Thank you all for your vote and support yesterday. Also, I wanted to thank the posters on this message board for their kindness during the election. Lastly, I wanted to thank my opponent who ran a classy and graceful campaign. As always, I learned a lot during this campaign and heard your concerns about our schools. I will work hard to fix the problems you identified. Again, many thanks to all. I look foward to serving the citizens of Walton County for the next four years.
Replies
18SoWal Expert
Looking forward to 4 more years of wise and effective leadership and decision making. 
I still want to look into the possibility of agenda "blasts"- releasing a condensed school board meeting agenda, highlighting the topics that are important and/or interesting to parents. Not many parents know or will take the time to slog through the entire agenda, but maybe if it was available in the Sun, the SWHS Seahawk News and other school e-mails, on Sowal, etc. in a brief form, we could maybe, just MAYBE, get more parents involved.

I still want to look into the possibility of agenda "blasts"- releasing a condensed school board meeting agenda, highlighting the topics that are important and/or interesting to parents. Not many parents know or will take the time to slog through the entire agenda, but maybe if it was available in the Sun, the SWHS Seahawk News and other school e-mails, on Sowal, etc. in a brief form, we could maybe, just MAYBE, get more parents involved.
Beach Fanatic
Congrats!!
SoWal Guide
you are welcome and congratulations!!!

Admin
Thanks for posting on the forum - keep it up!
Beach Fanatic
Congratulations Mark!

Beach Fanatic
Congratulations Mark
You are a breath of fresh air for parents and children in Walton County.
You are a breath of fresh air for parents and children in Walton County.
Beach Lover
Congratulations Mark.
Beach Fanatic
Mark,
I understand it to be a fact that the Seaside Neighborhood School has consistently been rated near the top of all middle schools in Florida. Can we in South Walton count on you to acknowledge that fact and show your support for our school in the coming four years. I would think that this would be an easy yes since the school doesn't rely on the county for any funding. Thank you in advance for your response.
I understand it to be a fact that the Seaside Neighborhood School has consistently been rated near the top of all middle schools in Florida. Can we in South Walton count on you to acknowledge that fact and show your support for our school in the coming four years. I would think that this would be an easy yes since the school doesn't rely on the county for any funding. Thank you in advance for your response.
Beach Lover
A class Act
I did not know Mark Davis other than he was on the board before the election. For those that did not meet him personally Mark is everything you want to see in an elected official, with integrity that is beyond reproach. Mark, you just need to switch party to the elephant and you would be perfect. I feel good about my kids education knowing you are on the board. Godspeed to you in the next four years.
Alan Osborne
I did not know Mark Davis other than he was on the board before the election. For those that did not meet him personally Mark is everything you want to see in an elected official, with integrity that is beyond reproach. Mark, you just need to switch party to the elephant and you would be perfect. I feel good about my kids education knowing you are on the board. Godspeed to you in the next four years.
Alan Osborne
Beach Fanatic
I echo this and would also like to add that Mark and his opponent probably ran the most civil and clean campaign of everyone involved in the primary elections. Tim and I are both happy to have met Mark and I am lucky to work for a school district with someone like him on the board...
I did not know Mark Davis other than he was on the board before the election. For those that did not meet him personally Mark is everything you want to see in an elected official, with integrity that is beyond reproach. Mark, you just need to switch party to the elephant and you would be perfect. I feel good about my kids education knowing you are on the board. Godspeed to you in the next four years.
Alan Osborne
Beach Fanatic
I will vote for the person before I vote the party. If that is all you want to see is the R or D next to someones name, you might be suprised how many D are now R just so they can run. I'll bet at the local level there is not a whole lot of difference. 

