Rooted in excellence, choice, innovation, and safety, Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), the nation’s third largest school district, continues to serve as a national model of what a public education system can achieve.

As Chair of the School Board, and alongside my fellow Board members, I take great pride in the seamless continuum of education we offer — from early childhood programs to postsecondary and workforce pathways that prepare every student for success.

Over the past several months, the M-DCPS School Board and the Superintendent have maintained a continuous and constructive dialogue with both House and Senate leadership to ensure our shared alignment on legislative priorities and address emerging budget and policy challenges affecting M-DCPS in real time.

These engagements have included regular briefings, targeted outreach, and coordination meetings to foster a positive and productive collaboration and promote a shared understanding and vision for all the students we serve. Through consistent communication, we have also collaborated with the State, provided technical assistance, as requested, and ensured that leadership remained informed of the School Board’s legislative priorities.

This engagement has strengthened our relationships with the House and Senate leaders and helped build a foundation for sustained policy and budgetary discussions.

Our academic excellence remains undeniable. In 2023–2024, M-DCPS proudly sustained its “A” rating for five years. On statewide assessments, the District outperformed or matched state performance in 20 of 21 tested areas — a testament to the hard work of our students, the professionalism of our teachers, and the strength of our school and district leadership.

Student proficiency rates have surpassed pre-pandemic levels, demonstrating consistent growth. Our statewide ranking has risen from #15 in 2019 to #8 out of 67 school districts today. Most notably, our graduation rate reached a historic 95.2%, clearly reflecting our collective commitment to student achievement.

Our ongoing commitment to fiscal responsibility and public trust is equally critical to our mission. Each year, the School Board holds Budget Workshops and Budget Public Hearings where every aspect of the District’s financial operations is reviewed openly. These meetings are accessible to all members of the public and reflect the transparency that anchors our decision-making.

We also publish a comprehensive Citizens’ Guide to the Budget, designed to present key financial data in a user-friendly format. From detailed breakdowns of revenue and expenditures to clear summaries of budget highlights, this guide helps families, employees, stakeholders, and taxpayers better understand how public dollars are managed.

Furthermore, the budget is posted online annually and there are two public budget hearings, one in July and the second one in September of each year. Additionally, each Board Member engages the community directly through town hall meetings that cover a wide range of district matters — including financial and budget conversations.

Moreover, the School Board has approved several citizen advisory committees, including the Audit and Budget Advisory Committee, the District and School Budget Priorities Parent Advisory Subcommittee, a subcommittee of the Family & Community Involvement Advisory Committee, and the Treasury Advisory Committee, all of which are represented by volunteer parents and financial experts from Miami-Dade County.

Contrary to any suggestion of a lack of transparency or efficiency, 96% of the District’s operating budget is dedicated to direct services for students and school-level needs. The total millage rate remains among the lowest in over four decades. Since 2007, we have reduced central administrative costs by more than 50%, ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: into classrooms and schools.

As a Board, we welcome scrutiny. In fact, we believe it strengthens the systems we have built to ensure accountability, excellence, and return on investment.

While we continue to advocate for fair and adequate funding at the state level, especially in the Base Student Allocation, we have never shied away from making difficult, data-informed decisions at the local level.

It is also important to point out that over the past five years, Miami-Dade County Public Schools have faced unprecedented challenges that have tested our resilience and adaptability. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional learning, widened achievement gaps, and placed enormous strain on students, families, and educators.

In addition, the district has experienced a dramatic demographic shift with the arrival of more than 60,000 immigrant children, many of whom arrived with unique academic, linguistic, and socio-emotional needs. These overlapping crises have underscored the urgent need for sustained resources, strategic planning, and comprehensive support systems to ensure that every child—regardless of background or circumstance — has the opportunity to learn and thrive.

The leaders of the Florida Legislature, the Miami-Dade delegation, and the legislative body have always supported our vision, and we are very grateful.

Even in times of challenge, we stay grounded in solutions. We recognize the importance of asking hard questions but must also acknowledge hard facts. The truth is, our schools are achieving remarkable levels thanks to a shared vision, sound financial stewardship, and the tireless work of our educators, school leaders, and partners, including elected officials.

The community can and should continue to ask questions. As Chair of the School Board, I assure you that this Board will continue to provide honest answers supported by data, governed by transparency, and anchored in results.

Preparing students for the future is a shared responsibility, one that benefits the entire community. We welcome the voices, perspectives, and support of parents, educators, community members, elected officials, business leaders, industry partners, and nonprofit and philanthropic organizations.

Together, we can ensure our schools remain relevant, innovative, and deeply rooted in their communities, empowering every learner for the opportunities ahead.

At Miami-Dade County Public Schools, we give our students the world.

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Mari Tere Rojas serves as the Miami-Dade School Board Chair.

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