2022 School Board Member Candidate Questionnaire
What is your vision for education in this community?
My vision for education in this community is quite simple really, and is the premise of most school districts across the country.
My vision for education in this community is quite simple really, and is the premise of most school districts across the country.
- To make sure our students are safe. Not just from intruders, but also from their peers so they can learn in peace, free from bullying.
- To make sure our students are learning the factual material directed by the state standards and are free from political bias/indoctrination input within the classroom.
- For all our students across the district to have access to technical training that our district provides.
- For all of our staff to feel supported not only through salary, but through their contribution to our students and district.
- For our parents and business leaders to have an opportunity to provide support through committees in areas of their expertise.
What do you see as major concerns facing Nassau County School Districts?
Fiscal Responsibility - As a former business owner myself, I know the importance of making sure finances are well managed. I am often asked about the one mill tax that the school board is asking the community for and why with all of this new development and taxable income coming into the district, “Why is the district asking for more money?” The answer to that question is poor financial decisions that are being made and then rubber stamped by the current school board without any degree of accountability. Let me ask you this, as a business owner you always want to have a minimum amount of money in reserves for emergencies, what is that minimum for you? 5%, 8% 10%? The state requires a minimum of 3% and that is what the district currently has - the very minimum. Let me ask you another question. Would you count on grant money to fill that need to keep the minimum required reserves? Money the state can pull back if it is not spent. I don’t think you would, but that is what the district is currently doing. Let me ask you one more question. If your employees were healthy one year and by contract are to receive money back from the insurance companies, would you hold that money back from the employees to fund your required minimum reserve? Well that is what the district is currently doing.
We know this is not the right way to be fiscally responsible, but this is what the district's current financial statement shows. It is because of their past mismanagement of funds that they are in need of an increase in revenue. We can not allow this to continue and must bring transparency and accountability to the board.
As I mentioned before in a previous answer, equity among our schools across the district in regards to technical training is severely disproportioned. Unfortunately our students in Hilliard and Callahan are not able to receive the same experiences in technical training that students in Yulee or on the Island receive. This is not something new, but it must be fixed. We need to think outside the box to make sure our students across the county are given the same opportunities. Furthermore, we need to promote the technical programs that our district offers and encourage our counselors to educate parents and students
about these programs. Not every child fits into the round hole of “College Readiness” and we shouldn’t allow these students to become frustrated with school and fall behind not just intellectually - but also socially and emotionally. Every student has something to offer this world and we should do our best to provide an opportunity for them to find out what they can offer and provide them a starting point to go in the direction they choose.
Finally, teacher retention in our district is a challenge that needs addressing right away. Although the state budget that was signed last year by our Governor addressing higher starting salaries for teachers and the new state budget signed this year to provide increases to our seasoned teacher were blessing that was very much needed, we are still experiencing high turnover in our district. Current district officials will say to anyone who asks why, “This is happening all over the state and country. It is a national problem.”
Are you satisfied with that answer? As a stakeholder in our school district I find that answer insulting and unaccountable. It tells me that they are not in-tune to why every year we have an exodus of seasoned staff that leave our district for either employment in another district or to completely change careers AND that is not acceptable to me. As a previous school leader and business owner I know the importance of excellent leadership. Leadership that understands they are not the smartest people in the room and brings their employees up and doesn’t keep them down. Leadership that allows for differing opinions and ideas and encourages staff to take leadership roles. Our employees may not be the highest paid in the state, but those who come from different areas and have demonstrated success in other districts will stay for lower pay if they feel they are valued and respected in their school community.
Fiscal Responsibility - As a former business owner myself, I know the importance of making sure finances are well managed. I am often asked about the one mill tax that the school board is asking the community for and why with all of this new development and taxable income coming into the district, “Why is the district asking for more money?” The answer to that question is poor financial decisions that are being made and then rubber stamped by the current school board without any degree of accountability. Let me ask you this, as a business owner you always want to have a minimum amount of money in reserves for emergencies, what is that minimum for you? 5%, 8% 10%? The state requires a minimum of 3% and that is what the district currently has - the very minimum. Let me ask you another question. Would you count on grant money to fill that need to keep the minimum required reserves? Money the state can pull back if it is not spent. I don’t think you would, but that is what the district is currently doing. Let me ask you one more question. If your employees were healthy one year and by contract are to receive money back from the insurance companies, would you hold that money back from the employees to fund your required minimum reserve? Well that is what the district is currently doing.
We know this is not the right way to be fiscally responsible, but this is what the district's current financial statement shows. It is because of their past mismanagement of funds that they are in need of an increase in revenue. We can not allow this to continue and must bring transparency and accountability to the board.
