First contender for school board seat

From answering front office calls, to answering the call of election duty, a Springstead High School secretary has filed to run for the Hernando County School Board District 1 seat.

Nilsa Toro pre-qualified Wednesday to run for the school board seat currently held by school board Chairman John Sweeney.

Sweeney hasn't announced whether he is running for re-election. The deadline to file is by June of next year.

Candidates file to pre-qualify to run for office to allow them to not only prepare to qualify, but collect signatures, campaign contributions and spend that money toward becoming elected.

Toro said that her 20 years experience working for the district offers her a unique perspective to make a positive impact on district issues affecting students, parents and school employees.

"I've been approached by many people in the community who asked me to run," Toro said. "I'm a very vocal person and I do have an open mind - plus 20 years of helping parents and students."

Currently, she said the school board isn't lacking, and added she doesn't have too many specific issues yet that she'd like to tackle other than school crowding and student testing. Toro said she believes students are tested too much and that it takes away from educators making sure students are really learning the material.

"I'm still trying to get my bearings on what all issues I want to do," Toro said.

If elected, Toro believes she would have to resign from her secretary position at the high school to avoid any conflicts of interests. However, she knows she has a while before she knows that outcome.

"I would really miss it. It's really a dynamite school," Toro said.

Meanwhile, she said she would now focus on gathering public support and preparing for the election season ahead. If Sweeney does decide to run, she said she doesn't have anything against him personally.

"It's all about what the public wants," Toro said. "I'm just looking out for what's best for the students and the staff and I'd be honored to represent them and the entire school district."