Beach Fanatic
I did not know Mark Davis other than he was on the board before the election. For those that did not meet him personally Mark is everything you want to see in an elected official, with integrity that is beyond reproach. Mark, you just need to switch party to the elephant and you would be perfect. I feel good about my kids education knowing you are on the board. Godspeed to you in the next four years.
Alan Osborne
I have known Mark & his family for many years and Alan is correct, it IS a family with integrity. And as someone who was also on the campaign trail this long summer I will say that Walton County had many outstanding candidates to select from and it was a pleasure for Gordon & I to get to meet them. Hopefully they will not be discouraged and continue to participate in local politics.
SoWal Expert
I will vote for the person before I vote the party. If that is all you want to see is the R or D next to someones name, you might be suprised how many D are now R just so they can run. I'll bet at the local level there is not a whole lot of difference.
Mark, congratulations. You have many proud parents bragging on your work with the local schools.
FF2, I switched to R this election, just so that I could vote in the Sheriff's race, so it isn't just the candidates who switched, and it does effect local elections, as long as so many races are broken into parties.
Now, I need to remember to switch back to non-partisan so people don't start thinking I'm a R. 
Beach Fanatic
Mark, congratulations. You have many proud parents bragging on your work with the local schools.
FF2, I switched to R this election, just so that I could vote in the Sheriff's race, so it isn't just the candidates who switched, and it does effect local elections, as long as so many races are broken into parties.Now, I need to remember to switch back to non-partisan so people don't start thinking I'm a R.
Mark, I know a whole gaggle of republicans who are proud to you call you our school board member and friends. You know you have our congratulations!!

Edited
Beach LoverAuthor
Mark,
I understand it to be a fact that the Seaside Neighborhood School has consistently been rated near the top of all middle schools in Florida. Can we in South Walton count on you to acknowledge that fact and show your support for our school in the coming four years. I would think that this would be an easy yes since the school doesn't rely on the county for any funding. Thank you in advance for your response.
I will certainly support the school. I admit that I initially voted against the charter. However, I never doubted the leadership of the school and it has and I am sure will continue to be an outstanding middle school. I have a philosophical problem with charter schools and my concerns have been borne out by the horrible experiences that many school districts in central and south Florida have had with charter schools. However, our experience with out two charter schools (the Academy in DFS and Seaside) has been nothing but positive. So, to answer your question, I will support Seaside. I consider it a part of our district and its students our kids.
Beach LoverAuthor
Also, I wanted to thank everyone for their kind words. Your support and help is truly humbling. I will give my all for the district, the parents, teachers and students. By the way, I truly enjoyed getting to know Tim Yandell and his family. I hope Tim has a future in Walton County and Walton County politics. Tim is a great guy and has a lot to offer. My family and I are truly committed to public schools and the Walton County School District. We are committed to making it the best district in the country. I agree with the poster that my opponet (did I spell that right) ran a clean and classy campaign. She is a neat person, and if she wasn't after my job, I would have voted for her!. Again, thanks for all the compliments. Feel free to email me at the school board email address about school issues. I look foward to serving you again
Beach LoverAuthor
I promise this is my last "lastly," but the poster is right, there were lots of wonderful folks on the trail this year. I already knew many of the candidates before the races, but, I really enjoyed getting to know Mr. Osborne and his family and Mr. Hudson and his beautiful wife among others, including my opponent. And, I have already posted my deep admiration for Mr. Yandell. Frankly, there was not a single candidate that I did not enjoy talking with and seeing. It made the grind of the campaign much, much easier to bear.
Beach Fanatic
I will certainly support the school. I admit that I initially voted against the charter. However, I never doubted the leadership of the school and it has and I am sure will continue to be an outstanding middle school. I have a philosophical problem with charter schools and my concerns have been borne out by the horrible experiences that many school districts in central and south Florida have had with charter schools. However, our experience with out two charter schools (the Academy in DFS and Seaside) has been nothing but positive. So, to answer your question, I will support Seaside. I consider it a part of our district and its students our kids.
That's good to hear. Congratulations to you, it seems that you have earned a lot of respect, certainly among this group.
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