♪ MUCK.

♪ ♪ >> WELCOME TO THE SIXTH OF OUR POLITICAL CANDIDATE OR FORUMS IN ADVANCE OF THE NOVEMBER 8TH GENERAL ELECTION.

THIS FORUM, A COOPERATIVE PRODUCTION OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLAHASSEE, THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT AND WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA.

OUR CANDIDATES TODAY ARE RUNNING FOR THE LEON SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 4.

I'M TOM FLANIGAN FROM WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA, JOINED BY WILLIAM HATFIELD FROM THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT AND DANIELLE IRWIN FROM THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLAHASSEE.

WE'RE GOING TO BE QUESTIONING THE CANDIDATES ON VARIOUS TOPICS, SO LET'S TAKE A QUICK PEEK AT OUR GROUND RULES, IF WE CAN, AND THEN MEET THE CANDIDATES.

>> THE CANDIDATES FOR LEON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 4 SITTING LEFT TO RIGHT LAURIE COX AND ALEX STEMLE.

THANK YOU BOTH FOR COMING.

REMINDER, PLEASE HINT THE SHARE BUTTON ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND HELP ALL YOUR FRIENDS AND FELLOW VOTERS TO SEED TODAY'S DISCUSSION.HERE'S HOW THE FORUMS ARE GOING TO WORK.

WE ROTATE WHICH CANDIDATE GETS TO ANSWER FIRST.

WE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS, SO WE'RE GOING TO ASK THE CANDIDATES TO KEEP YOUR ANSWERS BRIEF.

WE WILL KEEP TIME, AND WE WILL DING WHEN YOUR TIME IS UP.

IT WILL SOUND LIKE THIS.

[BACKGROUND SOUNDS] YOU DON'T HAVE TO COME TO A DEAD STOP, BUT PLEASE FINISH YOUR SENTENCE, WE WILL MOVE ON.

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FORUM, WE WILL HAVE A LIGHTNING ROUND WHERE WE ASK YOU TO KEEP YOUR ANSWERS TO ABOUT ONE SENTENCE.

AT THE EDGE OF FORUM, WE'LL GIVE YOU 60 SECONDS TO MAKE YOUR CASE DIRECTLY TO VOTERS AND SHARE YOUR WEB SITE OR ANY OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION.>> AND IF YOU'RE WATCHING ON FACEBOOK AND YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR THE CANDIDATES, GO AHEAD AND TYPE THEM IN THE COMMENTS, AND WE'LL GET TO AS MANY OF THEM AS WE CAN.

TIME IS VERY LIMITED.

YOU WILL IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF YOUR QUESTION BEING ASKED IF YOU KEEP IT BRIEF AND POLITE AND MAKE IT APPLICABLE TO ALL THE CANDIDATES.

CANDIDATES, ANY QUESTIONS?

NO?ALL RIGHT.

THEN LET'S JUMP MANY WITH THE FIRST QUESTION.

>> WE WILL TO THAT RIGHT NOW.

AND WE'RE GOING TO SWITCH THINGS UP HERE A LITTLE BIT INEN CONTRAST TO WHAT WE HAVE BACK DURING PRIMARY SEASON.

WE'D LIKE YOU TO START WITH A 30-SECOND BIO AND HISTORY WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

WE'LL GIVE YOU HALF A MINUTE TO DO THAT.

LAURIE, COULD YOU START US OFF, PLEASE?>> SURE, YES.

SO I GREW UP IN TALLAHASSEE.

I ATTENDED PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND OF AFTER COLLEGE GRADUATED AND CAME BACK TO TALLAHASSEE IN 1989, AND I'VE TAUGHT 33 STRAIGHT YEARS IN OUR LEON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS TEACHING AT KATE SULLIVAN AND ROBERT SULLIVAN ELEMENTARY.

YEAH, 33 YEARS IN LEON COUNTY.

>> ALEC, YOUR TURN.

>> THANK YOU, TODD, I WANT TO THANK YOU YOU GUYS FOR HAVING THIS FORUM, I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

I GREW UP HERE IN TOWN.

I'VE WORKED IN DISTRICT 4 SCHOOLS, MY KIDS GO TO DISTRICT 4 SCHOOLS.

I'VE BEEN A PROGRAM DIRECTOR AFTER THE -- AT LARGEST AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM AT THE ELEMENTARY LEVEL, A PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR THE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP HERE IN OUR SCHOOLS, THE LARGEST I'VE EVER HAD.

CURRENTLY, I'M ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL.

AND SO I THINK THAT EXPERIENCE AND THAT PERSPECTIVE, THE RELATIONSHIPS WE BUILD IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR THIS JOB.

>> OKAY.

COUPLE OF FOLLOW-UPS, I'LL GIVE YOU 45 SECONDS FOR EACH ONE AND, ALEX, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

IDENTIFY THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM IN YOUR MIND AFFECTING THE LEON COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM AND WHAT YOU WOULD DO TO ADDRESS IT.

>> WITHOUT A DOUBT, TOM, IT'S BOEING TO BE STUDENT LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT.

HOW DO WE GET OUR KIDS BACK ENGAGED AFTER OUR PANDEMIC, HOW DO WE MAKE SURE WE HAVE AUTHENTIC LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS AND LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE HIGH QUALITY EDUCATORS.

WE HAVE A TEACHER SHORTAGE RIGHT NOW AND A TEACHER SHORTAGE OF HIGH QUALITY EDUCATORS.

SO I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.

THE STUDENT ENGAGEMENT PIECE IN OUR SCHOOLS IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO ADDRESS.

AND I THINK THAT MY PERSPECTIVE AND EXPERIENCE CAN HELP TO THAT.

>> LAURIE, YOUR TAKE ON ISSUE NUMBER ONE.

>> YEAH.

SO WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF INCREASE IN BEHAVIOR INCIDENCES THAT ARE HAPPENING AT SOME OF OUR SCHOOLS, AND A LOT OF THAT IS CLOSING THAT ACHIEVEMENT GAP AS WELL.

SO WE HAVE GOT TO CONTINUE TO HIRE AND RETAIN OUR QUALITY TEACHERS.WE'VE GOT TO SUPPORT OUR SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY.

THAT IS A HUGE THING.

WE'VE GOT TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH OUR MENTAL HEALTH PARTNERSHIPS AROUND OUR DISTRICT, AND THAT IS ONE THING THAT I'VE BEEN VERY INVOLVED WITH AS WELL.

SO WE'VE GOT TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON THOSE PARTNERSHIPS, OUR MENTORSHIPS TO CONTINUE TO CLOSE THE LEARNING GAPS, COME UP WITH STRATEGIES WITH OUR STUDENTS THAT THE WE NEED TO CLOSE THOSE GAPS AND JUST WORK ON SAFETY AND SECURITY, WHICH IS A GREAT -- ANYWAY, WE DO A GREAT JOB IN OUR COUNTY, BUT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON THAT.

>> THANK YOU.

ANOTHER 45-SECOND FOLLOW-UP FROM ME HERE AND STARTING WITH YOU, LAURIE.DISTRICT 4 HAS BOTH THE RICHEST AND THE POOREST ZIP CODES IN LEON COUNTY WITHIN ITS JURISDICTION THERE.

AND GIVEN THAT DISPARITY, WHAT DOES EQUITY IN THE DISTRICT LOOK LIKE TO YOU?

>> SO HAVING LIVED IN TALLAHASSEE MY ENTIRE LIFE, AND ONE THING ALSO I'VE BEEN A PHYSICAL EDUCATION COORDINATOR FOR OUR DISTRICT.

I HAVE GREAT RELATIONSHIPS WITH TEACHERS AND STUDENTS AROUND THE DISTRICT.

AND WE DO, I MEAN, I'VE BEEN WITH ABLE TO VISIT ALL OF THOSE SCHOOLS, AND WE'VE JUST GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE QUALITY TEACHERS IN PLACE.

WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE GIVING OUR STUDENTS EVERY OPPORTUNITY THROUGH CAREER TECH OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIFFERENT THINGS AND MAKE SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS AND OUR TEACHERS FEEL VERY SUPPORTED AND CONTINUE THE HIGH ACADEMIC RIGOR THAT WE NEED IN OUR DISTRICT.

>> THANK YOU.

ALEX, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> YEAH, TOM, I APPRECIATE THAT QUESTION.

I'VE WORKED IN BOTH SCHOOLS THAT YOU SPEAK OF, THE AFFLUENT SCHOOLS AND THE SCHOOLS THAT ARE TITLE I AND STRUGGLING WHERE I CURRENTLY DO.

I THINK EQUITY EVERYBODY HAS WHAT THEY NEED TO LEARN AND BE SUCCESSFUL.AND BEING SOMEBODY WHO'S BEEN IN THE SCHOOLS WHO YET IT -- GETS IT, WHO'S BEEN A PART OF IT, THAT'S THE PERSPECTIVE THAT I BRING TO THE TABLE THAT MY OPPONENT DOESN'T.

WE HAVE CHALLENGES, DIFFERENT IN EACH SCHOOLS, AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE GIVE THE RESOURCES THAT EACH SCHOOL COMMUNITY NEEDS.

THERE'S DEFINITELY A BIG NEED AND A BIG, DIFFERENT NEED AT ALL SCHOOLS.

THANKS, TOM.>> ALL RIGHT.

WE'RE GOING TO START WITH A PHILOSOPHICAL QUESTION AS WE TALK ABOUT PRIVATE VERSUS PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF PUBLIC EDUCATION?

45 SECONDS.

ALEX STEMLE, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

>> I'LL TRY AND WRAP THIS UP IN 45 SECONDS.

I APPRECIATE THAT, WILLIAM.

WE HAVE THE CHARTER SCHOOL SYSTEM WHICH I BELIEVE WAS CREATED WITH THE INTENT TO HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO CREATE INNOVATION AND TO TRY DIFFERENT THINGS IN OUR SCHOOLS AND BRING HEM BACK TO OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

AND THEN WE HAVE THE VOUCHER PROGRAM.IT'S A VERY BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ME AND MY OPPONENT.

SHE STRONGLY SUPPORTS THE VOUCHER PROGRAM.

AS A FISCAL KEY, I THINK THAT -- CONSERVATIVE, I THINK THAT IS A MISTAKE.I THINK WHEN WE BRING IN THOUSANDS OF OTHER KIDS BROUGHT INTO OUR FUNDING MODEL, I BELIEVE THAT IN THE END OUR TAXES WILL RAISE, AND SO I CAN'T SUPPORT THAT.

I THINK THE VOUCHER PROGRAM, WHILE IT SEEMS ATTRACTIVE ON THE OUTSIDE, I THINK WHEN YOU GET INTO THE MEAT AND BONES, IT'S GOING TO DESTROY OUR PUBLIC EDUCATION.

SO, I HOPE THAT WE CAN CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS CAN BE AS SUCCESSFUL AS POSSIBLE.>> THANK YOU.

LAURIE COX, SAME QUESTION.

>> SO WE HAVE TO BUILD THAT TRUST IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

BEING A PRODUCT OF LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS, MY HUSBAND A PRODUCT OF LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS, HIS PARENTS TAUGHT THEIR ENTIRE CAREER IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS, OUR SON ATTENDED PUBLIC SCHOOLS ALL THROUGHOUT, I'M A FIRM BELIEVER IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND I WILL FIGHT FOR THE INTEGRITY OF THAT.

