Civic Week at Ponce: Candidate Forum Tonight & Superintendent Town Hall on Wednesday
Dear Ponce Families,
This week brings two chances to hear directly from the people who shape our children's education: one you can join from your couch, and one in person. Both are free and open to everyone. Come with your questions, listen closely, and decide for yourself.
• Tuesday, Sept. 29 at 7 PM (Zoom): Education Candidate Forum with Florida State Senate candidates
• Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 6:30 PM (in person): Meet Our Superintendent Town Hall at Miami Senior High, with a Resource Fair from 5:30 PM
🗳️ Education Candidate Forum | Tuesday, September 29 at 7 PM
When: Tuesday, September 29, 2026, at 7:00 PM
Where: Online, via Zoom webinar (free registration required)
What: Four candidates from two Miami-Dade Florida Senate districts will talk about education and share their plans for Florida's public schools before the November 3 election.
Who's in the spotlight: meet the panelists
Senate District 38
• Alexis Calatayud (Republican, incumbent) was born in Miami. She worked in education policy at the Florida Department of Education, then was elected to the State Senate in 2022. She is running for re-election.
• Richard Lamondin (Democrat) was born in Miami. He co-founded ecofi, a water and energy conservation company, with his brother in 2012. He is a first-time candidate who has never held public office.
• Jeffrey "Doc" Solomon (No Party Affiliation) was born in Miami Beach. He is a chiropractic physician who has served Miami-Dade for over 40 years. He previously ran for the Florida House in 2010, 2012, and 2018.
Senate District 36
• George Lavín (Democrat), the son and grandson of immigrants, has lived in West Miami for 14 years. He works as a legal consultant. He ran for West Miami City Commission in April.
Why it matters
Many decisions that shape our children's school day are made in Tallahassee, including school funding, teacher pay, testing, curriculum standards, and student safety. The people we elect to the State Senate help make those decisions. Ponce families live in more than one Senate district, so check which district you're in on the Miami-Dade Elections Department website before you vote.
How to participate
• Register in advance using the link above; your personal Zoom link will arrive by email.
• Jot down your questions ahead of time: what matters most to your family about funding, teachers, testing, safety?
• Not registered to vote yet, or recently moved? Florida's registration deadline is 29 days before Election Day, which is Monday, October 5.
Who should listen
Parents, guardians, grandparents, teachers, staff, community members, and older students who are curious about how civic life works. You don't need to be a policy expert or have made up your mind.
🏫 Meet Our Superintendent Town Hall | Wednesday, September 30
When: Wednesday, September 30, 2026. Community Resource Fair from 5:30 to 6:30 PM; Town Hall from 6:30 to 8:00 PM
Where: Miami Senior High School Auditorium, 2450 SW 1st Street, Miami, FL 33135
What: Miami-Dade County Public Schools invites families to meet the Superintendent, learn more about our schools, get information about the Secure Our Future Referendum Renewal on the November 3 ballot, and submit questions. Before the meeting, the Resource Fair is a chance to explore programs available in the District and our community.
Who's in the spotlight: Superintendent Rafael A. Villalobos
Superintendent Villalobos is a proud graduate of Miami-Dade County Public Schools who has spent more than 30 years in our district. He began his career in 1994 as a teacher at South Dade Senior High, then served as lead teacher and assistant principal at Felix Varela Senior High and as assistant principal at the South Dade Adult Center (now South Dade Technical College), where he managed ESOL, citizenship, GED, and skilled-trades programs.
He went on to lead four high schools, including Miami Springs Senior High and John A. Ferguson Senior High, where he was named Principal of the Year in 2020. He was also the founding principal of Law Enforcement Officers' Memorial High School, the district's public safety and law studies high school, and spent a short time in the private sector with education technology companies.
Since 2022, he has served as South Region Superintendent, overseeing more than 100 schools and 80,000 students. There, he created the region's first PTA/PTSA/PTO leadership forum, bringing parent leaders from elementary, middle, and high schools together three times a year. On July 29, 2026, the School Board unanimously selected him to succeed Dr. José L. Dotres as Superintendent. This town hall series is his chance to visit communities across Miami-Dade and hear directly from families, students, and educators.
About the Secure Our Future Referendum Renewal
Here are the basic facts, so you can arrive informed:
• Miami-Dade voters first approved the Secure Our Future referendum in 2018 and renewed it in 2022 as a one-mill property tax levy.
• The current referendum expires on June 30, 2027. The November 3 ballot asks voters whether to continue it for another four years.
• The funds support salary supplements for teachers and instructional staff, plus school safety and security, including at public charter schools. The district reports that about 88% goes to teacher salaries and 12% to safety.
You'll find the exact ballot wording on your sample ballot from the Miami-Dade Elections Department. The town hall is a great place to ask the district how the funds have been used and what renewal would mean for schools like Ponce.
Why it matters
The Superintendent leads the third-largest school district in the country, and his priorities affect budgets, programs, safety, and enrollment decisions that reach every campus, including ours. Hearing his vision firsthand, and having your questions heard, is one of the most direct ways families can take part in our district's future.
How to participate
• Arrive by 5:30 PM to visit the Resource Fair, or by 6:30 PM for the Town Hall.
• Bring your questions; there will be an opportunity to submit them during the event.
• Can't make Wednesday? The Superintendent is hosting town halls at several locations across Miami-Dade, all with the same format. Check the district's website for other dates.
Who should attend
All families, students, educators, school staff, and community members who want to learn more about our schools and the decisions ahead.
📅 Mark your calendar
• Tue., Sept. 29, 7 PM: Education Candidate Forum (Zoom) · Register
• Wed., Sept. 30, 5:30 PM: Resource Fair · 6:30 PM Superintendent Town Hall, Miami Senior High
• Mon., Oct. 5: Voter registration deadline for the general election
• Tue., Nov. 3: Election Day
Informed families make stronger schools. We hope to see you there!
The Ponce de Leon Middle School PTSA is nonpartisan. We do not endorse any candidate or take a position on any ballot measure. These events are shared for informational purposes only.
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