As I mentioned before in a previous answer, equity among our schools across the district in regards to technical training is severely disproportioned. Unfortunately our students in Hilliard and Callahan are not able to receive the same experiences in technical training that students in Yulee or on the Island receive. This is not something new, but it must be fixed. We need to think outside the box to make sure our students across the county are given the same opportunities. Furthermore, we need to promote the technical programs that our district offers and encourage our counselors to educate parents and students
about these programs. Not every child fits into the round hole of “College Readiness” and we shouldn’t allow these students to become frustrated with school and fall behind not just intellectually - but also socially and emotionally. Every student has something to offer this world and we should do our best to provide an opportunity for them to find out what they can offer and provide them a starting point to go in the direction they choose.
Finally, teacher retention in our district is a challenge that needs addressing right away. Although the state budget that was signed last year by our Governor addressing higher starting salaries for teachers and the new state budget signed this year to provide increases to our seasoned teacher were blessing that was very much needed, we are still experiencing high turnover in our district. Current district officials will say to anyone who asks why, “This is happening all over the state and country. It is a national problem.”
Are you satisfied with that answer? As a stakeholder in our school district I find that answer insulting and unaccountable. It tells me that they are not in-tune to why every year we have an exodus of seasoned staff that leave our district for either employment in another district or to completely change careers AND that is not acceptable to me. As a previous school leader and business owner I know the importance of excellent leadership. Leadership that understands they are not the smartest people in the room and brings their employees up and doesn’t keep them down. Leadership that allows for differing opinions and ideas and encourages staff to take leadership roles. Our employees may not be the highest paid in the state, but those who come from different areas and have demonstrated success in other districts will stay for lower pay if they feel they are valued and respected in their school community.
What resources or investments are needed to best support "ALL" students in Nassau County in the future?
Investments in building strong relationships with the businesses in our community that can help our students feel success, pride, and have a sense of purpose and direction when they are ready to lehool. We can’t rest on our morals and keep saying we are great - we are an A school district, there is nothing to see, nothing to change. Again, that just displays complete ignorance to me. There is so much we can improve upon and our local business can have a great impact
on helping our students become successful.
We need to invest in not only our teachers, but our supporting staff as well. They play a very important role in our district, yet, they are not offered a salary guide and must negotiate their salary every year. This influences staff morale and turnover by not demonstrating a commitment to those who support our students every day.
Investment in the 10 year strategic plan of our school district to be proactive in addressing the future development of our county. We need to demonstrate to our stakeholders conservative - but high impact spending that is vetted by the public. We can’t continue to spend millions on a piece of property that appraises for much less. This is not being fiscally conservative.
Investments in building strong relationships with the businesses in our community that can help our students feel success, pride, and have a sense of purpose and direction when they are ready to lehool. We can’t rest on our morals and keep saying we are great - we are an A school district, there is nothing to see, nothing to change. Again, that just displays complete ignorance to me. There is so much we can improve upon and our local business can have a great impact
on helping our students become successful.
We need to invest in not only our teachers, but our supporting staff as well. They play a very important role in our district, yet, they are not offered a salary guide and must negotiate their salary every year. This influences staff morale and turnover by not demonstrating a commitment to those who support our students every day.
Investment in the 10 year strategic plan of our school district to be proactive in addressing the future development of our county. We need to demonstrate to our stakeholders conservative - but high impact spending that is vetted by the public. We can’t continue to spend millions on a piece of property that appraises for much less. This is not being fiscally conservative.
What do you have in mind for your term of office and how will you achieve them?
I look at this position as a position of servitude to all the stakeholders throughout the county. If elected, I foresee myself being a voice for every employee, every parent, every student and every business owner no matter where they reside in the county. I will look for ways to expand stakeholder involvement in the local schools and through district wide sub-committees. I will be visible at school events and available outside of school board meetings to all stakeholders. It will be important to me to get feedback on upcoming district initiatives, funding, etc., as well as provide information on the state of the district. I will do this by creating opportunities to discuss what is going on in the district and local schools through monthly meetings either virtually or in person to allow stakeholders to ask questions or to share their concerns. I believe this is an important step in demonstrating transparency and accountability to our community as it is not feasible for many to participate in school board meetings.
I look at this position as a position of servitude to all the stakeholders throughout the county. If elected, I foresee myself being a voice for every employee, every parent, every student and every business owner no matter where they reside in the county. I will look for ways to expand stakeholder involvement in the local schools and through district wide sub-committees. I will be visible at school events and available outside of school board meetings to all stakeholders. It will be important to me to get feedback on upcoming district initiatives, funding, etc., as well as provide information on the state of the district. I will do this by creating opportunities to discuss what is going on in the district and local schools through monthly meetings either virtually or in person to allow stakeholders to ask questions or to share their concerns. I believe this is an important step in demonstrating transparency and accountability to our community as it is not feasible for many to participate in school board meetings.