WE'VE GOT TO BUILD BACK TRUST IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME I REALLY BELIEVE THAT PARENTS IN THIS DAY AND AGE THAT WE'RE IN, THEY OUGHT TO HAVE A CHOICE OF WHERE TO SEND THEIR CHILDREN, WHERE THE BEST CHOICE FOR THEIR CHILD TO GET EDUCATED IS.

WE'VE SEEN EVERY CHILD HAS DIFFERENT NEEDS.

SO IF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE NOT MEETING THAT NEED, HEN I WILL FIGHT FOR THAT.

I FEEL LIKE WE'VE GOT TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF OUR SCHOOLS.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, PARENTS OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A CHOICE WHETHER IT'S CHARTER, WHEREVER, TO SEND -- [INAUDIBLE CONVERSATIONS] >> A 30-SECOND FOLLOW-UP.

WHY IS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT LOSING STUDENTS TO CHARTERS AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, AND WHAT SHOULD THE SCHOOL SYSTEM DO IN RESPONSE?

LAURIE COX.

>> WELL, I THINK IT GOES BACK TO BUILDING BACK TRUST IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

Y'ALL, WE DO SO MANY THINGS RIGHT IN LEON COUNTY.

I'VE BEEN HERE FOR, LIKE I SAID, ALMOST MY ENTIRE LIFE, AND WE DO A LOT OF THINGS RIGHT.

BUT WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO BUILD BACK RELATIONSHIPS.

THE TEACHERS ARE NOT THE ENEMYMY, THE PARENTS ARE NOT THE ENEMY.

WE'VE GOT TO ALL COME TOGETHER, WORK WITH EACH OTHER TO BUILD BACK TRUST, AND THAT TRANSPARENCY IS HUGE IN THAT.

BUT ALSO ALLOWING PARENTS TO FIND THE BEST CHOICE FOR THEY FEEL LIKE WHERE THEIR STUDENTS ARE GOING TO LEARN.

CHARTER SCHOOLS OFFER THAT, SO -- >> ALEX, SAME QUESTION.

>> WE'RE NOT MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES THAT WE SERVE, SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE KEEP THE EXTREME POLITICS OUT OF OUR SCHOOLS.A LOT OF TIME IT'S A LOT OF NOISE IN OUR SCHOOLS, AND OUR PARENTS -- I DO BELIEVE COVID SET US BACK IN TERMS OF GETTING PARENTS INVOLVED IN OUR KIDS' LEARNING.

IT'S GETTING HARDER AND HARDER AS WE GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS OF FINDING WAYS TO ENGAGE KIDS AND TO MEET THEM WHERE THEY ARE, BUT IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO DO.

AND WE NEED TO ASK THESE PARENTS WHY THEY'RE LEAVING AND GO BACK AND GET 'EM.

>> OKAY.

ONE LAST FOLLOW-UP.

THE SUPERINTENDENT HAS BEEN A FIERCE CRITIC OF THE GOVERNOR AND WHAT HE CALLS A, QUOTE, CALCULATED, INTENTIONAL ATTACK ON PUBLIC SCHOOLS CENTERED AROUND COMPLETE UNTRUTHS.

DO YOU SHARE THIS CRITICISM, AND DO YOU THINK SUCH CRITICISM IS HELPFUL FOR THE DISTRICT?

ALEX STEMLE.

>> YEAH, I THINK THIS IS ABSOLUTELY NOT HELPFUL.

THIS IS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT WHEN WE NEED SOMEBODY ON THE BOARD WHO CAN KEEP EXTREME POLITICS OUT OF OUR SCHOOL TOES.

IT DOESN'T DO US ANY GOOD WHEN OUR SUPERINTENDENT AND GOVERNOR ARE DOING BACK AND FORTH.

WE HAVE A TOUGH JOB S AND IT'S IMPORTANT WE KEEP THE FOCUS ON THE THINGS THAT MATTER; STUDENT LEARNING, STUDENT ENGAGEMENT, MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE HIGHEST QUALITY SCHOOLS.

FOR ME, YOU WON'T SEE ME GET INTO THOSE DEBATES.

>> LAURIE COX, SAME QUESTION.

>> I AGREE.

I DO BELIEVE THAT IS NOT A PLACE TO GET INTO POLITICAL DIALOGUE AND TO GET -- THERE'S NO REASON US IN LEON COUNTY, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO WORK TOGETHER WITH OUR COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION, WITH OUR LEGISLATORS, WITH OUR GOVERNOR.

EVEN THOUGH WE MAY NOT AGREE ON EVERYTHING, WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER AND WORK TOGETHER.

AND WE REALLY NEED TO FOCUS ON IN LEON COUNTY JUST MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE OFFERING THE BEST PRODUCT FOR OUR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES IN LEON COUNTY.

IT'S WORTH FIGHTING FOR, AND WE NEED TO FIGHT FOR OUR LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS.

>> THANK YOU.

OVER TO THE LEAGUE FOR OUR NEXT SEGMENT.>> ALL RIGHT.

WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT A FEW ASPECTS OF SAFETY.

AS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT GRAPPLES WITH AP INCREASING NUMBER OF ARRESTS INVOLVING WEAPONS AT SCHOOLS, TELL US YOUR THOUGHTS ON METAL DETECTORS IN THE CLASSROOM.

WE'LL START WITH YOU, LAURIE COX, 45 SECONDS.

>> METAL DETECTORS ARE VERY, VERY EXPENSIVE.

THEY ARE SOMETHING THAT I WOULD NOT BE OPPOSED TO LOOKING INTO.

WE HAVE AN AMAZING SAFETY AND SECURITY OFFICE AND DEPARTMENT, AND IT STARTED MANY YEARS AGO.

AND WE'VE BEEN IN THE FOREFRONT IN LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS WITH SCHOOL SAFETY.

I TRUST THEM.

THEY WORK VERY CLOSELY WITH OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, WITH OUR DIFFERENT AGENCIES.

I WOULD NOT BE OPPOSED TOING HAVING THOSE DIALOGUES, BUT I DO KNOW IT'S VERY EXPENSIVE TO DO THAT.BUT IT'S DEFINITELY WORTH HAVING THE CONVERSATION.

>> THANK YOU.

ALEX STEMLEING SAME QUESTION TO YOU.>> YEAH, I APPRECIATE IT, DANIELLE.

THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ME AND LAURIE IS I'VE BEEN ON A CAMPUS WHERE A GUN HAS BEEN FOUND THIS YEAR.

HAVING THAT CONVERSATION WITH THE FAMILY IS NOT FUN.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WE PROTECT THE KIDS WHO ARE THERE, THE FAMILIES SHOWING UP EVERY DAY DOING WHAT WE ASK.

THE METAL DETECTORS ARE ARE EXPENSIVE, BUT IT -- IF IT'S GOING TO DO THE JOB, WE'RE GOING TO DO IT.

PRESIDENT OTHER OPTIONS, BUT WE HAVE TO FIND THE ROOT PROBLEM, WHAT IT IS THESE KIDS ARE FEELING THE NEED TO BRING THESE WEAPONS TO SCHOOL, WHY ARE THEY DISENGAGED FROM THE PROCESS?

THE STUDENTS THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ARE NOT THE ONES MAKING STRAIGHT As SHOWING UP EVERY CAY TO -- DAY TO SCHOOL.

WE NEED TO GET THEM THE SUPPORT TO SHOW THEM A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.I THINK THAT'S CRITICAL.

WE CAN'T JUST ARREST THEM ALL.

>> THANK YOU.

WE'LL HAVE A FOLLOW-UP.

WE'LL START WITH YOU, ALEX STEMLE.BEYOND EXISTING POLICIES, WHAT'S ONE STEP THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SHOULD EXPLORE TO PROTECT STUDENTS FROM VIOLENCE?

YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS.

>> WELL, I THINK, FIRST, HAVING A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER WHO'S GOING TO BE ENGAGED AND WALKING THE CAMPUSES AND MEETING WITH PRINCIPALS AND TALKING WITH TEACHERS IS FIRST AND FOREMOST.

WE NEED SOMEBODY WHO'S GOING TO LISTEN TO WHAT'S GOING ON ON THE GROUND AND BRING THOSE IMPORTANT ASPECTS BACK UP TO THE BOARD SO THAT WE CAN MAKE POLICIES AND FIND BUDGETSES AND MONEY TO BE ABLE TO DO THE THINGS THAT WE THINK IS IMPORTANT.

YOU KNOW, THERE'S A LOT OF FACETS TO THIS, AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE COMMUNICATE AND HIT IT RIGHT AS GOOD AS WE CAN.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE 100%, BUT I THINK VIOLENCE IN OUR SCHOOLS DOES DISTRACT FROM OUR LEARNING, AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE LES NO PLACE FOR THAT IN OUR SCHOOLS.

>> THANK YOU.

SAME QUESTION TO YOU, LAURIE COX.

>> AND LIKE I SAID, I'M A LOT OLDER, I'VE DONE SEVERAL RIDE-ALONGS WITH OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND ONE THINGS -- ONE THAT I LOVED WAS THE PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE ENCOUNTERED ON THE STREETS.WE HAVE TO FIND REASONS WHY.

IT IS A SOCIETY PROBLEM.

IT IS NOT JUST AN ISSUE IN OUR SCHOOLS.WE'VE GOT TO GET TO THE ROOT OF THAT.WE'VE GOT TO WORK WITH OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS, WE'VE GOT TO WORK WITH OUR CITY COMMISSION, WITH THE STATUS OF MEN AND BOYS, WITH OUR CHILDREN'S SERVICES COUNCIL, WITH ALL OF OUR MENTAL HEALTH PARTNERSHIPS TO GET TO THE REASON WHY THESE ARE HAPPENING.>> THANK YOU.

LAST FOLLOW-UP ON THIS TOPIC.

WE'LL START WITH YOU, LAURIE COX.

SO SAME QUESTION AS LAST, BUT LET'S TALK ABOUT HARASSMENT AND BULLYING INSTEAD.

WHAT'S ONE STEP THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SHOULD TAKE TO PROTECT STUDENTS FROM HARASSMENT AND BULLYING?>> WELL, IN OUR STUDENT COLD OF CONDUCT AND EVEN IN OUR TEACHER CODE OF CONDUCT, IF YOU WILL, WE SPEAK VERY CLEARLY ABOUT THAT, THAT NO STUDENT SHOULD BE HARASSED OR BULLIED.

WE TAKE THAT IN OUR DISTRICT VERY, VERY SERIOUSLY.

AND SO WE, AGAIN, HAVING SOMEBODY ON THE BOARD THAT'S BEEN INVOLVED IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM FOR A LONG TIME, THAT HAS RELATIONSHIPS WITH ADMINISTRATORS, WITH OUR SCHOOL COUNSELORS, WITH OUR MENTAL HEALTH PEOPLE IN OUR SCHOOLS, WE WORK -- EVERY WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO FIGHT BULLYING, BECAUSE THAT'S AN ISSUE, AND WE'VE GOT TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON THAT, YEAH.

>> THANKS.

ALEX STEMLE, 30 SECONDS.

>> DANIELLE, AS A DEAN OF STUDENTS I HAND9ED BULLYING AND HARASSMENT ISSUES MORE REGULARLY THAN I WANTED TO.

