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At the School Board Meeting of July 23, 2025, School Board Member Roberto J. Alonso proffered agenda item H-3, requesting the Superintendent of Schools to explore the feasibility of: a. in accordance with Section 316.1895, Florida Statutes, and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Speed Zoning Manual, immediately initiating a traffic study for the remaining four (4) schools that currently do not have established school speed zones, prioritizing any school area with recent traffic accidents; b. as deemed appropriate, collaborating with the FDOT, the Miami-Dade Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), Miami-Dade County, the Sheriff’s Office, and other relevant local and state entities to expeditiously establish and implement school speed zones at high schools currently lacking such protections; and c. identifying and pursuing available funding, whether through public grants, interagency partnerships, or local appropriations, for both the engineering studies and the installation and maintenance of school speed zoning infrastructure.
Student safety is a top priority for Miami-Dade County Public Schools, which has long collaborated with state and local agencies to implement school speed zones and signage—primarily around elementary and middle schools. However, four district high schools still lack these protections, leaving thousands of students vulnerable during arrival and dismissal times.
On May 29, 2025, the Miami-Dade TPO passed a resolution urging action to establish high school speed zones. In response, this Board item directs the Superintendent to: conduct a traffic study at the four unprotected high schools, prioritizing those with recent incidents; collaborate with FDOT, Miami Dade TPO, law enforcement, and other agencies to implement school speed zones; pursue funding through grants, partnerships, or local sources for planning, installation, and maintenance.
“The safety of our students is paramount. This initiative aims to protect our high school students by launching traffic studies, collaborating with local and state partners, and securing funding to implement school speed zones where they’re most urgently needed,” said Board Member Alonso.
Pursuant to agenda item H-3, administration will report back to the School Board by September 3, 2025, at the Fiscal Accountability and Governmental Relations Committee Meeting.
