School Board - workshop

Good morning once again, and welcome to the August 17, 2026 School Board Workshop. As I stated earlier, I believe there's an echo. We'll pause for a moment. Testing, all right, that's better. As I stated earlier, the echo's still there. Testing, testing, all right, let's see if it works this time. As I stated earlier, I gave it 10 additional minutes to see if any of my colleagues arrived for the workshop. At this time it is 10 11 a.m. and the only board member present at this time is myself. So therefore I will like to address that This meeting was supposed to take place today for a workshop that had been scheduled because of the board approved agenda item H6 at the June 2026 board meeting. The item was co-sponsored by board members Dorothy Bendros-Meningo and Joseph Geller. The purpose for today's workshop was to collaborate on an assessment process and guiding tool for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent of Schools aligned with the 2026-2031 strategic plan and other agreed upon performance areas. So the bottom line is that the purpose of today's discussion was to begin with a conversation and then work towards a possibility of developing a thoughtful and comprehensive assessment process if deemed necessary by the board. Since I do not have a quorum, board policy states, and I do have board member Santos who was going to participate via virtual participation, and I cannot take a vote because there must be two board members present, and that's according to policy. to allow board member Santos to make a presentation. And thus far, again, I am the only board member who is present here for the workshop at this time. So therefore, Mr. General Counsel, sir, The workshop can proceed is my understanding if possibly one of Board Member Santos' representatives wants to provide the workshop. I am here and I will actively listen and participate. If not, Board Member Santos cannot present the item and therefore I'm assuming that a new item would have to be presented to the board so that another board workshop could be scheduled. Is that correct, sir? And please provide any additional input as deemed necessary.

Yes, through the chair. Yes, the item required the scheduling of a workshop, which was indicated and expressed not only through the board's action, prior action, but also expressed at the last school board meeting. In accordance with board policy 0165, subsection G, the board was polled. Six board members had indicated their preference for this date and time. Subsequent to that, this workshop was properly advertised. to the public and that brings us to this point. According to the same board policy, even if there is no quorum, the workshop can proceed. However, the issue is that Board Member Santos wants to participate virtually and that does require a vote quorum. So that has not been addressed at any prior meeting. So my suggestion is maybe the workshop can proceed or if there's someone that wants to present or answer questions. And then if another board member shows up during the presentation, then maybe at that time you can take a vote. But at this point, there's no...

thank you and I would be happy to take a vote at any point in time if I have another colleague I will make a motion to allow board member Santos to participate if I do have another colleague of mine present for the required number to be able to proceed accordingly. So I'm going to have to ask Board Member Santos as Chief of Staff or a member of her team if they would like to follow up with a presentation. Mr. General Counsel, sir, is there anything else you would like to say?

Yes, through the Chair. I just received a message from Board Member Santos. She had indicated that she would prefer to reschedule or bring another item later.

Okay, well then, there's the response, so therefore, at this time, and it is right now, 10.16 a.m., the workshop that had been originally scheduled for today is now canceled, and as advised by my colleague, Board Member Santos, she is preferring to bring another board item to the actual board meeting, and proceed accordingly based on the outcome of that item for an additional workshop to take place in the future. Thank you, everyone, and have a wonderful day. Thank you.