Swearing-in Day for Miami-Dade and Broward County School Boards
New Chair and Vice Chair Elected in Broward
On Tuesday, the Miami-Dade and Broward County school boards held their swearing-in ceremonies. The meetings marked the beginning of new terms for the board members, with a focus on cooperation and collegiality.
Conservative-Majority Remains Unchanged in Miami-Dade
In Miami-Dade, the balance of conservative to liberal board members remains the same, with a majority of five conservatives, including board members backed by Governor Ron DeSantis.
New Leadership and Unity in Broward
In Broward, two board members appointed by DeSantis are no longer on the board, and a new chair and vice chair were elected. Debbi Hixon becomes the new chair, while Sarah Leonardi takes the role of vice chair.
Code of Conduct Debate
Within minutes of taking the gavel, the new chair, Debbi Hixon, presented a code of conduct resolution. The resolution allows the board to censure a member if the majority believes the person has behaved inappropriately. Board member Brenda Fam, the lone conservative on the board, objected to the resolution.
A-rated School District Goals
At the ceremony in Dillard High School, three incumbents and two new board members were sworn in, replacing the two DeSantis-appointed members. The new members emphasized their commitment to the A-rated school district’s continued success.
Maintaining A-Rating and Addressing Mental Health Crisis
Maura Bulman, who represents District One, said, "We may not always agree, but I’m confident that we all share the goal of continuing to move our A-rated school district in a positive direction." Rebecca Thompson, representing District Two, added, "We’re gonna address a nationwide mental health crisis that’s affecting all of our students, and we’re not only going to maintain our ‘A’ rating but provide an A-rated school experience for every child that walks through our doors."
Cooperation and Consensus in Miami-Dade
In Miami-Dade, four incumbents were sworn in, along with newcomer Joe Geller. Geller described the group, saying, "Entrepreneurs, educators, attorneys, different approaches, different strengths, I think that’s really kind of a perfect balance for positive policy development." DeSantis-endorsed board member Danny Espino added, "We vote together 95% of the time on the things that move MDCPS forward for the benefit of our students."
Respect and Collegiality
The new chair, Debbi Hixon, stressed the importance of respecting all opinions on the Broward board. "They were all elected, I can say that now, and they’re the voice of their district so they should have the opportunity, whether we agree or don’t agree on it, to say what they think is valuable for the conversation," she said.
Conclusion
The swearing-in of the Miami-Dade and Broward County school boards marks a new chapter in the governance of these esteemed institutions. With a renewed focus on cooperation and consensus, the boards are well-positioned to continue to provide excellent education to students in their respective districts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was the outcome of the balance of conservative to liberal board members in Miami-Dade?
A: The balance remained unchanged, with five conservatives, including board members backed by Governor Ron DeSantis.
Q: Who were the new chairs and vice chairs elected in Broward?
A: Debbi Hixon was elected as the new chair, while Sarah Leonardi took the role of vice chair.
Q: What was the outcome of the code of conduct debate in Broward?
A: The resolution passed unanimously, with eight votes in favor and one against, with Board member Brenda Fam being the sole dissenter.
Q: What are the goals of the newly sworn-in board members?
A: The board members emphasized their commitment to continuing the A-rated school district’s success, addressing a nationwide mental health crisis, and providing an A-rated school experience for every student.
