As South Florida continues to react to the death of former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, Miami-Dade County Public Schools are now preparing for an increased amount of students that may come into the system.
Superintendent Alberto Carvalho released a statement hours after Castro’s death, saying that while emotional scars will last a lifetime, his passing "brings us one step closer to achieving justice, freedom and democracy for Cuba and its people."
"Miami-Dade County Public Schools has a preparedness plan in place that contemplates a potential influx of child and adult learners. We are ready to work with state and federal entities to secure the appropriate and necessary support to deliver educational services to all who, in light of today’s development, may arrive in our community," the statement read in part.
"Just as we did during the 1980 Mariel Boatlift and the 1994 Cuban rafter exodus, this school district will continue its long-standing history of opening our arms to welcome, embrace, and educate all students."
M-DCPS had over 370,000 students enrolled as of the 2016-17 school year, ranking it the fourth largest school district in the country.
