PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF DR. STEVE GALLON III
May 17, 2018
At the May 16, 2018 School Board Meeting, the School Board unanimously approved Board Item H-9, Ensuring Student Safety During Student Walkouts, which was presented by School Board Member Dr. Steve Gallon III and co-sponsored by Ms. Marie Tere Rojas, Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall, and Board Chair Ms. Perla Tabares Hantman.
In proffering this item, Dr. Gallon reaffirmed that the School Board of Miami-Dade County Public Schools is committed to respecting and supporting the rights of each student to express themselves pursuant to their rights afforded through the Constitution, State law, and Board Policy. In fact, he referenced School Board Policy 2240, Controversial Issues and Student Expression, which states that “students are encouraged to participate in discussions, speeches, and other expressions in which many points of view, including those that are controversial, are freely explored.”
The unanimous approval of this item directed the Superintendent to review the policy and procedures for governing student expression, as well as recent student walkouts to explore proactive plans of action to ensure the safety and security of students during such incidents. The item also calls for a review of board policies governing the role of various stakeholders in promoting plans, programs, and platforms for student expression, as defined in Policy 2240.