How do you think Nassau County schools are doing at providing quality science, technology, engineering, math, and art education? What will you recommend improving on these?
When I was a teacher in Nassau County, I was known for my love of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Music.) I created hands on learning assignments in Math and Science. Students did science experiments and learned through trial and error. During this time I was able to develop a relationship with a former student’s parent who worked with the Department of Defense. Through his work I was able to secure funding for our school’s Robotics program that I was running. I was also able to introduce him to district leaders and from there the district continues to receive support in the way of STEAM materials every year in the amount of thousands of dollars in instructional material to help support our STEAM Programs. Partnerships like these are fundamental in creating high impact STEAM curriculum.
I wear my love for STEAM on my sleeve. I believe our teachers want to be able to step out of the box and teach through hands-on learning, but are at times (more often than not) restricted to teaching how to respond to a state test question. To me this is an injustice to our students and as a school board member I will look to support our teachers who want to have their students learn through hands-on activities and look to expand ways of funding those opportunities.
I believe in the importance of experiences to expand our student’s knowledge. To limit experiences because of fiscal mismanagement or by having test scores as the only validation of school success does more harm than good. As a father of two girls, one who is entering 5th grade next year and the other 8th grade, I am concerned about the lack of opportunities they have. For instance, my 8th grade daughter’s elective choices were very disappointing to her and I. Her choices for her last year in middle school were: Band (which is all year, she has no interest in and has never participated in), HS PE level class (again all year), or Journalism which is all year as well. While my younger daughter has not had an art class or a computer class in all of her years at her elementary school.
These are missed opportunities where I feel we can do better. Students need exposure in the early years of school with computers and technology to learn ways of presenting information, how to type on a computer, etc., so when they get to high school they don’t have to learn the programs while also learning about their topic.
When I was a teacher in Nassau County, I was known for my love of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Music.) I created hands on learning assignments in Math and Science. Students did science experiments and learned through trial and error. During this time I was able to develop a relationship with a former student’s parent who worked with the Department of Defense. Through his work I was able to secure funding for our school’s Robotics program that I was running. I was also able to introduce him to district leaders and from there the district continues to receive support in the way of STEAM materials every year in the amount of thousands of dollars in instructional material to help support our STEAM Programs. Partnerships like these are fundamental in creating high impact STEAM curriculum.
I wear my love for STEAM on my sleeve. I believe our teachers want to be able to step out of the box and teach through hands-on learning, but are at times (more often than not) restricted to teaching how to respond to a state test question. To me this is an injustice to our students and as a school board member I will look to support our teachers who want to have their students learn through hands-on activities and look to expand ways of funding those opportunities.
I believe in the importance of experiences to expand our student’s knowledge. To limit experiences because of fiscal mismanagement or by having test scores as the only validation of school success does more harm than good. As a father of two girls, one who is entering 5th grade next year and the other 8th grade, I am concerned about the lack of opportunities they have. For instance, my 8th grade daughter’s elective choices were very disappointing to her and I. Her choices for her last year in middle school were: Band (which is all year, she has no interest in and has never participated in), HS PE level class (again all year), or Journalism which is all year as well. While my younger daughter has not had an art class or a computer class in all of her years at her elementary school.
These are missed opportunities where I feel we can do better. Students need exposure in the early years of school with computers and technology to learn ways of presenting information, how to type on a computer, etc., so when they get to high school they don’t have to learn the programs while also learning about their topic.
Do you believe it is a priority to utilize technology inside and outside the classroom so that students can gain technical skills necessary for the future occupations? How can we better prepare students for the workplace?
Yes, it is a huge priority. In not wanting to bore you with a repeat answer, I believe I answered this and question 5 at the same time. Please see the above answer.
Yes, it is a huge priority. In not wanting to bore you with a repeat answer, I believe I answered this and question 5 at the same time. Please see the above answer.
What are your areas of concerns regarding student achievement and how will they be addressed?
My concern is that we are only teaching to a test and only using the results of those assessments as validation for our success. We are not looking at the big picture but only a small fractional part.
In talking to business leaders throughout the county, the main response I get about the readiness of our students to enter the workforce right away is the lack of basic communication skills, the ability to think on their feet, and to work without being micromanaged. Again, adult life isn’t about deciding whether the answer is A, B, or C, it is about being able to reason, to understand what is going on around you (big picture), make mistakes and keep on going. Students need to be able to make mistakes and learn from them without just giving up or taking the easy way. Project learning, hands-on learning, working in groups, all help develop important skills. Sometimes the answer is not A, B, or C, but A, B, AND C.
This again can be addressed by preparing our students for the real world, following the standards the state has in place without bias or prejudice, using project based learning, and have students work in groups (cooperative learning) so we develop the whole child - Intellectually, Socially, and Emotionally.
My concern is that we are only teaching to a test and only using the results of those assessments as validation for our success. We are not looking at the big picture but only a small fractional part.
