The Sarasota County School Board has experienced controversy, polarization,financial challenges and more in recent years – and it will soon see dramatic change as well.
On Tuesday, Aug. 18, three of the School Board’s five seats will be on the primary election ballot, and seven candidates are competing for four-year terms.
Previously, the Editorial Board endorsed Teresa DeWittfor the Sarasota County School Board District 1 seat.
Here is the Editorial Board's endorsement for the School Board's District 4 race.
District 4
Megan Tennimon and Frank DiCicco are running to replace District 4 School Board Member Robyn Marinelli, who is not seeking reelection.
Tennimon, a former schoolteacher with three children attending Sarasota County schools, said she decided to
run after the School Board's controversial move last fall to switch its meeting time from 6 p.m. to 10 a.m.
In July, after months of public backlash, the board voted to resume its 6 p.m. meetings.
"It didn't sit well with me," Tennimon said regarding the board's initial time change.
"It just felt like the board didn't welcome the opinions or views of school parents like me."
Tennimon said she would work to strengthen the district's volunteer system to place volunteers where they're most needed in classrooms and provide more support for Sarasota County teachers.
"It would take a burden off so many of our teachers," Tennimon told the Editorial Board.
Tennimon said the School Board should join with others across Florida to push the state Legislature to reform the current voucher system, which has taken a toll on the district'sfinances and enrollment.
"There needs to be more accountability all the way around," Tennimon said.
Tennimon also vowed to be an accessible board member who builds a sense of unity and trust throughout the district.
"I want to be the kind of board member people are excited to see when I walk on a school campus," Tennimon said.
"I don't want them to say, 'Oh, no, she's here – we're going to get in trouble.' And I think that's happened too often with the current board."
DiCicco brings business experience
DiCicco, the founder and owner of a Sarasota-based insurance agency, is also a longtime school parent: one of his sons graduated from Suncoast Polytechnical High School, while another is a current student there.
Like Tennimon, DiCicco said the School Board's contentious move to 10 a.m. meetings played a role in his decision to run, but he also pointed to the board's polarized atmosphere as a factor.
"There's no decorum," DiCicco said of the board's meetings.
"It's like a blood sport. It's about politics, ideological stuff and agendas, and things that need to be discussed aren't being addressed."
DiCicco told the Editorial Board that he would focus on the district's finances and look for ways to streamline spending.
"The budget needs to be more transparent," DiCicco said.
"We need to see a true line-item breakdown of where our money is going so we're not constantly worrying about laying off teachers," he said. "I believe I can bring all of my years of experience in business to the board and make a difference."
Our endorsement
While DiCicco is a thoughtful candidate, Tennimon's knowledge of the issues facing the district is impressive, and she could quickly make a constructive impact on the board. Voters should choose Tennimon on Aug. 18.
Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: 2 candidates equal 1 clear choice for Sarasota School Board | Opinion
