Remarks by Mari Tere Rojas
241 remarks on the record, newest first · Page 3 of 10
- Play at 3:10:08
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
School Board · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 3:11:14
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
School Board · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 3:11:49
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
School Board · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 3:13:10
“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…”
School Board · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 3:18:39
“Do I hear a motion to approve the items as amended? So moved. All in favor say aye.”
School Board · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 3:18:47
“Any opposed, nay. Motion passes. And I believe that those are all the areas that we're pending. Is that correct, sir?”
School Board · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 3:19:16
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
School Board · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 3:19:57
“Thank you very much. Do I have a motion?”
School Board · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 3:20:01
“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…”
School Board · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 3:24:52
“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…”
School Board · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 3:29:43
“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.”
School Board · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 3:32:01
“I found out this morning when he walked in and saw him, and I said, you two are identical.”
School Board · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 3:32:19
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
School Board · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 3:37:01
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
School Board · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 3:41:10
“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.”
School Board · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 3:41:21
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
School Board · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 3:41:59
“I don't have any other speakers, so board member Geller, sir, you may present your item at this time.”
School Board · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 3:49:56
“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…”
School Board · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 3:55:46
“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…”
School Board · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 4:06:31
“Whatever the December meeting is. Absolutely, sir. I would not have a problem with that.”
School Board · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 4:07:46
“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.”
School Board · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 4:08:18
“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.”
School Board · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 4:10:52
“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.”
School Board · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 4:16:23
“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.”
School Board · Aug 11, 2026
- Play at 4:17:58
Not quoted here: it may name a member of the public. Hear it at the meeting.
School Board · Aug 11, 2026