The Osceola News-Gazette is reaching out to the candidates appearing on the 2022 primary election ballot to profile their campaigns and platforms. We begin this week with the School Board district 5 and Kissimmee City Commission seat 4 candidates, listed in alphabetical order.
Two longtime Osceola County educators have stepped up to fill the seat of Robert Bass, who is not running for re-election: Erika Booth and Debbie Mann.
Erika Booth
“I’m running a positive campaign of what I have to offer, building culture and collaboration,” said Booth, who will be teaching at Canoe Creek K-8 this year. “I have 20 years in this district, and I’m excited to come back. “Our first priority has to be
“Our first priority has to be retaining and recruiting teachers and support professionals, along with maintaining a law enforcement officer relationship in every school.”
We’re still recovering from the pandemic. What would a complete recovery look like as it pertains to the School District?
We must continue to invest in students’ social and emotional health, rebuild family and community engagement, strengthen pre-kindergarten programing, and support learning loss recovery. I support more counseling services on campuses and extracurricular programs that provide opportunities for students to make gains due to time lost in the classroom. Our parent and business partner engagement was stifled over the last two years and we need to make a concerted effort to grow that involvement even better than pre-pandemic levels. Growing pre-kindergarten enrollment is essential; we must support our Early Learning Collation and expand options at our schools. Our teachers and District staff should be commended for working tirelessly to shift to digital learning during the pandemic, but we know that in-person learning is where the vast majority of students will succeed.
What should parents and students expect from the School District from an education standpoint?
Parents should expect an educational system that values their input and their support. Students should expect an education that inspires them to reach their highest potential. In our changing economy, it is imperative that we expand technical and trade certification programs to help create workforce ready graduates. We must continue as well to provide an opportunity for our highest academic achievers to attend our nation’s most competitive colleges and universities, and military academies. From pre-K to 12th grade we have to continually engage our parents and our business community so that we are giving every child an opportunity to succeed.
Staffing has been an issue — many teaching and support positions remain unfilled. What’s the best strategy for filling them?
Working to increase salaries, benefits, and professional development opportunities is the only approach to remain competitive. It will be a top priority for me. Our School District is ranked near the bottom in the state for administrative cost. We make our investments in the classroom and I plan to keep it that way.
Funding for salaries are provided by the state. As School Board members we must be advocates for a greater investment in our teachers and support staff. In my over 20 years in Osceola schools, I have witnessed the changes that make it more difficult for all districts around the state to recruit and retain staff.
What should the leading consideration be when the School Board considers vendors and other business contracts?
Our School District should contract with vendors that can provide the highest quality product or service at the best price. To the extent that the law allows, we should also give preference to local companies that provide jobs right here in Osceola.
What boards or local organizations have you sat on or joined that would enhance your abilities on the School Board?
I have served on the Board of the Florida Farm Bureau’s State Women’s Leadership Committee. While working at local not-for-profit Community Vision, I was the project manager for the Osceola Youth Leadership Program and Project OPEN (providing continuing education opportunities for at-risk adults in Osceola). 010517TNG have served on the School Advisory Council (SAC) for multiple schools, A+ Committees, and as the Business Partner Director for all of Osceola Schools. I have also had the unique and rare opportunity to help open five brand new schools. I have also served as a Bookmark Buddies Mentor for the Education Foundation.
Debbie Mann
“I didn’t set out to run for office. People came to me,” said the Harmony Community School thirdgrade teacher. “I’ve been in the classroom for 16 years, I’m not a librarian. People know if something’s not right, I will say something.
“From a student standpoint, we have to fill our (teaching) vacancies. Learning isn’t happening in a gym with a sub or administrator, or at a place where it’s a threat to their well-being being inside those walls.”
We’re still recovering from the pandemic. What would a complete recovery look like as it pertains to the School District?
A complete recovery would look like: students making up the learning loss experienced from schools being shut down and/or participating in digital learning; students on grade level in our most important subjects; students being able to participate in school activities without protocols in place, such as regular lunch seating, no quarantining, contact tracing, etc.
Speaking as a potential School Board member, what should parents and students expect from the School District from an education standpoint?
All should expect education to be the focus, and expect the District to ensure school is a safe, welcoming place for all students to learn. Students and parents should take ownership of their education and should expect the District to welcome that partnership. It seems the more we focus on all of the outside factors other than academics, the worse our morale, behaviors and academic scores become.
Staffing has been an issue — many teaching and support positions remain unfilled. What’s the best strategy for filling them?
To quit running the current ones off in the first place, by treating teachers and support staff with the respect and value they deserve. Support them when it comes to behavioral or conduct issues. Quit taking advantage of them by expanding the workload and giving less time to get it all done; knowing there are not enough hours in the day, but taking advantage of the fact teachers and staff will get the job done anyway, because they love the students and want what’s best for them. We have to create a District where our current teachers are our best recruiters because they love working in Osceola County.
What should the leading consideration be when the School Board considers vendors and other business contracts?
Value for the money should be top priority — we are spending taxpayer dollars. The second consideration should be to try to keep our business local. This puts money back into our community, supporting our local tax base, and many times supporting the families of our students.
What boards or local organizations have you sat on or joined that would enhance your abilities on the School Board?
The most important fact about me that enhances my abilities is that I have been a para-professional, a substitute, and have spent the last 16 years in the classroom as a highly-effective teacher. I have volunteered and served on the board of St. Cloud Little League. I have served as a chairman for the Kissimmee Valley Livestock Show. Both allowed me to work with children and families.
