by our community, by our school district. So I want to thank you so much for that. Your beautiful family is another testament to who you

Well, thank you so much. And if I could have Board Member Alonso come up so that we can officially vote on this. And at this time, may I have a motion for co-sponsors? Second. Second. All in favor? May I have a motion to move? Move it. Second? Aye. All in favor? Aye. Motion passes. Congratulations, Mr. Benitez. Have a wonderful, wonderful day. God bless you.

Mr. Alonso, don't leave just yet. We're gonna go back and we're gonna vote on the supplemental list of speakers to the resolutions. May I have a motion? Move it. Second. All in favor? Aye. Motion passes. And now we're gonna go back to item B3, request for approval of resolution number 2637 of the School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, recognizing Britton Bonowski, Executive Director of the College Football Playoff Foundation.

Madam Chair, co-sponsors? Yes, may I have a motion for co-sponsors?

Move it. All in favor? Aye. May I have a motion to move the item as amended? Move it. All in favor? Aye. Motion passes. And at this time, I turn the gavel back over to Madam Chair. Thank you very much.

And B5 is a request for approval of resolution number 26-039 of the School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, recognizing Matthew A. Pigat for his outstanding contributions and dedication to the Miami-Dade County community. At this time, I do have some members that are here today that would like to speak, and so I'm going to call Melody Miller first. Good morning.

Thank you, ma'am, you're out of time. Thank you, though. Thank you.

Thank you very much, sir. And I do not have any additional speakers that have signed up. So therefore, Dr. Bendrell's Meningo, ma'am, this is your item. You may present it at this time.

Good morning, everyone. Matt, this has been a long time coming. And I'm trying to remember where I was that I said, I've got to honor him. I was probably at your very first picnic. I am a graduate of an HBCU founded by Booker T. Washington. If you don't know, it's a place in Alabama. I am honored. to have been able to go to that, at that time, Tuskegee Institute. It's now Tuskegee University, where we had the wonderful fighting pilots, and we had that wonderful scientist, George Washington Carver. Someone always said, poor member, did you go to school with them? Not quite. So to all of you who

Yes, I see that, and boy, he should be the first one up there.

Where is he? First grade? Come on. Yes. That's who I work for. Those are my bosses. Come on. Everybody. Thank you. Okay. Yes, please.

Thank you, what a pleasure to have you here with us this morning. So I'm gonna open it up first to my colleagues. I don't have anybody, okay. Board Member Alonso, sir, you're recognized.

Thank you so much, Madam Chair, and thank you so much, board member Dr. Dorothy Bendos-Mendigal for recognizing those that we do every time in our community, right? Those that are doing the special work. And especially when we see them with those young children, right? Those little legs, like you said, right? The short little legs. But those are powerful short little legs I can see right there. And he's looking up to you, Dad, and seeing all the work that you're doing up there. And you guys do incredible work. And together as a community, we'll become better. And through these partnerships, we

Thank you very much, Vice Chair Calucci.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Dr. Bendros-Mendingal, thank you. I wanna thank you for being here and for all you have done. I was looking over all of your accomplishments, all of your accolades, so impressive, but the most impressive part to me is that you decided to use all of that and give it back to your community, and that's what it's all about. It's always giving back, and now you're serving as a mentor, a role model to so many young people, and that is truly, truly something that as a board we value, as a community we need, and our children really are going to benefit from it because they're t

Thank you, Vice Chair Colucci. Board Member Blanco, you're recognized, ma'am.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Board Member Bandros-Mendigo, you always find such elite people in your community that are doing such fantastic work. You know, one of the terms that's used often for someone like you in your position is public servant. But you truly, truly embody that with everything that you've done. As an educator, and now in my last role, hopefully, as an educator, I do a lot of college advising. And I've always said that every student can go to college if they want to. And every student can succeed. I'm never of the opinion that some aren't meant for college. It's if they want to.

Thank you so very much, and they've spoken, so I will go ahead at this time. First and foremost, to my amazing colleague, Dr. Bendros-Meningo, you said I hit it out of the ballpark. You hit it out of the ballpark here right now as well. Congratulations. And thank you for bringing it forth. First and foremost, I know you're a man with tremendous love for your family, but I think you're a man with tremendous faith. And that's where it starts, putting God first. And you can see it in you, in every single aspect of what you have done throughout your life. Secondly, your family. There is nothing mo

Thank you very much, sir. And with that, do I hear a motion for co-sponsors? Do I have a second? All in favor, say aye. Any opposed, nay. Thank you. Motion passes. Now I would like to hear a motion for the item to be approved as amended. Do I have a second? All in favor, say aye. Any opposed, nay. Oh, I am so sorry. You've gotta come back up here. I have to redo it. You must be on the dais. I didn't even realize she was.