AND WE HAVE TO LOOK AT MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE IMMEDIATEUATING THE PROBLEMS.

WE CAN'T GO IN WITH THE AVOIDANCE ATTITUDE AND JUST SEPARATE THE KIDS.

A LOT OF TIMES THESE ARE MUTUAL CONVERSATIONS THAT FOR SOME REASON THE RELATIONSHIP, THE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE KIDS HAS BROKEN DOWN.

SO WE NEED TO GIVE THE KIDS THE SKILLS TO NAVIGATE THROUGH THIS.

WHEN WE DO HAVE A HARASSMENT ISSUE OR BULLYING INCIDENT THAT IS SEVERE, WE NEED TO HANDLE IT WITH FORCE AND MAKE SURE THAT STUDENT DOES NOT STAY ON OUR CAMPUS.

BUT COMMUNICATION IS IMPORTANT MEDIATION.>> THANK YOU.

>> FOLKS, THERE'S A NATIONAL STORY THAT CERTAINLY HAS RESONANCE WITHIN DISTRICT 4 AS WELL, AND THAT IS THE DECLINE IN TEST SCORES.

A.C.T.

SCORES THE LOWEST THAT THEY'VE BEEN IN 30 YEARS.

THEY ALSO ARE LACKING, AS FAR AS THE KIDS ARE CONCERNED, IN INTERPERSONAL SKILLS AS WE COME OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.

SO KIDS IN GENERAL JUST LAGGING BEHIND, IT SEEMS.

WHAT'S ONE OR TWO INITIATIVES THAT ALL INTRODUCE AND PUSH FOR AS A BOARD MEMBER TO TACKLE THESE ISSUES?

ALEX STEMLE, YOU FIRST.

45 SECONDS.

>> I SAID EARLIER, TOM, IT'S ALL ABOUT AUTHENTIC LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS AND AUTHENTIC LEARNING.WE NEED TO MAKE SURE OUR KIDS ARE PREPARED WHEN THEY LEAF HERE.

WE KNOW THAT THE EDUCATIONAL GAP THAT EXISTS WHEN THEY'RE YOUNGER IS A MUCH SMALLER GAP THAN WHEN THEY GET OLDER.

SO MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE RESOURCES THAT GO INTO THE KINDERGARTEN, FIRST, SEC, EVEN EARLIER THAN THAT IS IMPORTANT.

WE HAVE TO ATTACK THESE GAPS.

WE TALK ABOUT THOSE WE NEED TO WRAP OUR ARMS AROUND, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE GOING AFTER THE EDUCATIONAL GAPS OF THE YOUNGEST KIDS AND ATTACKING THOSE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

AND WE KNOW IF WE CLOSE THOSE GAPS, THE REST OF THEIR CAREER WILL BE MUCH EASIER.

IF WE DON'T CLOSE THOSE GAPS, WE'RE GOING TO BE STRUGGLING AS A COMMUNITY.

SO I THINK FINDING WAYS THAT WE CAN GET MORE RESOURCES INTO EARLY LITERACY.

A LOT OF TIMES, TOM, THIS HAS TO DO WITH BEING ABLE TO REALIZE AND BE FLUENT, SO IF YOU'RE UNABLE TO DO THOSE THING, YOU DEFINITELY STRUGGLE.

WE'VE GOT TO ATTACK THEM.

>> THANK YOU.

LAURIE COX.

>> SO ONE THING THAT I AM SO BIG ON, AND I'VE BEEN ABLE TO GO TO ATLANTA AND VISIT SCHOOLS IN DOWNTOWN ATLANTA, WE'VE GOT TO REESTABLISH A HIGH ACADEMIC RIGOR IN OUR CLASSROOMS.

WE'VE GOT TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR CLASSROOMS.ALSO ONE THING, AND WHAT YOU HIT ON IS SO TRUE, OUR STUDENTS HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN, ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, I WORK WITH THEM YEAR ROUND, AND SOCIAL MEDIA IS TO DAMAGING TO OUR STUDENTS.

YOU TALK ABOUT THAT INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP, ONE THING THAT I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING ON THE BOARD AND WORKING WITH PARENTS TO TRULY LIMIT WHAT THEIR STUDENTS ARE DOING CAN ON SOCIAL MEDIA, MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE AWARE OF THAT, MAKING SURE THEY HAVE APPS ON THEIR, ON CHILDREN'S PHONES, ESPECIALLY FOR APPROPRIATE AGES, THAT REALLY MONITOR WHAT THEIR STUDENTS ARE DOING.THAT'S HURT US ACADEMICALLY.

>> 45-SECOND FOLLOW-UP, IF WE MIGHT HERE AND, LAURIE, STARTING WITH YOU HERE.

SINCE IT IS SUCH A BIG TOPIC, WHAT ADDITIONAL, WHAT THINGS WOULD YOU PROMOTE AS A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER TO BOOST THAT ACT THEM CANTIC RESULT?

>> SURE.

SO AFTER 36 YEARS, LIKE I SAID, IN WORKING WITH STUDENTS NOT JUST IN THE SCHOOL YEAR, I WORK WITH STUDENTS AFTER SCHOOL VOLUNTEERING, I DO -- IN THE SUMMERS I WORK WITH STUDENTS.

AND SO MAKING SURE THAT WE WORK WITH OUR PARENTS, ANOTHER -- SORRY.

LOST MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT, BUT I GOT IT BACK.

BEING A PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHER, Y'ALL, THERE IS SO MUCH RESEARCH THAT SHOWS THE CORRELATION BETWEEN PHYSICAL FITNESS AND MAKING, AND ACADEMICS.AND THERE'S A DIRECT CORRELATION WITH PHYSICAL HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH AND ACADEMICS.

AND AND SO ONE THING I WOULD LOVE TO BRING BACK, WE'VE KIND OF LOST IT IN OUR DISTRICT SINCE COVID, BUT AN EMPHASIS ON WELLNESS.

AND BILLION WELL 'EM, MENTAL WELLNESS, HEALTH AND FITNESS, THEY GO HAND IN HAND WITH OUR ACADEMICS.

AND THAT'S ONE THING THAT I THINK WE CAN WORK ON IN OUR DISTRICT TOO.

ONE OF MANY, BUT -- >> OKAY.

THANK YOU.

ALEX, YOUR THOUGHTS.

>> SOME ADDITIONAL MEASURES, I THINK, NUMBER ONE, WE'VE GOT TO GET INTO THE BUDGET AND FIND WAYS TO FIND RESOURCES.

A LOT OF THIS HAS TO DO WITH TIME, AND WE CAN'T BUY TIME, BUT WE CAN USE OUR TIME MOST EFFECTIVELY THAT WE DO HAVE.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE PARENTS HAVE THE ABILITY TO SUPPORT THEIR KIDS WHEN THEY LEAVE HERE.

BEING A PARENT IS VERY DIFFICULT, AND FINDING WAYS TO HELP THEM SUPPORT THEIR KIDS SO WE CAN GET THEM ACROSS THE FINISH LINE IS IMPORTANT.

HERE LOCALLY, OUR ESE FUNDING DOLLARS ARE NOT BILLED OUT AT THE SAME RATE, SO FINDING WAYS WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CAPTURING ALL THE DOLLARS NEEDED TO ADDRESS THE BEHAVIOR CHALLENGES AND THE CHALLENGES OF LEARNING IN OUR CLASSROOMS.

AND IF SO GETTING INTO THAT BUDGET, I THINK, WITH MY MBA, MY LEADERSHIP DEGREE, I THINK I CAN REALLY GET INTO THAT BUDGET AND FIND WAYS TO INCREASE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF WHAT WE'RE DOING AND THE EFFICIENCY OF OUR RESOURCES.>> ALL RIGHT.

ALEX STEMLE, THE MOMS FOR LIBERTY HAS BECOME A DRIVING FORCE IN CONSERVATIVE POLICY ADVOCATE IN SCHOOL BOARD MATTERS AND ELECTIONS STATEWIDE.

BOTH OF YOU PARTICIPATED IN A MOMS FOR LIBERTY DEBATE EARLIER.

DO YOU THINK YOU'RE THE CANDIDATE THAT'S BETTER ALIGNED WITH THEIR BELIEFS AND WHY OR WHY NOT?

ALEX STEMLE.

45 SECONDS.

>> WELL, I APPRECIATE THAT QUESTION.

I DID PARTICIPATE IN THAT.

I ACTUALLY HAD A GOOD TIME.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE WHETHER WE AGREE WITH THEM OR WE DON'T.

AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE OPEN UP OUR EARS AND OUR HEARTS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS THAT THEY SEE AND HOW THEY FEEL.

I THINK THAT THIS GROUP HAS A LOT OF THE COMMON GOALS THAT A LOT OF PARENTS HAVE.

A LOT OF THE GOALS ARE VERY COMMON.

THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY'RE AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON, ENGAGED IN THE LEARNING.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY HERE IS THE ENEMY.

THE TEACHERS, THE UNIONS, THE GROUPS AREN'T THE ENEMY.

WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO DO WHATEVER WE CAN WITH.

I THINK THIS WAS A GRASSROOTS OPERATION THAT STEMMED FROM SOME THINGS THAT THEY FELT NEEDED TO BE CHANGED IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.AND I THINK WE HAVE TO LISTEN TO THEM, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE HE WAS AN EQUAL VOICE AS EVERYBODY ELSE.>> THANK YOU.

LAURIE COX, SAME QUESTION.

>> YEAH.

IT REALLY GOES BACK TO THE PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT.

Y'ALL, PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IS THE KEY TO ANY STUDENT SUCCESS.

THAT HAS BEEN A NONNEGOTIABLING DEBATE FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.

NONNEGOTIABLE FOR MANY YEARS.

SO REALLY AT THE HEART OF IT THEY WANT PARENTS TO BE INVOLVED.

AND WE AS EDUCATORS, WE SHOULD WANT THAT TRANSPARENCY AND TO MAKE SURE THAT PARENTS ARE SOLVED.

-- INVOLVED.

SO IT WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO GET TO KNOW SOME OF THEM ON A GREAT LEVEL, AND WE HAD A GREAT FORUM THERE, AND WE WELCOME ALL, ALL PEOPLE TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD, ALL OPINIONS ARE WELCOME.

AND SO IT WAS -- AND THEY REALLY ARE ABOUT PARENTS.

AND SO THAT WAS, THAT WAS A GREAT EVENING, YES.

>> AND A BRIEF YES OR NO FOLLOW-UP, DO YOU THINK YOU'RE THE CANDIDATE THAT'S BETTER ALIGNED WITH THEIR BELIEFS?

LAURIE COX.

>> I MEAN, THAT'S NOT FOR ME TO DECIDE.

THEY -- I HAVE MY PERSONAL CONVICTIONS AND MY BELIEFS ON THINGS, AND IF THEY ALIGN WITH THAT, THEN, YES.

>> OKAY.

ALEX STEMLE?

>> I DON'T THINK THAT IF THEY HAD TO CHOOSE, THAT THEY WOULD PICK ME, AND I THINK THAT PROBABLY STEMS FROM THE DEBATE ON VOUCHERS.

THEY'RE STRONG PROPONENTS OF VOUCHERS IN OUR SCHOOLS, AND I'M NOT.

I THINK THAT'S WHERE THE DIFFERENCE WOULD BE.

