Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Rafael A. Villalobos is scheduled to answer questions from residents during a televised town hall Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 6 p.m. on WLRN-TV, Channel 17.

The district is accepting questions in advance through a link shared on its official social media account. The broadcast will allow families in Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach and Golden Beach to participate without traveling to an in-person meeting.

The town hall comes as Florida's largest school district faces declining enrollment, budget pressures and a Nov. 3 referendum that will determine whether an existing property tax supporting teacher pay and school security continues.

Pressure on district budget

Miami-Dade's traditional public schools began the 2026-27 school year with approximately 215,078 students, down about 15,100 from the previous year, according to the Miami Herald.

Enrollment was also 5,333 students below district projections, spokesperson Elmo Lugo told the newspaper.

Because state education funding is tied partly to student enrollment, the decline creates financial pressure on the district.

Nine school campuses have already closed, and Villalobos paused a review of 27 additional schools that had been identified for possible closure or consolidation, according to WLRN.

Villalobos, who began his education career as a teacher at South Dade Senior High School 32 years ago, became superintendent in September. He has identified enrollment recovery, literacy improvement and competitive employee compensation among his priorities.

Nov. 3 school tax referendum carries major stakes

The televised discussion comes two weeks before Miami-Dade voters decide whether to renew an existing property tax that helps pay teachers and provide school security.

The proposed four-year renewal would maintain a tax rate of $1 for every $1,000 of taxable property value, or $100 annually for a property with a taxable value of $100,000.

The tax is already in effect. Voter approval would extend it from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2031.

The district's 2026-27 budget estimates approximately $569.5 million in annual referendum funding, with 88% allocated to instructional compensation and 12% to school safety and security.

If the referendum fails, the existing tax authorization will expire June 30, 2027, potentially forcing substantial reductions in compensation and security spending.

Some teachers could face pay reductions of up to $16,000, according to Miami Herald reporting. The actual effect would depend on individual compensation arrangements and subsequent district budget decisions.

Villalobos has described the potential loss of referendum funding as "catastrophic," according to the Herald.

The superintendent has also participated in in-person town halls across Miami-Dade County explaining the referendum, including an Oct. 13 session at Miami Palmetto Senior High School.

Residents can submit questions for the Oct. 20 televised town hall through the district's social media announcement.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.