♪ ♪ ♪ >> WELL, WELCOME TO THE SEVENTH IN A SERIES OF POLITICAL CANDIDATE FORUMS IN ADVANCE OF THE AUGUST 23RD PRIMARY ELECTION.

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

OUR CANDIDATES TODAY ARE RUNNING FOR THE LEON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 1.

I'M TOM FLANIGAN FROM WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA JOINED BY WILLIAM HATFIELD AND TRISH NEELY FROM THE IF LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLAHASSEE, AND WE'RE GOING TO BE QUESTIONING THE CANDIDATES ON VARIOUS TOPICS OF INTEREST TO VOTERS RIGHT HERE IN THE TALLAHASSEE AREA.

SO LET'S GET A QUICK GLIMPSE AT OUR GROUND RULES HERE AND THEN GO ON AND MEET OUR CANDIDATES.

WILLIAM?

>> THE CANDIDATES FOR COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 1 SITTING LEFT TO RIGHT ANTHONY DiMARCO, MARIANNE ARBULU AND ALVA STRIPLIN.

PLEASE HELP ALL YOUR FRIENDS SEE TODAY'S DISCUSSION AS WELL.

WE WILL ROTATE WHICH CANDIDATE GETS TO ANSWER FIRST.

WE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS WITH, SO WE'RE GOING TO ASK THE CANDIDATES TO KEEP YOUR ANSWERS TO ABOUT 60 SECONDS OR SO, SOMETIMES SHORTER FOR FOLLOW-UPS, AND WE HAVE FOLLOW-UPS.

WE WILL KEEP TIME WHICH WE WILL DING A BELL WHEN YOUR TIME'S UP, AND IT WILL SOUND LIKE THIS.

[BACKGROUND SOUNDS] YOU DON'T HAVE TO COME TO A DEAD STOP RIGHT THEN, BUT FINISH YOUR SENTENCE AND WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON.

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

AT THE END OF THE FORUM, WE'LL GIVE YOU 90 SECONDS TO MAKE THE CASE DIRECTLY TO VOTERS AND SHARE YOUR WEB SITE OR ANY OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

GENERALLY FORUMS GO ABOUT AN HOUR, SOMETIMES A LITTLE OVER AN HOUR, 15 MINUTES, BUT WE WILL TRY TO KEEP IT LOCKED INTO THAT.

>> 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 TO AS MANY OF THEM AS WE CAN.

TIME IS REALLY LIMITED, SO YOU CAN IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF YOUR QUESTION BEING ASKED IF YOU KEEP IT BRIEF AND, PLEASE, KEEP IT POLITE.

MAKE IT A QUESTION APPLICABLE TO ALL OF THE CANDIDATES.

SO, CANDIDATES, ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE GET STARTED?

>> NOPE.

>> OKAY.

THEN LET'S JUMP IN WITH THAT FIRST QUESTION.

>> IT'S YOURS.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

SO, ANTHONY, BEGINNING WITH YOU, WHAT IS THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM, AND HOW SPECIFICALLY WOULD YOU ADDRESS IT?

AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> WE MAY HAVE A MUTED CANDIDATE.

>> HOLD ON A SECOND.

WE CAN'T HEAR YOUR -- >> CAN YOU TURN ON YOUR MICSOME.

>> HELLO, CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> WE CAN HEAR YOU NOW.

>> YES.

>> A ZOOM AGE.

[LAUGHTER] >> SORRY ABOUT THAT.

I'M A LITTLE BIT OFFED FOR ZOOMERS.

OLD FOR ZOOMERS.

I WOULD SAY THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM IN THE DISTRICT IS -- [INAUDIBLE] AND PERSONAL INFORMATION ONLINE AND BRINGING IN MUCH STRONGER INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FORCE WOULD BE THE WAY TO DO THAT.

>> OKAY.

FOR OUR NEXT CANDIDATE, MARIANNE ARBULU.

>> OKAY.

I THINK TEACHER RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION IS PROBABLY OUR NUMBER ONE PROBLEM, BUT THAT IS MORE A SYMPTOM.

SO THAT KIND OF TAKES US BACK TO THE BUDGET AND MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE THE MONEY THAT WE NEED TO FUND OUR RESERVES, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE TEACHER SALARIES, TEACHER AND STAFF SALARIES IN LINE WITH THE MARKET AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO BRING TEACHERS IN THAT ARE HIGHLYFECT I.

HIGHLY EFFECTIVE.

>> AND FINALLY TO OUR, TO ALVA STRIPLIN, SAME QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU GUYS FOR HAVING US HERE AND PROVIDING THIS OPPORTUNITY.

AS A BOARD MEMBER WHO'S BEEN WILL FOR SEVEN YEARS, I CAN WITHOUT A DOUBT SAY THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THE LEARNING LOSSES WE FACED DURING THE PANDEMIC AND THE SERIOUS INCREASE IN DISCIPLINE PROBLEMS.

WE KNOW OUR COMMUNITY IS SEEING AN UPTICK IN GUN VIOLENCE, CRIME, AND A LOT OF THAT IS DUE TO JUVENILES' ACTIVITY MANY OUR COMMUNITY.

I'M PROUD TO SAY THAT THE LEON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD UNDER MY LEADERSHIP HAS PARTNERED WITH LEON COUNTY SHERIFF FOR THE BOYS AND MEN MENTORING PROGRAM.

WE'VE ALSO IMPLEMENTED SEVERAL ADDITIONAL STEPS TO TRY TO REPAIR SOME OF THE DAMAGE THAT'S BEEN DONE OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.

