Municipal

USA TODAY

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Miami-Dade district could close 5 more schools. Here's the list

The Miami-Dade Public School District has resumed a process that could potentially close several schools , according to a social media post by Superintendent Rafael Villalobos. The Attendance Boundary Committee released a new list of "targeted" schools — boundary changes are "necessary" for these schools to keep "adequately" accommodating students and programs. Targeted status, according to the committee, "requires" that an attendance boundary recommendation "be developed and implemented for the following school year." Six schools are considered "targeted," five for consolidation and one for conversion: Golden Glades Elementary, which could be consolidated with Carol City Elementary. Myrtle Grove Elementary, which could be consolidated with Carol City Elementary. Carol City Middle, which could be consolidated with Miami Carol City Senior and Lake Stevens Middle. Lorah Park Elementary, which could be consolidated with Earlington Heights Elementary, South Hialeah Elementary and Lincoln Diaz-Balart Hialeah Elementary. Hammocks Middle, which could be consolidated with Felix Varela Senior. Southside Preparatory, which could be converted into a K-12 school. Another 28 schools are listed as "advised," which means that "a boundary change will most probably be required in the upcoming year." Miami-Dade previously paused closure, consolidation process Miami-Dade district Superintendent Rafael Villalobos previously put a temporary pause

Miami-Dade County, FL · 3d

Miami Herald

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Miami elections chief's partisan statement undermines public trust in her office | Letters

Eroding confidence Miami-Dade Supervisor of Elections Alina Garcia has apparently forgotten a fundamental principle of democracy: election officials count votes. They don’t declare winners before the process is complete. “María Elvira is the winner, with or without a recount,” Garcia proclaimed as U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar held a razor-thin lead over Democrat Eliott Rodriguez. With or without a recount? That extraordinary declaration came while ballots remained unresolved and a legally mandated recount loomed. Garcia is not a political pundit or campaign surrogate. She is the official entrusted with administering an impartial election. Her responsibility is to safeguard the process, not prejudge its outcome. Perhaps Salazar will ultimately prevail. That is beside the point. When an election supervisor publicly declares a winner before the process concludes, they create an appearance of bias that undermines confidence in the institution they represent. Rodriguez’s request for her recusal is therefore understandable, regardless of whether actual misconduct occurred. Democracy demands more than accurate vote totals. It demands public confidence that every ballot receives fair consideration. Garcia’s reckless pronouncement compromised that confidence. Miami-Dade deserves an election supervisor who understands the difference between administering democracy and announcing its results. The voters decide. Not Alina Garcia. Manny