The Miami-Dade School Board unanimously selected Rafael Villalobos to lead Miami-Dade Schools after a months-long process. He will replace Dr. Jose Dotres, but board officials had not set Villalobos' start date as of Wednesday afternoon.
Villalobos, the district's current South Region Superintendent, said the job is personal. “It is truly an honor to be able to serve the children and families and the entire community at large and the prized possession we have, which is our children.”
Rafael Villalobos and Ernie Lozano
Villalobos reached the final round with Ernie Lozano, Broward County Public Schools' chief human resources officer. The board's choice keeps the district inside a familiar leadership pipeline: Villalobos started as a teacher at South Dade Senior High School before serving as principal at Booker T. Washington Senior High School, John A. Ferguson Senior High School and Miami Springs Senior High School.
He also founded Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial High School in 2008 and launched the district’s first public safety and law studies high school as its founding principal. Villalobos was named Principal of the Year in 2020, and John A. Ferguson Senior High School reached a 99% graduation rate under his leadership.
Miami-Dade County Schools transition
As South Region Superintendent, Villalobos oversaw more than 100 schools and 80,000 students, and the South Region maintained a 98% graduation rate. The district has been rated A for seven years in a row, giving him a record that board members could weigh against the pressure of falling enrollment.
Villalobos said his first plan is to get to know the community, and he called falling enrollment his biggest challenge. “I am truly humbled and grateful and I look forward to doing amazing things in Miami-Dade County Public Schools.”
He also said parents will need to trust the district’s case for their children: “Making sure that parents understand that we are your best choice. Undeniably, we have the better programs. They’ve got to entrust in us, they’ve got to know that we are ready to serve them and serve their children,”
Dotres’ contract ends in February of 2027, so the board’s unresolved start date leaves the timing of the handoff open. Until that date is set, Villalobos is superintendent-designate on paper, but not yet in the seat.
