Duval County School Board districts

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Duval County City Council

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St. Johns County Commission

295 St. Johns School Board 7

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DISTRICT 2 fields, consistent with broad feedback from citizens. Everyone wants to attract high-paying jobs here. Without using generalities, how would you accomplish that? Continue: strategic partnerships to attract new businesses; SBA office; performance based incentives to relieve impact fees through reduction of future property taxes and efforts to streamline permitting and regulations. Inc., which operates our franchise, Pressed4Time, a concierge dry cleaning and shoe repair company that picks up and delivers at local homes and businesses. I am also a precinct committeeman on the St. Johns County Republican Executive Committee. How would you have voted (or how did you vote) on the countys recent millage increase? I would have voted against the recent millage rate increase. I have signed the Americans for Tax Reforms pledge to not raise any taxes and fees. Everyone wants to attract high-paying jobs here. Without using generalities, how would you accomplish that? We must eliminate impact fees and other barriers that make opening a business in St. Johns County more expensive, and we must seek out and approve more Class A office space development in order to attract more companies.

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cyndi stevenson

Age: 52 Education: Bachelors degree, Stetson University Qualifications: More than 20 years experience as a CPA with large and small businesses. On-the-job training: Advanced Commissioner Training, Leadership St. Johns, North East Florida Regional Leadership academy. Life-long Floridian. How would you have voted (or how did you vote) on the countys recent millage increase? Approved. The county is at 2005-2006 levels for property taxes, a 20 percent reduction, while population and inflation have increased 30 percent. This decision was necessary to keep essential public safety services intact without eliminating the small portion of the budget spent on parks, libraries and ball DISTRICT 3, REPUBLICAN

toMMy allen Age: 67 Congressional Education: Certified Districts 3

BRian iannucci

Age: 33 Education: Bachelors degree, University of Florida; MBA, Liberty University; Ph.D., Northcentral University Qualifications: I am the chairman of the business department at Everest University in Jacksonville. Additionally, my wife and I own Iannucci Development

Bill MccluRe

Age: 44 Education: Bachelors degree in education Qualifications: Successful business owner in Atlanta, Charlotte, New York and now in St. Augustine; employer of about 60 people in the region. Senate page, aide to Florida Sen. George Kirkpatrick, worked on committees from Sen. Bob Graham (former governor) and National Science Foundation. How would you have voted (or how did you vote) on the countys recent millage increase? I would have voted against any millage rate increase. Because our county is completely dependent upon the tax to operate and the property tax values decrease, I would have opposed this spending during an economic recession. I would have proposed a new way of raising revenues instead of taxes and then planned those projects accordingly. Everyone wants to attract high-paying jobs here. Without using generalities, how would you accomplish that? I would attract software development jobs here. I am an expert at software development and know firsthand the benefits of attracting those jobs. DISTRICT 5, REPUBLICAN

Ray a. Quinn

Age: 66 Education: High school; U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy Qualifications: In the Florida National Guard I enlisted as a private and attained the rank of sergeant major. I served the citizens of District 3 and St. Johns County as an interim commissioner from January 2010 to January 2011. How would you have voted (or how did you vote) on the countys recent millage increase? I would have searched for other areas to cut prior to supporting any millage increase. Everyone wants to attract high-paying jobs here. Without using generalities, how would you accomplish that? As a commissioner I know that I can assist in attracting business to our county that will produce high wages. As a commissioner it was my honor to serve as the Commissions liaison to the Industrial Development Authority. This team of volunteer businessmen from our county meets to determine how to best attract business. They now do that in concert with our growth management and economic development staff.

John R. RuggeRi

Age: 45 Education: St. Joseph Academy; associates degree, Florida Community College at Jacksonville How would you have voted (or how did you vote) on the countys recent millage increase? I would not have voted for the millage increase at that time. I am in the construction field and as we all know one of the hardest hit areas in our economy and too have a tax increase at that time was not good for me personally or my business. Everyone wants to attract high-paying jobs here. Without using generalities, how would you accomplish that? Work with the chamber and other economic development agencies to find businesses that would like to relocate and offer incentives for those business to come to St. Johns County. Usually their tax base employment of those buildings etc. and the employees that they hire will off set the impact associated with those costs and their contribution will be residual.