All right, do I hear a motion for co-sponsors?

Do I have a second? All in favor, say aye. Any opposed, nay. Seeing none, motion passes. Do I have a motion now to approve the item as amended? Do I have a second? All in favor, aye. Any opposed, nay. Motion passes. Congratulations to all of you. Now, we do have to take care of just a little bit of business here. We have one more approval that has to be made because we did not have all five members on the dais at the time. So we have three board member resolutions on today's agenda. Do I hear a motion to move agenda item B3, B4, and B5 to the floor? All right, all in favor say aye. Any opposed

Any opposed, nay. Motion passes, thank you.

And at this time, we are concluding the board member resolutions. May I have a motion to adjourn? Do I have a second? All in favor say aye. Aye. All right, we pass, and I would like to let everyone know that the regular meeting will begin promptly at 1 p.m. this afternoon. Thank you.

Good afternoon and welcome as we reconvene the August 11th, 2026 meeting of the Miami-Dade County School Board. The time is 1 p.m. and I would like to officially call this meeting to order. Please stand as our new student advisor leads us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Please pause for a moment of silent meditation. You may be seated. At this time, it is my absolute pleasure to introduce and to welcome our new student advisor to the school board for the year 2026-2027, and that is Mr. Alejandro Durán Jr. from the School of Advanced Studies in Homestead. Mr. Duran has been selected to serve as a student voice and representative on the school board for this school year. In this important role, he will have the opportunity to share perspectives, experiences, and ideas of students throughout our school district while also gaining valuable insight into the educat

Thank you, we are so very proud of you. And this is another reason why Miami-Dade County Public Schools is indeed your best choice. This is a portrait of a student that we have right in front of us and the masterpiece that will be finalized by the end of this school year. So welcome, and again, congratulations, and we are extremely proud of you. And to your family that is here to support you, mom, dad, brother, and grandpa, thank you for being here, and thank you for sharing your wonderful son with all of us. So with that, at this time, If there is anyone from the audience who has not signed u

Thank you. I find good cause to vary from the established agenda pursuant to the reasons stated in the agenda items. Are there any withdrawn, Ms. Yopis, any items?

Thank you. At this time, I would also like any board members who need to abstain from voting due to a conflict of interest to please publicly announce the conflict and we will note your abstention for the record. I don't have anyone as it appears. Mr. General Counsel, sir, to the board, are all agenda items properly before this assembly and in compliance with our board policy, state statutes, and all other legal requirements under which this school board operates?

Thank you very much, sir. We will now go through the consent agenda. This is the time that board members advise me of those items that they wish to address. Items for which the board has signed up to speak will not be placed on the consent agenda. All those items not reserved for separate consideration will then be approved under the consent agenda. The board members will be provided with the additional speakers once sign up has been completed. I cannot have any votes at this time, Mr. General Counsel, sir, because I do not have a quorum.

Okay, so I will come back to the voting. In light of the adoption of Chapter 286.0114 of the Florida Statutes, and board policy 0169.1, citizens who have signed up to speak to an item that is on the consent agenda, that is items not identified by board members for discussion, may either speak at this time prior to the vote on the consent agenda, or you may elect to speak after the board has voted on them during the public hearing. However, speakers who wish to address a consent agenda item may not speak to the item both times. The public hearing will begin no later than 6.30 PM. The chair or v

Thank you very much. Before the vote on the consent agenda is taken, again, I will call those persons who have signed up to speak to the items that are part of the consent agenda to address them. Therefore, at this time, I'm going to begin by calling persons who have signed up to speak to the items addressed to the board at this time. First person that is being called is Danielle Boyer-Smith. I have her down again. Danielle Boyer-Smith. These are all the speakers that I have signed up. Ms. Yopes, is that correct, ma'am?

Thank you, so Ms. Yopis, can you please read into the record, and for the listening public, the items that were just, well, we haven't voted, but were just discussed, the items that will not be discussed today.