>> THANK YOU.

THE LEAGUE WILL CONTINUE WITH SOME MORE ON PARENTS' RIGHTS.

>> STICKING ON THEME OF PARENTS' RIGHTS HERE, SOME ADVOCATES SAY PARENTS HAVE BEEN CUT OFF FROM DECISION MAKING PROCESS ON ISSUES IMPACTING THEIR CHILDREN AND MUST RECLAIM EDUCATION IN THE STATE.

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT POSITION?

45 SECONDS, AND WE'LL START WITH YOU, ALEX STEMLE.

>> YEAH, I THINK THE PANDEMIC CREATED AN ENVIRONMENT IN OUR SCHOOLS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE OBVIOUSLY HAD TO LIMIT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE MANY OUR SCHOOLS.

AND WHAT THAT DID THOUGH IS IT CAUSED A LARGE GAP OF, I GUESS, KNOWLEDGE, LACK OF KNOWLEDGE.

PARENTS WEREN'T AWARE OF WHAT'S GOING ON.

THEY WEREN'T ABLE TO GET IN THERE AND TALK WITH THEIR TEACHERS.

WE STILL HAVE PARENTS WHERE -- SCHOOLS WHERE PARENTS ARE NOT ABLE TO GET INTO THEIR SCHOOLS AND VOLUNTEER.

I LOOK FORWARD TO FINDING OUT WHY IT IS WE DON'T HAVE OUR PARENTS BACK, I WHY CAN'T THEY VOLUNTEER IN OUR SCHOOLS AND WHY IS IT SOME HAVE VOLUNTEERS BACK ON CAMPUS AND SOME DON'T.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WE LISTEN TO PARENTS.

THEY WANT TO BE INVOLVED.

I DON'T SUPPORT PARENTS SITTING IN EVERY SINGLE CLASS, BUT I DO THINK HAVING THEM AT SCHOOL EVENTS IS A HUGE WAY TO BUILD THIS BRIDGE THAT WE NEED IN EDUCATION.>> THANK YOU.

LAURIE COX, SAME QUESTION TO YOU.>> YES.

THAT CAME OUT OF A NEED THAT PARENTS SAW THAT THEY WERE BEING SHUT OUT, I THINK, AROUND THE STATE.

AND SO IT IS CRUCIAL AND VITALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT AND INVOLVEMENT IN ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS.

AND AS A BOARD MEMBER, I WILL LISTEN TO PARENTS, AND I WILL BE AT SCHOOL EVENTS AND MAKING SURE THAT PARENTS ARE IN THE KNOW OF WHAT'S GOING ON.

SO I THINK THAT'S VITALLY IMPORTANT TO THE SUCCESS OF OUR SCHOOLS.

>> OKAY.

WE HAD A FOLLOW-UP FOR THAT, AND WE'LL START WITH YOU, LAURIE COX, FOR THE FOLLOW-UP.

HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND TO A PARENT WHO WANTS THE DISTRICT TO REMOVE MATERIALS IN THE SCHOOL LIBRARY OR CLASSROOMS?

30 SECONDS.

>> SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT TEACHERS, THAT MEDIA SPECIALISTS, THAT PARENTS, IF THEY HAVE A CONCERN, THAT THEY SHOULD VOICE THOSE CONCERNS, THE PARENTS.

I THINK IT'S, YOU KNOW, WE SHOULD LOOK AT BOOKS THAT ARE IN OUR MEDIA CENTER AND JUST MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE AGE-APPROPRIATE.I AM NOT FOR BANNING BOOKS, BUT I AM FOR MAKING SURE THAT BOOKS THAT ARE IN OUR MEDIA CENTERS ARE AGE-APPROPRIATE.

>> I'LL ALEX STEMLE, SAME QUESTION TO YOU, 30 SECONDS.

>> YEAH, I THINK WHEN WE TALK ABOUT REMOVING MATERIALS FROM LIBRARIES, WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL.AND I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE A PROCESS, A TRANSPARENT PROCESS THAT'S ORGANIZED, THAT IS OUT THERE FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE.YOU KNOW, AS A PARENT, MY KID BROUGHT A BOOK HOME NOT TOO LONG AGO THAT HAD THE 99 BOTS -- BOTTLES OF BEER SONG IN PUT.

I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF SONGS THAT HAVEN'T BEEN CHECKED OUT.

I DO THINK THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE AGE-APPROPRIATE BOOKS IN THERE.

AND I DON'T THINK SOMEBODY'S TRYING TO HIDE THINGS FROM PEOPLE, I JUST THINK THAT THESE LIBRARIES HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR YEARS AND YEARS.

>> THANK YOU.

ONE MORE FOLLOW-UP ON THIS.

>> SURE.

>> HOW WOULD YOU RESOLVE THE CONFLICT THAT MAY ARISE WHEN YOU ALLOW SOME PARENTS TO CONTROL WHAT THEIR CHILDREN LEARN IN SCHOOL AND THEREBY DENY OTHER PARENTS THE SAME RIGHT SUCH AS WHEN SOME PARENTS DO NOT WANT THEIR CHILD EXPOSED THE A PARTICULAR TOPIC, AND OTHER PARENTS WANT THEIR CHILD TO LEARN THAT TOPIC IN SCHOOL?

HOW DO YOU HANDLE THAT CONFLICT?

WE'LL START WITH YOU, LAURIE COX, 30 SECONDS.

>> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO LISTEN TO PARENTS' CONCERNS, SO WORK WITH THE SCHOOLS AND THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS TO FIND OUT WHAT, YOU KNOW, WHAT THAT CONCERN IS.

AND THERE ARE SOME TOPICS, FRANKLY, THAT PROBABLY SHOULD NOT BE TAUGHT IN OUR SCHOOLS AND THAT A LOT OF TOPICS ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE FAMILIES AND THE PARENTS TO TEACH.

SO WE'VE GOT TO COME TOGETHER AND LISTEN AND MAKE SURE THAT WE PROTECT THE HIGH ACADEMIC STANDARDS IN OUR CLASSROOM.

BUT IT'S IMPORTANT TO LISTEN TO THOSE CONCERNS.

AND WE -- I WILL ABSOLUTELY ADDRESS THOSE.

>> SAME QUESTION TO YOU, ALEX STEMLE.>> I THINK IT'S REAL SIMPLE, WE JUST HAVE AN OPT-OUT CLAUSE.

IF PARENTS, THEY SEE A TOPIC THAT'S COMING UP, MAYBE IT'S HUMAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND THEY'RE JUST NOT COMFORTABLE WITH SOMEBODY, A P.E.

TEACHER, INSTRUCTING THAT IN THEIR CLASS, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WE GIVE PARENTS THE ABILITY TO OPT OUT.

A LOT OF THINGS WE TEACH IN OUR SCHOOLS COME FROM LEGISLATION AND THEY'RE REQUIRED.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT PARENTS ARE INVOLVED.

WE HAVE ALL SORTS OF PROGRAMS IN OUR SCHOOLS THAT OPEN UP FOR PARENTS TO GIVE A VOICE ON CURRICULUM AND THE WAY WE DO THINGS IN OUR SCHOOLS, SO OPENING THAT UP AND BEING MORE RECEPTIVE TO THE PARENTS IS PROBABLY THE EASIEST WAY TO ACCOMPLISH THAT, DANIELLE.

>> OKAY.

ONE LAST FOLLOW-UP ON THAT, YOU BOTH OPENED THE DOOR TO THIS.

IF IT IS NOT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT'S JOB AND IT'S THE LEGISLATURE'S JOB, WHAT ROLE DOES THE SCHOOL DISTRICT PLAY IN LIMITING WHAT WILL AND WILL NOT BE TAUGHT IN OUR SCHOOLS?

>> WELL, I THINK THAT WE HAVE TO WORK WITH OUR LEGISLATORS.

IF THERE'S THINGS GOING ON IN OUR SCHOOLS THAT ARE TOUGH FOR US TO TALK ABOUT OR MAYBE OUR COMMUNITY IS NOT RECEPTIVE TO, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO GO AND MEET WITH THE LEGISLATORS WHERE THEY ARE AND EXPLAIN TO THEM, YOU KNOW, WHAT IT IS THAT OUR CHANNELS ARE, AND HOPEFULLY, WE'LL GET A POSITIVE RESPONSE FROM THEM.

MAKING SURE THAT WE DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THE KIDS HAVE WHAT THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL WHEN THEY LEAVE OUR SCHOOLS, BUT MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE SENSITIVE TO THE FACT THAT PARENTS RAISE THEIR KIDS DIFFERENT HI, AND THAT'S THEIR RIGHT AND I'M OKAY WITH THAT.

>> LAURIE COX, 30 SECONDS.

>> ALONG THAT LINE, THERE ARE 24, MAYBE A LITTLE BIT MORE REQUIRED INSTRUCTION THAT THE STATE HAS PUT ON OUR SCHOOLS TO TEACH OUTSIDE OF OUR MATH AND READING AND LANGUAGE ARTS AND THE CORE SUBJECT AREAS.

SO SOMETIMES WE NEED TO LOOK AT THOSE AND WORK WITH OUR LEGISLATORS AND MAKE SURE THAT,TING YOU KNOW, THAT WE HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR LEGISLATORS, MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE ON TOP OF ALL OF THAT.

AND PARENTS SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN WHAT'S GOING ON AGAIN, LIKE I SAID.>> ALL RIGHT.

WE ARE MOVING QUICKLY, BUT LET'S MOVE QUICKER.

WE'RE GOING TO DO THE LIGHTNING ROUND HERE.

SO WE'RE LOOKING FOR ABOUT A SENTENCE.

WE START WITH LAURIE COX.

I'M LOOKING FOR A ONE-WORD ANSWER AND THEN A SENTENCE OF EXPLANATION.WHO IS YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY TO AS A BOARD MEMBER?

AND EXPLAIN YOUR ANSWER IN ONE SENTENCE.

>> TO OUR CONSTITUENTS THAT ELECT US, WOULD BE OUR PRIMARY -- >> AND WHY SO?

>> AND OUR KIDS, I MEAN, OUR KIDS AND OUR FAMILIES AND THE PEOPLE THAT WOULD ELECT US.

>> AND -- OKAY.

ALEX STEMLE, SAME QUESTION.

>> YEAH, I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, THE CONSTITUENTS AND THE VOTERS ARE IMPORTANT, BUT I THINK IF WE TAKE CARE OF OUR KIDS AND WE HAVE A KIDS-FIRST MESSAGE FROM THE SCHOOL BOARD, WE'RE GOING TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT I THINK OUR VOTERS ARE OKAY WITH.

>> OKAY.

ALEX STEMLE, WHAT'S YOUR SINGLE BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT, ONE, DURING YOUR TENURE AS A LEON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD EMPLOYEE?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S HARD JUST TO SAY ONE.

MY BIGGEST IS THE RELATIONSHIP THAT I'M ABLE TO BUILD WITH KIDS.YOU KNOW, SITTING DOWN WITH STUDENTS, KIDS, TEACHERS AND FINDING OUT WHAT THEY NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL, AS A DEAN CAN OF STUDENTS, THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT I DID.

>> LAURIE COX, SAME QUESTION.

