Ryan Nicol
Abby Freedman of Parkland has decided against running for re-election to the Broward County School Board. Her decision comes after Lori Alhadeff, the mother of one of the victims of February’s shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School, announced she would challenge Freedman for the seat.
That leaves Alhadeff alone in the race for District 4, as no other candidates have filed to run.
Alhadeff, whose daughter Alyssa died in the shooting, made her announcement last week in a news conference alongside Ryan Petty. Petty, who also declared his intention to run for a School Board position, lost his daughter Alaina in the shooting. Both victims were 14 years old.
Freedman had served on the school board since 2012. Last month, Freedman said she still planned on running for re-election but had not yet formally filed.
Both Alhadeff and Petty have criticized the School Board for its policies that some say failed to stop the shooter from carrying out February’s attack. They specifically brought up the PROMISE Program, with Alhadeff saying, “The PROMISE Program needs to be revamped and we need to meet somewhere in the middle with our discipline policies.”
However, both stopped short of calling for Superintendent Robert Runcie‘s resignation, saying they would be willing to work with him to improve the county’s disciplinary programs.
The Broward County School Board primary election will be held on August 28, with the general election set for November 6.
