Incumbent Beverly Slough and challenger Racheal Hand got the most votes in a three-way primary for St. Johns County School Board, District 1. Since this is a nonpartisan race and no candidate won more than 50% of the primary vote, Slough and Hand advance to a November runoff.
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.
Recommended Videos
Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4Jax staff.
| CANDIDATES |
Racheal Hand
Occupation: (No response)
Age: 36
Your family: Married for 10 years with two children, aged 6 and 9.
Education: Bachelors Degree
Political experience: (No response)
What do you see as the top three issues you’ll likely face while holding this office?
- Fighting for transparency in regards to the finances of our district. Teachers could use an even bigger raise and we must see where we are spending our money.
- Fighting our county in regards to the unsafe overgrowth which is negatively affecting our schools.
- Creating policies that hold all parties accountable, administration, teachers and parents in regards to their childrens behavior.
With input from our most loyal viewers, News4Jax asked each candidate 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 concept is an easy one. Respect the parents rights to protect their children. When there is an overwhelming number of families sharing concern over an issue, we must listen. School should be a safe place where children are mastering their academics. Unfortunately, the act of parents fighting for their children has been politicized, when in fact, we should be encouraging parental involvement.
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 abide by the law. We share the truth about History. We must not allow the complexity of the 21st Century steer us away from sharing true facts of history, science and civics.
Outline your ideas to address teacher shortages and morale.
Our teachers are overworked and underpaid. They simply need to be heard and action needs to be taken. There are also way too many administration changes which is frustrating for our teachers. It prevents a close knit community from being established.
We need to establish their role and stop adding more to our teachers plates.
We must also create an attractable package to enhance the desire for the best teachers to want to come work in SJC.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
- I make myself available. I’m willing to talk and most importantly listen. I’m out in the community trying to meet as many voters as I can, and that won’t stop when elected.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
- I would hope to be remembered for unifying our parents and teachers again. Without this partnership, it is hard to create a safe, healthy structure for our students. I also want to EMPOWER our students, build their confidence. No matter their race, religion, ethnicity or even the cards that were dealt to them, they can accomplish anything they work hard for.
Campaign website: VoteHandForSchoolBoard.com
Campaign’s social media site(s): facebook.com/rachealhandsjcschoolboard
Beverly Slough
Occupation: School Board Member
Age: 73
Your family: Husband, Wes Slough; Daughters, Julie Simmons and Elizabeth Southard, 2 grandchildren
Education: BS Biology, Stephan F. Austin State University
Political experience: School Board member; former Congressional candidate
What do you see as the top three issues you’ll likely face while holding this office?
- Continued large scale growth in student population
- Hiring and retaining quality teachers/staff
- Maintaining the consistent high achievement we have enjoyed in St. Johns County
With input from our most loyal viewers, News4Jax asked each candidate 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 refers to the absolute right of parents to be active participants in their children’s education. It has always been my practice to include parents in communication and problem solving. I intend to continue to do so.
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?
- I am a firm believer in the Rule of Law, and I took an oath to uphold the laws of Florida. To that end, I support leaving any discussion of gender identity in K-3 children to their parents. History and civics need to be taught based on the state standards that drive the curriculum. Teachers are held accountable for the teaching of these standards at each grade level.
Outline your ideas to address teacher shortages and morale.
Teacher shortages are an increasing problem, both locally and throughout the country. St. Johns County provides teaching academies in two of our high schools that prepare young people to enter the education field. We incentivize them by signing contracts with seniors in the academies that if they complete college and get their teaching certificate, we will welcome them back to St. Johns County and place them on the second level of the salary schedule in their first year.
We also conduct job fairs early in the calendar year to attract and hire quality teachers ahead of the hiring rush later in the spring. Providing opportunities for mentors will also help to retain the teachers we do hire.
As far as morale goes, we are constantly working to improve salaries and working conditions. One example is the Board’s approval of allowing our teachers to work from home on their planning days during the year. I will continue to seek ways to help our teachers feel valued and appreciated.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
Because of my extensive knowledge of the district and the challenges of high growth, I will continue to work with the community to build schools in the appropriate places and zone students as consistently and fairly as possible.
I have worked extensively in Tallahassee and Washington, DC, advocating for our children. Because of that work, I have built relationships with legislators in both capitols who seek my advice and opinion on education matters. This allows me to be the voice for our children that my opponents lack the relationships and experience to accomplish.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
- I would like to be remembered as having served each child in St. Johns County well, providing an excellent education and graduating them as lifelong learners who are caring contributors to the world.
Campaign website: VoteBevSlough.com
Campaign’s social media site(s): Facebook - Vote Slough Now