Thank you. Ms. Yopes, can you please read for the record the items that will not be discussed today?

Thank you. If your item passed under the consent agenda and you did not address it, prior to the vote, but still wish to speak during the public hearing, again, please go to the lobby counter outside the auditorium where staff will be ready to advise you and assist you. Again, I have a motion for approval, but I cannot do that. I do not have a quorum at this time, so this will have to happen later on in the meeting. We will now proceed with the agenda items which have been reserved for consideration by board members. A high level of civics involvement in civic life is crucial to the well-being

Do I hear a motion to approve the items as amended? So moved. All in favor say aye. Any opposed, nay. Motion passes. And I believe that those are all the areas that we're pending. Is that correct, sir?

Do I have a motion on the minutes from the previous board meetings? And we will have to go back to the dates on those. Ms. Yopes, can you please go through the dates on the two previous board meetings that we're voting on, ma'am?

Thank you very much. Do I have a motion?

Do I have a second? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed, nay. Seeing none, motion passes. And now do I have a motion for the approval of the bid opening list for July 2nd and July 9th, 2026? So moved. Do I have a second? Second, all in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed, nay. Seeing none, motion passes. We are now going to proceed to the H items. May I have a motion to move the H items to the floor? So moved. Do I have a second? All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed, nay. Seeing none, motion passes. The first item that we have today is H2. H2 is that Miami-Dade County Public Schools humanitar

I appreciate your leadership in this space. Just today, we held meetings at GEM, Global Empowerment Mission, as well as a press conference to identify the kind of support that we can provide the Colombian community state of Colombia, the country of Colombia, the various areas of Colombia, the communities in Colombia, because unlike Venezuela that had so much devastation in one area, this was much more diffused throughout the country. And Colombia is in a much different position from a government perspective to actually mobilize assistance for themselves. So what they're looking for is monetary

Thank you very much, sir, and absolutely. And lots of prayers for all of the families that have been so sadly affected by this earthquake. Do I hear a motion to approve the item as amended? Second. Thank you. All in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed, nay. Thank you, our motion passed. We are now going to move to H5. H5 is also mine and it is the school board endorsement of the month of September 2026 as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in Miami-Dade County Public Schools. This item had been previously co-sponsored by Vice Chair Monica Colucci, Board Member Roberto Alonso, Board Member

Thank you so very much, and from the voice of a student who's out in the trenches and knows the needs, thank you for speaking on behalf of all those that you represent. This is indeed very important.

I have Dr. Bendros-Mendingal, ma'am, you are recognized. Thank you, Madam Chair, and I know that there are those in the audience who would want me to just congratulate you now that I know who you are. They'll tell you later what I said that they probably have told you. I know you will serve not only the students but us well. I can tell all of us really will be watching you and taking a little bit of your knowledge from you to do what we can for children. I wish we had, and Madam Chair just thought about this, might be a day where we just cover the dais with children. I don't know how it would

I found out this morning when he walked in and saw him, and I said, you two are identical.

Yes, so I just wanted to share that because that's my story. I don't know what they're gonna say, but they got me good. Thank you, Madam Chair, thank you, sir. I look forward to working with you. Thank you so much. Thank you.

All right, I don't have anyone else that signed up to speak, so do I hear a motion to approve the item? Is there a second? All in favor say aye. Any opposed, nay. Seeing none, motion passes. We proceed to H6. H6 is the Miami-Dade County School Board endorsement and celebration of October 2026 as National Principals Month. This is also my item. And it was co-sponsored by our Vice Chair Monica Colucci, our Board Member Roberto Alonso, Board Member Mari Blanco, Board Member Danny Espino, Board Member Dr. Dorothy Bendros-Miningo, and Board Member Mr. Joseph Geller. Thank you so much for your co-sp

Any opposed, nay. Seeing none, motion passes. So now we're going to proceed to H7. H7 is a management and use of revenue generated from district-owned property. From last week's meeting, we have the following board members who co-sponsored this item. Myself as chair, Vice Chair Monica Colucci, Board Member Marty Blanco, Board Member Danny Espino, Board Member Dorothy Bendros-Meningo, Board Member Joseph S. Geller. I don't have any public speakers that have signed up for this item, so Mr. Alonso, sir, this is your item and you are recognized at this time.

