FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Friday, April 12, 2013

CONTACT: John Schuster
Miami-Dade County Public Schools
305-995-1126

DASA HONORS SELECTED M-DCPS ADMINISTRATORS AT 2012-2013 PRINCIPAL, ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL OF THE YEAR CEREMONY
 

MIAMI – The Dade Association of School Administrators (D.A.S.A.) honored three administrators at an awards ceremony this week at Jungle Island. Milagros Fornell, Iraida Mendez-Cartaya, and Penny Parham were rewarded for their extraordinary service to the school system.

Fornell serves as M-DCPS’ Chief Academic Officer, a position to which she was promoted after holding numerous leadership positions within the district. Fornell’s many achievements in her current role include the increase of participation and performance of M-DCPS students in Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment courses, as well as leading the team of writers for the Race to the Top District grant. During her career she has served as regional curriculum coordinator, school-site administrator and regional administrator.

A 23-year administrator, Mendez-Cartaya oversees intergovernmental relations on the local, state, federal and international levels for the school district as well as grants acquisition and management. Under her leadership, the dollar value of supplemental funding to the school district has increased substantially, to more than $700 million. Mendez-Cartaya also oversees all community engagement programs, including the school volunteer program, business partnership, parent involvement and other programs that foster student achievement.  Throughout her career, Mendez-Cartaya has worked closely with many local community leaders and federal and state governmental officials to ensure that legislation passed at all levels of government directly benefits our students’ educational experience.

Parham is credited with making food service profitable for the first time in many years.  Parham is the Administrative Director for the District’s Department of Food & Nutrition.  This challenging position requires her to plan, coordinate and direct the school food service program in compliance with sound business practices, USDA Guidelines, School Board Policies, and State Board Rules. Parham oversees the annual food service operating budget that exceeds $158 million and her department employs 3,000 people.

 

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