These are the candidates running for Miami-Dade School Board
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A crowded field is vying to represent public schools in Miami-Dade's District 1, which includes Miami Gardens and surrounding areas.
- Three other seats — Districts 2, 4 and 6 — were also up for reelection, but unopposed candidates won their seats by default.
- In District 8, incumbent Monica Colucci will face write-in candidate Sam Joseph, a political newcomer.
District 1
Seven candidates are vying to succeed Steve Gallon III, who resigned to represent the same district on the Miami-Dade County Commission.
Linda Cothiere, a public school teacher, has suggested expanding preschool opportunities, wants to empower teachers and wants more parent involvement during school consolidation or rezoning changes.
Erhabor Ighodaro, former Miami Gardens vice mayor, has called for expanding magnet programs, per the Miami Herald, and wants to ensure students are prepared for college, military service or the workforce.
Joy Jackson, a retired district teacher, supports more wraparound services (mental health, tutoring), opposes closing schools and is concerned with universal private school vouchers, the Herald reported.
- She has the teacher's union's endorsement.
Bernard W.H. Jennings, the chairman of Florida Memorial University Board of Trustees, wants to close achievement gaps, modernize curriculum and prioritize mental health resources, per his website.
- He wants to conduct an outside audit of the Florida Lottery to reveal where non-distributed dollars are held and how much funding is provided to District 1, according to the Herald.
Wrendly Mesidor, an elementary school teacher at a Catholic school, is campaigning to improve teacher retention and expand STEM and career readiness programs.
Katrina Wilson, a former public school administrator and charter school principal, supports school choice but says public schools should focus on high-quality education to "remove the need" for charter schools to share public school facilities, the Miami Herald reported.
- She resigned from her Miami Gardens City Council seat to run for School Board.
James Wright, the former police chief and city manager of Opa-Locka, includes student safety, student success and workforce readiness as his top priorities.