Thank you so much, Madam Chair, and thank you to my colleagues for your support on this critically important board item that we know is so important. As Miami-Dade County Public Schools, our superintendent in this board is entrusted with one of the largest portfolio of educational facilities and real property in the state of Florida. These are public assets that belong to the taxpayers and ultimately exist to serve our students. And that's one message that we have united in delivering every time we discuss one of these properties. So as we continue evaluating all these underutilized properties

Thank you very much, sir. I do not have anyone that signed up for this item, so do I hear a motion to approve the item? Is there a second? All in favor say aye. Any opposed, nay. Seeing none, motion passes. We now proceed to H12. H12 is the review and evaluation of the district's use of synthetic turf and artificial grass. And from last week, there is one board member who co-sponsored the item, and that is Dr. Dorothy Bendros-Meningo. I do have speakers that have signed up.

One speaker, Marcel Borges. Marcel Borges.

I don't have any other speakers, so board member Geller, sir, you may present your item at this time.

Thank you, Madam Chair. And hi, colleagues. I'm sorry I missed you guys when this was talked about last week at committee, but I was away, as you know. Glad to be here. I want to be clear on a couple things about this item. Most importantly, I think, is what it does not do, because I'm led to believe there were some questions. This certainly doesn't ban artificial turf. It doesn't require the district to remove one field or one portion of a field. It doesn't require the district to replace synthetic turf with grass. It doesn't even ask us to decide today that there's a problem with artificial

Thank you very much, sir. I signed up for this item. Someone else did as well, but they're no longer speaking, so I'm going to go ahead and speak at this time. First and foremost, I truly appreciate the intent of what you're trying to do here. There's no question our schools have to provide safe and healthy and even appropriate athletic facilities for our students. I do have some areas that I have concerns regarding the potential consequences, however, that this might also bring. In my view, there are four primary areas of consideration that the board really needs to look at and evaluate befor

Thank you and I appreciate that response. I have a relief knowing that our children are not getting hurt out there because that would be a huge red flag for me. And I do know that many principals that I know personally from the district I represent want not only the principals but members of the communities want to have that place in their schools in lieu of the regular grass. So thank you for the response. I'm gonna follow up accordingly. The other portion that I was concerned about, sir, and again, I thank you because I know you really care about the children and about their safety, and so d

So let me say, Madam Chair, that I'm certainly amenable to amendments to what I've proposed. Absolutely. I like the idea that our board generally moves by consensus, and I'd like to do that. With that said, let me try to respond not to the points, because the points, you obviously have done a great deal of personal research on it. And I appreciate that, and I commend you for doing that. I'm not sure, well, I can only speak for myself. I know I have not done that deep a dive. I was hoping that would be something staff would do. So kudos to you for that. I was going to suggest the following base

Whatever the December meeting is. Absolutely, sir. I would not have a problem with that.

I can live with that, certainly. So two amendments based on your specific suggestions, Madam Chair. At the bottom, at the end of recommend one, it would read strike the language there about a temporary moratorium on future installations while... and substitute and evaluate the feasibility of implementing new language future policy adjustments when such review is completed. Of course, when the review is completed, really, it's entirely up to the superintendent. That's not, I mean, we're gonna have a report, but how long the review goes and how deep it needs to go and whether there is new inform

Yes, thank you very much, sir, and I'm good with what you've just stated. The only one is where you talked about future possible adjustments when, and I would say if, and if deemed appropriate, because we don't know what it's gonna be.

Consider the future policy adjustments when such review is completed, and we'll put a comma if deemed appropriate. That's absolutely advisable.

Thank you very much, sir. With those changes, then on my behalf, other colleagues as well, they may have different ideas. But for me, I could definitely see this going in for a landing. Thank you, ma'am. Thank you, sir. Yes, sir.

Thank you, Madam Chair. First and foremost, thank you for bringing this item forward. Anything that we can do to improve our facilities while taking a look at what we're installing them, what we're constructing on them, especially when there's health and environmental implications, I think it's important. And Madam Chair, I appreciate the extensive contributions. I know that my wife, as a former parks professional that designs and constructs parks, she would be very impressed if she was watching. I hope she's not watching. But no, seriously, with four young boys at home that are constantly on

Through the chair, I'd like to accept the suggestion that was made by Board Member Spino as a friendly amendment. Thank you, sir. And insert the words where it says operational benefits, insert the word standards and. So it's operational standards and benefits, is that? Okay, I'd like to accept that as a friendly amendment as well, through the chair.

