Miami-Dade County Public Schools

Miami-Dade and Broward public schools are facing declining enrollment and financial challenges, leading to school closures. Officials attribute the drop in students to declining birth rates, high living costs, and reduced newcomers, resulting in millions in lost funding and forced budget cuts.

South Florida students returning to school in August can find laptops under $250 through various deals, with Florida’s back-to-school sales tax exemption valid until Aug 20. The article lists 10 laptop models and includes discount codes from Nike and Michaels for additional savings.

South Florida public schools in Broward and Miami-Dade counties will introduce new cafeteria menu items for the 2026-2027 academic year. Families at non-qualifying schools must submit applications to determine eligibility for free or reduced-price meals, with pricing details provided for schools no longer offering free meals. The school year begins between August 10-13, 2026, depending on the district.

The 2026–27 academic year starts between Aug. 10 and Aug. 13 for schools in Broward County, Miami Catholic Archdiocese, and Miami-Dade County. Florida’s back-to-school sales tax exemption ends on Aug. 20, with 10 highlighted deals on school supplies from retailers like Target, Office Depot, Staples, and Walmart.

Miami-Dade County students return to school on Aug. 13 as incoming Superintendent Rafael Villalobos discusses changes including expanded free meal programs at 121 schools and the closure or repurposing of nine schools due to declining enrollment. Parents are urged to update contact information and apply for meal assistance if eligible.

Rafael Villalobos is designated to be the next superintendent of Miami-Dade County Public Schools. He joined host Janine Stanwood on the latest episode of “This Week in South Florida”.

Miami-Dade Schools Police, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, and other agencies conducted a school shooting response drill at John A. Ferguson Senior High School to test emergency protocols. The simulation involved stopping a gunman, treating victims, and coordinating law enforcement and fire rescue efforts to ensure a uniform response to active shooter scenarios.

Lamar Johnson, the 2026 Miami-Dade County Public Schools Principal of the Year, was awarded a 2026 Toyota Camry SE and a three-year lease at a ceremony hosted by Headquarter Toyota in Hialeah. During his five years as principal, Liberty City Elementary School improved from a 'C' to an 'A' rating, with gains in student achievement and attendance.

Denver school board and Superintendent Alex Marrero, after months of tension, held a closed-door meeting and agreed to continue working on their relationship and governance model. Both sides expressed commitment to addressing concerns and exploring adjustments to policy governance, though specific details from the private session remain unclear.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools will continue offering free meals at 121 campuses during the upcoming school year, while families at other schools must apply for free or reduced-price meals. The change follows the end of the district's four-year participation in the federal Community Eligibility Provision (CEP), which previously allowed free meals for all students districtwide. Families can apply starting Aug. 10, and students certified through programs like SNAP or Medicaid will automatically qualify for free meals.

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) has installed security cameras on 1,300 school buses to monitor drivers who illegally pass buses during stops. The system, managed by BusPatrol, includes license plate capture and traffic views to aid law enforcement in reviewing violations before issuing fines. Officials emphasized that the program includes a 30-day warning period starting August 10, with civil penalties beginning September 9, and that citations require law enforcement approval.

Cristina Rodriguez, a Miami-Dade County Public Schools graduate, co-founded Mind&Melody, a nonprofit providing over 16,000 interactive music sessions for individuals with neurological and developmental conditions across Florida, New Mexico, and New York. The organization engages participants through live music activities in healthcare and community settings, expanding beyond hospitals to include memory care and schools.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools will offer free lunch to all students at only 121 schools during the 2026-27 school year due to reduced federal funding. Previously, the federal Community Eligibility Provision covered schools where 62.5% of students qualified, but this year only 45.1% met the threshold. Families can apply for free and reduced-price meals via the Miami-Dade County School Portal starting Aug. 10.

Johnny Brown, the father of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, passed away at 80. He was a lawyer for Miami-Dade County Public Schools and influenced his daughter's interest in law, as detailed in her 2024 memoir 'Lovely One'.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools students from Earlington Heights Elementary were selected as official player escorts for a Norway vs. England FIFA World Cup quarterfinal match. The students, organized by the non-profit Miami Scores, wore adidas uniforms and waved team flags before the event.

Denver Public Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero is no longer a candidate for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools superintendent position, as the Miami-Dade school board narrowed its pool to six semifinalists. Marrero stated he remains committed to Denver and highlighted his focus on equity and support for Black, Latino, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ students, noting potential misalignment with conservative ideologies in certain regions.

Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) and Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) received 'A' grades from the Florida Department of Education. BCPS achieved this for the third consecutive year, and district officials celebrated the accomplishment at a news conference, emphasizing academic excellence as a standard.

Denver Superintendent Alex Marrero expressed concerns to the school board about its overreach into administrative matters, contract violations, and internal disputes, citing an increasingly untenable situation. He announced his job application for a role in Florida's Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

Denver Superintendent Alex Marrero informed the school board he could no longer ignore concerns about the board overstepping administrative roles, violating his contract, and creating a contentious environment. He cited instances like a closed-door executive session excluding him and disputes among board members. Marrero, seeking a job in Miami-Dade County Public Schools, expressed these issues in a June 8 email to board President Xóchitl Gaytán.

Denver Public Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero is a candidate for the Miami-Dade County Public Schools superintendent position. He has been Denver's superintendent since 2021, with a contract through 2028, and was previously a finalist for Chicago Public Schools and considered for New York City Public Schools.

Miami-Dade School Board members are considering closing four schools as part of a proposal to overhaul school boundaries, school choice, and future planning due to declining enrollment and changing demographics. The four schools under review are Lenora Braynon Smith Elementary, Miami Springs Middle, Pine Villa Elementary, and Richmond Heights Middle. The board aims to modernize the decision-making process to increase transparency and family input before finalizing any closures next week.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools is providing free breakfast and lunch to children aged 18 and younger this summer through Florida’s Summer BreakSpot program. Meals will be available at 170 schools from June 8 to July 31, with no income requirements or registration needed. Meals must be consumed on-site, and families can find details at SummerBreakSpot.org.

A Miami-Dade County teacher, Michael Enriquez, accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with a student at American Senior High School, is expected to be released on house arrest with restrictions. The alleged relationship began in May 2025 when the student was 17 and resumed after summer break in August 2025, with their final encounter occurring in May 2026 when the student turned 18. Miami-Dade County Public Schools confirmed Enriquez will be fired.

Michael Enriquez, a Miami-Dade County teacher at American Senior High School, appeared in bond court after being arrested for allegedly engaging in a sexual relationship with a student starting in May 2025. The student was 17 at the time of initial encounters and 18 during their final interaction on May 14, 2026. Miami-Dade County Public Schools confirmed Enriquez will be fired.