Editor’s Note: As the Aug. 26 primary election draws closer, the Plant City Times & Observer will be publishing profiles and Q&As from each of the candidates who will represent Plant City and its constituents.
In this final edition before the primary, we introduce the candidates for the hotly contested Hillsborough County School Board District 6: incumbent April Griffin and her challengers, Asher Edelson, Alison McGillivray Fernandez, Dr. Stacy Hahn, Paula Meckley, Dipa Shah, Lee Sierra and Randy Toler. We also present School Board District 2 candidate Michelle Popp Shimberg. That race also includes candidates Sally Harris and Michael Weston, but neither returned repeated inquires by phone and email seeking comment.
ALISON FERNANDEZ
Age: 46
Family: Married 21 years to Jose Fernandez; four sons, three attending public schools, one recent graduate
Hometown: Temple Terrace
Education: Graduate of King High School; bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Florida State University
Experience: Two terms, Temple Terrace City Council; sSchool Support Task Force Council liaison; Temple Terrace Audit Committee; Regional Planning Council; PTSA;
Favorite author and book: Douglas Adams, “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy;” Tim Dorsey — any; James Mitchner, “The Source”
If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? Benjamin Franklin
Website: VoteAlison.com
What’s the biggest challenge the School Board faces, and what are your solutions?
The achievement gap continues to grow, and the district is struggling with student and teacher motivation. Programs such as STEM and other hands-on teaching activities engage all types of students and have proven successful with low-achieving students. The low-income students involved in programs such as that are improving their academics. There need to be more programs that engage students in that style, and some of the styles at magnet schools need to be brought into traditional schools, as well. Students need more opportunity to assess their skills and strengths. This will help students explore careers and make a stronger connection between how/what they are learning in school will benefit them in their future. There also needs to be more emphasis on hands-on educational activities. The district also needs to bring more vocational education into the system and expose students to these areas at younger ages, so they have a chance to learn about all types of education, not just college. The district needs to create a better partnership with the community and be more responsive to parents concerns.
Are teachers paid adequately? Why or why not?
Teachers need to be paid at a level that attracts and retains quality professionals. The teacher compensation plan needs to be analyzed to make sure that those goals are being met.
What is your position on Common Core and the new Florida Standards curriculum?
I am opposed to the Common Core initiative being implemented by Florida, and I have met with state legislators to tell them my thoughts on the subject.
What skills and experiences make you the best candidate for School Board?
I am a currently elected official and former financial auditor, and, through my experiences as a PTSA officer, I have the qualifications to analyze complicated financial information. I have negotiated collective bargaining agreements. I have worked with other government organizations, and I have volunteered throughout the community. I have the experience of having four children in traditional public schools and working with the school district to implement rigorous academic programs such as STEM and Bank Street. Hillsborough County School District is the largest employer in the county and has a $3.5 billion total budget. My educational background of degrees in accounting and finance from FSU and my professional experience as a financial auditor with KPMG Peat Marwick qualify me to understand and set policy for an organization that has such a significant financial impact on the community.
What are some of the issues facing schools in Plant City, and what are your proposed solutions?
Based on my conversations with parents in the Plant City area, the issues Plant City schools are facing are similar to what is happening at other district schools. The student achievement gap is growing ,and parents are becoming more concerned about student behavior and providing an appropriate educational environment for their students.
Any other thoughts/comments?
I have partnered with the school district to bring in rigorous academic programs such as STEM and discussed other thoughts regarding the need to reduce the achievement gap. Student achievement, accountability to taxpayers and maximizing resources are the areas that need to be addressed. As a school board representative all decisions I make would be based on the question, “How does this program, policy or spending improve student achievement?” Parents and community members need to be informed, know how their money is being spent and how their children are being taught. I will be available to parents to address their concerns and implement changes. I will serve as a resource for state legislators and meet with them to discuss what works in education and what does not work.