CRESTVIEW — Throughout Okaloosa County, voters face the next round of voting. The nation is gearing up to choose a president, U.S. congressional representatives, state legislators and a slew of local officials.
Candidates for Okaloosa County School Board District 4 responded to the News Bulletin’s request for information about themselves and their platforms. Here are their answers.
TIM BRYANT
Personal: Married 22 years to Beth; two boys, Timmy and Trevor. Member of Victorious Life Worship Center, Crestview Rotary Club, Habitat for Humanity, United Way, Crestview High School School Advisory Council and the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce
Occupation: Manager of Publix, employed 30 years
Experience: 24 years’ management and leadership, training and developing future managers; money management including budgets for a multi-million-dollar business; years of building community relations; active parent and business leader
Platform: “I believe that my role as your next school board member is to bring us — the community, business and education sectors — together to educate and address the issues that are affecting our education system today and in the future.”
Many North Okaloosa schools are 50 years old or older. Where can funding be found to start replacing them? “The school district is facing a financial dilemma, and I believe that we need to work with the money that is coming in. However, we will need to address this issue now, and I would support a penny local option sales tax that would only be used for capital improvements. This tax would be voted on by the citizens of Okaloosa County.”
Many parents, students and medical professionals advocate for later school start times. What is your position? “The issue is more complicated than saying you are in favor or against. I believe that both sides make valid points, however I believe the complexities of implementing this in our district is the main reason as to why I have not taken sides, and I want to make sure, as an elected official, that I make the best decision based on having all the facts.”
DR. CHARLES CAWTHON
Personal: Lives in Crestview; married to Rhonda Cawthon; two children, two grandchildren. Member of Holt Baptist Church, numerous cancer societies, the Bay Area Food Bank, PAWS, the Crestview Area Chamber of Commerce, NRA and Mt. Ewell Mason Lodge.
Occupation: Okaloosa educator, 1978-2015
Experience: Served 37 years in Okaloosa "A" schools. Instructional and extensive administrative experience in school board policies, fiscal management, curriculum, pupil progression plans, support personnel, school safety and extracurricular programs. Doctorate in Education Management.
Platform: Safe schools. Quality schools. Expand or build new high school. Improve infrastructure of older schools; prudent, accountable fiscal management. Keeping and recruiting quality personnel. Less testing, more instruction. Local control. No more Common Core.
On replacing older schools: “I do not favor raising property taxes. If the public supports a short-term minimum sales tax, I would agree. High-cost and unsafe portable buildings drain our budget. We must progressively replace portables and older buildings while gaining state capital funds to construct new schools and buildings.
Later school start times: “The cost and impact of later start times must be considered. I may favor one hour later start times. I listen to public concerns before voting. Being retired, I have time to examine issues and listen to the people. I am the only candidate offering full-time accessible service.”
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ELECTION DATES
●Aug. 20-27: early voting, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
●Aug. 30: primary election
●Oct. 11: registration books close for November general election
●Oct. 24 to Nov. 5: early voting, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
●Nov. 8: general election
Source: Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections
ELECTION DATES
●Aug. 20-27: early voting, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
●Aug. 30: primary election
●Oct. 11: registration books close for November general election
●Oct. 24 to Nov. 5: early voting, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
●Nov. 8: general election
Source: Okaloosa County Supervisor of Elections
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Okaloosa school board candidates discuss aging buildings, start times