>> I WOULD SAY MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MY KIDS AND WITH MY FAMILIES THAT I'VE TAUGHT, THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS THROUGH THE YEARS, AND I STILL RUN INTO THEM.>> ALL RIGHT.

A COUPLE OF HYPOTHETICALS.

A PRIVATE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SCHOOL THAT MADE NATIONAL NEWS FOR TELLING LGBTQ STUDENTS TO LEAVE IMMEDIATELY.

DO YOU SUPPORT PUBLIC MONEY GOING TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS THAT REFUSE ADMISSION TO STUDENTS WHO IDENTIFY AS LGBTQ+?

LAURIE COX.

>> I AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH THAT CASE, SO CAN YOU REPEAT THAT QUESTION AGAIN?

>> SURE.

IT WAS A PRIVATE SCHOOL, MADE NATIONAL NEWS FOR TELLING LGBTQ STUDENTS TO LEAVE, QUOTE, IMMEDIATELY, MEANING THEY COULD NOT ENROLL IN THAT SCHOOL.

THEY ACCEPTED, ALSO ACCEPTED $1.6 MILLION IN FLORIDA VOUCHERS AND PUBLIC DOLLARS.

DO YOU SUPPORT PUBLIC MONEY GOING TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS THAT E FUSE ADMISSION TO STUDENTS WHO IDENTIFY AS LGBT +?

>> WELL, AS A PUBLIC EDUCATOR, .

SO I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH THAT CASE, IS SO I'M NOT QUITE SURE -- >> OKAY.

>> I NEED TO INVESTIGATE THAT A LITTLE MORE.

>> ALEX STEMLE.

>> YEAH, I DON'T SUPPORT DOLLARS GOING TO ANY PRIVATE SCHOOLS FOR VOUCHERS.

I THINK THAT'S SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE START TAKING DOLLARS OUT OF OUR PUBLIC FUNDING AND GO INTO OTHERS, I THINK THAT WE'RE SETTING OURSELVES UP.

>> OKAY.

>> THESE SCHOOLS ARE NOT HELD TO THE SAME ACCOUNTABILITY STANDARDS AS OURS -- >> THANK YOU.

SHOULD A STUDENT BE ALLOWED TO DO A HISTORY FAIR PRESUMPTION -- PROJECT ON LGBTQ HISTORY?

ALEX?

>> SURE.

>> LAURIE COX?

>> I DON'T SEE WHY NOT.

>> SHOULD A BLACK LIVES MATTER T-SHIRT BE ALLOWED IN SCHOOL?

LAURIE COX?

>> PROBABLY NOT.

>> ALEX STEMLE?

>> I THINK THINK THE SUPREME COURT'S ALREADY ARE, YOU KNOW, WEIGHED IN ON THIS, AND THAT WOULD BE YES.

>> SHOULD A CONFEDERATE FLAG BE ALLOWED ON A T-SHIRT IN SCHOOL?

ALEX STEMLE.

>> AS LONG AS IT'S NOT DISRUPTING THE SCHOOL ENVIRONMENT, AGAIN, IT'S THE SAME THING AS THE SUPREME COURT -->> OKAY.

LAURIE COX.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT?

I WANT TO CHANGE THAT TOO.

BECAUSE I KNOW SCHOOLS HAVE DRESS CODES, AND AS LONG AS IT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT'S DISRUPTING THE CLASSROOM, THEN I REALLY -- THAT SHOULD BE OKAY.

SO I RETRACT THAT ABOUT THE OTHER WUNSCH -- >> CONFEDERATE FLAG, SAME ANSWER?

>> AS LONG AS IT'S NOT DISRUTTING CLASSROOMS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WHAT'S THE SINGLE BEST WAY YOU CAN SUPPORT OUR TEACHERS?

ONE WAY.

LAURIE COX.

>> WE HAVE GOT TO CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED.

WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO WORK FOR COMPENSATION FOR OUR TEACHERS.

>> OKAY.

>> TRAINING -- >> OKAY, YEP.

JUST ONE.>> OH, I'M SORRY.

>> WE'RE GOING TO TALK MORE ON TEACHERS.

>> OKAY, GOOD, GOOD, GOOD.

>> SAME QUESTION FOR YOU, ALEX.

>> SHOWING UP TO OUR SCHOOLS, LISTENING AND TAKING THOSE CONCERNS BACK TO THE BOARD.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WHAT'S ONE AND ONLY ONE PLACE OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM TRULY SHINES?

ALEX STEMLE.

>> I THINK OUR EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES, THE EXTRA THINGS THAT OUR KIDS ARE ABLE TO DO IS HUGE.>> OKAY.

LAURIE COX?

>> I'D SAY THE EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND THINGS THAT OUR KIDS ARE INVOLVED IN AND THE PRIDE THEY TAKE IN SCHOOLS.

>> FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION, WHICH IS STATUTORILY RECOGNIZED FOR INTERSCHOLASTIC ATHLETICS IN FLORIDA, HAS A SERIES OF QUESTIONS ON ITS, QUOTE, EVALUATION FORM REGARDING A GIRL'S PERIOD AND ITS REGULARITY.IS THIS APPROPRIATE?

LAURIE COX.

>> I DON'T -- I'M NOT -- I DON'T THINK SO.

>> OKAY.

>> ALEX STEMLE?

>> NO, I DON'T THINK THAT'S APPROPRIATE.>> NO.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

WE'RE TIRED.

WE'VE BEEN ASKING ALL THE QUESTIONS.

WHAT IS ONE QUESTION YOU'D LIKE TO ASK YOUR OPPONENT?

ALEX STEMLE, YOU CAN ASK FIRST -->> OH, LORD.

>> -- AND, LAURIE COX, YOU'LL HAVE 45 SECONDS TO RESPOND, AND HELP WE'LL DO THE OPPOSITE.

>> I GUESS THE ONE QUESTION IS WHO DID SHE SUPPORT IN THE 2020 SCHOOL BOARD RACE.

[LAUGHTER]>> OKAY.

LAURIE COX.

>> I'M GOING TO ASK WHY YOU JUMPED IN THIS RACE, WHY ARE YOU RUNNING?>> WELL, ANSWER THE QUESTION FIRST, THEN YOU CAN ASK.

[LAUGHTER] >> WAIT, I'VE GOT TO ANSWER IT?

WELL, WHO I VOTE FOR IS A PRIVATE MATTER.

>> OKAY.

>> I'VE KNOWN -- >> I'LL LET HER OFF THAT ONE.

>> WE -- YEAH.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> CAN I ANSWER HER QUESTION?

>> YES.

>> STATE YOUR QUESTION ONE MORE TIME.WHAT IS YOUR QUESTION?

>> SO JUST JOKINGLY, I WAS, LIKE, WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO RUN AGAINST ME?>> I RAN THIS RACE IN 2020.

THE SEAT OPENED UP EARLY, AND THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WE WANTED IN 2020, AND THAT HASN'T CHANGED.

>> OKAY.

MOVING ON -- >> WE'LL MOVE ON, INDEED, WE WILL.

AND SINCE Y'ALL HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT TEACHERS, LET'S TALK ABOUT TEACHERS SOME MORE, WHAT DO YOU SAY?

GOVERNOR DeSANTIS THE EVEN DUBBED THE YEAR TO 20 -- 2020 AS THE YEAR OF THE TEACHER, YOU MAY RECALL.

AND HE EVEN SIGNED INTO LAW TO BOOST MINIMUM PAY FOR TEACHERS.

SO SO NOW, TWO YEARS LATER, HOW WOULD YOU ASSESS THE CURRENT PAY FOR NEW AND VETERAN LEON COUNTY SCHOOL TEACHERS?

45 SECONDS, ALEX STEMLE, START WITH YOU.

>> YEAH.

I MEAN, I UNDERSTAND THE NEED TO BOOST UP THE LOWER SALARIES, THE NEW STARTING TEACHER SALARIES.

BUT IT HAS CAUSED A HUGE RIPPLE EFFECT IN OUR SCHOOLS.

WHEN WE HAVE TEACHERS WHO ARE VETERAN TEACHERS THAT HAVE TAUGHT FOR 10, 15, 20 YEARS AND THEY'RE MAKING THE SAME AS A BRAND NEW TEACHER WHO DOESN'T HAVE THE EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND WHO, YOU KNOW, WILL BE A GREAT TEACH OR ONE DAY, I THINK IT'S THE DISHEARTENING FOR OUR TEACHERS.

IT'S NOT ABOUT MONEY FOR OUR TEACHERS, TOM, THERE'S A LOT MORE TO IT THAN JUST THAT.

>> LAURIE?

>> IT WAS SOMETHING THAT NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED, AND I DO APPLAUD THEM FOR RAISING THE BEGINNING TEACHER SALARY.

AS ALEX SAID, IT REALLY HAS CAUSED AN ISSUE.

SO WE HAVE GOT TO WORK ON WAYS TO BUMP UP THE MEDIUM LEVEL TEACHER SALARIES.

IT'S SO MUCH MORE THAN MONEY.

MAKING SURE THAT TEACHERS FEEL LIKE THEY'RE PROFESSIONAL, MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE RESOURCES IN THEIR CLASSROOMS THAT THEY NEED, MAKING SURE THAT THEY'RE SUPPORTED IN THEIR JOB BECAUSE IT IS A HARD JOB.

SO A LOT MORE THAN JUST MONEY, BUT THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PART TOO.

>> WELL, LET'S GIVE YOU SOME ADDITIONAL TIME TO DRILL DOWN ON THAT AND FOR YOU TOO, ALEX.

HOW DO YOU WORK OUT THAT DISPARITY IN THE FIRST-YEAR TEACHER SALARY LEVEL VERSUS MORE EXPERIENCED TEACHERS WHO, AS YOU ALREADY INDICATED, MAY FEEL MARGINALIZED AND UNDERAPPRECIATED BECAUSE OF THAT SPLIT IN THE SALARY?

HOW DO YOU BRING THAT INTO, YOU KNOW, CLOSER, EQUITABLE?

>> RIGHT.

IT COMES DOWN, IN THIS INSTANCE IT COMES DOWN TO MONEY.

SO WE'VE GOT TO LOOK AT THE BUDGET AND JUST FIGURE OUT WAYS THAT WE CAN BUMP UP THOSE MEDIUM-LEVEL TEACHERS THAT HAVE BEEN TEACHING 10 OR 12 YEARS THAT ARE NOW MAKING ABOUT WHAT A BEGINNING TEACHER MAKES.

LIKE I SAID, THE MONEY IS HUGE.

I WISH I HAD BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO JUST THROW INTO IT.

BUT IT'S ALSO INTANGIBLE THINGS, MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE THE TRAINING TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR CLASSROOMS, THAT THEY FEEL SUPPORTED, YOU KNOW, GOING OUT AND VISITING THE SCHOOLS AND FINDING OUT FROM THEM WHAT THEIR SPECIFIC NEEDS ARE, AND AS A SCHOOL BOARD MAKING SURE WE'RE ABLE TO MEET THOSE RESOURCES, RESOURCE NEEDS FOR THEM AS WELL.

>> OKAY.

AND, ALEX, WHAT DO YOU THINK ON THAT?>> WE HAVE TO PUT A PRICE ON THEIR EXPERIENCE, AND WE HAVE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S BEEN REPORTED OVER $16 MILLION GOING OUT OF OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.

THAT'S A BIG CHUNK OF MONEY THAT WE COULD USE TO HELP ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM.

