Parkland mother wins spot on local school board

by Justin Wise - 08/29/18 7:33 AM ET

The mother of a student who died in the mass shooting in Parkland, Fla., earlier this year reportedly earned a spot on the Broward County School Board.

CNN, citing unofficial election results, reported on late Tuesday that Lori Alhadeff, an ex-teacher, won a seat in District 4, giving her the opportunity to sit on a board that oversees the high school where her daughter was killed.

{mosads}Alhadeff’s daughter, Alyssa, was one of 17 students killed when a gunman opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in February.

“I am so excited. I am elated,” Alhadeff told The Miami Herald. “I can’t wait to start making change and start making an impact on the school board.”

Alhadeff ran for a seat on the school board along with Ryan Petty, whose daughter, Alaina, was also killed during the mass shooting.

The Herald noted that Petty narrowly missed a chance to face incumbent Donna Korn in the November general election.

Alhadeff and Petty had run on a platform of “more leadership, more transparency and more accountability” for the Broward County School system.

“The tragedy happened six months ago,” Alhadeff told CNN before her election. “School started, and we need to make those changes now. We can’t make another mistake.”

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Their pursuit of elected office comes as many students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School advocate for gun reform and youth voter registration. Students helped organize the March for Our Lives rally in Washington and are reportedly planning a get-out-the-vote campaign for the midterms.

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