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Public schools played a pivotal role in my life, so it has a special place in my heart. As I thought about the obstacles facing me before I placed my name on the ballot, I was reminded by a good friend of the difference I'd made on the School Board. We all know in life there are hardships we may face, but the outcomes are what reveals the character we are made of. I believe that my past and current experiences have prepared me to be your School Board member.
As a business owner, specializing in income tax preparation and small-business accounting, I review and audit small business tax records and represent them before the Florida Department of Revenue and IRS. These skills help me determine if the budget is good or other avenues of funds may need to be sought.
My experiences as a finance director, chairman of the board for PACE Center for Girls, pharmacy narcotics supervisor at Shands Hospital, Red Cross Advisory Board member, and current vice chair of the Marion County School Board have prepared me for the job as your School Board member. To learn about my community and how it works, I attended and graduated from the Marion County Citizens Academy, Ocala Police Citizens Academy, and the Leadership Institute Campaign Training Course.
In my capacity as former Republican Executive Committee vice chairman, Florida Federation Republican Women board member, National Federation of Republican Women committee chair and Marion County School Board Race Relations Task Force Alternate, I bring leadership to the board. With honor, I currently serve as your representative from Marion County on the Florida School Board Association's Finance, Legislative and Multicultural Diversity Committees.
In my 2010 campaign, I advocated for a positive alternative to out-of-school suspension. We know suspension can lead to a decrease in the graduation rate and an increase in juvenile justice cases. We currently now have four sites called the PASS program, which gives suspended students the opportunity to continue receiving an education with an 89 percent parental participation rate. I put forth solutions to hold the line on taxes by drafting and presenting two board policy amendments that enhance our district's ability to raise funds through other avenues, rather than raising taxes.
Also, I voted against the impact fee four times.
Rather than give our children criminal records and possibly decrease the graduation rate, I support the use of juvenile civil citations for school resource officers. The civil citation initiative provides an alternative to arrest for students at his or her first misdemeanor violation of the district's Student Code of Conduct and ensures that the youth's offense is appropriately addressed without creating a criminal record.
With classroom achievement being overlooked and overshadowed by standardized assessment testing, I do not support Common Core Standards and believe parents should be afforded the opportunity to opt-out of the EOC assessments.
I will continue to use a common-sense approach for our community with all issues presented to the board.
As your School Board member, I understand you need someone who will:
1. Keep kids first.
2. Be fiscally responsible. You can count on me to continue to look for other solutions to hold the line on tax increases.
3. Focus on important issues.
4. Uphold the Judeo-Christian values.
5. Respect and guard the integrity of the governance process of School Board members.
Angie Boynton
26 October 2014
http://www.ocala.com/article/20141026/OPINION/141029795/-1/TOPIC02?p=2&tc=pg
