Three candidates are running for the only contested seat on the Bradford County School Board this year. If no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote, the top two will advance to the general election 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 presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4Jax staff.
| CANDIDATES |
Dana Reddish Bell
This candidate has not yet responded to email invitations to complete the News4JAX candidate questionnaire. If any responses are received, they will be promptly added here.
Campaign social media: Facebook
Mitchell Gunter
Occupation: (No response)
Age: (No response)
Family: I’m married to my wonderful Nicole and have three wonderful children, Hailey, Damian, Zane and two grandchildren, Averie and Ashton.
Education: Graduate of Bradford High in 1994
Graduate of Santa Fe College in 1999 - Electrical Construction
Hold several.FEMA Certificates from the Emergency Management Institute
Political experience: Even though I have never held office. I have worked with state leader in making improvements to out roads and intersections in Bradford County.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Bullying
Funding
Maintenance
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
Bullying - Set new policies that allows the use of portable cameras to be used to catch the act to help both the victims and the Instigators.
Funding - Use the position to reach out to state and federal leaders to find other alternatives of funding, including grants.
Maintenance - Use my 30 years of experience in construction and building maintenance to incorporate new ways to track work orders, preventative maintenance and cost. This will allow the school district to plan for the future.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Having our students respect each other, continue to improve our state ranking and be known for my transparency to all school board staff, parents, students and taxpayers.
Campaign website: None
Campaign social media: Facebook
Candace Cragg Osteen
Occupation: Tobacco Policy Manager - Bradford County
Age: 41
Family: Married for 17 years to my husband Michael, have two children Knox (8) and Oaklee (7)
Education: University of North Florida Bachelor of Science in Community Health and minor in Exercise Physiology
Currently enrolled in Master’s Program - American College of Education - Educational Leadership with graduation date of 12/2024
Political experience: Current School Board Member for District 4 and have obtained the Certified Board Member distinction through Florida School Board Association.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Student Achievement - We have seen tremendous growth over the last year in student achievement but need to continue to prioritize accountability across the district and supporting our staff. District-wide assessments and continual professional development are keys to this success.
School Safety - We have worked incredibly hard over the last few years to update and maintain safe campuses. We are working to provide Bullying education through local partners, as well as, mental health, life skills, and other important prevention measures to support our students, staff, and families.
Consistency - We have had continuous turnover in our district leadership and desperately need consistency. We have had significant progress over the last few years and need to continue on this same path moving forward. Data speak volumes about the positive things going on in our district.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I am the only candidate who is a certified teacher and has classroom experience. I bring extensive experience in bringing resources, organizations, and support to our school district, while also prioritizing gaining the knowledge necessary to make the most informed decisions as a Board Member. My educational experiences give me valuable insight into how district policies and procedures affect our school district and daily operations.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
My priorities were student achievement, teacher retention, and financial stability. We had an outstanding year of increased student achievement with our district ranking 2nd in the state in proficiency growth for both English and math. We have had significant increases in teacher retention rates of over 80% this year. And our financial situation shows a fund balance of more than we have seen in a decade. We have worked collaboratively to ensure our district is focusing on what is best for all students and it shows in our incredible data this year.
Campaign website: None listed
Campaign social media: Facebook