Okay, sir, thank you very much, sir. I don't have anyone else who signed up to speak, so. Oh, you have a hand, though. Oh, Board Member Alonso, sir, go ahead.

Thank you so much, Madam Chair, and thank you, Board Member Geller, for bringing this up. As my fellow board members said, anything that's for the safety of our students is always a top priority, and I appreciate Board Member Espino bringing up the fact on the maintenance and how we maintain these fields. We know that we're installing a lot of these fields, I'm not sure that every school understands the standards that need to be followed after the installation occurs. And these are very expensive fields that are being installed on our football field and our track fields. So as we look at your

Through the chair? Yes, sir. I'd welcome any language, Board Member Alonso. I think Maybe that Board Member Espino's insertion of the language operational standards as well as benefits. May go to that, but your concern is, I think, is well taken. And that's why, I mean, even if maintenance is low, is not expensive on the artificial turf, knowing how long it should last and when it's gonna be replaced, if it's low maintenance and it'll go 20 years, That's fantastic. If it's low maintenance but expensive to install and it needs to be replaced in six to eight years, we maybe have a different math

As a follow-up, Madam Chair, I don't have the exact language. I'm actually trying to look up here and look through your board item. But I think as we go through the review of it, if we can come back and the request of just having a review of the maintenance and upkeep of these fields, we can then make future recommendations. And really, it's up to our maintenance department and our facilities teams, which are the experts on it. I know our board chair has become somewhat of an expert over the last probably week researching this. And board member Espino has a home expert at his own home on this.

Through the chair, let me tell you what I wrote down listening to you and see if it meets what you're looking for. It's just, again, we can work on it.

And, Board Member Geller, just for your knowledge, I've been communicating with Madam Secretary, who's been writing down everything that's been said, and I've also requested that she bring to us what's been said thus far. She's going to give it to you right now. She's right behind you, sir.

Okay. the change i just heard suggested and where it might go would uh from board member alonso i wrote i wrote down the following and again we can change it board member but in um in what's now being passed out uh it says of implementing and here's new language um the were actually the word a should come out implementing future policy adjustments And what I wrote was putting a comma after that and adding language that says, including maintenance and replacement costs as well as safety concerns, and then picks back up with when such review is completed if deemed appropriate. So we explicitly m

So Mr. Alonso, I know you gave the last one. It works for my portion, but I don't know, Board Member Alonso, is there anything else you'd like to say? Are you satisfied with your last comments and what has just been read, sir?

No, Madam Chair, through the Chair, I appreciate that, and I would just like for language to be added, and we can add this right after your lifecycle costs, to put lifecycle costs, operational standards, maintenance and upkeep practices of Existing turf fields and then leave your additional language there So what we're doing is we're just adding that the operational standards as well as the maintenance of upkeep practices of existing turf fields Language is added into this what staff knows that that is something that we want also coming back from this comprehensive review Thank you, sir.

I'm good with the language. Here's where I would put it It currently with the amendment it reads operational standards and benefits and limitations. And I would put what you just read after the word limitations, and if you would repeat it, including, say it again through the chair one more time, Board Member Alonso.

Yeah, Board Member Alonso, will you start with maintenance and operational standards? He would like to see it instead of what you had said initially. He would like to see it after the word limitations.

The words were okay if you just repeat them through the chat.

Definitely so through the chair. Yes. So in what I had shared right after lifecycle costs, it then went to operational standards, maintenance and upkeep practice of existing fields, benefits and limitations and available alternatives. So it was still left in there. But if you want to change the order, I'm OK with it.

That's fine, including maintenance and upkeep. What was the next word? Of existing turf fields. Of existing facilities.

Thank you. All right, would our recording secretary please revise one more time based on what has just been discussed?

And so with that said, I don't know if Board Member Bendos-Meningo, did you wanna say anything, ma'am, or not? Okay, ma'am. I think that's a good move. All right, so she's going to bring it down now. We will read it one more time before our final approval to move it forward. Let's just give her one moment.

While we have a momentary break, Madam Chair, I arrived a little bit late and I would like to be recorded as voting in favor of the consent agenda.

