District 5

Susie Castillo and Daniel Espino are vying to fill the seat left open by School Board member Renier Diaz de la Portilla, who is running for the Legislature. Ms. Castillo, 52, is assistant to the mayor of Doral. She previously worked as an administrative assistant in a school-district regional office and the superintendent’s office, and as an aide to a former board member, Frank Bolaños.

Mr. Espino, 29, is an attorney and former member of the Miami Springs City Council. He resigned midterm to run for this seat representing District 5, which includes Allapattah, Doral and part of Hialeah, and stretches west to Krome Avenue.

Both agree on several issues: Students should be assessed, but teaching to the FCAT cheats them; charter schools give parents greater choice; schools chief Alberto Carvalho is doing a good job.

Ms. Castillo has a teenager in a local public school; her eldest child is a graduate of public schools. This, combined with her work in school administration gives her a big edge over Mr. Espino, who seems to have little connection to public education except for serving as an advisory-committee member for Miami Dade College’s School of Education and as a board member of Monsignor Edward Pace High School, a private school.

Ms. Castillo’s perspective as an engaged school parent would be of real value on the School Board. She likely would give parents a bigger voice where it counts.

For Miami-Dade School Board, District 5, The Herald recommends SUSIE CASTILLO.