School facing controversy ahead of First Lady's visit

MIAMI LAKES, Fla. (WSVN) -- A South Florida school is enduring some controversy as they prepare for the First Lady's visit.

First lady Michele Obama will be campaigning for her husband, President Barack Obama, at Barbara Goleman High School in Miami Lakes, Tuesday. Already, Obama supporters and volunteers are getting ready and designing posters.

However, Miami-Dade School Board Member Carlos Curbelo is not very happy about the visit. "We always talk about keeping politics out of our schools. This is the epitome of inserting politics into our schools," protested Curbelo. "I think this imposes an undo burden and sends the wrong message."

Curbelo has asked the school board attorney to immediately reconsider his decision to allow a public school to be used by a political campaign. "When the President came a year ago to Miami Central I welcomed him. That was an official visit. This is different. This is a campaign visit," said Curbelo.

Some school board members said the school is being leased, and therefore the district is well within it rights. "For this event, it has been leased, rented. We do that for religious organizations and all kinds of agencies," said Miami-Dade School Board Member Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall. "So we are not giving away anything. We are not citing any group, and I should say, while standing here, I'm gonna be introducing the First Lady tomorrow on my own time."

The First Lady's press office sent out a new release and said Mrs. Obama will thank volunteers who are working hard to reelect the President, and she will also speak about the importance of voting and volunteering with the campaign.

The event is scheduled for Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. and will be open to the public.

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