PRESS RELEASE FROM THE OFFICE OF DR. STEVE GALLON III

August 16, 2021
At the School Board Meeting of August 18, 2021, School Board Vice Chair Dr. Steve Gallon III will call for a review of the District’s Food and Nutrition Program to ensure alignment and compliance with School Board Policy 6320.02, Small/Micro, Minority/Women, and Veteran Business Enterprise Programs. This item has been co-sponsored by Chairwoman Ms. Perla Tabares Hantman, Ms. Lucia Baez-Geller, Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall, and Ms. Maria Teresa Rojas.

The Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) is committed to policies and practices that promote and support expanded and equitable participation by small/micro, minority/women, and veteran owned businesses. School Board Policy 6320.02 governs this commitment and promotes the development, economic inclusion, and growth of small/micro, minority/women, and veteran businesses. This should be reflected in the procurement operations of the District’s Food and Nutrition Program which provides school food services consistent with the nutritional needs of students, as well as those services that contribute to the student’s educational experiences and the development of desirable eating habits.

This directs the Superintendent to review the procurement practices and protocols of the District’s Food and Nutrition Program as they specifically relate to the alignment and compliance with School Board Policy 6320.02, Small/Micro, Minority/Women, and Veteran Business Enterprise Programs and provide an expenditure report for the fiscal years ending June 2018, 2019, and 2020, to determine the levels and amount of contracting with certified small/micro, minority/women, and veteran-owned businesses.

“We must demonstrate, evidence, and reflect our commitment to inclusionary business practices in every sector of the District,” said Dr. Gallon. “I applaud and appreciate my colleagues for their support of this item, and most important, dedication to diversity and inclusion.”

To read the full item go to:
http://pdfs.dadeschools.net/Bdarch/2021/bd081821/agenda/h19rev.pdf

CONTACT: Pavi’Elle Phillips
305-995-1334
district1@dadeschools.net