Over the summer, district officials met to discuss a major change to two schools in Miami-Dade County; to split up existing technical schools’ high school and technical college aspects. This decision was part of the third pillar of Miami-Dade’s 2021-2026 Strategic Plan, calling for “Highly Effective Teachers, Leaders, & Staff.” The schools affected in Dade County were Robert Morgan Educational Center and Miami Lakes Educational Center.
Until recently, the change was unnoticed by most. However, recent advances have led students to examine the policy more closely. Class changes, staff relocations, and much more have left students confused.
What is the division?
The division, on a surface level, divides the adult night school and magnet high school of MLEC in two. Effects of the split include the relocation of staff within MLEC, increased limits on technical electives, and shifts in position for staff.
Some relocations are more well-known. For instance, Mr. Betancourt, a teacher within the Medical strand, has been moved to Building Five. Additionally, Mr Laguna has also been relocated from room 5146 to room 5140, across the hall.
More notably, Principal Fernandez’s office has been moved. Once stationed in Building Three as the principal of both schools, Fernandez chose this summer to stay on as the principal of the high school and relocate his office to Building Five.
“I’m 100% now focused on the high-school, which is great. One of the things I really wanted to do was move to Building Five. Now, during the switching of classes, I can very easily come out and do, like, a [lap] around Building Five and make sure that everybody’s where they need to be,” said Principal Fernandez.
Other office staff who once resided in Building Three have been told to make the shift with him as well. They are now located at the entrance of Building Five, alongside the treasurer’s office. The once near-empty room is now bustling with activity.
The Culinary Elective
It’s not just staff feeling the effects, however, as several students have noticed changes to the school’s technical strands. Notably, the technical college, working closely with MLEC, recently decided to limit the number of high school students allowed in a Culinary class per period.
This change was to ensure safety in the kitchen, as it is an active and often dangerous environment. Due to this, a majority of students outside of the Culinary program have been relocated to other classes.
Seniors found a great issue with the class changes, seeing as it is their last year. Several could be heard complaining about the lack of priority given to the graduating class or exclaiming about missing their chance to take the course.
“My first reaction was just, kind of surprise because it had been over 3 weeks since school started. […] They called me out of nowhere to the office to tell me that they had to take me out of that class because it was full,” said senior Kelvin Rodriguez.
Seniors weren’t the only ones affected by the class size change though. Juniors were also taken out of the elective, along with some underclassmen. Most of those who were switched out of culinary found themselves taking PE for the second time.
“I got switched into PE. It’s not that I have a hatred for PE, it’s just… I wanted to eat and cook, not workout and sweat. […] If having college classes in the mix of high school is too much for [the school], then they should drop them,” said junior Nylah Martinez.
Principal Fernandez acknowledged that the opportunity to take technical electives would dwindle slightly, but he remains adamant that the courses will continue to be offered at MLEC.
“It’s still more than most high schools are able to do, in terms of dual enrollment. We are very lucky as a high school to have an opportunity for dual enrollment at our campus because of the technical college,” said Principal Fernandez.
Present and future
This school year, there have been changes to the MLEC staff. Ms. Triche-Eugene has been named assistant principal, as the previous assistant principal did not return for another school year. Additionally, the technical college has welcomed a new interim director, Dr. Greene. This appointment is per the Revised D-21 document issued by the Office of Superintendent of Schools on June 14.
Despite complaints about the change, things have gone on as normal at MLEC. Going forward, Principal Fernandez has committed himself to cooperation with the technical college. He says students should largely go unimpacted by the split.
NAF academy students also have no reason to worry, as the programs won’t be shutting down anytime soon. The directors of both schools are working to ensure safety as well as top-tier education.
“It is my goal, it is my hope, and really, there is no other option, we have to work together,” said Principal Fernandez.