I SAID IS IT EARLIER, SOME OF OUR BUILDING OUT OF OUR FEDERAL PROGRAMS ARE NOT AT THE SAME LEVEL AS COMPARABLE DISTRICT, SO FINDING WAYS WE CAN FIND THOSE RESOURCES THAT MAYBE WE'RE NOT GRABBING RIGHT NOW WOULD BE IMPORTANT.BUT WE HAVE TO PUT A PRICE ON THEIR EXPERIENCE AND EVEN MAYBE THEIR EXPERIENCE HERE IN LEON COUNTY, YOU KNOW?

IT'S IMPORTANT WE KEEP EXPERIENCED, VETERAN TEACHERS IN THE CLASS ROOM.

I THINK THEY HELP THE WHOLE BOAT FLOAT.WE NEED EXPERIENCED TEACHERS FOR NEW TEACHERS TO LOOK UP TO AND THAT SYSTEM HAS TO BE INTACT AND PROTECTED.>> OKAY.

ANOTHER FOLLOW-UP WHICH TIES RIGHT EXACTLY INTO THAT, EVEN THOUGH THERE IS THAT HIGHER STARTING SALARY FOR INITIAL TEACHER, WE STILL FACE A TEACHER SHORTAGE HERE IN LEON COUNTY.

SO STARTING WITH YOU, ALEX, AND A 30-SECOND FOLLOW-UP.

HOW DO YOU MOTIVATE TEACHERS FROM OTHER DISTRICTS, OTHER JURISDICTIONS TO COME IN AND GIVE US A HAND HERE IN LEON COUNTY?>> I THINK IT STARTS AT OUR COLLEGES, TOM.

WE REALLY NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AT OUR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES.

AND WE'VE SEEN OVER THE YEARS THAT HAS BEEN IN DECLINE, AND WE'RE SEEING THE IMPACTS IN OUR CLASSROOM.

NOT EVERY TEACHER COMES OUT OF THE EDUCATIONAL FIELD, BUT I DO THINK THAT FINDING WAYS THAT WE CAN ATTRACT, WE SHARE OUR STORY, SHARE OUR NARRATIVE, WHAT IT IS THAT'S GREAT ABOUT TEACHING, WHAT IT IS THAT WE LOVE AND DRIVES US EVERY DAY TO SHOW UP AND DO WHAT WE DO, I THINK THERE'S A LOT TO BE SAID IN THAT.

IF PEOPLE COME AND GET INTO OUR CLASSROOMS AND THEY GET THAT FEELING THAT TEACHERS DO WHEN THE LIGHTBULB GOES OFF, I THINK WE CAN GET TEACHERS IN.

>> YOUR THOUGHTS, LAURIE.

>> THE TEACHER SHORTAGE, SADLY, IS A NATIONAL THING.

DO Y'ALL KNOW ONLY 3,000 STUDENTS FROM THE UNIVERSITIES GRADUATED IN EDUCATION THIS PAST YEAR.THAT IS A VERY LOW NUMBER.

SO WE HAVE GOT TO BOLSTER WHO GOES INTO EDUCATION.

WE'VE GOT TO TO CHANGE THAT NARRATIVE OF WHAT A GREAT CAREER TEACHING CAN BE.

SO WORKING WITH OUR UNIVERSITY,, AND WE'VE GOT A GREAT OPPORTUNITY HERE IN LEON COUNTY, GETTING THOSE INTERNS INTO OUR SCHOOLS, ALSO JUST PROVIDING ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATIONS.

BUT WITH THAT COMES WE'VE GOT TO PROVIDE OMEN TO HAVESHIP TRAINING FOR -- TO MENTORSHIP.

AND REAL QUICK, WE ALSO HAVE TO WORK ON HIRING THEM EARLIER IN OUR DISTRICT SO THEY DON'T GO TO ORE DISTRICTS.

>> OKAY.

AND ONE LAST FOLLOW-UP HERE.

WE'RE JUST TAKING THIS RIGHT DOWN THIS RABBIT HOLE.

NON-INSTRUCTIONAL PERSONNEL, ALSO A CHALLENGE FOR DISTRICT 4 AND THE ENTIRE LEON COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM AND EDUCATION AS A WHOLE.

HOW DO YOU GET MORE BUS DRIVERS, CAFETERIA WORKERS, ALL THAT?

LAURIE.

>> AND THEY ARE, HER THE BEHIND-THE-SCENE WARRIORS.

OUR PARAPROFESSIONALS, OUR BUS DRIVERS, OUR FOOD SERVICE PEOPLE.AND SO WE'VE GOT TO CONTINUE TO WORK TO SUPPORT THEM TO CONTINUE TO INCREASE THEIR PAY WHEN WE CAN, TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBILITY.-- RESPONSIBLE.

BUT JUST SHOWING WHAT A GREAT PLACE LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS IS TO WORK.IT IS LIKE A FAMILY.

IT'S A GREAT ENVIRONMENT, AND SO WE'VE GOT TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH OUR PARTNERSHIPS, OUR CAREER TECH EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND GETTING PEOPLE TO COME WORK AT OUR SCHOOLS.

>> OKAY, ALEX.

>> YEAH.

I'M SUPPORTED BY THE LEON SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS, AND I THINK THAT'S WHO YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.IT'S ABOUT RESPECT.

IT'S ABOUT MAKING SURE THEY'RE PART OF THE TEAM.

SO, YES, STARTING PAY IS A BIG PART OF THAT AND MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE COMPETITIVE IS IMPORTANT.

BUT THIS IS ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT THEY FEEL THEY CAN IMPACT STUDENT LIVES TOO, YOU KNOW?

IF THEY SHOW UP, AND THEY MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED INSTRUCTIONAL, THEY'RE DEFINITELY PROVIDING INSTRUCTION IN A DIFFERENT WAY ON OUR CAMPUS.

SO I THINK WORKING WITH THEM, RAISING THE SALARIES IS IMPORTANT AND AGAIN, YOU KNOW, FINDING THOSE BUDGET GAPS.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

>> WHAT WOULD YOU SPECIFICALLY DO TO HELP RAISE SPRINGWOOD ELEMENTARY'S D SCHOOL GRADE TO PREVENT THE STATE FROM IMPLEMENTING AN EXTERNAL OPERATOR AND TURN-AROUND PLAN FOR THAT SCHOOL?

LAURIE COX, WE'LL START WITH YOU, 45 SECONDS.

>> YES.

GOING AND MEETING WITH THE PRINCIPAL, MEETING WITH THEIR ADMINISTRATION, MEETING WITH THEIR TEACHERS AND GETTING THE COMMUNITY INVOLVED.

WE HAVE GOT TO GET MENTORS IN THOSE SCHOOLS AND OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS WORKING ALONGSIDE THE TEACHERS.

AND ALSO THE CHALLENGES, GETTING PARENTS TO VALUE THEIR CHILD'S EDUCATION.

SO THAT'S A WHOLE COMMUNITY ISSUE.

SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THEIR SCHOOL, WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, WITH THEIR TEACHERS AND FIGURING OUT WAYS, WORKING WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS TO CLOSE THOSE LEARNING GAPS AND LOOKING AT THE STUDENT DATA, IT'S HUGE.

MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE WORKING TO GET THOSE SCORES BACK WHERE THEY NEED TO BE, IS HUGE.

>> ALEX STEMLE, SAME QUESTION TO YOU.>> YEAH, I MENTIONED THIS A LITTLE BIT EARLIER, DANIEL, BUT TO FOLLOW UP, WRAPPING OUR ARMS AROUND SPRINGWOOD IS THE FIRST PRIORITY AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE IDENTIFYING THOSE LEARNING GAPS, WHICH I'M SURE THAT THEY'RE DOING AT THE SCHOOL.

BUT FINDING WAYS THAT WE CAN LINK PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE TO THE THINGS WE'RE TRYING TO TEACH.

I THINK A LOT OF THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE IN OUR SCHOOLS IS FINDING WAYS TO LINK BACK TO WHAT THE STUDENTS ALREADY KNOW.

EARLY LITERACY IS HUGE, AS I SAID BEFORE.

THAT GAP, WHEN THEY'RE YOUNGER, IT'S A LOT SMALLER, IT'S A LOT EASIER TO ATTACK IT.

MAKING SURE WE DON'T HAVE SHORTSIGHTED RESPONSES TO JUST BAND-AID THE PROBLEM IS IMPORTANT.MAKE SURE WE'RE INVESTING IN THE FUTURE, MT.

LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS FOR THAT COMMUNITY AND NOT JUST THAT COMMUNITY, BUT ALL THE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE STRUGGLING HERE IN OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> OKAY.

FOLLOW-UP ON THIS ONE.

HOW WOULD YOU ASSESS THE SWITCH FROM THE F FSA TEST TO THE FAST TEST, THAT'S THE FLORIDA ASSESSMENT FOR STUDENT THINKING?

IS IT AN IMPROVEMENT?

WE'LL GO AHEAD AND START WITH YOU, LAURIE COX.

30 SECONDS.

>> SO I'VE TALKED TO QUITE A FEW TEACHERS AND PARENTS, AND I THINK THE IDEA WAS TO HAVE LESS TESTING, BUT IN REALITY IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE.

BUT PROGRESS MONITORING IS A VERY GOOD INDICATOR OF HOW OUR STUDENTS ARE PERFORMING.

SO I'VE HAD MIXED REVIEWS ON THAT FROM TEACHERS AND FROM PARENTS.SOME HAVE THOUGHT IT'S GONE REALLY WELL, SOME MAYBE WE HAVE A BUT THINGS NEED TO WORK ON.

>> ALEX STEMLE.

>> YEAH, I SUPPORT THE PROGRESS MONITORING.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE KNOW WHERE OUR KIDS ARE, WE GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO MOVE THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT PART IS THAT WE GET THIS DATA BACK TO THE TEACHERS.

WITH ANYTHING NEW, LES DEFINITELY SOME CHALLENGES AND HESITANCY, ESPECIALLY WITH LARGE INSTITUTIONS THAT ARE VERY SET IN THEIR WAYS.

AND SO I THINK AS, MT.

LONG RUN, I THINK IF WE CAN WORK OUT THE TIME TOKING, THE SCHEDULING, KEEPING KIDS IN CLASSES MORE IN FRONT OF HIGH QUALITY EDUCATORS AND NOT DOING TESTING IS IMPORTANT, BUT WE NEED TO KNOW WHERE THEY ARE SO OUR TEACHERS KNOW WHERE TO ATTACK THE GAPS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE VIEWER QUESTIONS, AND WE'RE GOING TO BRIEFLY START WITH POLITICS.

THE QUESTION I'M MOST ASKED BY VOTERS TO ASK CANDIDATES HAS A LITTLE TO DO WITH THE NONPARTISAN SCHOOL BOARD RACE, BUT IT SPEAKS TO OUR DEMOCRACY AT LARGE.

YOU'VE HEARD THIS QUESTION BEFORE.DO YOU HAVE CONFIDENCE MT.

OUTCOME OF THE OF TO 2020 THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, AND WHAT'S YOUR ASSESSMENT OF WHAT HAPPENED ON JANUARY 6TH?

