Miami-Dade County Public Schools Executive and Leadership Team

November, 2026

Leadership Overview

Miami-Dade County Public Schools has 10 executives leading key functions including strategic administration, district operations, and technological infrastructure.

Committed to academic excellence across the southern Florida peninsula, Miami-Dade County Public Schools fosters student success through comprehensive educational programs. This leadership team drives district-wide initiatives to ensure equitable learning opportunities for all preschool through 12th-grade students.

Leadership Roles at Miami-Dade County Public Schools

  • Chief Executive Officer - Debbie Smith
  • Principal Chief Executive Officer - Isel Rodriguez
  • Chief of Staff - Jose Bueno
  • Chief Information Officer - Eugene Baker
  • Chief Technology Officer - Paul Smith
  • Chief of Staff - District 9 - Johanna Ralsten-Cox
  • Chief Of Staff - Brd Memb - Rogelio Miret
  • Chief Of Staff - Brd Memb - Tessy Villarreal
  • CHIEF OF STAFF, Office of the Chief of Staff - Sandra Mentor
  • Chief Of Staff - Brd Memb - Aida Marrero
  • Debbie Smith - Chief Executive Officer

    Debbie Smith, the Chief Executive Officer at Miami-Dade County Public Schools, directs the overarching strategic vision for the entire district. Overseeing the implementation of academic standards, the Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment with state mandates and local educational goals. This leadership role involves managing complex budgetary allocations to support classroom resources and teacher development across the southern Florida peninsula. By prioritizing student achievement, Debbie Smith directly impacts the long-term success of the district. Ultimately, the Chief Executive Officer maintains high performance standards while navigating the diverse needs of the student population. Through rigorous oversight of administrative functions, the Chief Executive Officer secures the necessary support for schools to thrive in a competitive educational landscape. Smith consistently evaluates district performance metrics to refine instructional strategies and improve graduation rates throughout the region.

    Isel Rodriguez - Principal Chief Executive Officer

    Isel Rodriguez, the Principal Chief Executive Officer at Miami-Dade County Public Schools, manages the operational execution of district-wide policies. Overseeing the daily administration of school facilities, the Principal Chief Executive Officer ensures that all campuses meet safety and educational requirements. This leadership role involves coordinating with regional directors to optimize resource distribution and facility maintenance. By streamlining operational workflows, Isel Rodriguez directly impacts the efficiency of the district. Ultimately, the Principal Chief Executive Officer maintains the physical and organizational infrastructure necessary for high-quality instruction. Through constant monitoring of facility utilization, the Principal Chief Executive Officer supports the broader mission of providing accessible education to students across the southern Florida peninsula. Rodriguez actively collaborates with other executive leaders to align operational capacity with the evolving academic needs of the student body.

    Jose Bueno - Chief of Staff

    Jose Bueno, the Chief of Staff at Miami-Dade County Public Schools, coordinates communication between the executive leadership team and the board of education. Overseeing the flow of information, the Chief of Staff ensures that strategic priorities remain clear and actionable across all departments. This leadership role involves managing high-level projects that require cross-functional collaboration within the district. By facilitating effective decision-making processes, Jose Bueno directly impacts the agility of the organization. Ultimately, the Chief of Staff maintains the operational rhythm of the central office to support school-level success. Through the management of internal communications and policy implementation, the Chief of Staff bridges the gap between administrative vision and classroom reality. Bueno consistently monitors project timelines to ensure that district initiatives meet established deadlines and performance benchmarks throughout the southern Florida peninsula.

    Eugene Baker - Chief Information Officer

    Eugene Baker, the Chief Information Officer at Miami-Dade County Public Schools, architects the data management systems that support district-wide decision-making. Overseeing the integrity of student records and administrative databases, the Chief Information Officer ensures that information remains secure and accessible for educators. This leadership role involves implementing advanced analytics to track student progress and identify areas for instructional improvement. By optimizing data infrastructure, Eugene Baker directly impacts the ability of the district to provide personalized learning experiences. Ultimately, the Chief Information Officer maintains the digital backbone of the educational environment. Through the integration of robust software solutions, the Chief Information Officer supports the administrative needs of schools across the southern Florida peninsula. Baker continuously evaluates emerging technologies to enhance the efficiency of data reporting and compliance monitoring for the entire school district.

    Paul Smith - Chief Technology Officer

    Paul Smith, the Chief Technology Officer at Miami-Dade County Public Schools, directs the deployment of hardware and network infrastructure across all campuses. Overseeing the integration of classroom technology, the Chief Technology Officer ensures that students and teachers possess the tools required for modern digital learning. This leadership role involves managing large-scale procurement and maintenance of computing devices throughout the southern Florida peninsula. By expanding technological access, Paul Smith directly impacts the digital literacy of the student population. Ultimately, the Chief Technology Officer maintains the connectivity and hardware reliability essential for contemporary education. Through the strategic implementation of network upgrades, the Chief Technology Officer supports the district's commitment to innovation. Smith consistently assesses the technological needs of schools to ensure that infrastructure keeps pace with evolving curriculum requirements and instructional delivery methods.
    Paul Smith

