Scoop: Embattled WLRN board chair resigns
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The school district and WLRN have been involved in legal battles since the summer. Photo: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
The board chair of Miami-Dade's public radio station resigned Tuesday, following months of conflict with Miami-Dade Public Schools and animosity between station leadership and employees.
Why it matters: Richard Rampell's departure signals a possible turning point amid a legal battle between WLRN and the school district that caused station employees to fear for its future.
- The contract between SFPGM and Miami-Dade Schools, which holds the station's broadcast license, is set to expire in June 2027.
Catch up quick: Rampell, until Tuesday, chaired South Florida Public Media Group, which manages WLRN and last June announced plans to acquire "The Flame" 104.7 in West Palm Beach.
- The school district sued, alleging the purchase would have drawn from funds that were required to be spent to benefit the Miami-Dade County community. (The station disputed this.)
- Rampell fired back, disputing the district's claims and referring to a district official as "small-minded" and a school board member as "a two-faced shamelessly ambitious politician."
- In February, most of WLRN's employees signed a letter to the board that detailed their lack of trust in senior leadership and argued Rampell's behavior threatened the station's future.
What they're saying: Rampell told Axios on Tuesday that he's leaving the station to avoid being "an accomplice in the destruction of public broadcasting."
- He has argued that the district is seeking to gain undue influence over WLRN, including a say in who runs SFPMG.
- Current SFPMG CEO John LaBonia's ouster is a condition of a proposed settlement between SFPMG and the district, which has not yet been agreed to, Rampell said.
The other side: The district, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment, has previously declined to comment on the mediation process, which it said is confidential by court order.
- Bob Martinez, an attorney representing MDPS, has said the district's policy concerning WLRN's editorial integrity "remains in effect."
Between the lines: LaBonia's departure has not been publicly confirmed, but WLRN employees told Axios that his office was cleared out following a Feb. 26 mediation session between SFPMG and district officials.
- Last weekend, he was denied entry into the station's headquarters, though his access has since been reinstated, Axios confirmed.
- LaBonia declined to comment Tuesday evening, citing ongoing mediation between the station and school district.