Nassau and where we strive to and master Nassau be. Our current success boardand consistent growth in trained Baker all areas are a testament in school Columbia to a process that works in finance and law, Duval Baker Duval Columbia helping us to get better curriculum instruction, Clay Union every year. Our mission will communications and public Clay Bradford never be complete until all relations, multicultural/ 3 Bradford St. Johns our children are achieving at diversity education, their maximum potential. community and family Alachua Putnam involvement, legislation Alachua 6 and administration process, FlaglerRonald staffoRd Putnam planning and overview, Age: 62 Flagler conflict resolution, board/ Education: Marion superintendent relations Attended Volusia Marion Qualifications: St. Johns Edward Volusia County School Board Waters member for 24 years. College; St. Merit pay is nearing. How Augustines will school districts be College, Raleigh, N.C.; Congressional able to fund merit pay, University of Alabama, Districts 4 in St. Johns particularly Huntsville; Valencia College, County where many Orlando teachers are expected to Qualifications: Lifelong Nassau qualify? There is currently resident of St. Johns no state funding source for County, retired from the 4 performance pay. All districts Florida Department of Law Baker Duval are expected to modify their Enforcement. salary schedule to meet the Merit pay is nearing. How Clay requirements of the law. will school districts be We will be working St. Johns closely able to fund merit pay, Bradford with our teachers union to particularly in St. Johns accomplish this task. County where many teachers Alachua St. Johns County is the are expected to qualify? Putnam No. 1 school district Flagler in During the year merit pay was the state. What will you put into law, the lawmakers do to improve it? We are did not fund merit pay but left Marion constantly looking forVolusia areas it up to the counties to fund. to improve. Our continuous The School Board should have

strategic plan Congressionalrequire us to regularly look at gaps Districts 6 between where we are

improvement process and

St. Johns County Commission and School Board districts

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set up a line item to cover it. With the number of teachers retiring, those salaries should be used to cover or partially cover merit pay. St. Johns County is the No. 1 school district in the state. What will you do to improve it? To stay No. 1, we must empower our teachers by allowing them to teach and have control of their classrooms. Administrators and teachers should be involved in creating the best curriculum for the individual school or classroom. Then all students should graduate with a diploma.

DISTRICT 5

PatRicK t. canan

Rachael l. Bennett

Age: 58 Education: Bachelors degree, University of Florida Qualifications: n/a How would you have voted (or how did you vote) on the countys recent millage increase? The radio system and fire department funding is critical to the health, safety and welfare of the residents of the County and I support it. The quality of life amenities are an important component of what makes St. Johns County so fabulous and contributes not only to the well-being of all of the residents, but will also play an important part in attracting new businesses to the area. Everyone wants to attract high-paying jobs here. Without using generalities, how would you accomplish that? We need jobs for all sectors of our population. Too often the emphasis is only on attracting companies that bring jobs for highly trained specialized professionals or executives (i.e. highpaying jobs). While these are a wonderful asset to our residents and our county, we have to remember that as commissioners, we work for and advocate for everyone in the county and must bring jobs that will offer employment across the spectrum of education and specialization.

Ken BRyan

Age: 63 Education: Bachelors degree, St. Marys College of Maryland; masters, Central Michigan University; Federal Executive Institute of Management, Naval Post Graduate School of Management, George Washington University School of Management Qualifications for position: I am the vice president of the Northeast Florida Regional Council, where I chair the Strategic Regional Policy Planning Committee. I also serve as a Trustee for the Florida Association of Counties and was recently selected as the president-elect for this same organization. How would you have voted (or how did you vote) on the countys recent millage increase? Overall tax reductions in 2007 exceed 165 million per year. The very small millage increase was required to stabilize revenues and meet federal mandates. Net revenues (lower taxes) continue to decline this year. Everyone wants to attract high-paying jobs here, without using generalities, how would you accomplish that? Within the last 18 months, we have attracted nine new companies with a total capital investment of over 100 million dollars to create over 1,000 new jobs.

alan Kelso

Age: 56 Education: Bachelors degree, Southeastern University Qualifications: My background has given me many high-quality experiences including high levels of responsibility as president & CEO of a TV station and film/video company that was recognized as a premier facility for Sony Broadcast of America, Construction/ Consultant Company, ISP and International Software Company. My experience has helped me to learn to manage change, work across organizational boundaries and manage highly diverse groups. I have a working knowledge of the disputes that can arise in zoning, planning and development. How would you have voted (or how did you vote) on the countys recent millage increase? My vote would have been NO. JEA monies, sheriffs office monies and loans went toward the radio system or were earmarked for such. Some of the money went toward the Fire/Rescue fund but is insufficient in the long term to fund and maintain it in its current form; changes must be made. Everyone wants to attract high-paying jobs here. Without using generalities, how would you accomplish that? 1) Become a County of Innovation; 2) Create partnerships with our colleges to partner with corporations in the areas of technology, science, nanotechnology, prosthetic device development, health, medical, well care for our aging baby boomers, etc.