    Johanna Ralsten-Cox - Chief of Staff - District 9

    Johanna Ralsten-Cox, the Chief of Staff - District 9 at Miami-Dade County Public Schools, manages the specific administrative requirements of the ninth district. Overseeing local community engagement and school-level support, the Chief of Staff - District 9 ensures that regional needs receive appropriate attention from the central office. This leadership role involves coordinating with local stakeholders to address unique challenges within the district. By fostering strong community relationships, Johanna Ralsten-Cox directly impacts the local perception and support of the school system. Ultimately, the Chief of Staff - District 9 maintains the operational focus necessary for regional success. Through the alignment of district policies with local priorities, the Chief of Staff - District 9 supports the broader mission of providing quality education across the southern Florida peninsula. Ralsten-Cox actively monitors regional performance data to drive improvements in local school outcomes.

    Rogelio Miret - Chief Of Staff - Brd Memb

    Rogelio Miret, the Chief Of Staff - Brd Memb at Miami-Dade County Public Schools, facilitates the legislative and policy-related functions for board members. Overseeing the preparation of board agendas and policy research, the Chief Of Staff - Brd Memb ensures that governance remains informed and efficient. This leadership role involves managing the flow of information between the board and the executive administration. By supporting the governance process, Rogelio Miret directly impacts the policy direction of the district. Ultimately, the Chief Of Staff - Brd Memb maintains the administrative support required for effective board oversight. Through the coordination of public meetings and policy reviews, the Chief Of Staff - Brd Memb supports the district's commitment to transparency and accountability across the southern Florida peninsula. Miret consistently provides the necessary research and documentation to assist board members in making data-driven decisions for the student body.

    Tessy Villarreal - Chief Of Staff - Brd Memb

    Tessy Villarreal, the Chief Of Staff - Brd Memb at Miami-Dade County Public Schools, manages the administrative operations for board members to ensure effective governance. Overseeing the scheduling and communication requirements of the board, the Chief Of Staff - Brd Memb ensures that all members remain updated on district developments. This leadership role involves analyzing policy proposals and preparing briefings for board discussions. By streamlining the governance workflow, Tessy Villarreal directly impacts the productivity of the board. Ultimately, the Chief Of Staff - Brd Memb maintains the organizational structure necessary for board members to fulfill their oversight responsibilities. Through the management of board-related projects, the Chief Of Staff - Brd Memb supports the district's mission across the southern Florida peninsula. Villarreal consistently coordinates with other departments to ensure that board directives are communicated and implemented effectively throughout the school system.

    Sandra Mentor - CHIEF OF STAFF, Office of the Chief of Staff

    Sandra Mentor, the CHIEF OF STAFF, Office of the Chief of Staff at Miami-Dade County Public Schools, directs the internal operations of the executive office. Overseeing the administrative staff and workflow within the office, the CHIEF OF STAFF, Office of the Chief of Staff ensures that executive priorities are executed with precision. This leadership role involves managing the daily operations and logistical requirements of the central leadership team. By optimizing office efficiency, Sandra Mentor directly impacts the overall performance of the district administration. Ultimately, the CHIEF OF STAFF, Office of the Chief of Staff maintains the operational stability required for high-level decision-making. Through the coordination of executive tasks, the CHIEF OF STAFF, Office of the Chief of Staff supports the district's mission across the southern Florida peninsula. Mentor consistently monitors administrative processes to ensure that the office remains responsive to the needs of schools and stakeholders.

    Aida Marrero - Chief Of Staff - Brd Memb

    Aida Marrero, the Chief Of Staff - Brd Memb at Miami-Dade County Public Schools, coordinates the administrative and research support for board members. Overseeing the preparation of reports and policy analysis, the Chief Of Staff - Brd Memb ensures that board members possess the information required for effective oversight. This leadership role involves managing the communication between the board and various district departments. By facilitating informed governance, Aida Marrero directly impacts the strategic direction of the district. Ultimately, the Chief Of Staff - Brd Memb maintains the administrative support necessary for the board to address the needs of students across the southern Florida peninsula. Through the management of board-related inquiries and documentation, the Chief Of Staff - Brd Memb supports the district's commitment to educational excellence. Marrero consistently evaluates policy impacts to assist board members in refining the district's long-term goals and operational strategies.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Miami-Dade County Public Schools Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads Miami-Dade County Public Schools?
    Miami-Dade County Public Schools is led by Debbie Smith (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Isel Rodriguez (Principal Chief Executive Officer) and Jose Bueno (Chief of Staff).
    Who is part of Miami-Dade County Public Schools’s executive team?
    The executive team of Miami-Dade County Public Schools includes leaders such as Debbie Smith (Chief Executive Officer), Isel Rodriguez (Principal Chief Executive Officer), Jose Bueno (Chief of Staff) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does Miami-Dade County Public Schools have?
    Miami-Dade County Public Schools has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in Miami-Dade County Public Schools’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of Miami-Dade County Public Schools includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Principal Chief Executive Officer, Chief of Staff, Chief Information Officer, Chief Technology Officer.