Do we have to take a vote on that, sir, now? I will. All those in favor? Well, I have a motion, do I have a second? All in favor? Any opposed, nay? Seeing none, motion passes, and that would be both for Board Member Geller and Board Member Espino. Thank you. Yes, sir. Okay. Give it one more minute. And then we have one more board item. And announcements.

Okay, she is coming down with the documents now. Thank you very much. We'll give it a minute. Board Member Geller, sir, for the record, if you could please read the action proposed.

Yes, ma'am. The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida directs the superintendent to number one. conduct a comprehensive review of the district's use of synthetic turf and artificial grass, including student health considerations, environmental impacts, lifecycle costs, operational standards, maintenance, and upkeep practices of existing turf fields, BENEFITS AND LIMITATIONS AND AVAILABLE ALTERNATIVES AND EVALUATE THE FEASIBILITY OF IMPLEMENTING THE WORD A IS SURPLUSSAGE AND SHOULD BE STRICKEN. IT SHOULD READ OF IMPLEMENTING FUTURE POLICY ADJUSTMENTS INCLUDING MAINTENANCE AND REPLACEMENT C

Do I have a second? Thank you. All in favor, say aye. Aye. Any opposed, nay. I think the plane has landed successfully. Thank you, board.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, board.

All right, thank you very much. And now we are going to proceed to H14. H-14 is the review of the impact of Florida school grading scale adjustment and development of a strategic response for the 2026-2027 school year. Co-sponsors for the item were myself, Board Member Alonso, and Board Member Geller. I also, at this time, do not have anyone who has signed up to speak, so Vice Chair Colucci, this is your item, ma'am. You're recognized at this time.

Thank you, Madam Chair and colleagues. I'm bringing forth this item because it's an important one. and it gives us an opportunity to be proactive and to have that responsibility as board members and as a district to be responsible to our students and to our community. The Florida schools grading scale is changing for the 2026-27 school year. I want to state for the record that I fully support rigorous standards, accountability, and continuous improvement. In fact, this change is occurring because 75% or more of schools in Florida have reached an A or B rating. Under Florida law, and the specif

Thank you so much, Vice Chair Colucci. I don't have anyone who signed up for this item, but I want to let you know that as an educator, a lifetime educator, as others, Dr. Bendros-Meningo as well, and others on the board member Blanco, we know how critically the timing of this item is. It is here, and we must be proactive instead of being reactive. So I thank you for bringing this item, especially for our high schools. Because a percentage point that's going up in high school might seem minute to some people, but I am telling you that those percentage points are very challenging. We have stude

All right, Dr. Bendros-Mendigo, ma'am? Yes, thank you, Madam Chair, and I wanna thank My seatmate and my vice chair for bringing this item, it makes me very, very anxious. It seems as if when we get some children, and I didn't speak last time, so don't interrupt me, madam. Chair, tell the people on that end, don't interrupt me, okay?

I want you to know that I am honored that you brought this item. I was reading, we have a few plans that we're putting in place for District 2, and you know District 2. And it's as if you were reading my mind. I spoke to some of my high school principals, Madam Chair, yesterday at Trask Powell Stadium. And all of the stuff that you all mentioned about the turf and the grass and everything, I was out there. So I could have talked as long as some of you, but I know how we are. I want you to know that we stand ready. I spoke with some, again, some of my high school principals, and most of them ar

Thank you, Madam Chair. And Vice Chair, I also appreciate the item. I think it's Very important that people in the community try to understand, but really more important that the district devote its efforts to being proactive in the way that you've outlined. I mean, everything here is great, but number three, recommend three is just so spot on to see what we can do. I'll confess, I've never liked the idea of school grades. I think they're misleading and that they don't provide a fair picture. And district grades, I like even less. I'm glad that we're an A-rated district and have been, but The

All right, I have Board Member Blanco, then Board Member Espino.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes. Madam Vice Chair, I wanna congratulate you on the item. It's spectacular, really. Thank you. So when I think of all of the items that you've brought forth throughout your years that we've been on the board together, you are an advocate when it comes to the academic piece, which is truly what we're here for, right? To ensure that our students learn from bringing items recently to let's focus not just on those students that need help to become proficient, but those that are proficient, how do we raise them to an even higher level, right? So you're always searching fo

