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 ballot, and seven candidates are competing for four-year terms.
Previously, the Editorial Board endorsed Teresa DeWittand Megan Tennimon for the District 1 and 4 seats, respectively.
Here is our endorsement for the School Board's District 5 race.
District 5
Beth Mayberry and Michelle Pozzie are competing to succeed Karen Rose, who is not running for reelection.
Mayberry was a middle school teacher in the Sarasota schools for 14 years before retiring last year.
Mayberry told the Editorial Board that she knows firsthand
how Sarasota's educators have been affected by the School Board's often-dysfunctional behavior.
"We've lived by the decisions that the School Board has been making," Mayberry said.
"Teachers have become more fearful and intimidated in the classrooms because they don't necessarily feel they are being supported by the board," she said. "We have to do much more to support them."
Mayberry said one of her main priorities will be addressing the district's funding, which has not kept pace with current needs. "In real dollars we should be getting about $17,000 per child, but we're getting about $9,300 this year," she said.
"We need to push back on Tallahassee, which we have not chosen to do before."
Mayberry also said the district should revamp its volunteer system to provide more instructional help in classrooms.
"We lost 191 teaching positions this year," Mayberry said. "We have a lot of volunteers but we're not having them do what we need most."
Mayberry said she would work to end the current School Board's fixation on political issues and ideological agendas.
"It's up to us to model the good behavior we expect from others, and I haven't been seeing that," Mayberry said.
"If it isn't something that's going to make our kids learn better, our teachers teach better or our staff support better," she said, "we as board members shouldn't be spending a lot of time on it."
Pozzie: Outspoken and bold
Pozzie was acandidatefor a Florida House seat in 2024, and she is the founder and owner of a media company.
Pozzie has been a regular presence at School Board meetings for years and has been openly critical of some district policies, particularly the school system's support of mask mandates during the pandemic.
"I got involved with going to meetings because I didn't like some of the things happening on the district level," Pozzie told the Editorial Board.
"It dawned on me that instead of complaining about some of the things going on, I might be able to make a change by running for the School Board," she said.
"I wanted to jump in and be the change I want to see."
Pozzie vowed not to change her blunt "no-nonsense" style if she's elected, and she said her approach would be an asset on the School Board.
"We need to stay education-driven, and that's what I would be," she said.
"I am bold, but I would rather let people know what they're getting when they elect me. I'm not afraid to ask the questions that need to be asked."
Pozzie acknowledged that the district faces financial challenges, but she said it can do more to streamline costs and increase efficiency.
"We have to take a look at our administrative costs," Pozzie said. "If we're reducing teachers, what are we doing on the administrative end?"
Pozzie said she wants the district's finance audit committee to meet more often to examine the school system's spending and provide more transparency for citizens.
And Pozzie said that rather than bemoan the reality of school choice, the district should fully embrace the challenge of attracting and retaining students and families.
"We should be asking parents, 'What can we do to earn your trust?'" Pozzie said. "And we can earn that trust back with what our schools offer."
Our endorsement
While Pozzie is a thoughtful and impressive candidate, Mayberry's years of direct experience in Sarasota County schools would make her a valuable addition to the School Board.
Voters should elect Mayberry on Aug. 18.
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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Pozzie, Mayberry want to join Sarasota's School Board. Who should?
