MIAMI – A veteran member of the Miami-Dade County school board will face a challenge to keep his seat in next month's election from the educator who forced the race into a runoff.
Wilbert "Tee" Holloway is battling Dr. Steve Gallon III for the District 1 seat on the school board. Neither candidate secured the 50 percent vote total in August needed to avoid a runoff.
"All of my work and all of my being is about education," Gallon told Local 10 News.
Gallon has worked as an educator at just about every level -- from a classroom teacher to principal of Miami Northwestern Senior High School to superintendent of schools in New Jersey. He wants to bring his 27 years of experience to Miami-Dade County Public Schools.
"I think I think I can work collaboratively with the board and superintendent, who are all committed to helping improve the lives of our children," Gallon said. "But I think my expertise as a lifelong educator, my energy, my passion, my intellect and my experience will be an asset to the District 1 improvement in the area of student performance and achievement, which is a priority of every school district."
District 1 includes Miami Gardens, Carol City and North Miami, home to some struggling schools.
"This issue of educational equity is something we need to take a look at in terms of allocation of resources, in terms of not only resources, such as material like books, technology, but resources in terms of additional staff, school counselors, highly qualified teachers," Gallon said. "Those are experiences we need to make sure our students get additional support, not less. One size does not fit all."
Holloway can also draw upon a wealth of experience. He's been on the school board since being appointed by then-Gov. Charlie Crist in 2007. This would be his third full term.
Some of Holloway's initiatives include schoolwide magnet programs, neighborhood-based after-school study and resource centers and teacher professional development centers.
Holloway never replied to several requests by Local 10 News for an interview.