Miami Dade School Board Prepares for Important Elections

MIAMI - The Miami Dade school district, which is the fourth largest in the nation, has faced a lot of challenges in the past. I should know; I myself am a product of this school system and saw firsthand the corruption and bureaucracy that took hold of the system. In my time as a Miami Dade County public school student I saw money being dwindled away, violence erupting, overcrowding, immigrants struggling, and educators being taken for granted. When I finally went to college I was horribly prepared for the academic trials I would face. The most shocking part is that I went to one of the better schools.

As a whole, the Miami Dade school system faces poverty stricken areas, failing schools, serious monetary issues, and the second largest minority-majority population in the nation. Additionally, according to the Miami Dade County Public Schools website, enrollment as of August 16 reached just over 333,000 meaning that the MDCPS also faces severe overcrowding.

With such unique and difficult issues there need to be equally unique individuals who can turn the school system around. On August 24, MDCPS will be seeing new faces as 4 out of the 9 seats on the school board are up for grabs. These elections will hopefully bring a new era of responsibility to a fragile school system.

One candidate who is expected to make a huge difference if elected is Raquel Regalado. Regalado, the daughter of the mayor of Miami, has won over the hearts of many with her incredible credentials and her passion for helping the community. She has even received an endorsement from the United Teachers of Dade and is recommended by The Miami Herald as the best candidate for District 6.

Regalado's clear understanding of the relationship between schools and an area's economic situation would be helpful in a school system constantly facing monetary issues. She wants to push the district to continue to reduce administration so that the students are not affected by budget cuts. Moreover, Regalado's robust legal experience would bring a much needed plus to the school board.

Regalado runs on the basis that the old system needs to be revamped to create a system that bridges the gap between the school board, educators, parents, and students. Consequently, if elected Regalado is expected to stand up to political influence in an effort to put education at the forefront of society.

Along with Regalado are sixteen other candidates running in various districts for a seat on the infamous school board. All these candidates are facing extreme challenges as every MDCPS district has suffered greatly in the past.

However, amidst the chaos of such an important election only one thing remains certain: whoever is elected will be met with big challenges and a lot of pressure.

Sources:
The Miami Herald
Raquel Regalado Website
Raquel Regalado for School Board District 6 Facebook Page
Miami Dade County Public Schools
Miami Dade County Public Schools Student Enrollment