Meet Andrew
Candidate's Statement
"I am running for Walton County School Board to give students, parents, taxpayers and teachers a stronger voice. Walton County has some of Florida’s best public schools. Together, we can make sure that our schools continue to improve, so that all children in Walton County have access to the best possible education. And we can do this while respecting the wallets of taxpayers. For more than a decade, I’ve worked to promote education reform in Florida and across the country. I have the experience and energy to be a thoughtful and effective member of our school board. Northwest Florida is my home, and I look forward to working with you to ensure a brighter future for students and taxpayers in our community. I hope you will trust me with your vote and your support." - Andrew R. Campanella
ANDREW'S CONTACT INFORMATION:
Andrew Campanella for School Board - District 5 PO Box 9266 Miramar Beach, FL 32550
andrew@electandrew.com
Online:
www.electandrew.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/ac4sb Twitter: www.twitter.com/electandrew
Phone: 850-533-6686
ANDREW'S BIO:
Andrew Campanella is a champion for improving educational opportunities for children in Florida and throughout the country. Andrew currently leads a national public awareness effort that spotlights effective K-12 education options for children. In this role, he works with hundreds of organizations and thousands of schools across America. Previously, Andrew served as a senior advisor for one of the nation’s leading education reform advocacy organizations, the American Federation for Children. In addition, he worked as the senior director of teacher recruitment at the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence, where he helped recruit thousands of teachers for public schools in Florida and across the country. Andrew also owned a successful small business. His public outreach firm focused on education issues, and provided advice to organizations including the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools and The Center for Education Reform. Andrew holds a bachelor’s degree from American University. He is proud to call Miramar Beach his home.
ANDREW'S TOP PRIORITIES:
Andrew will work in a collaborative, productive way to give students, parents, taxpayers and teachers in Walton County a stronger voice.
As a member of the school board, Andrew will:
---> Respect taxpayers. Work to pass a conservative, fiscally responsible budget that puts students and teachers first, without raising taxes.
---> Plan for smart growth. Bring parents and taxpayers together to plan for the future when building new schools in our communities.
---> Promote student achievement. Give parents and teachers more of a say in the selection of curriculum, textbooks, and instructional materials.
---> Reward great teachers. Work to increase pay for Walton County's excellent teachers, without raising taxes.
---> Support school choice. Serve as a resource for families who want to exercise their school choice rights.
Replies
90
Beach Fanatic
Responding to a few points:
1 – Throughout my career, I’ve worked with a lot of people to expand educational opportunity for kids in a way that I think has been positive and inclusive. I’ve brought people together (from tea party activists to civil rights groups), and I think collaboration is a good thing, not a bad thing. Jim – that one Salon piece is wrong and inaccurate on so many levels and I’m happy to explain them all to you personally if I have the chance.
2 – Regarding Facebook, I follow a lot of people and groups on Facebook. I also unfollow folks on Facebook if there’s no activity on their pages. I follow conservative and progressive and centrist groups and people. I like to see what people are saying. That doesn’t mean I’ve changed a position on anything. It’s FACEBOOK, a social media site. And on my campaign page, there are Walton County supporters…but remember, I just started running for office last Monday.
3 - In terms of being involved in the community…I agree, you all raise fair questions. I’ve contributed in my own way (albeit quietly, like attending meetings, writing letters to my elected officials, writing letters to the editor.) And now I’ve put myself out there as a candidate because I think I’d do a good job. I live in District 5; I also own property at Sandestin.
4 – This is not a partisan election. There’s no Republican or Democratic way to educate a child. I am, and have always been, a conservative. I might not agree with all conservatives on every issue, but this is who I am.
Finally, I just want to say…please call me if you want to talk to me. My number is 850-533-6686. The internet may have the information you’re looking for…but I think I can answer some of your questions too.
Thanks.
Kudos to you for taking a little heat. What say you about this quote?
All the parental choice in the world, after all, is useless without the guarantee to the availability of good schools everywhere for all students.
Until politicians and education advocates start showing they will fight for that, proclamations about “school choice” ring hollow.
Beach Fanatic
I am no fan of bureaucracy and don't think school postiions should be elected. I also don't want to take a sledge hammer to the system but rather wrenches and screw drivers. Maybe a power saw now and then.
Beach Fanatic
The running for school board should be bipartisan. It is, as Andrew said in #4 of his points, not a Democrat or Republican issue. It is an issue of how we can best educate our youth and there are many and varied facets to that end. The exploration of all of them should be available whether one agrees with some of them or not. To be personal for a moment, I am a product of the public school system and proud of it. My public school teachers were among the greatest and left me with life long attributes and ideals. That said, there is absolutely no reason to not explore all alternatives to our public education system. I do not believe that any rationally thinking person is against public education. They are, however, for looking at all possible methods for improving it. Look at our ranking today in the sciences and math as compared to other nations. We can do better in those and many other areas by analyzing our present educational system and making changes when those changes will improve final results for our students. The ability to work and succeed in life.
