Question 1

Who is Linda Cothiere?

Accepted Answer

Linda Cothiere is a home-grown daughter of District 1 — she grew up in Carol City and graduated from Miami Carol City Senior High School. A 35-year Miami-Dade County Public Schools educator, community leader, media personality, and woman of faith, she is a candidate for the Miami-Dade County School Board in District 1.

Question 2

What is Linda Cothiere running for?

Accepted Answer

Linda Cothiere is running for the Miami-Dade County School Board, District 1, in a nonpartisan special election. The seat became open after Steve Gallon III left to serve on the Miami-Dade County Commission.

Question 3

What district and which cities does Linda Cothiere's School Board seat cover?

Accepted Answer

Linda Cothiere is a candidate for Miami-Dade County School Board District 1, which covers the north Miami-Dade corridor including Miami Gardens, Opa-locka, and the North Miami and North Miami Beach area.

Question 4

When is the election for Miami-Dade School Board District 1?

Accepted Answer

The nonpartisan special election primary is on August 18, 2026, and a candidate who wins a majority wins the seat outright. If no candidate wins a majority, the top two finishers advance to a runoff on November 3, 2026.

Question 5

Why is the Miami-Dade School Board District 1 seat open?

Accepted Answer

The District 1 seat is open because Steve Gallon III, who previously held it, left the School Board to serve on the Miami-Dade County Commission. A nonpartisan special election is being held to fill the vacancy.

Question 6

Is the Miami-Dade County School Board District 1 race partisan?

Accepted Answer

No, Miami-Dade County School Board races are nonpartisan, meaning candidates do not run under a political party label. All voters in District 1 may vote in the August 18, 2026 special election regardless of party affiliation.

Question 7

What is Linda Cothiere's background and experience?

Accepted Answer

Linda Cothiere has more than 35 years in education with Miami-Dade County Public Schools and built adult-education and workforce-skills programs. She is a graduate of Miami Carol City Senior High School, holds an Associate degree from Miami Dade College and a B.S. in Education from St. Thomas University, and is a certified mediator.

Question 8

What are Linda Cothiere's priorities for Miami-Dade County Public Schools?

Accepted Answer

Linda Cothiere's campaign centers on putting children first and prioritizing parental collaboration, captured in her catchphrase, "Children First, Parental Collaboration Always!" Her priorities include keeping District 1 schools strong amid declining enrollment and partnering with parents in their children's education.

Question 9

What community and media roles has Linda Cothiere held?

Accepted Answer

Linda Cothiere serves as a deaconess at Good News Church of North Miami, leading food drives, school-supply giveaways, and holiday toy and turkey drives. In media, she spent five years co-hosting "The Reyni Talk Show" on 1360 AM radio and hosts an Island TV podcast reaching South Florida.

Question 10

How can someone get involved with Linda Cothiere's campaign or find her website?

Accepted Answer

Voters can learn more, volunteer, and get involved through Linda Cothiere's official campaign website at https://lindaforschoolboard.com (also reachable at lindacothiere.com). Her campaign runs under the slogan "Linda On Board!"