Thank you, Madam Chair. Vice Chair Colucci, thank you again for the item. It's a wonderful item, and I think it's important for us to always have our North Star and to know where we're headed. One of the things that I find challenging, I, like you, always want to push for improved standards. I mean, I push my kids all the time. You got a B, could you have gotten an A? What could you have done differently? Et cetera, et cetera. And I'm also for pushing our district to do better and our schools to do better. But at the end of the day, Mike, I have a concern, not with your item, but just sort of

All right, Vice Chair Calucci. Thank you, thank you Madam Chair and thank you Board Member Espino for that comment because I hear what you're saying and I specifically made sure that we're focusing on student outcomes, not chasing a formula or a letter grade because that's not what it's about. When we have solid instruction, Students will do well, school performance will follow. So that's critical. I'm always about educating the whole child, and as a matter of fact, you hear that stress in third grade, when the students hear, oh, I'm not gonna pass the test, I'm not gonna go to third grade, an

Thank you, Vice Chair Calucci, and I can assure you our principals are talking about this because I have a whole group of principals that last week we talked about exactly this, and especially your high school principals. So I know they appreciate the item just as much as we do because everybody is very cognizant of the changes that are coming our way, but this is not the first time this has happened to us. We've gone through this. Those of us that have been around quite a while have seen this happen. Again and again every time we get to a certain level then of course the bar has to go up and

Less of an announcement than a question. Apparently, while I was gone, we seem to have scheduled a workshop for Wednesday. I don't remember, excuse me, for Monday. I remember when we scheduled Wednesday, I was pretty sure that was the only thing we had that week.

I'll answer that question for you, sir. That is, board member Santos had requested a workshop on the evaluation of the assessment of the superintendent. You were polled, you were given two options. Every board member chose which option was in their best interest, and the one that had the highest number was the upcoming meeting that we will have prior to the 19th. And that is a request.

I'm a little unclear about what we're trying to accomplish two days before we're.

Through the chair, through the chair. Through the chair, I'm asking the chair. This is, sir, a request that was made by Board Member Santos quite some time ago for a workshop in reference to the evaluation process for a superintendent of schools. So it was a while back. I don't have the information in front of me. Does, Mr. General Counsel, do you happen to have that? Or Madam Secretary, the exact date? Through the chair, can you repeat the question, Madam Chair? Yes, board member Santos had requested to have a workshop to address the issue related to the evaluation of the superintendent. Ther

But my question is what, where we've named someone and we're two days away from trying to finalize a contract, I'm unclear, what is the purpose of the workshop? What is it to address?

Sir, I can't answer the question of what is in the mind of Board Member Santos. I just know she wanted to have a workshop based on the evaluation status. of the superintendent. She has ideas, and we all may have different ideas, or the same, I don't know, but that's what the workshop is going to be about.

Through the chair, sir. Outgoing, through the chair. Through the chair. I'm addressing the chair, so I don't know if it's through the chair. Yes, through the chair. When I'm not speaking to someone else, it's you I'm speaking to. But, of the... outgoing superintendent of the incoming superintendent?

No, sir, it's for the incoming superintendent, and it doesn't mean anything is going to occur, it's just a workshop. The outgoing superintendent, or any superintendent for that matter, has to collaborate with the board on an evaluation tool that is used. It cannot be one way or another, but we are going to have a workshop to address issues that Board Member Santos wanted to have addressed at the workshop. We will all have our comments and then we will proceed from there. You don't vote, you don't do anything during a workshop except having that workshop, listening to the information that is pr

Well first of all let me just say for the record Madam Chair unfortunately I'm unavailable on Monday will not be able to attend. I know it's just a workshop and we're not voting but nonetheless I'm sorry and I express my regrets that I'm unable to but I have a pre-existing business commitment which I took into account when we scheduled for the 19th but not for this late breaking. I just And I guess I'll address it further through the general counsel with deference. I appreciate whatever it is that board member Santos wants to do, but if it's regarding the next superintendent, I feel like we ou

through your answer to that question. I fully concur with that, but that's not the purpose. She wants to address what she thinks should be addressed. That doesn't mean we're gonna do anything. There is no action taken in a workshop. And you don't even have to attend the workshop. That's up to your prerogative if you want to attend or not. It's up to each board member. The workshop is being offered. I need to have at least six people who respond yes so that I can schedule that workshop for her. And then at the actual workshop, you don't need to have six people. You're going to have three. You'r

And it was H6. Thank you. That's what I could not remember the item number. So we're moving forth and we're fulfilling what we voted on. We as a board, the majority of this board, approve that board item. So the workshop is a follow up to the board item. Mr. General Counsel, sir, I'll give you a moment as well.

