Editor’s Note: As the Aug. 26 primary election draws closer, the Plant City Times & Observer will be publishing profiles and Q&As from each of the candidates who will represent Plant City and its constituents.
In this final edition before the primary, we introduce the candidates for the hotly contested Hillsborough County School Board District 6: incumbent April Griffin and her challengers, Asher Edelson, Alison McGillivray Fernandez, Dr. Stacy Hahn, Paula Meckley, Dipa Shah, Lee Sierra and Randy Toler. We also present School Board District 2 candidate Michelle Popp Shimberg. That race also includes candidates Sally Harris and Michael Weston, but neither returned repeated inquires by phone and email seeking comment.
LEE SIERRA
Age: 32
Family: Single
Hometown: Tampa
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business administration, University of Central Florida; master’s degree in business management, University of Tampa
Experience: Substitute teacher; volunteer basketball coach; director of business development with a local distribution company; associate for global commercial real estate firm
Favorite author and book: Michael Lewis, “Moneyball”
If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? Abraham Lincoln
Website: LeeSierraFL.com
What’s the biggest challenge the School Board faces, and what are your solutions?
We must streamline the teacher and administration evaluations. I’ve spoken to a number of teachers, and they are concerned with how the evaluations are done. It is vital that the peer evaluations are conducted by evaluators that have experience with the grade level and the curriculum of the teacher they are evaluating.
In the long term, I would like to focus on allocating as much money as possible for the classrooms. It is vital teachers have all of the necessary resources possible to be successful in the classroom, ultimately giving the students the opportunity to succeed.
Are teachers paid adequately? Why or why not?
Teachers are underpaid and under-appreciated. I think it is vital that we continue to recognize successful teachers and that we recruit, retain and reward successful educators at all levels. My goal is to make sure we allocate as much money for the classrooms as possible, and ultimately make teaching a desirable position within our district.
What is your position on Common Core and the new Florida Standards curriculum?
While decisions regarding our children’s education is best decided locally, I unfortunately foresee Common Core as an inevitable part of our children’s future. However, I promise to work with all stakeholders — students, teachers, administrators, parents and lawmakers — to solidify the best possible outcome for our children.
What skills and experiences make you the best candidate for School Board?
I was born and raised in Hillsborough County and have a vested interest in the school district. What sets me apart from the other candidates is that I’ve seen Hillsborough schools from nearly every angle possible. I’ve been a student, worked alongside teachers, administrators and faculty members at all levels, and partnered with private-sector companies to handle county contracts. I have heard the frustrations, insights, and opinions from all sides and understand what it would take to make Hillsborough County schools the best in the country. I believe their voices deserve to be honestly represented on the School Board.
What are some of the issues facing schools in Plant City, and what are your proposed solutions?
One of the greatest issues that can be solved in the short term is the communication at every level within the district. Students, parents, teachers, faculty members and the community as a whole deserve to be informed about what is happening in the district. I will strive to make sure information is available and public. Whether it is online, having literature in the schools, and even hosting town hall meetings for students, parents and community members to attend throughout the district, it is important to keep everyone informed.
Any other thoughts/comments?
Education is the foundation of our community. It is important we do everything in our power to make sure the district is providing all of the necessary opportunities for our children to succeed, not only in the classroom, but in life. We need to prepare them for college, and/or the workforce. We need to make sure teachers and faculty members have the resources they need to prepare our children, and we need to remain proactive in regards to student development.