The headquarters of Miami-Dade County Public Schools is now known as the Perla Tabares Hantman School Board Administration Building.
A new sign bearing the new name was unveiled May 20 in front of members of the school board, Supt. Dr. Jose Dotres and friends and family of the late chairwoman.
Tabares Hantman was 88 when she died March 4.
She served on the school board for 26 years. Its members chose her to lead them as chair for 14 terms.
At the time of her death, friends and colleagues called her polite and a “force of nature,” “tough as nails;” brave in the face of political opposition; always prepared and a strong advocate for teachers and children.
She was also called funny, and a woman who loved to shop and be fashionable.
Tabares Hantman represented District 4, which includes Miami Lakes, parts of the City of Hialeah, Hialeah Gardens and unincorporated Miami-Dade County.
The event at the main building in downtown Miami was a celebration for Tabares Hantman and included performances by students from M.A. Milam K-8 Center as well as speeches.
“Her mentorship was pivotal for me in the most difficult times in my career,” Dotres said in a media release. He called her “an individual like no other, who could turn a no into a yes.”
The date of the unveiling was chosen as it was a significant in Tabares Hantman’s life.
“The naming of the building took place on May 20th [Cuban Independence Day] … due to her cultural heritage, including her commitment to celebrating Cuba’s independence from Spain,” the release said.
Tabares Hantman was the first Hispanic woman to serve as chair of the board.
“M-DCPS wins frequent awards, and our passionate students and teachers achieve unthinkable success, every hour of every day,” her son Michael Hantman said. “I can’t help but think that Mom had a hand in that.”
Tabares Hantman and her late husband Arnold Hantman lived in the Loch Lomond neighborhood in Miami Lakes.
Though she was a Republican, she was a friend and an early and longtime supporter of the late Fla. Gov. and U.S. Sen. Bob Graham, who was a Democrat.
Tabares Hantman worked to get a school in town named the Bob Graham Education Center.
Barbara Goleman Senior High School became a mega-magnet school after she obtained federal funding for it.
She also helped transform Jose Marti Middle School into Jose Marti MAST 6-12, which focuses on STEM education.
The annual fair that draws thousands of high school students to meet with 200 representatives from colleges was renamed in her honor.
District Supervisor Ana Lara was Tabares Hantman’s assistant for 17 years and said, “She was more than a leader—she was a mentor, a trailblazer, and a woman I deeply admired and loved. ... Her impact on this community and on those who worked closest with her will never be forgotten.”
In the photo: Unveiling the new sign at Miami-Dade Public Schools headquarters, from left: Supt. Dr. Jose Dotres; School Board Vice Chair Monica Colucci; School Board Members Danny Espino and Joseph Geller; School Board Chair Mari Tere Rojas; School Board Member Dr. Steve Gallon III; Perla Tabares Hantman’s son Michael Hantman, her grandson Lucas Hantman and daughter-in-law Amy Hantman; daughter Alina Van Katwyk, son-in-law David Van Katwyk; her grandson Jason Van Katwyk; Suzanne Graham Gibson and District Supervisor Ana Lara. Photo courtesy of Miami-Dade County Schools.