Scoop: WLRN employees criticize leadership amid Miami-Dade Schools lawsuit
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Miami-Dade County Public Schools and WLRN have been embroiled in a legal battle since the fall. Photo: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Senior employees of Miami-Dade's public radio station say they've lost trust in its leadership amid a monthslong legal fight with the county's school district.
Why it matters: The discord within South Florida Public Media Group, which manages WLRN, could undermine its plans to acquire another station in West Palm Beach.
- Those plans caused a rift between WLRN and Miami-Dade County Public Schools, which holds the station's broadcasting license.
Driving the news: Employees wrote to SFPMG's board of directors in mid-January, arguing that "the future of SFPMG, its mission, and its relationship with the community are at risk."
- The letter, obtained by Axios, says employees "across departments" have "struggled with a growing loss of trust in senior leadership's governance."
- It was signed by senior staff in finance, human resources, fundraising and news for the media group, among other employees.
- A "central concern" for employees, per the letter, is the "deterioration of our historically collaborative relationship" with the school district.
The other side: SFPMG board chair Richard Rampell declined to comment on the letter but confirmed an internal meeting with station leadership and staff is scheduled for Thursday.
- He told Axios he hopes to "assuage the fears of the WLRN staff and correct many of the false statements made by the school board in their complaints made against us."
Catch up quick: In September, the district sued SFPMG, alleging it violated its contract with the district by agreeing to acquire "The Flame" 104.7 in West Palm Beach for more than $6 million.
- The acquisition would involve funds from WLRN's endowment, which the district argues is meant to exclusively support the Miami community.
- SFPMG disputed those claims, with Rampell arguing the endowment is "unrestricted" and the purchase would expand access to local news.
The latest: The FCC has approved the acquisition pending the outcome of the district's lawsuit, Radio Insight reported Wednesday.
Zoom in: The January letter from employees also called out Rampell's "pattern of public communication" as "combative, unprofessional and damaging."
- Rampell in emails referred to a district official as a "petty, small-minded, vindictive bureaucrat" and a school board member as "a two-faced shamelessly ambitious politician," according to filings in the lawsuit.
Between the lines: In their letter, the employees said they opposed the West Palm Beach acquisition, which would "divert resources and attention" away from WLRN's "core mission."
- "Our focus has always been on strengthening WLRN itself — its journalism, its community engagement, and its service to South Florida," the letter says.