Three candidates are seeking the votes for Clay County School Board, District 1. This is a nonpartisan office is elected by all voters in the district, regardless of party. This race appears on the August primary ballot. If no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, the top two will advance to a runoff in November.
News4Jax sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote -- in their own words.
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Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically and are published exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4Jax staff.
| CANDIDATES |
Janice Kerekes
Occupation: Current Clay County School Board Member, District 1; Nonprofit Board Member and Fundraiser; Community Volunteer
Age: 60
Your family: Married 37 years to my husband Mike. We have three boys: Michael, David, and Jamel.
Education: Suffolk County Community College
Political experience: Current Clay County School Board Member, District 1; Federated Republican Women of Clay, Former Vice-President; Republican Executive Committee, Precinct Committeewoman
What do you see as the top three issues you’ll likely face while holding this office?
- The Budget: Since I first joined our School Board we have grown our fund reserve balance to more than 5%; the highest it has been in several decades. But with a budget in excess of $400 million, it is vital to the fiscal integrity of the Clay County School District that our School Board continues to balance the budget and maintain a fiscally conservative financial outlook. I will always prioritize the classroom and believe we should make cuts to nonessential services first, when necessary.
- School Safety: In the world we live in today, School Districts across the state and country must constantly work to improve safety and security within schools and Clay County is no exception. I have always supported efforts to increase funding for school safety and am so grateful to the Clay County voters for approving additional funding to support school safety. Most recently, we have installed perimeter fences at all of our schools and reconfigured front offices to control entry through a single access point. We have installed cameras on our School buses and at all schools. I am also proud of our work to launch the Clay County School District Police Department. These officers bring more than 1,000 years of law enforcement experience to our school district and are dedicated 100% to protecting our students and teachers. Moving forward, the single biggest item we must address to improve school safety is the elimination of school portables. Over the last three years we have eliminated more than 100 portables from our schools and we will continue to eliminate them and replace them with permanent school buildings. By being fiscally conservative with our budget, we can continue working towards completion of this important school safety upgrade.
- Student Choice Options: Every parent should have the option to customize their child’s education. One of my top priorities moving forward is to create specialty programs within our public schools such as the new Montessori program offered at Swimming Pen Creek Elementary or the Performing Arts School at Coppergate Elementary. Moving forward, I would also like to see a science-based Junior High as well as an additional concept school to service the southern portion of our county. The creation of these specialty programs will allow us to keep students in our public schools while still allowing them options in their education.
I believe that all elementary school students should be exposed to both Art and Music classes beginning at an earlier age and have routine physical education to combat rising obesity rates. In addition to the traditional resources, our students will be more competitive in today’s world through Technology classes where they learn to type and use a computer. As a School Board member I have worked to keep all resource classes in our elementary schools and am proud to report that all students enjoy all four resource classes.
Additionally, it’s important to realize that not every student is college bound. We must continue to expand our Career and Technical Education programs and continue to develop the Clay Virtual Academy. This will help improve our overall graduation rate by providing students different options for their educational career. These programs, along with our collegiate academies, IB program, and NJROTC programs allow students (and parents) to chose the educational track that is most appropriate for their future.
News4Jax asked each candidate three additional questions to help voters determine which most agrees with their views:
“Parental rights” has recently become a law in Florida and a political buzzword. What does that concept mean to you and how would it affect your decisions on the school board?
- Clay County has always allowed and encouraged parental involvement in their child’s education. I believe parents should have access to all aspects of their child’s education, including textbooks and curriculum, educational records, teachers, and principals. I am proud of the fact that our staff are accessible when parents have an issue. Our school district will continue to keep parents in education and will always follow the law.
How would you balance new state laws and guidelines restricting how history, gender identity and civics can be taught in public school classrooms with the need to educate children in a complex 21st Century society?
- Balancing state laws is not an option: our school board will always follow state laws. With that being said, I am proud of the fact that we have a dedicated team of teachers in Clay County who always go above and beyond to prepare their students for the challenges of tomorrow. Clay County is always reviewing our policies and curriculums to ensure we have the most up-to-date information for our students.
Outline your ideas to address teacher shortages and morale.
I truly consider Clay County’s teachers and support staff to be partners in education. We must all work together in order to be successful. As a School Board, we recently raised salaries for teachers and are currently restructuring our health benefits plan to go self-insured. This new change will save our employees money while providing them with better benefits. I believe that all of our employees should be paid a living wage and have quality benefits to raise their families.
In addition, I will continue to support changes to the contract that improve the work environment for our staff. For example, we now provide virtual planning days as well as new career development opportunities for employees looking to further their career. At the end of the day, I will always recognize what true professionals our teachers are and how they enrich the quality of education in Clay County. Our teachers are the reason Clay County is an A-rated School District.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I am the only candidate in this race with a proven track record of serving our students, schools, and community. Prior to joining our School Board, I was a volunteer in our schools, serving as room mom, PTA officer (back when we still called it the PTA), and on various school accreditation and district-level advisory committees. I attended School Board meetings as a private citizen for more than 5 years before I was elected to the School Board. Since my children attended our public schools, I understand the need for parental involvement to support the classroom.
As a School Board Member, I have a track record of fiscally conservative leadership. Our fund balance is now over 5%, the highest it has been in many years. In addition, Clay County is once again an A-rated school district ranked in the Top-10 districts in the state of Florida.
