Ryan Nicol
Shelly Fano, Executive Director of the Miami Dade College Hospitality Institute, says she is joining the race to represent District 9 on the Miami-Dade County School Board.
Fano — whose son, Carlos Lopez-Cantera, formerly served as the state’s Lieutenant Governor — is the fourth candidate to join that contest.
“I am running for school board because I believe that now more than ever our education system needs greater support and a more hands-on approach from leaders to solve problems,” Fano said in a Friday statement announcing her candidacy.
“My plan is to listen to parents’ students’ and teachers’ voices, and to ensure that our student’s education path prepares them with the necessary skills for the next phase of their life, whether it be direct entry to a career or attending college.”
Fano also has experience serving on the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority Board of Directors. She added additional comments Friday explaining her goals as a member of the School Board, should she win the 2020 election for the seat.
“With 30 years of experience in teaching, administration, advisement, and working directly with students, parents, teachers, and administrators, my initial priorities will be to place emphasis on parental involvement, school choice, career technical education, special education and to ensure no child is left behind.”
Fano joins a trio of candidates in competing for the District 9 seat. Also running are Miami Killian Senior High School Assistant Principal Justin A. Koren, former President of the Miami-Dade County Council PTA/PTSA, Nancy Lawther, and Lulu’s Ice Cream founder Luisa Santos.
Gloria Angel Williams had also filed to run, but has since withdrawn.
Lawrence Feldman currently represents the district, but he announced in July he would not be seeking reelection. He has endorsed Lawther as his preferred replacement.
Koren has the highest bankroll overall at nearly $83,000. That’s thanks in huge part, however, to $70,000 in loans from Koren to his campaign.
Lawther has collected more than $17,000 since October, aided by a $6,000 self-loan. Santos has added more than $12,000 since entering the race in November.