In talking to business leaders throughout the county, the main response I get about the readiness of our students to enter the workforce right away is the lack of basic communication skills, the ability to think on their feet, and to work without being micromanaged. Again, adult life isn’t about deciding whether the answer is A, B, or C, it is about being able to reason, to understand what is going on around you (big picture), make mistakes and keep on going. Students need to be able to make mistakes and learn from them without just giving up or taking the easy way. Project learning, hands-on learning, working in groups, all help develop important skills. Sometimes the answer is not A, B, or C, but A, B, AND C.
This again can be addressed by preparing our students for the real world, following the standards the state has in place without bias or prejudice, using project based learning, and have students work in groups (cooperative learning) so we develop the whole child - Intellectually, Socially, and Emotionally.
What will you do as a board member to ensure that teachers have the support and materials to successfully assist students?
This goes back to being available. I will work in partnership with teachers, support staff, and school leaders to gain understanding of what is working and what is not working and come up with solutions for areas of concern. It will be important for me to demonstrate my commitment to our teachers, support staff, and school leaders by being visible in the school and at school events. To allow them to speak freely without the fear of retaliation and follow through on getting a solution or answer to their concern.
This goes back to being available. I will work in partnership with teachers, support staff, and school leaders to gain understanding of what is working and what is not working and come up with solutions for areas of concern. It will be important for me to demonstrate my commitment to our teachers, support staff, and school leaders by being visible in the school and at school events. To allow them to speak freely without the fear of retaliation and follow through on getting a solution or answer to their concern.
How will you address the need for more schools and future growth?
Through fiscal responsibility and positive working partnership with county commissioners and local business. We have to be able to think outside the box, work with county commissioners while looking at the 10 year plan in regards to zoning, address the areas of concern, and force the developers to assist in providing relief to the current residents of Nassau County in the form of setting land aside for schools, or contributing to the building of new schools.
Through fiscal responsibility and positive working partnership with county commissioners and local business. We have to be able to think outside the box, work with county commissioners while looking at the 10 year plan in regards to zoning, address the areas of concern, and force the developers to assist in providing relief to the current residents of Nassau County in the form of setting land aside for schools, or contributing to the building of new schools.
How can the school district improve communication to parents and the community?
Communication is the key to transparency and holding yourself accountable to those whom you represent. Although school board meetings are videotaped, many stakeholders would like to participate in the meetings but are unable to do so. One way of engaging parents is for each board member to be accountable for showing up at school events and have availability each month in a form of a virtual meeting so their constituents can gather information on a more personal level and to break down what the board is addressing in a simpler way. A bullet pointed memo about past meeting follow-ups, items currently in front of the board, and future items sent out through email would help parents stay informed. A lot of times, stakeholders don’t know where to go to obtain information, so we need to make it easier for them at the district and school level.
Communication is the key to transparency and holding yourself accountable to those whom you represent. Although school board meetings are videotaped, many stakeholders would like to participate in the meetings but are unable to do so. One way of engaging parents is for each board member to be accountable for showing up at school events and have availability each month in a form of a virtual meeting so their constituents can gather information on a more personal level and to break down what the board is addressing in a simpler way. A bullet pointed memo about past meeting follow-ups, items currently in front of the board, and future items sent out through email would help parents stay informed. A lot of times, stakeholders don’t know where to go to obtain information, so we need to make it easier for them at the district and school level.
In your opinion, how best can the Chamber of Commerce and the business community partner with the school district?
The Chamber of Commerce plays an important role as a liaison between the Board of Education and local businesses. They help disseminate district information to local businesses and vice versa. As I meet with small business owners, I learn about specific ways local small businesses can help our district. For instance, I met with a local company that has done tremendous work with children who have dyslexia. This is a company that is willing to work with the district to help our students. As a district we need to reach out to these companies because they have expertise in a field where the district doesn’t have the resources to train the teachers. The Chamber would be a great resource for the Board to bring local businesses and the district together. One specific way is the creation of a Career Readiness Advisory Board to make real changes in how we prepare students for careers that they would assume shortly after HS graduation. As the school community improves, so do local businesses.
The Chamber of Commerce plays an important role as a liaison between the Board of Education and local businesses. They help disseminate district information to local businesses and vice versa. As I meet with small business owners, I learn about specific ways local small businesses can help our district. For instance, I met with a local company that has done tremendous work with children who have dyslexia. This is a company that is willing to work with the district to help our students. As a district we need to reach out to these companies because they have expertise in a field where the district doesn’t have the resources to train the teachers. The Chamber would be a great resource for the Board to bring local businesses and the district together. One specific way is the creation of a Career Readiness Advisory Board to make real changes in how we prepare students for careers that they would assume shortly after HS graduation. As the school community improves, so do local businesses.