Thank you, sir, and that was to set up the workshop. Thank you. All right, so with that said, I have now a moment for announcements. Vice Chair Calucci, ma'am, you're recognized.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and I just wanna wish everyone, the listening public, our community, our teachers, our administrators, and our families, our parents, and our students a wonderful, wonderful start of the school year. I know it promises to be one filled with much success, much excitement, and much learning. So I want everyone to have a great first day of school on Thursday.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, ma'am, and I don't have anyone else, so I too have the same message for our teachers, our parents, our students, the members of our workforce, and all of our stakeholders. It's gonna be another superb year. and even though we have challenges ahead of us, I'm confident that this school district will definitely rise to the occasion and I'm looking forward again to much success and much joy for the students who are coming back from summer break and being able to go to schools where they are welcome, they are valued, and they are heard. So congratulations to ever

Thank you very much, sir, and I will begin calling now speakers that have signed up. Antonio White, good afternoon, sir.

Thank you very much, sir. Madam Chair, is a quick comment permissible?

We usually don't comment here at this time, but if you want to make one today, I'll let you make a quick one, but normally we don't speak at this time.

I appreciate that, Madam Chair, and thank you. And thank you for the comments, Mr. White. I note, as I'm sure everyone does, the three things that you're specifically recommending, but we'll await the outcome of our bargaining with the union to get there. I really just wanted to comment about your remark about having met the July 31st deadline, and I want to congratulate you and your union. I want to congratulate district staff. And frankly, I want to congratulate my colleagues on the board. We all had to bend over backwards kind of to get done that kind of ridiculous new state order to get so

Thank you. Heather Knickerbocker? Good afternoon, ma'am.

Thank you very much, sir. Carl Bay? Is Carl Bay here? Okay. And Stephanie Rupp. Ms. Rupp? Good afternoon.

Thank you, but your time is up. Thank you, though. Thank you very much. I have been apprised that all of our speakers who had signed up to speak have had an opportunity, and the one gentleman that is not present was contacted and stated that he was not going to be attending. So therefore, we have now exhausted all of the public speakers, and this public hearing portion has concluded, and the time is 3.29 p.m. I also see that our superintendent of schools, Dr. Jose L. Dutris is here. Mr. Superintendent, before we conclude with this board meeting, would you like to say anything, sir?

Thank you very much, sir, and we certainly do look forward for a wonderful Thursday and great reports to come our way, we're sure of that. I have now Dr. Bendros-Meningo who wanted to say something else.

Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you, Mr. Superintendent, for getting here. I want to ask you, if you will, I hate to, but I need to. You mentioned our food program. Could you quickly talk to the public? They're listening and they're watching how we're doing that, because... I'm getting calls, and I want them to, when I see them, I want the superintendent to explain to you how we're feeding our children, if you will. Thank you, Madam Chair. Yes, ma'am.

Mr. Superintendent, sir, you're recognized.

Yes, thank you, is that all, ma'am? Member Geller?

Thank you, Madam Chair. And just very briefly, first on this issue, and I applaud what you're doing, Dr. Dotris. I just think it should be noted that this is a different circumstance. And for people who think and have said, well, there's really nothing that's happened at the federal level that impacts us, And here's the evidence that that's not the case. There are students at schools that will be missed. They won't get the same meals. They may be getting what's defined as nutritious. Students know the difference between what you're getting. And that's a problem. And like a lot of the things th

Thank you, Mr. Superintendent, but yep, you're late in the ballgame. We recognized him at the meeting on the opening day. We recognized him at 11 o'clock this morning, and we recognized him again at one, but he deserves it, and his family is all here with us, too. And by the way, in case you don't know this, he seems to have a twin brother sitting right up front, and they actually fooled our colleague on the board, Dr. Bendrels-Meningo, who thought she was talking to the student advisor, and it was really the twin. Are you twins? Of course. Absolutely. They're identical. So anyway, it's a plea

Thank you. All right. So anyways, it's a pleasure. Good luck to everyone. Have a great opening of schools. And we look forward to seeing you again at our next board meeting. Thank you. And this meeting has now concluded. Thank you, ma'am.