Age: 56 Education: Bachelors degree, J.D., University of Florida Qualifications: Three children in our public school system, active community leader, former substitute teacher and adjunct college professor, local business owner, 22-year county resident, member of St. Johns County School Districts Strategic Planning Core Team Merit pay is nearing. How will school districts be able to fund merit pay, particularly in St. Johns County where many teachers are expected to qualify? We have the highest-performing school district in the state so, of course, many of our teachers will qualify for merit pay, and they deserve to be compensated. But all of our teachers should be fairly compensated, not just those receiving merit pay. Teachers have not received raises in a long time and many are frustrated. St. Johns County is the No. 1 school district in the state. What will you do to improve it? I am as pleased as any parent that my children attend school in the best ranked school system in the state. Dr. Joyner, the administrative staff, and teachers deserve a lot of credit for this ranking. Without their commitment to excellence and determination to succeed, we would not be in this position. But I do think there is always room for improvement.

gaRy doc McMahon

Age: 62 Education: Associates degrees in general science, emergency medical technology Qualifications: Parent, grandparent and politicalsavvy resident. Retired U.S. Navy veteran and a local business owner. Able to understand and personally relate to the issues that effect our students, parents, teachers and administrators. Able and willing to devote the time necessary to assist and improve our schools. Merit pay is nearing. How will school districts be able to fund merit pay, particularly in St. Johns County where many teachers are expected to qualify? We need to work with our state representatives to broaden the usage of the state lottery funds and PECO funds and increase working with our local businessmen to help support or sponsor the qualifying teachers. St. Johns County is the No. 1 school district in the state. What will you do to improve it? St. Johns Countys teachers are doing a great job, but we must continue to emphasize the benefits of parental involvement. I plan to be very involved with the local Parent Teacher Associations and hope to sponsor town hall meetings to improve parental knowledge of the actions and decisions of our administration. Any viable method that improves the sharing of information between our teachers, administrators and parents will have my avid support.

toM RiveRs

Education: Associates degree, St. Johns River Junior College; bachelors, University of Florida Qualifications: I served as a School Board member from District 5 from 1980-84. Was chairman in 83-84. For the past eight years Ive served as a commissioner on the St. Augustine Port Waterway and Beach Commission and was vice chairman for two years. I have served on the Northeast Florida Regional Council and on the Property Appraisers Tax Adjustment Board. Merit pay is nearing. How will school districts be able to fund merit pay, particularly in St. Johns County where many teachers are expected to qualify? SB 736 calls merit pay performance pay and it is set to begin for new teachers and school administrators after July 1, 2014. Since the law doesnt take effect until 2014, that gives us about two years to work with the Legislature and governor to find a way to either partially or fully fund the performance pay. St. Johns County is the No. 1 school district in the state. What will you do to improve it? I believe that the superintendent, staff and School Board have done a wonderful job during these trying economic times. I plan on being a team player that can work with other board members to continue the programs that make us No. 1.

St. Augustine City Commission

Roxanne hoRvath

Age: 60 Education: Bachelors, masters degrees, University of Florida Qualifications: Small business owner, CRG Architects Planners Inc., St. Augustine, since 1991; member of the National & Florida Trust for Historic Preservation; past president of the St. Augustine Rotary Club; past chairman of city of St. Augustine Planning and Zoning Board, Historic Architectural Review Board, Code Enforcement Board, Entry Corridor Board.

deltRa long

Age: 61 Education: Bachelors degree, University of West Florida; masters, University of South Florida J.D., Florida Coastal School of Law Qualifications: Lifelong resident of St. Augustine; retired guidance counselor, St. Johns County School District; adjunct professor, Jones College, Jacksonville; past chairwoman, city of St. Augustine Planning and Zoning Board, board chair, 2007-08.

BRuce MaguiRe

Age: 64 Education: Bachelors, masters degrees, University of Florida Qualifications: County commissioner, 2002-06; chairman, 2005-06; North Florida Regional Planning, 2002-06; Metropolitan Planning Organization, 2002-06; Florida 2010-2020 Transportation Planning Commission.