Linda Cothière becomes first Haitian American to win Miami-Dade schools seat

MIAMI — Linda Cothière, an educator with more than 35 years in Miami-Dade County Public Schools, won a closely contested runoff for the District 1 seat on the county School Board, becoming the first Haitian American to represent the heavily-Haitian area, The Haitian Times reported. Cothière received 51.6% of the vote to fellow educator Katrina Wilson's 48.4%, according to the county's Supervisor of Elections. The Cap-Haïtien native, 58, moved to the U.S. at 15 and was raised in the Carol City area, now Miami Gardens. 'This victory means so much to me personally,' she said in a statement, adding she is 'living proof that where you begin does not determine how far you can go.' The win follows an August election in which Wilson led an eight-candidate field with about 32%, while Cothière received just under 21%, with neither securing an outright majority. The district she will represent includes Miami Gardens, North Miami, North Miami Beach, Opa-locka and Biscayne Gardens. Cothière campaigned on strengthening teacher support, improving communication with families, and closer oversight of District 1's share of the $1.2 billion school construction bond approved by voters in 2012. She is married to Democratic state Rep. Wallace Aristide. The contest unfolded amid declining enrollment, school closures and competition from charter schools.