Letters

Nicholson still the best choice for school board

Hernando Today
Published: October 31, 2010

The issue: Hernando County School Board District 5 race.

Our opinion: Incumbent Sandra Nicholson deserves a fifth term in office.

We said it before the Primary Election and we're making the same recommendation to voters in Tuesday's General Election: Sandra Nicholson is the best choice for the District 5 school board seat.

Nicholson has served on the Hernando County School Board for the past 16 years. She's done such a good job, we think voters should extend that to 20.

A most impressive civic and educational volunteer, Nicholson has tirelessly served her community for more than 23 years in Hernando County.

On top of that, she's got sharp insight into the tough issues facing the school district and is almost always correct in the decisions she makes on the board - at least as far as we're concerned.

Nicholson is a businesswoman, not an educator. The board needs that different perspective, considering the others all share educational backgrounds.

When asked her opinion on tough issues, Nicholson is brief and to the point. She doesn't wander around the issue until she thinks she's found where you stand.

Sh''s not a very good politician - a refreshing respite from the nastiness we've all witnessed this pivotal political season.

In Tuesday's election, Nicholson faces Cynthia Moore, a longtime teacher and school volunteer, who was the second top vote-getter behind Nicholson in the August primary.

Moore brings a passion and care for students of the school district. The grandmotherly type, Moore is every young child's dream. However, she doesn't have the insight on the issues or the vast experience Nicholson has.

Cutting expenses by reducing "extras" will be a top priority of Nicholson, who voted against raising the district's mill levy .25 cents per $1,000 of property value. Her reason: Too many people are losing their jobs and homes to demand they pay higher taxes.

Because of that tough economic reality, every position and program in the school district likely will have to be examined and possibly reduced or cut, Nicholson told Hernando Today in her candidate interview.

Nicholson also voted to end sibling preference in magnet schools, which was long overdue. We like her philosophy: "The purpose of a magnet school is to attract students with specific strengths or interests. If parents feel that siblings must stay together, then their option is the school for which they are zoned."

We couldn't have said it better.

Hernando Today recommends voters cast their ballots for Nicholson on Tuesday.