Finally, I am a Certified School Board Member and serve on the Board of Directors for the Florida School Boards Association. I have also been appointed to serve on the Florida Education Investment Trust Fund as a Trustee and current Vice-Chairman. The trust fund manages more than $5 billion in public funds.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
- Being remembered for my accomplishments is not, nor has it ever been my goal. My goal is, and will always be, to put Children First. I will know that I have been successful if I am able to help improve our graduation rate and expand the educational opportunities available to our students. Part of this goal is to continue expanding our Career and Technical Education Programs for the students that are not college bound. We must realize that not every student will attend college; alternative programs can help all of our students be successful and prepare for successful careers. The other part of this goal is to ensure that we are graduating well-rounded students. This means keeping music and art in all of our elementary schools. These are essential components in developing our next generation. I have devoted my entire adult life to giving back to my community and making a difference in the lives of children. As a School Board Member, I pride myself on always putting Children First.
Campaign website: JaniceKerekes.com
Campaign’s social media site(s): facebook.com/ElectKerekes
Charles Kirk
Occupation: Retired
Age: 54
Your family: Wife Donna Kirk, Daughters Emily and April
Education: Secondary Education at JU
Political experience: none
What do you see as the top three issues you’ll likely face while holding this office?
- School Safety, County growth and Parental rights
News4Jax asked each candidate three additional questions to help voters determine which most agrees with their views:
“Parental rights” has recently become a law in Florida and a political buzzword. What does that concept mean to you and how would it affect your decisions on the school board?
- Parental Rights Bill signed by Gov. DeSantis this year will allow more access for the parents to see and be involved in their children’s education while they are at school. I like the bill and hope that the parents take advantage of it for the children’s education and futures.
How would you balance new state laws and guidelines restricting how history, gender identity and civics can be taught in public school classrooms with the need to educate children in a complex 21st Century society?
- We need to make sure that the teachers and administrators are following state laws and not getting off the path where they start to do their own things. Our teachers already have a lot of rules that they must follow and they are having a hard time with just getting the ABC’s learned. The students need to be informed about the different topics and with the help of the parents and teachers working together, the kids will be well guided and educated.
Outline your ideas to address teacher shortages and morale.
- The teachers are our number one concerns. We are 84 teachers short going into next year, so far. The starting salaries have increased to $47,000 so that’s a start but we need to take care of the ones that have been here 10 years or more as well. The morale can get better by the board listening to any issues that they have a problem with. Could be classroom discipline, or a technology issue they feel needs to be improved. Just having the teachers back when they need us.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
- I recently retired from the Jacksonville Sheriffs Office as a Sergeant after 20 years just last year. My experience and training puts me up front of all the candidates in understanding how to coordinate with multiple interagency training so everyone is on the same page if we have an active shooter situation.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
- I was able to help build up the county school system with new campuses being built along with the expected growth and still able to maintain the other schools. Able to enter a partnership with local businesses for schools in their area that they can support to help teachers pay for their certifications instead of doing it out of their own pockets.
Campaign website: electcharlekirk.com
Campaign’s social media site(s): facebook.com/kirkforclay
Erin Skipper
Occupation: Registered Nurse
Age: 32
Your family: My husband is my high school sweet heart and navy veteran, Joshua Skipper. I have two little girls Kannyn (4) and Ansleigh (2).
Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Political experience: I do not hold any political experience.
What do you see as the top three issues you’ll likely face while holding this office?
- The top three issues I see I will face holding this position will be stoping the indoctrination and sexualizing of our children.
- Secondly, would be the safety and security of our children. I want to make sure our schools are updated and we are appropriately hardening our schools to secure the safety of our children.
- Lastly, will be budget. We as a county need new schools, more teachers, and upgrades to our schools.
News4Jax asked each candidate three additional questions to help voters determine which most agrees with their views:
“Parental rights” has recently become a law in Florida and a political buzzword. What does that concept mean to you and how would it affect your decisions on the school board?
- Parental rights is one of the main reasons I chose to run for this seat. I want parents back in our schools full circle. I want them to be informed on everything that involves their child. I want them to have full transparency and an opinion or to be included when it involves their child. Those who have sat in this seat need to be reminded, these are YOUR children, YOUR schools, and YOUR voice.
How would you balance new state laws and guidelines restricting how history, gender identity and civics can be taught in public school classrooms with the need to educate children in a complex 21st Century society?
- It is simple to me, social issues do not belong inside the classroom. We should be teaching our children how to think not what to think. We are to educate our children on the basics, reading, writing, and arithmetic. Outside of that it is up to the parent!
Outline your ideas to address teacher shortages and morale.
- Having the supportive Governor that we have has been a blessing when it comes to teacher salaries. I would also promote open communication and listen instead of talk. I would improve retention through budget moves and ensuring they have the supplies and support they need. I also believe that getting our parents involved and allowing our teachers to get back to teaching the basics, as well as what they are there for will help boost morale. It will create a positive environment where teachers want to come to work and the focus will be back on what matters, our children.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
- I can help voters by being accessible and listening to them. Also, by working with parents and teachers. Being their voice.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
- I want to be remembered as the one who put the focus back on our children. The one who listened, who advocated and fought for our children in every way. I want to be remembered as their voice.
Campaign website: Erinskipperforclay.com
Campaign’s social media site(s): Facebook - Erin Skipper for Clay County School Board-District 1