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 edition, we introduce the candidates for Hillsborough County School Board District 4: Terry Kemple, Dee Prether and Melissa Snively.
MELISSA SNIVELY
Age: 43
Family: Married to David for 15 years; four children between ages 6 and 13
Hometown: Lake Alfred
Education: Graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor’s in English and a minor in secondary education
Experience: I have worked in the insurance industry for over 20 years and have owned a State Farm Insurance Agency in FishHawk Ranch since 2001; PTA past board member, Cimino Elementary School; PTA member, FishHawk Creek Elementary School; PTSA member, Burns Middle School
Favorite author and book: Jim Collins, “Good to Great,” is a wonderful book; however I’m also a big fan of Brian Tracy, John Maxwell and Earl Nightingale. One book that is consistent regardless of where I am in life is the Bible. I can always find inspiration and guidance from it.
If you could meet anyone, dead or alive, who would it be? Jesus, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Eleanor Roosevelt, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Zig Ziglar, Maya Angelou, Colin Powell, Nancy Reagan
Website: melissaforschoolboard.com
What’s the biggest challenge the School Board faces, and what are your solutions?
Currently, I believe providing a safe school environment is one of the most serious challenges facing our district. Students and school employees should be in a nurturing, secure environment for optimal learning. In addition, parents and community members should feel there are adequate safety procedures in place at our schools. I would work to have a fully trained resource officer available at each facility, advocate teacher training in emergency procedures, promote the installation of emergency call buttons in each classroom, and above all, make sure that a safety is successfully implemented at each school.
Are teachers paid adequately? Why or why not?
We are getting there, but it’s going to take time. As a tenured business owner, one of the most important resources is employees. There should be a direct correlation between pay and performance. The more we work toward successfully implementing a process that rewards our teachers for reaching and exceeding their teaching expectations, the closer we will get to compensation being commensurate. My belief is that the critical obligations of leadership with regard to hiring and retaining highly-effective teachers are to plan strategically, communicating clearly and often goals and objectives; inspire and drive results; and provide opportunities for personal and professional growth and development. When there is consistent focus on these responsibilities, success follows. I believe a clear and consistent hiring employment process is what it will be required to consistently and perpetually improve our school system, making our district a competitive world leader in the educational community.
What is your position on Common Core and the new Florida Standards curriculum?
I am not in favor of the federal government creating an educational standard. I appreciate what the state Legislature did this year by bringing more control back to the local school boards and parents as it relates to curriculum, and I will continue to work with state leaders, such as state Rep. Dan Raulerson (who has endorsed me), to achieve a more desirable product. We all know we need rigorous standards for our students and that progress and achievement should be measured. As with any educational program of this nature, however, I feel it is challenging to do with all students, in the same way and at the same time. Also, as a mother of four children with different learning styles, I adhere to a more individualized instruction approach to learning.
What skills and experiences make you the best candidate for School Board?
I believe in the public school system and that, as a school board member, I can have a positive impact on the education we provide our students in Hillsborough County. With my experience as a small-business owner, the leadership opportunities I’ve had in my community, and most importantly, as a parent of four children in public school, I know I can add dimension to the School Board. I would like to bring back a focus on the students, giving them a chance to experience success, not only in the classroom, but in life, preparing them to be independent, productive members of society.
What are some of the issues facing schools in Plant City, and what are your proposed solutions?
Fostering the School Choice program is important for Plant City schools, especially with Lincoln Elementary, which is a magnet school, and Strawberry Crest with its IB program. I want to make sure we are giving these schools the resources they need to communicate their programs to parents, as well as attract and retain students in order to meet program objectives for success. Also, agricultural and technical education programs need our support for expansion and perpetuation. Plant City High and Tomlin Middle schools have a rich history with agricultural programs and extracurricular student opportunities. These schools and programs need our support to be sure we are allowing our students the opportunity to pursue education necessary for careers in these areas of study. It’s essential to a flourishing economy that our students can not only acquire relative experience but also gainful employment. It could improve our graduation rate and produce self-sufficient, contributing members of society.
Any other thoughts/comments?
When we send our children off to school each morning, parents should feel confident that their children are going to be in the safest and most secure setting possible. Our educational leadership has the duty to make sure that not only the students, but also teachers, administrators and school staff can work and flourish in nurturing, educational surroundings. By the time children graduate, parents should feel assured that schools have done their best to prepare students for future opportunities and success in the world.
As a School Board member, I will be very aware of the tremendous responsibility on my shoulders. I will be conscious that I am a public servant elected to lead for and promote the best educational environment possible for our children. I will have a tremendous obligation to the school system and also to the taxpayer, guaranteeing that I administer all my duties with integrity and ensuring that the Hillsborough County school system holds its place with dignity as one of the best systems in the nation.