District 1 School Board Race

GO TIMMY, Go!!

Robert is my choice, my opinion just like the upcoming sheriff's election its time for a change ! Good luck Robert

Thanks. Now is the time I wished I had developed a larger friends list.




Instead I spent way too much time
and


I should have known better. :funn:

Not sure I would even compare those two races....

Robert is my choice, my opinion just like the upcoming sheriff's election its time for a change ! Good luck Robert

it's never to late to start!! Can I jump on your band wagon?

Not sure I would even compare those two races....

I wasn't trying to compare the two races just saying that it's time to get new and fresh faces with new idea's and goals

Don't count on that happening I have see things happen in regards to the sheriffs race before that just made no sense.

Guess we should stick to the thread topic though.... don't want to wake the natives.

I wasn't trying to compare the two races just saying that it's time to get new and fresh faces with new idea's and goals

Another contested race in the upcoming Walton County Primary election is the District 1 School Board position. The three pre-qualified candidates are Mildred Wilkerson, Robert Nelson and Tim Yandell.

Which candidate is your choice for this non-partisan race ?

Robert Nelson for school board

Thanks. Now is the time I wished I had developed a larger friends list.

Can larger friends vote twice?

Can larger friends vote twice?

Robert, Robert, Robert!

Thanks for the support Romeo!!!!

I think Robert has shown his desire to make a difference in our schools. I vote for our own wgop.

Robert Nelson, that name rings a bell. Did you have anything to do with Bay Middle School closing?

I vote for Mrs. Wilkerson. Years of experience and a proven record. She is accessible to the public and stands behind her word. She has strong family values and wants to see the youth succeed in life. Unlike the candidates in the Sheriff's race she is definitely qualified and does not have to worry about loosing her elected office. The people will continue to stand behind her because she has backbone.

Another contested race in the upcoming Walton County Primary election is the District 1 School Board position. The three pre-qualified candidates are Mildred Wilkerson, Robert Nelson and Tim Yandell.

Which candidate is your choice for this non-partisan race ?

Robert Nelson is my choice.

Now you just have to get them to show up at the voting polls.

She who hates all who do not think exactly like she does supports:

Robert Nelson

Gotta go with Tim on this one gang! I would like to see some changes and feel Tim will be the man to step up. Good luck Tim!

Tim is a great guy! Go Tim!

It probably comes as no surprise that I support Tim as well...

Robert Nelson, that name rings a bell. Did you have anything to do with Bay Middle School closing?

If he did, I don't recall it, and I probably would have noticed.

If he doesn't respond here, PM him and ask!

It would be great if the candidates outlined their qualifications for us.

Here are a few of the things that I feel qualify me for the School Board position.

I reside in Pt Washington, which places me directly in SoWal.com’s territory. Living in South Walton has allowed me the opportunity to interact with parents and citizens South of the Bay. Since District 1 runs from the Southwestern corner of the county to North of Red Bay there is a substantial difference in cultures between the North end and South end of the district. Being a graduate of Freeport High School but residing South of the bay I have the distinct advantage of understanding this diversity and how the differing attitudes can be balanced to form a combined, objective outlook.

Having a Masters of Business Administration will increase my ability to interpret business propositions in an effective manner. With a limited amount of resources it will be vital to allocate those resources in a manner that will most significantly impact the educational needs of our students. Being able to interpret and act upon financial statements may be imperative in our fluctuating micro economic environment. Evaluating vendor contracts based on budget constraints as well as being able to incorporate that knowledge into a successful long-term plan will be beneficial.

Having been a Licensed Florida CAM I have consistently balanced the interests multiple people in differing facets of business. I feel that it is fundamental to the well being of the School District to allow parents as well as staff and administration to have the ability to communicate needs and concerns in a method that will be sufficiently recognized. By allowing clear and concise communications channels there will be more opportunity to advance the educational goals of our children.

I am also a licensed Realtor, which should aid in evaluating and understanding potential acquisition of future capital or the contracts that are presented to purchase these assets. Having direct experience in large real estate transactions it will enable me to fully understand what is involved in future land acquisitions as well as the real market value. South Walton, Freeport and further North have experienced a large population growth period. It is my opinion that this growth will continue into the future on a long-term scale. For this reason it will be important to understand the importance of acquiring space to facilitate the requirements of our students.

Finally, the most important qualification I possess is being a parent of both a middle and elementary school child as well as the spouse of a teacher. I have the unique position to have the point of view of parent, child and teacher and see how decisions affect all three. I am passionately dedicated to this position and if elected, plan to make being a school board member top priority. That is, school board member will be my full-time job, not a part-time interest. I think it is important to be in the schools getting first-hand feedback and experiencing the different needs of each school. Too often it has been difficult to garner the attention of the school board or the superintendent. I strongly feel that a board member should be easily accessible by all concerned with the school system.

Thanks for your support! I respect the opinions of the SoWal board and look forward to hearing your comments or suggestions.

Tim:

Thanks for your thoughts on how you would serve the citizens of Walton County if elected to the School Board. You credentials are impressive and your desire to deserve seem genuine.

Having served on a school board for two terms in another state I would suggest that you explorer what the duties and responsibilities of a School Board member are. I was amazed at how limited my authority actually was. After obtaining a certification as a Certified Board member two years into my first term and after attending 8 quarterly State School Board Association meetings and two National School Board Association meetings, I settled into a true understanding of my role. It will not take you long to find out that the day to day operations of the Schools are the responsibility of the Superintendent and your responsibilities solely revolved around the budget and "policy". I could not bring any item to a vote without a recommendation from the Supt.

I spent an average of 15 hrs per week in the capacity of School Board member and was probably spending most of that reading. Expulsion hearings also consummed alot of time.

I had three children in the School system during my years of service and found that it was actually a problem as they were the targets of many - for the actions of their father. I can only imagine how much difficult it would have been if I had a family member employed in the system.

Let me share with you some words that became very meaningful to me during my service:

1. Remember you will never make the right decision - only the least wrong decision. Believe me you will understand that as you sit in a restaurant, attend a movie, walk the streets and even attend church. In this day and age the country is almost evenly divided on every issue.

2. Remember that you view the decisions as a see the whole picture "Board Member". Everyone else measures your decisions as to how your decision affects their child and their child only.

3. Never hire a consultant - no need to waste the taxpayers dollars. Their is an expert on the subject available to you at church, walking your dog, eating in a restaurant or attending a movie. Believe me they will seek you out and tell you exactly what you should do.

4. Understand that no one will ever call you to tell you which person to hire for a Math instructor, but you can bet that they will call you about hiring a football Coach.

5. No parents child could have possibly done what they are being discilined for - not even when you play the tape from the security system showing their child "caught in the act" - it then changes to "someone else put him up to it.

6. Visiting the Schools is going to be difficult - If I wanted to do that I had to schedule it through the Supt. After 2 years on the Board I understood why.

7. If you don't already have "Called-ID" get it.
Just my thoughts and recollections.