LAURIE COX, WHEN WE ASKED THIS QUESTION LAST TIME, YOUR ANSWER WAS YES AND NO IN REGARDS TO THE CONFIDENCE.CAN YOU, PLEASE ELABORATE ON THAT?45 SECONDS.

>> SO THAT QUESTION ABSOLUTELY THREW ME FOR A LOOP LAST TIME.

JOE BIDEN IS OUR ELECTED PRESIDENT, AND I HAVE NEVER QUESTIONED THE FACT THAT HE IS PRESIDENT.

SO I STAND BY THAT.

FLORIDA, WE DO A GREAT JOB IN OUR ELECTIONS.

LEON COUNTY DO A GREAT JOB IN OUR ELECTIONS.

AND I DON'T HAVE ANY ISSUE SAYING -- ANYWAY.

SO, YES, I HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT JOE BIDEN IS OUR PRESIDENT.

I THINK A AFTER EVERY ELECTION THERE ARE THINGS THAT HAVE TO BE TIGHTENED UP IN ELECTION LAYS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

-- LAWS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE SAW THAT IN 2000 AND EVERY ELECTION SINCE THEN.

SO THAT'S WHERE I WENT WITH THAT QUESTION.I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S RIGHT OR NOT, THAT'S JUST WHAT I THINK, AND WHAT WAS YOUR SECOND PART?

>> WHAT WAS YOUR ASSESSMENT OF WHAT HAPPENED ON JANUARY 6TH?

>> THE ASSESSMENT IS I WOULD NOT SUPPORT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED ON JANUARY THE 6TH.

>> THANK YOU.

ALEX STEMLE, SAME QUESTION.

>> YEAH, I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION JUST LIKE I'LL HAVE CONFIDENCE, WIN OR LOSE, IN THIS NEXT ELECTION -- >> 100%, YEAH.

>> FOR ME, JANUARY 6TH WAS EMBARRASSING, YOU KNOW?

I THINK IT WAS EMBARRASSING IF FOR A LOT OF OUR COUNTRY.

I THINK THERE ARE SOME DEEP-ROOTED, YOU KNOW, THOUGHTS THAT THOSE INDIVIDUALS HAD.

BUT DEMOCRACY WORKS, AND I THINK IT'S PROVEN TWO YEARS OUT THAT DEMOCRACY STILL WORKS HERE IN AMERICA.

AND WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THAT AND TRUSTING OUR ELECTIONS IS A BIG PART OF THAT.

>> OKAY.

AND, ALEX STEMLE, ONE QUESTION DIRECTLY FROM YOU, YOU WERE A REPUBLICAN FROM 2001-2020 WHEN YOU CHANGED TO AN INDEPENDENT.

WHY DID YOU MAKE THAT MOVE?

>> YEAH, ABSOLUTELY.

I WANTED TO RUN FOR SCHOOL BOARD, AND I FELT THAT I NEEDED TO BE A CANDIDATE AND I AM A A CANDIDATE THAT CAN REPRESENT EVERYBODY, BOTH SIDES OF THE PARTY, INCLUDING THE MIDDLE.

THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR ME.

>> OKAY.

TWO MORE QUESTIONS FROM READERS.

LAURIE COX, YOU'RE MARRIED TO ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT AL ALLAN COX.

IS IT A CONFLICT FOR A FAMILY MEMBER TO HAVE A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH A SUPER, AND IF ELECTED, HOW WILL MS. COX DEAL WITH IT?

>> WELL, WE'VE BEEN MARRIED FOR 32 YEARS, AND HE STARTED OFF AS A P.E.

TEACHER AND THEN BECAME THE PRINCIPAL OF CHILES HIGH SCHOOL AND THEN BECAME ASSISTANT THE SUPERINTENDENT.

THAT WAS THE FIRST THING WE CHECKED ON BEFORE I EVEN DECIDED TO JUMP INTO THIS RACE.

WE MADE SURE THERE WAS NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

WE CHECKED WITH ATTORNEYS, WITH ETHICS, SO THERE IS NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST THERE.

THE ONLY WAY THERE WOULD BE IS IF WE AS A SCHOOL BOARD IF WE WERE VOTING ON SOMETHING THAT WOULD AFFECT HIM, FOR EXAMPLE, A PAY RAISE.

HE'S RETIRING AT THE END OF MAY, BUT THERE IS NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

AND WE HAVE MANY MARRIED COUPLES IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM, SO THERE'S NO CONFLICT.

>> OKAY.

ALEX STEMLE, DO VOW SEE A CONFLICT THERE?

>> I THINK WE CAN'T JUST BRUSH THAT OFF.

LAURIE'S HUSBAND IS THE HEAD OF SCHOOL MANAGEMENT, HE OVERSEES PRINCIPALS AND ASSISTANT FEDERALS, AND YOU'VE GOT TO REMEMBER HE WAS THE SELF-PROCLAIMED COVID CZAR, THE HEAD OF THE LGBT COMMITTEE.

I'VE HEARD THAT HE WAS GOING TO RETIRE IN SIX MONTHS.

WE KNOW THE DISTRICT HAS A TOUGH JOB OF GETTING PEOPLE TO RETIRE ON TIME.

THEY SIT ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS, SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE DO RECOGNIZE THAT, AND I DO THINK THAT WOULD BE A CONFLICT.

>> LAURIE COX, I'LL GIVE YOU A LAST CHANCE TO SPEAK TO -- I IMAGINE YOU WOULD BE PRIVY TO ANY RETIREMENT DISCUSSIONS.

>> LISTEN, HE IS IN HIS FIFTH YEAR DROP, HE IS OUT IN MAY, AT THE END OF MAY.

WE'VE BEEN MARRIED 32 YEARS.

HE IS AN AMAZING MAN.

THERE IS NOBODY ELSE THAT I WOULD -- I'VE ALWAYS SAID IF HE WERE MY ADMINISTRATOR, I WOULD LOVE TO WORK FOR HIM.

HE LEADS PEOPLE VERY WELL.

HE'S GOT GREAT GIFTS IN ADMINISTRATION.

HE'S VERY WELL RESPECTED IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND SO I TRUST HIM.

HE'S RETIRING AT THE END OF MAY, NO QUESTION.

>> AND, ALEX STEMLE, I HAVE A QUESTION FROM A VIEWER FOR YOU.

WHY WOULD MR. STEMLE GIVE UP A VICE PRINCIPAL POSITION FOR A SCHOOL BOARD POSITION WHEN THE PAY IS SO MUCH LOWER?

>> IT'S NOT ABOUT MONEY, WILLIAM, IT'S ABOUT YOUR KIDS AND MY KIDS AND MY NEIGHBOR'S KIDS, GRANDKIDS.

THAT'S WHAT IT'S ABOUT HERE.

I HAVE AN MBA, YOU KNOW, I'LL BE JUST FINE.

MY FINANCES ARE SET UP SO THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO ABSORB THAT.

BUT A STARTING TEACHER'S SALARY IS SOMETHING YOU CAN'T LIVE ON.

WHILE IT IS A PAY CUT, I FEEL IT IS NECESSARY THAT THIS COMMUNITY HAS A VOICE AND A CHOICE IN WHO LEADS OUR SCHOOLS.

>> WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOUR CURRENT POSITION?

>> I WON'T BE ABLE TO KEEP IT.

>> OKAY.

AND SO WILL THEY END UP FILLING IT?>> YEAH.

MY CURRENT POSITION WILL BE FILLED, HOPEFULLY BY, YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY HIGHLY QUALIFIED THAT WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THAT, BUT I WILL HAVE TO STEP DOWN.>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

>> VERY GOOD.

AND WHILE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MONEY, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS STARTING WITH YOU, LAURIE COX.

WHAT STORY DO YOU THINK YOUR CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS TELL VOTERS?30 SECONDS.

>> I'VE GOT CONTRIBUTIONS FROM ALL SIDES OF THE AISLE FOR ONE THING, AND I'VE BEEN SO BLESSED.

WHEN I STARTED THIS ADVENTURE, THAT WAS THE HARDEST THING.

BEING A TEACHER ALL THESE YEARS, I DO NOT LIKE ASKING PEOPLE FOR MONEY.

SO I'VE BEEN BLOWN AWAY BY THE SUPPORT OF ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE ALL OVER, YOU KNOW, FROM ALL DIFFERENT PARTIES, FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE.

IT HAS BEEN PRETTY TRULY AMAZING, AND I'VE LOVED GETTING OUT AND MEETING AND TALKING TO VOTERS AND CONSTITUENTS AND PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

IT'S BEEN FANTASTIC.

SO I'VE BEEN BLOWN AWAY BY THE SUPPORT.>> OKAY.

AND, ALEX, WHAT STORY DO YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS TELL?

>> YEAH, MY CONTRIBUTIONS ARE FROM PEOPLE THAT ARE WITHIN DISTRICT 4.

THESE ARE PARENTS, THESE ARE VOTERS, PEOPLE WHO SEND THEIR KIDS.

THEY TRUST MY LEADERSHIP.

I MEAN, IT'S BEEN IN DISTRICT 4 FOR OVER TWO DECADES.

PROVEN LEADERSHIP THAT THEY CAN TRUST.

SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT MY CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS, YOU'LL SEE LOCAL, DISTRICT 4 VOTERS.

I THINK THAT'S DIFFERENT THAN MY OPPONENT.

[LAUGHTER]>> WHILE YOU'RE TALKING, WHAT STORY DO YOU THINK YOUR OPPONENT'S CONTRIBUTIONS TELL VOTERS?>> WELL, I THINK THAT THERE'S A BIG MACHINE RUNNING BEHIND HER, AND I THINK THAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY AND THOSE THAT ARE ON THE FAR RIGHT ARE TRYING TO FLIP OUR SCHOOL BOARDS.

AND SO I THINK THAT YOU'LL SEE THE MONEY THAT'S BEHIND HER, YOU'LL SEE MONEY FROM INSURANCE EXECUTIVES THAT DO BUSINESS WITH OUR SCHOOLS.

AND I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT THE DONORS, IT'S GOING TO BE SIMILAR TO OUR PREVIOUS SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER.

THE SAME POWER STRUGGLES, AND THE STATUS QUO IS NOT WORKING, TOM.

WE NEED SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

>> CAN I SAY SOMETHING?

>> TALK ABOUT ALEX -- >> YOU CAN RESPOND TO THAT AND THEN TALK.

45 SECONDS.

>> LIKE I SAID, I'VE GROWN UP IN THIS COMMUNITY.

I HAVE FRIENDS ALL OVER OUR COMMUNITY.AND THE LEVEL OF SUPPORT THAT HAS COME OUT HAS BLOWN ME AWAY.

A YEAR AGO I NEVER DREAMED I WOULD BE RUNNING FOR SCHOOL BOARD, AND TO ME, IT'S NOT ABOUT THE MONEY.

IT'S ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS.

AND I AM ALL ABOUT RELATIONSHIPS.

SOME OF THE -- A PERSON THAT ALEX, THAT HE MENTIONED, I'VE KNOWN GUY FOR, SINCE WE WERE IN EIGHTH GRADE.

WE'VE BEEN VERY, VERY CLOSE FRIENDS.SO THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS, YOU KNOW, I JUST HAVE BEEN BLOWN AWAY BY THE SUPPORT AND JUST VERY HUMBLED TO BE IN THIS POSITION, HONESTLY.

