New Miami-Dade superintendent pauses process that put 27 schools on closure notice

Education admin September 2, 2026 0 Comments

New Miami-Dade superintendent pauses process that put 27 schools on closure notice

In his first day on the job, new Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Rafael Villalobos said he’s pausing a process that could lead to closure or other major changes at more than two dozen under-enrolled public schools.

Villalobos, in a Wednesday letter to parents, wrote that he will “fully review this process and its potential impact on our schools.”

“The process will be temporarily paused while I conduct this review and ensure that our community has clear and complete information about the process, timelines, and opportunities for meaningful public input,” Villalobos wrote.

Parents with children at 27 schools were informed last month by the district that their child’s school had been flagged as either “under review” or “reassessed,” with the latter indicating a closure might be imminent. On the heels of the district’s decision to close nine schools over the summer, the letters raised fears among parents, teachers and community members that their school could be next to close.

The Miami-Dade School Board supported Villalobos’ action Wednesday but took no action during a committee meeting held to prepare for next week’s board meeting. Some members criticized how the administration of former Superintendent Jose Dotres handled the situation.

Many on the board said they were in the dark about the district’s list of 27 schools until it was reported in the media. Letters sent home to parents last month listed 12 “reassessed” schools and 15 “under review.”

“We are in this predicament because of decisions made by the prior administration,” Vice Chair Monica Colucci said.

Villalobos’ announcement offers a chance for the new administration to reset and seek more community input. But the pause does not necessarily mean the schools on the list will be spared. Both Villalobos and Dotres have said more schools will need to close in the near future in response to declining student enrollment and the resulting drop in per-pupil funding.

Compared to last year, about 15,000 fewer students were enrolled in traditional Miami-Dade public schools when classes resumed in August. The first official count that could affect funding will occur next month.

Enrollment at some schools like Miami Killian Senior High has plummeted in the last two decades. Many schools are more than half-empty, according to state estimates of the campus capacity being used for instruction.

District 4 Board Member Roberto Alonso said the board “really cannot delay this much more.”

“We will have to consolidate schools this year if we want our district to be financially stable,” Alonso said.

Some board members also criticized unclear definitions for the terms “reassessed” and “under review” used by the district’s Attendance Boundary Committee, which is responsible for making recommendations on school closures, consolidations, additions and boundary changes

Between the two categories, the definition for “reassessed” makes a school closure appear more likely. Though it may not necessarily close, “there will be an impact to the school in its present form,” a committee document stated

“Reassessment indicates that a decision has been made to align with the district’s long-term strategic goals and capital plan,” another committee statement read.

The “under review” category is more broad, with a committee document stating plainly that it does not equate to an automatic future closure.

The entire process is now up in the air pending Villalobos’ review, which he said would be “a transparent and thoughtful process.”

In a statement posted to social media, Villalobos said the district would “resume community sessions” in the second week of October and that the “entire process” will be over by December.

“Parents, students, staff, and community members will have the opportunity to understand proposed changes, ask questions, provide input, and offer alternatives before any decisions are finalized. The District will provide clear communication regarding the process, including meeting dates, opportunities for public input, and the anticipated timeline for consideration of any proposed changes,” Villalobos wrote.

Here’s a list of the 27 schools that were previously deemed “reassessed” or “under review” and their corresponding utilization rates: