The search for Miami-Dade County Public Schools' next superintendent has narrowed to six semifinalists, including the administrator who oversees public schools in Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and the rest of southern Miami-Dade.

Rafael Villalobos, the district's South Region superintendent since 2022, remains in contention to succeed Superintendent Jose Dotres. The Miami-Dade County School Board plans to name a new superintendent by Thursday, Aug. 13.

Villalobos oversees dozens of schools across the South Region, including Coral Reef Senior High School and the feeder pattern serving Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay, such as Palmetto Elementary, Perrine Elementary, Pinecrest Elementary, Frank C. Martin K-8 Center, Vineland K-8 Center, Palmetto Middle and Southwood Middle.

The School Board narrowed the field from 21 applicants during a special meeting in late June, with each board member selecting up to three candidates to advance, according to the Miami Herald.

The semifinalists are:

  • Jose Bueno — Chief of staff to Superintendent Jose Dotres
  • Ernie Lozano — Chief human resources officer, Broward County Public Schools
  • Sylvia Mitchell — Former Miami charter school principal and Texas charter network executive
  • Carlos Perez — Charter school principal in West Palm Beach and former executive director of the Education Reform Project
  • Christopher Ruszkowski — Former New Mexico secretary of education and current leader overseeing Texas' state intervention in a large school district and charter network
  • Rafael Villalobos — Miami-Dade County Public Schools South Region superintendent

Five of the six candidates met all minimum qualifications. Ruszkowski was identified as lacking the board's required experience as a school principal.

Board Chair Mari Tere Rojas said she felt "very strongly against" making exceptions to the minimum qualifications. District 4 board member Roberto Alonso said he would consider candidates who did not meet every requirement.

Board to choose finalists this month

Background checks on the semifinalists are due Thursday, July 17. The School Board plans to select finalists during a special meeting Tuesday, July 21.

The search firm assisting the district has identified Aug. 13 as the target date for selecting the next superintendent. Dotres' contract expires Feb. 14, 2027.

The board hired a national search firm under a contract capped at $30,000. As of July 7, district records identifying which board members supported each semifinalist had not been released.

Residents who want to follow the search or provide public comment can attend the July 21 special board meeting.

South Region leadership could change

If Villalobos is selected as superintendent, Miami-Dade County Public Schools would need to appoint a new South Region superintendent.

His region includes Coral Reef Senior High School, Palmetto Elementary, Perrine Elementary, Pinecrest Elementary, Frank C. Martin K-8 Center, Vineland K-8 Center, Palmetto Middle and Southwood Middle, among dozens of other schools.

District faces enrollment and budget challenges

The district's next superintendent will inherit a school system facing declining enrollment and difficult financial decisions.

Enrollment at traditional public schools fell from about 335,000 students in 2024-25 to about 322,000 in 2025-26, according to district data reported by the Miami Herald. The School Board has also been weighing school closures and consolidations as enrollment declines.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools operates on an annual budget exceeding $7 billion and remains the county's largest employer.