Alachua Voter Guide

In the short time I have been campaigning, it has become abundantly clear that even the non-partisan school board race is very political and that it seems to be an act of political suicide if one chooses to support a candidate with ideas rather than one that is part of the political system. School Board elections should be about the students, not about the politics.
A close look at the financial disclosure of one candidate shows huge contributions from unions across the State. This tells me that his union buddies and their agendas will take preference over what is best for the students of Alachua County. If it takes a candidate 40 years of working in the school system to realize that he can best help students by serving on the Board, then I say he has an agenda. Maybe he wants to be the board, not serve on the board. Or maybe he want to be superintendent?? Maybe have a school or two named after him?? To elect a teachers’ union president who fought with past school boards only for monies for teachers, is like putting the fox in charge of the hen house. I was recently told that I only wanted to serve on the School Board to collect the $38,000 a year salary. I am the only candidate in District 3 who, if elected, would have to step down from a job he loves to work longer hours for less pay. I am the only candidate in District 3 who has experience as a businessman, a parent, and as a teacher. I am the only one in District 3 who can say “I proudly served in the United States Army.” As a member of the School Board, I would not be afraid to vote to make the necessary cuts at the top rather than look for more taxes. I would not be afraid to vote to get rid of ineffective teachers. I would not be afraid to vote to outsource services if is best for our school district. I am an independent voice for the students of Alachua County.