Edited
Beach Fanatic
There are way too many irrational non-thinking people who are against public education. There are also those who have a vested financial or political interest in degrading it or eliminating it entirely.
Beach Lover
Who on the current school board does not have a college degree?
You seem to be informed about the school system's operation. Do we have school board members who do not have a college degree?
SoWal Expert
You seem to be informed about the school system's operation. Do we have school board members who do not have a college degree?
Not that I'm aware of. And no, I am not completely informed about school system operations, just learning as I go. It's kind of like archeology.
Banned
You seem to be informed about the school system's operation. Do we have school board members who do not have a college degree?
A good place to start when deciding on whom to vote for is to visit the supervisor of elections website and look up the candidates. Some of them actually will give some useful information. Most candidates who have a degree will list it among their qualifications. For instance Mr. Wallace lists that he has a BS in Business Management and lists that he was on the Board of BankTrust. That's one of the many banks that made too many bad loans and more or less bit the dust. Bank Trust was going down the tubes when he ran so I believe I would have left that off.
Mrs. Smith, a retired teacher and principal obviously has a degree and we all know that Mr. Davis does. I've said before that I believe it should be a minimum requirement to have a four year degree to serve on a school board but in the enlightened Sunshine State there is no such requirement.
SWGB
He's referring to this link from the SOE site:
http://www.voterfocus.com/ws/WScandnew/candidate_pr.php?c=walton
http://www.voterfocus.com/ws/WScandnew/candidate_pr.php?c=walton
Banned
Andy A wrote:
Most rational people are all about keeping public schools public. School Choice is ALL ABOUT privatization!! As explained to you earlier, charter/voucher schools in the state Florida have been a dismal failure.
That said, there is absolutely no reason to not explore all alternatives to our public education system. I do not believe that any rationally thinking person is against public education. They are, however, for looking at all possible methods for improving it.
Most rational people are all about keeping public schools public. School Choice is ALL ABOUT privatization!! As explained to you earlier, charter/voucher schools in the state Florida have been a dismal failure.
Beach Lover
I would think that if one is to be an effective advocate for teachers and students, one would at least find out all they can about the school board and the members' qualifications.
Banned
I would think that if one is to be an effective advocate for teachers and students, one would at least find out all they can about the school board and the members' qualifications.
Oh, I'm sure there is much more to come about the new candidate and I'm absolutely sure that privatization of the public school system is not the solution to this counties problems. I've seen enough to know that the organizations he has linked himself to and freely admits he is a party to spell t r o u b l e and currently we have more than our share.
Beach Crab
I wanted to share this news that I recently sent out to folks who supported my campaign.
Dear Friends:
I've decided to end my candidacy for the Walton County School Board.
I have appreciated the support I've received and the friendships I've made throughout this (remarkably short) campaign.
Right now, I think that it's best if I spend some more time getting more involved in our community, as a volunteer and concerned citizen, and promoting the issues I care about. Running a campaign for the school board just isn't the right fit for me, right now.
I've never considered myself a political guy, and in just a few weeks, I proved to myself that I'm not.
I decided to run because I thought I could be a productive member of the school board. There are serious issues to resolve in Walton County, and I still want to be a productive part of finding common ground and common-sense solutions.
Instead of doing that as a school board member, I'd like to work to advance some of the issues I mentioned in my (brief) campaign, in partnership with folks in our community.
Here's where I think we can start: by working together to get more community input in decisions made about our schools, and by holding more meetings all throughout the county, so that it's convenient for parents to have their voices heard. I think that's where I'd like to focus my efforts locally -- not as a candidate for office.
Thank you for considering my candidacy and for your advice -- and please feel free to email me personally if you have ideas where you think I can help moving forward: andrewrcamp@gmail.com.
Best,
Andrew
Dear Friends:
I've decided to end my candidacy for the Walton County School Board.
I have appreciated the support I've received and the friendships I've made throughout this (remarkably short) campaign.
Right now, I think that it's best if I spend some more time getting more involved in our community, as a volunteer and concerned citizen, and promoting the issues I care about. Running a campaign for the school board just isn't the right fit for me, right now.
I've never considered myself a political guy, and in just a few weeks, I proved to myself that I'm not.
