The campaign, dubbed Our Schools Miami, was launched by Moms for Libros, a group that bills itself as a collection of 'Miami moms fighting for your child's right to read and learn.' However, the group's cofounder and leader, Vanessa Brito, has a troubled past that raises questions about the organization's true motives. Brito, a longtime Democratic activist, has been arrested for shoplifting from a Target store in Miami and has a history of civil judgments against her, including one for failing to pay her mother's nursing home care.
Despite her questionable past, Brito is currently serving as the campaign manager for Democratic congressional candidate Phil Ehr, who is challenging Republican incumbent Rep. Carlos Giménez in the general election. Brito's involvement with Moms for Libros has been characterized as a 'ceremonial' leadership role, but her history of financial troubles and questionable decision-making raises concerns about the organization's legitimacy.
The Our Schools Miami campaign is focused on preventing the expansion of Success Academy, a New York-based charter school network, into Miami-Dade County. The network, which is backed by billionaire Ken Griffin, has been approved to open five elementary schools in the fall of 2027. However, Moms for Libros claims that the expansion is being done without community input and will harm children, despite Success Academy's reputation as one of the most successful charter school networks in the country.
In the United States, charter schools are publicly funded schools that operate independently of traditional public school systems. They are often established by private organizations or individuals, and are given more flexibility in their curriculum and teaching methods. The debate over charter school expansion is a contentious one, with proponents arguing that they provide more choices for parents and better educational outcomes for students, while opponents argue that they drain resources from traditional public schools and exacerbate existing inequalities.
In Miami-Dade County, the school board has the authority to approve or reject charter school applications. The board is composed of nine members, each representing a different district in the county. The board's decision to approve the expansion of Success Academy was made after a lengthy review process, during which the board considered factors such as the school's academic performance, financial stability, and community support.
However, Moms for Libros claims that the expansion is being done without community input, and that the school board failed to consider the potential impact on existing public schools in the area. The group is encouraging parents to contact school board members and get involved with the local teachers' union, United Teachers of Dade, as well as with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Despite these efforts, it is unclear whether Moms for Libros is genuinely focused on improving education in Miami-Dade County, or if the group is simply a partisan attempt to undermine the expansion of charter schools. The group's leadership's troubled past and questionable financial dealings raise serious concerns about the organization's legitimacy and true intentions.
Brito's colleague, Lissette Fernandez, is also beset by financial troubles, including a lawsuit over an unpaid loan and a wage garnishment. Despite these issues, Fernandez claims that Moms for Libros is a 'volunteer-run' organization and not a 'money-raising scheme.' However, the group's tax-exempt status was revoked in late 2025 after it failed to file mandatory tax returns for three straight years, raising questions about the organization's financial dealings.
The group sells merchandise online, including t-shirts with slogans such as 'Powered by Cabernet and civic engagement' and 'Wine moms vote.' However, it is unclear whether the proceeds from these sales are being used to support the organization's stated goals or are simply lining the pockets of its leaders.
As the debate over charter school expansion in Miami-Dade County continues, it is essential to examine the motivations and actions of the groups involved. While Moms for Libros claims to be a grassroots organization of concerned parents, its leadership's troubled past and questionable financial dealings raise serious concerns about the organization's legitimacy and true intentions.
For American readers, the debate over charter school expansion is an important one, as it has implications for the future of public education in the United States. The expansion of charter schools has been a key issue in many state and local elections, and has been the subject of intense debate and controversy. As the issue continues to evolve, it is essential to consider the perspectives of all stakeholders, including parents, teachers, and community leaders.
For Canadian readers, the debate over charter school expansion may seem distant, but it has implications for the broader conversation about public education and the role of private organizations in the education system. In Canada, there are no charter schools, and the education system is largely publicly funded and managed. However, the debate over charter school expansion in the United States may have implications for the development of education policy in Canada, particularly in provinces such as Alberta, where there have been efforts to introduce more private sector involvement in the education system.