Many in the South Florida community are calling it “The end of an era.” After nearly a decade representing District 1 on the Miami-Dade County School Board and almost 40 years in public education, Dr. Steve Gallon III announced that he will resign from the School Board as he prepares to take office as the next Miami-Dade County Commissioner for District 1 in January 2027.
“I am extremely humbled and honored to have been elected as the next Miami-Dade Commissioner for District 1. This is an extension of my life’s work of educating children, supporting families, and fighting for communities. As my District 1 School Board seat and service comes to an immediate end–our collective work as a community continues,” said Gallon exclusively to Hy-Lo News. Gallon’s term as a School Board member officially ends today.
Today, June 9th at 12pm EST was the deadline to file to qualify for the Miami-Dade County District 1 race. As it stands, Gallon has been the only candidate to file and qualify for the election, making him the winner of the District 1 race without opposition. Miami Gardens Councilwoman Linda Julien announced on May 29th that she would run for the seat, but on June 5th she publicly stated that she would remain in her post on the Miami Gardens City Council.
Gallon said he will center his tenure as County Commissioner on what he calls a “Quality of Life Agenda,” arguing that many of the issues facing District 1 are interconnected and require a comprehensive approach rather than isolated solutions. His platform focuses on five priorities: affordable housing and neighborhood stability; safe communities and stronger infrastructure; children, youth and family success; economic opportunity and financial security; and health, wellness and community well-being.
According to Gallon, rising housing costs, public safety, youth development and economic growth should not be viewed as separate conversations but as challenges that influence one another.
“The challenges facing our communities are interconnected,” Gallon said in a statement. “Whether it is housing affordability, public safety, economic opportunity, youth development, or neighborhood revitalization, we must work together to create stronger communities and greater opportunities for every resident.”
Gallon also points to his experience managing large public organizations as preparation for the role. While serving on the Miami-Dade County School Board, he helped to oversee one of the nation’s largest public institutions with an annual budget approaching $8 billion and nearly 40,000 employees. He says that experience has equipped him to bring fiscal responsibility and collaborative leadership to county government.
“Serving as District 1’s School Board Member has been one of the greatest honors of my life—educating and serving children and the community has been my life,” Gallon said in a statement. “Together, we demonstrated what is possible when communities invest in children, support educators, and maintain high expectations for student success. While my service on the School Board is coming to an end, my commitment to the people of District 1 remains unchanged.”
The announcement marks the end of a career in education that has spanned nearly four decades and included roles as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, district administrator, superintendent of schools and elected School Board member.
Gallon was first elected to the Miami-Dade County School Board in 2016, where he represented District 1 and became one of the board’s most active members. According to his office, he sponsored and advanced more than 100 agenda items focused on educational reform, student achievement, school safety, workforce development, early childhood education and community engagement.
His tenure also coincided with two major voter-approved school district referendums in 2018 and 2022 that generated more than $2 billion in additional funding for teacher salaries, employee compensation, school safety initiatives and educational resources across Miami-Dade County.
Perhaps one of the statistics Gallon is most proud of is the academic turnaround within District 1 schools. When he took office in 2016, the district had the highest number of failing schools in Miami-Dade County. Today, according to his office, District 1 has no failing schools, and more than 75% of its schools now earn A or B grades.
Although he is preparing to leave the School Board, Gallon said he still hopes to accomplish several priorities before his term concludes. Those include advocating for the 2026 Teacher Referendum, exploring innovative workforce and infill housing opportunities for teachers and school employees and supporting efforts to restore the historic North Dade school community through the exploration of a 6-12 secondary school model.
“As I prepare to assume office as County Commissioner in January 2027 and build upon the work of Commissioner Oliver Gilbert, I remain focused on improving the quality of life for residents through affordable housing, public safety, economic opportunity, youth development, neighborhood revitalization, and community investment,” Gallon said. “My commitment has never been to a title. My commitment has always been to the people.”
A product of Miami-Dade County Public Schools himself, Gallon earned his bachelor’s degree from Florida A&M University at age 20, graduating magna cum laude after completing the program in three years. He later earned both his master’s and doctoral degrees from Florida International University and completed postdoctoral leadership studies at Harvard University and Stanford University.
He also holds the distinction of becoming the youngest principal in Miami-Dade County Public Schools history at just 26 years old before later serving as superintendent of schools in New Jersey. He eventually returned home to South Florida, where he continued his career in public service.
Reflecting on his transition from education leadership to county government, Gallon described the move not as an ending but as the next chapter of his commitment to serving the community.
“The office may change, but the mission remains the same: to serve, to advocate, and to help create opportunities for future generations,” Gallon said.
Gallon is expected to officially assume office as Miami-Dade County Commissioner for District 1 in January 2027, ushering in a new chapter in a public service career that has been rooted in education and community leadership.
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