Should school board members declare a political party?

INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Florida — has six amendments in the elections in November.

Amendment 1 allows voters to decide whether partisanship should be included when candidates run for school board.

WPTV reporter Romelo Stiles explored the implications of this amendment, which some say could shape the future of education.

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Indian River County Moms For Liberty President Jennifer Pippin supports the event.

“We’re asking voters to vote yes to have full transparency,” Pippin said.

Instead, Jennifer Freeland, president of the Indian River County Education Association, opposes the amendment.

WPTV

“Mixing politics and education will never be good for students,” Freeland said.

If it gets 60 percent voter approval, Amendment 1 would change school board elections to party-line races. This means that the candidate’s political party will be included on the ballot, leading to a primary election.

WPTV

“Every place is inherently political,” Pippin said. “While we seek no partisan influence on what teachers instill in our children, we must recognize that decisions that affect our children, teachers and staff are often partisan in nature.”

“We must seek school board candidates who are consistent with the expectations, values ​​and morals of our parents,” Freeland said. “It should be met here, not some political circus or tool.”

A no vote would keep the current system in place, which prevents party candidates from running for school board. More than 20 years ago, school board elections in Florida were partisan, but in 1998 voters changed the Florida constitution to make them nonpartisan.