>> AND DOES YOUR OPPONENT'S CAMPAIGN FINANCE, WHAT STORY DOES THAT, SHOULD THAT TELL VOTERS?

>> HONESTLY?

I MEAN, I THINK IT'S VERY SIMILAR.I MEAN, ALL OF US, BOTH OF US HAVE SUPPORTERS FROM FAMILY, FROM FRIENDS, FROM PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN OUR DISTRICT AND PEOPLE THAT KNOW US THAT DON'T LIVE IN OUR DISTRICT.

SO -- >> THANK YOU.>> OKAY.

AND WHILE WE'RE ON THE STORYLINE HERE, ALEX, TELL THE STORY ABOUT THE MOMENT YOU DECIDED TO RUN FOR THIS SEAT.

YOU ALLUDED TO IT A LITTLE BIT EARLIER, BUT IN A 45 SECONDS JUST TALK ABOUT THAT INSTANT, THAT EPIPHANY, IF YOU WILL.

>> THAT MOMENT.

>> YEAH.

WELL, WE RAN IN 2020, SO IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT 2022, WHEN WE FOUND OUT IN MAY, MAY 5TH, I BELIEVE IT WAS, WHEN DEDE STEPPED DOWN, MY PHONE JUST WOULDN'T STOP BRINGING.

SO -- RING ARING.

I FELT THE VOTERS WERE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE.

LAURIE'S CAMPAIGN HAD LAUNCHED, AND I DON'T THINK IT WAS SOMETHING EVERYBODY COULD SUPPORT.

SO PEOPLE WERE GETTING BEHIND OUR CAMPAIGN.

AND I FELT THIS IS ABOUT OUR KIDS, MY KIDS, YOUR GRANDKIDS, TOM, AND BIGGER THAN JUST ME.

>> OKAY.

AND, LAURIE, WHAT WAS THE MOMENT FOR YOU WHEN YOU SAID, I'M GOING FOR IT?

>> FOR ME, YOU KNOW, LAST YEAR I'D BEEN TEACHING FOR 36 YEARS, AND I KNEW I WAS GETTING CLOSE TO FINISHING THAT CAREER, BUT I GREW UP IN A FAMILY WHERE YOU DID NOT JUST HANG YOUR HAT UP, SIT ON THE BEACH, MY PARENTS, UP IN UNTIL MY DAD PASSED AWAY A YEAR AGO, MY MOM'S 90 YEARS OLD, SHE'S STILL VOLUNTEERING.

I SAW I SOME THINGS HAPPENING IN THE MIDDLE SCHOOL NEXT DOOR TO WHERE I TAUGHT, AND SOMETHING THAT I HEARD RESONATED DEEPLY WITH ME.

IT WAS LIKE OUR CLASSROOMS CANNOT BE BILLBOARDS OR SHOULD NOT BE BILLBOARDS FOR POLITICAL AND SOCIAL ACTIVISM.

AND WITNESSING THINGS THAT I WAS SEEING NEXT DOOR, HAVING JUST SUCH A DEEP LOVE FOR MY KIDS AND THE COMMUNITY WHERE I LIVE, IT REALLY RESONATED THAT WE NEED TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF OUR CLASSROOM.

AND THAT'S ONE THING THAT SPURRED ME ON.

>> THANK YOU.

>> OKAY.

SO WE'VE BEEN ASKING ALL THE QUESTIONS.

WHAT'S AN ISSUE THAT WE HAVE NOT DISCUSSED YET IN THIS FORUM?

LAURIE COX, WE'LL START WITH YOU, 45 SECONDS.

>> AN ISSUE THAT WE HAVEN'T -- PROBABLY SOME OF THE BEHAVIOR SINCE?

S THAT WE'RE SEEING IN OUR SCHOOLS.I KNOW OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT IS REALLY WORKING TO TRY TO WORK WITH SOME MENTAL HEALTH PARTNERS AND OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, WORKING WITH OUR TEACHERS, OUR ADMINISTRATORS, AND WE HAVE GOT TO COME UP WITH SOME WAYS TO REDUCE SOME BEHAVIOR ISSUES.

THERE ARE VERY COMPLEX ISSUES.

WE'VE ALSO GOT TO REALLY SUPPORT OUR ESE PROGRAMS.

I'VE SEEN A -- WE DO SUCH A GOOD JOB IN OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS, AND WHEN OUR STUDENTS GO TO MIDDLE SCHOOL,S THAT'S SOMETHING I REALLY WANT TO SUPPORT, OUR ESE PROGRAMS IN OUR MIDDLE AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS.

>> THANK YOU.

ALEX STEMLE, ONE IMPORTANT ISSUE WE HAVEN'T YET DISCUSSED.

>> YEAH, THIS IS PROBABLY TOO BIG TO GET INTOED TODAY, BUT I THINK OUR CURRENT TRADITIONAL PUBLIC SCHOOL MODEL IS NOT WORKING, IT'S NOT WORKING FOR OUR KIDS AND OUR FAMILIES.

SO I THINK WE HAVE TO HAVE A DIALOGUE AROUND HOW DO WE CREATE AUTHENTIC LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS THAT ARE FLEXIBLE TO WHAT THE KIDS MEAN AND WHAT THEY NEED INDIVIDUALLY.

SO WE DON'T HAVE KIDS SITTING IN CLASSROOMS JUST BASED ON AGE AND SOME THAT KNOW THE INFORMATION AND SOME THAT DON'T.

WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY TO DO THAT, DANIEL, WE JUST NEED TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION IN OUR COMMUNITY.>> THANK YOU.

>> ONE LAST QUESTION I'M GOING TO SQUEEZE IN.

NO BUDGET IS PERFECT.

THE SCHOOL BOARD'S BUDGET, WHAT'S ONE PROBLEM YOU YOU SEE WITH THAT?

ALEX STEMLE.

>> YEAH, I THINK THE SCHOOL BOARD BUDGET LACKS THE INPUT FROM THE STAKEHOLDERS AT THE BOTTOM, MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE INPUT FROM THE TEACHERS AND THE PARENTS AND THE SCHOOLS IS CRITICAL TO MAKERING SURE THAT -- CAN MAKING SURE THAT WE SOLVE THE CHALLENGES THAT OUR SCHOOLS HAVE.

>> OKAY.

LAURIE COX.

>> YES, WE JUST PASSED A $653 MILLION BUDGET, AND I WOULD AGREE TEACHERS NEED A SEAT AT THE TABLE, PARENTS ARE A STAKEHOLDER, AND OUR COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE WE'RE MEETING THE NEEDS OF ALL OF OUR STUDENTS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

IT IS CLOSING TIME.

YOU'VE GOT 60 SECONDS, FIRE AWAY.

LAURIE COX, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

YOU'RE SPEAKING DIRECTLY TO VOTERS.

>> I HAVE BEEN, LIKE I SAID, A PRODUCT OF LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS, MY FAMILY, MY HUSBAND, HIS FAMILY TAUGHT IN LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS FOR MANY, MANY, MANY YEARS, THEIR ENTIRE CAREER.

MY ENTIRE LIFE HAS BEEN SPENT MANY OUR COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING, WORKING WITH STUDENTS, WORKING WITH FAMILIES.

I'VE GOT GREAT PARTNERSHIPS WITH MANY LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.

I'VE BEEN ON LOCAL AND STATE BOARDS, I'VE WORKED WITH OUR DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

I WAS VERY PROUD TO GET THE TALLAHASSEE BOARD OF REALTORS' ENFORCEMENT AND JUST GOT THE CAPITAL OUTLOOK ENDORSEMENT YESTERDAY AND VERY EXCITED TO DO THAT.I LOVE GETTING OUT IN OUR COMMUNITY MEETING WITH PEOPLE, PARENTS, TEACHERS, MEETING WITH OUR FAMILIES AND WORKING TOGETHER TO SOLVE THE ISSUES THAT WE'RE FACING.

SO I'M ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE.

LAURIE LAWSON COX, THE NUMBER 4, SCHOOL BOARD.COM.

AND I TRULY BELIEVE I AM YOUR BEST CANDIDATE FOR THIS JOB.

>> THANK YOU.

ALEX THEMLY.

>> YEAH.

WELL, I HAVE OVER TWO DECADES OF EXPERIENCE, I WANTED THIS JOB IN 2020, AND I STILL DO.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WE REALLY TALK ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE, IT'S VERY DIFFERENT, END BETWEEN ME AND MY OPPONENT.

WORKING IN A CLASSROOM IS IMPORTANT, BUT WORKING OUTSIDE OF THAT CLASSROOM IN OUR DIRECTION AND SOLVING THE CHALLENGES AND THINGS WE HAVE GOING ON IN OUR BUILDINGS IS IMPORTANT.I'VE WORKED IN PRIMARY, ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL.

HERE LOCALLY I'M SUPPORTED BY THE TEACHERS.

THE TEACHERS ARE NOT THE ENEMY HERE, SUPPORTED BY THE FIREFIGHTERS, THE PARAMEDICS, THE ALLIANCE FOR RETIRED AMERICANS, MORE ENDORSEMENTS THAT WE CAN EVEN KEEP UP WITH.

SO I'M GOING TO BE A STRONG VOICE FOR OUR STUDENTS, OUR CLASSROOMS, AND I THINK THAT MY OPPONENT'S CAMPAIGN REPRESENTS THE STATUS QUO.

THIS FAMILY HE'S ALSO A SEAT AT THE TABLE FOR SEVERAL DECADES, AND I THINK MY CANDIDACY WILL PROVIDE A FRESH VOICE, AN EXPERIENCED PERSPECTIVE, SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES THAT WE'RE IN AND FACING.

IF YOU WANT TO FIND MORE, GO TO ALEX STEMLE.COM.

AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO REACHING MORE VOTERS HERE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

>> THANKS TO THE CANDIDATES, THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLAHASSEE ALONG WITH WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA AND ALL OF OUR VIEWERS FOR JOINING US FOR THIS PROGRAM.

YOU CAN FIND A REPLAY OF THE FORUM AND ALL THE OTHERS IN THE SERIES, WE GOT 'EM ARCHIVED ON YouTUBE PAGES PLUS TALLAHASSEE.COM AND WFSU.ORG.

THE RECORDED BROADCAST WILL BE ON THE RADIO MONDAY, OCTOBER 24TH, AT 11 A.M. ON WFS, 88.9 FM.

>> OUR NEXT LIVE FORUM WILL BE FOR THE TALLAHASSEE CITY COMMISSION SEAT 4, THE MAYOR'S RACE.IT WILL TAKE PLACE LATER TODAY, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19TH, AT 1 P.M., BETWEEN INCUMBENT JOHN DALY AND KRISTIN DOZIER.

>> RACING THE CLOCK.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THAT FORUM, PLEASE E-MAIL US AT NEWS@TALLAHASSEE.COM.I HAVE MY PHONE, I CAN STILL GET IT IN.

YOU CAN LOOK FOR THIS FORUM PLUS INTERVIEWS WITH THE CANDIDATES ON OUR WEB -- OUR WEB SITE AT TALLAHASSEE.COM.KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR OUR SPECIAL GENERAL ELECTION INSERT THAT WILL BE IN THIS SUNDAY'S PAPER WITH INTERVIEWS WITH ALL THE CANDIDATES INCLUDING THESE TWO.

WE'RE OUT.

HAVE A GREAT DAY.

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