I decided to run because I thought I could be a productive member of the school board. There are serious issues to resolve in Walton County, and I still want to be a productive part of finding common ground and common-sense solutions.
Instead of doing that as a school board member, I'd like to work to advance some of the issues I mentioned in my (brief) campaign, in partnership with folks in our community.
Here's where I think we can start: by working together to get more community input in decisions made about our schools, and by holding more meetings all throughout the county, so that it's convenient for parents to have their voices heard. I think that's where I'd like to focus my efforts locally -- not as a candidate for office.
Thank you for considering my candidacy and for your advice -- and please feel free to email me personally if you have ideas where you think I can help moving forward: andrewrcamp@gmail.com.
Best,
Andrew
SoWal Expert
Thanks Andrew. We may have some extreme differences when it comes to school privatization, but we are on the same page when it comes to some of the other issues. Even though your campaign was short, it was classy and professional.
Banned
Andrew Campanella wrote;
Not a bad idea!
Right now, I think that it's best if I spend some more time getting more involved in our community, as a volunteer and concerned citizen, and promoting the issues I care about.
Not a bad idea!
Edited
Beach Lover
I'm new to the area and I don't exactly live in the south end of the county, but my impression is that there area a lot of snobs who live on or near the coast and they don't accept outsiders. The odd thing is that most of the people I've met who live on the coast aren't natives of the area either. I don't mean to insult anyone but it's confusing to me.
Beach Fanatic
I don't get it. Why have they chosen to drop him into Walton Co., of all places?
Are they running out of vulnerable school districts to target?
Or is it a training mission - if you can succeed where they've got a well-regarded public system, we'll promote you to the big time.
Are they running out of vulnerable school districts to target?
Or is it a training mission - if you can succeed where they've got a well-regarded public system, we'll promote you to the big time.
Beach Lover
Maybe qualified people are afraid to run.
Banned
I'm new to the area and I don't exactly live in the south end of the county, but my impression is that there area a lot of snobs who live on or near the coast and they don't accept outsiders. The odd thing is that most of the people I've met who live on the coast aren't natives of the area either. I don't mean to insult anyone but it's confusing to me.
The issue wasn't so much that Campanella "isn't from around here"! For me personally, it was all about the organizations he is directly linked to. I can live with "snob" if it means keeping the public school system public but I'd have a really hard time sleeping at night if my child(s) education was being threatened by an individual with an enormous agenda to privatize what millions of people in this country have taken advantage of....PUBLIC EDUCATION.
If that is confusing, perhaps a crash course in some of the organizations that have been linked here might help with enlightenment....ALEC, SCHOOL CHOICE, THE AFC, CHILDREN FIRST AMERICA, CHILDREN'S EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOUNDATION OF AMERICA
Beach FanaticAuthor
You seem to be beating a dead horse
Banned
You seem to be beating a dead horse
Campanella may have dropped out of the race but the issue of school privatization is far from over. It is an imminent threat to public education.
Edited
Banned
When I was registered to vote as a resident of Santa Rosa Beach, I actually considered running for school board in District 5 and I also had decided that I would serve and waive the salary (or donate it back) but I realized that I couldn't win, being an outsider, and I wasn't willing to beg people for money to run a campaign. Where I come from people don't spend thousand of dollars to run for county offices and I really don't like politics anyway.
Beach Lover
How much does the job pay?
Beach FanaticAuthor
How much does the job pay?
$28,793 plus benefits.
Beach Fanatic
These people never give up. I guess there is too much money involved.
The foxes have cleaned out the hen house now they are looking to eat our children.
The foxes have cleaned out the hen house now they are looking to eat our children.
Governor Rick Scott proclaimed that January 21st through January 27th is Florida School Choice Week. During the National School Choice Week, there will be more than 3,800 events across Florida held to celebrate the opportunity in education and start conversations about educational options parents have or want to have for their children. National School Choice Week is held every January as an independent, nonpartisan, nonpolitical public awareness effort designed to put a positive spotlight on education options that affect every child. National School Choice Week President Andrew Campanella stated, “Florida has been a leader in the school choice movement, and we are pleased that Governor Scott has issued this proclamation to make School Choice Week official in Florida. School choice has been gaining momentum across the country and we in Florida have played an important role. We hope all Florida parents will find a school that’s best for their children.”
Beach Fanatic
National School Choice Week is backed by right-wing foundations and think tanks that support a range of efforts to divert funding from public schools.
The best reason to run from this is, billionaire Betsy DeVos, Donald Trump’s choice for U.S. Secretary of Education and Andrew Campanella!
The best reason to run from this is, billionaire Betsy DeVos, Donald Trump’s choice for U.S. Secretary of Education and Andrew Campanella!
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