Choose Chris Canter for Broward County School Board, District 1

In Broward County, voters will have the opportunity this year to fill four seats on the School Board. District 1 covers all or parts of Dania Beach, Hallandale, Hollywood, Miramar, Pembroke Pines, West Park, Pembroke Park, and Tribal Land. The district is represented by Daniel Foganholi, a Ron DeSantis-appointee who took the seat in 2022. Foganholi replaced longtime board member Ann Murray, who was removed by DeSantis in 2022 after a scathing grand jury report recommended she and three other board members be removed. After Murray's elected successor Rod Velez opted not to take office in 2022 due to uncertainty surrounding a felony conviction, DeSantis swooped in and appointed Foganholi. There are three candidates running in the race. We recommend voters choose longtime educator and administrator Chris Canter.

Canter, 47, has served as an educator for more than 20 years. He started his career as a classroom teacher, teaching high school english and journalism. He advanced into administrative roles, becoming an assistant principal, principal, and a district administrator. He boasts knowledge of the budgeting process and the inner-workings of the district. Canter's extensive experience in education, covering both the classroom and administrative roles is exactly what the Broward County School Board is in desperate need of right now. His professional experience isn't his only credential. Canter has been extensively involved in the community. He served as the treasurer and president of his PTA, served roles on the District Advisory Committee, and the Facilities Task Force. In his questionnaire, Canter stated "I will not experience the steep learning curve coming into this office that others might; I will be able to hit the ground running on day 1." We agree that Canter's experience make him the best candidate to serve this district on the school board. Canter also boasts the strongest endorsements in this race, from the Broward Teachers Union, the firefighters unions, and elected officials.

Also on the ballot, is incumbent Dan Foganholi and Maura McCarthy-Bulman. Foganholi, a Desantis-appointee, is running for election. He did not complete a questionnaire for The County. It is safe to say that Dan Foganholi is out of touch with this district. He ran for office in Coral Springs just two years ago, losing horribly to administrator Shawn Cerra. Coral Springs is in a different school board district, on the other side of the county. Since being appointed to this seat, Foganholi has supported unpopular measures on the school board, indicating his support for the governor's culture war agenda. While he is entitled to his own beliefs, the voters of this district are not far right conservatives. They elected a liberal in 2022. Foganholi spent years in a seat he wasn't elected to, committing himself to political actions his constituents oppose. If he wants to do so, get elected on those belief and merits, in a district he actually lives in. Voters should soundly reject him once again.

McCarthy-Bulman is a business and commercial litigation attorney who resides in Hollywood. She is also the money leader in this race, raising nearly $50,000 to date. We like her, a lot. She is a fresh voice and has a strong message. However, like Foganholi, she did not complete a questionnaire for The County, despite several requests. We encourage McCarthy-Bulman to stay involved in politics, and consider running again if she is not elected.

Endorsements are the viewpoints of The County's Editorial Board members Elijah Manley, and Luc Saint-Genies. Endorsement may or may not reflect the personal beliefs and preferences of individual members of the Editorial Board, or The County's writers.