Tampabay: Daughter might seek School Board office

In the days since Pinellas County School Board member Tom Todd died, a half-dozen people have emerged as possible candidates to finish his term -- including his daughter.

Todd's 24-year-old daughter Tiffany Todd-Ciminera, a nurse and mother of three who was married the day after his death, is among those whom the governor could appoint to fill the last four months of Tom Todd's term.

School Board member Max Gessner recalled that he had a conversation with Todd's wife, County Commissioner Barbara Sheen Todd, after her husband's death Friday. Mrs. Todd told Gessner that her husband had hoped to see Tiffany on the School Board one day. Gessner said he would forward her name to the county Republican Party.

On Wednesday, Todd-Ciminera said she was still considering whether to seek the appointment and announce her candidacy for a four-year term. She talked with a county GOP official early this week but said she would make a decision after her father's memorial service Monday.

"It's a real tough time," said Todd-Ciminera.

Also on the list are:

Mary Brown, 66, a quality improvement specialist for Coordinated Child Care who lost to School Board member Nancy Bostock in 1998. Brown, who is African-American, said the board needs diversity. She said she probably would campaign for the seat if appointed, and she might campaign if she is not.

Janet Caramello, 35, a Realtor and mother of two who faced Todd in a Republican runoff in 1998. Caramello said she had not wanted to run against Todd but is now considering another campaign.

Adelle Vaughn-Jemison, 71, a former assistant superintendent for equal opportunity in Pinellas schools who ran against Todd in the 1998 general election. She has not sought the appointment, but she said her supporters might submit her name. Vaughn-Jemison said she would be pleased to serve but would not campaign for a full term.

Robert Kersteen, 65, a former St. Petersburg City Council member and retired property manager for GTE Wireless. If appointed, Kersteen said he would campaign for the seat.

Mike Pachik, 45, senior vice president and co-owner of Direct Mail Systems Inc., who is running for the at-large School Board seat against Max Gessner. To be considered for the appointment and run for District 4, Pachik would have to move.

Todd, 73, died Friday afternoon at St. Petersburg General Hospital after a heart attack. Todd, a veteran educator and former board chairman, was seeking a second four-year term representing District 4.

So far, only Matthew P. Sullivan of St. Petersburg has filed paperwork to run for Todd's seat, but officials expect the race to get jammed. District 4 covers the southwest section of Pinellas County. A School Board member must live in the district he seeks to represent but is elected countywide.

The deadline for qualifying for a spot on the ballot is noon July 26. Three other board seats are up for election. School Board elections are nonpartisan, but Pinellas politicians doubt the governor would appoint a Democrat.

Mrs. Todd said that if her daughter decides to seek the seat, she will "support her 100 percent."

"Tom stood for many things," she said. "I don't think that anyone will be exactly like him."

Interested candidates can contact the governor's office, said Liz Hirst, Gov. Jeb Bush's press secretary. Hirst did not know how quickly Bush would move to fill the vacancy.

"It's my understanding he would look for an appointment to sit in the seat just for the interim," Hirst said. "Typically, that is what the governor prefers -- appointing individuals who do not plan to seek the seat."

The School Board doesn't meet again until July 30. But between then and November, when winning candidates will be sworn in, the board will vote on the budget and handle details of a new school choice plan.

Paul Bedinghaus, chairman of the Pinellas Republican Party, said he will recommend several names to the governor. He will consider the names he already has -- plus a couple he's kicking around in his head -- and consult community leaders.

For instance, he is seeking advice from the NAACP, the Urban League and St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker.

Even with Todd-Ciminera's name on the list, Bedinghaus said, "At this point, it's wide open."

Darryl Rouson, president of the St. Petersburg chapter of the NAACP, said the civil rights group will also make recommendations to the governor. This week, he wasn't ready to name names. But he and Bedinghaus agreed that the governor has an opportunity to diversify an all-white board.

"We would hope that he seizes the moment," Rouson said.

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