>> OKAY.

AND THEN A FOLLOW-UP, AND MARIANNE ARBULU, I'LL WITH BEGIN WITH YOU.

THE STATE RECENTLY RELEASED GRADES FOR DISTRICTS AND SCHOOLS AROUND THE STATE.

WHAT ONE OR TWO THINGS JUMPED OUT AT YOU?

AND YOU HAVE TO -- 30 SECONDS.

>> OKAY.

WELL, WE HAD AN A IMPROVEMENT FROM THE PRIOR YEAR.

A HAD DISTRICT BEEN GRADED LAST YEAR, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN A C DISTRICT BASED ON SCORES.

SO WE BUMPED UP TO A B.

HISTORICALLY THOUGH WE'RE IN A DOWN CANWARD THAT THE JEKYLL9LY BOTH -- DOWNWARD THAT TRAJECTORY BOTH ACADEMICALLY AND FINANCIALLY.

DISTRICT 1 IN PARTICULAR, I LOOKED AT OUR SCHOOL GRADES, AND 43% OF OUR SCHOOLS ARE RATED C. FOR ME, THAT'S NOT ACCEPTABLE.

I -- MY PERCEPTION OF LEON COUNTY IS THAT -- [INAUDIBLE] SCHOOL DISTRICT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

AND ALVA STRIPLIN, SAME QUESTION, PLEASE.

>> YEAH.

I'LL ABSOLUTELY TAKE A DIFFERENT SPIN ON IT.

DISTRICT 1 REPRESENTS 22% OF THE STUDENT POPULATION INIAL HAS SEE, BUT YET 50% OF THE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES THAT RESIDE IN DISTRICT 1 ARE REPRESENTED BY A SCHOOLS.

WE ARE BORDEREDDED BY GILCHRIST.

WE -- DeSOTO TRAIL AND ROBERTS ARE SOME OF THE GREATEST SCHOOLS IN OUR DISTRICT, AND THAT IS HOME TO DISTRICT 1, TO THE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES IN DISTRICT 1.

WE COULD NOT BE MORE PROUD OF THE ACHIEVEMENTS.

THE SECOND THING AHA STANDS OUT TO ME IS BOND ELEMENTARY WENT UP TWO LETTER GRADES FROM A D TO A B THIS YEAR, AND CONGRATULATIONS TO BOND.

>> THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

AND FINALLY, ANTHONY DiMARCO, SAME QUESTION, PLEASE.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS TATA STOOD OUT TO ME THAT WAS -- THAT STOOD OUT TO ME THAT WAS EXTREMELY UNUSUAL BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO EVEN PULL THE DATA, PARENTS WERE CALLING ACROSS THE DISTRICT FROM SCHOOLS THAT THEY USUALLY DON'T CALL FROM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SLIDE AND THE SCHOOL GRADES.

I -- CAN YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION, PLEASE IN.

>> YES.

THE STATE RECENTLY RELEASED GRADES FOR DISTRICTS AND SCHOOLS AROUND THE STATE.

WHAT'S ONE OR TWO THINGS THAT JUMPED OUT AT YOU?

>> YES.

THOSE WOULD BE THE ONE OR TWO THINGS THEN.

>> OKAY.

>> ALL RIGHT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LET'S GET INTO A LITTLE BIT OF STATE POLICY MAKING, IF WE COULD HERE.

GOVERNOR DeSANTIS, OF COURSE, GETTING MORE AND MORE INVOLVED IN LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD RACES, AND SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES ACROSS THE STATE WERE RECENTLY SENT THE DeSANTIS EDUCATION AGENDA SURVEY.

NOW, THE SURVEY GAUGES CANDIDATE STANCES ON SUCH THINGS AS FACE MASKS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS, CRITICAL RACE THEORY, A BUNCH OF OTHER ITEMS, AND THIS COULD POSSIBLY BE A LITMUS TEST FOR ANY SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE THAT WANTS THE GOVERNOR'S ENDORSEMENT.

SO WE HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS HERE FIRST.

DID YOU RECEIVE THE SURVEY, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON IT, AND WHAT'S YOUR LEVEL OF SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNOR'S EDUCATION AGENDA?

ONE MINUTE FOR THAT, THEN WE HAVE A FOLLOW-UP AND, ALVA STRIPLIN, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

>> DID I RECEIVE THE SURVEY?

NO.

DO I SUPPORT THE GOVERNOR?

HE IS GOVERNOR OF OUR STATE.

I AM SWORN TO UPHOLD LAW.

AS FAR AS POLICY AND THE VOTERS IN MY DISTRICT, WE REPRESENT 33,000 STUDENTS IN LEON COUNTY.

I AM HERE TO REPRESENT THOSE STUDENTS AND THE FAMILIES THAT LIVE WITHIN LEON COUNTY AND TO MEET THEIR NEEDS AT OUR SCHOOLS.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

MARIANNE ARBULU ARE, SAME QUESTION.

>> NO, I DID NOT RECEIVE THE SURVEY, AND I AGREE WITH ALVA.

THE GOVERNOR IS THE HEAD OF OUR STATE, AND WE'RE GOING TO ABIDE BY HIS POLICIES AND RULES AND REGULATIONS.

THERE ARE, THERE ARE THINGS I AGREE WITH, THINGS I DON'T NECESSARILY AGREE WITH, BUT I REPRESENT THE CONSTITUENTS IN THE DISTRICT, AND I BELIEVE IN PORTRAYING THEIR PREFERENCES AND BRINGING THEIR PREFERENCES TO THE TABLE.

>> THANK YOU.

AND ANTHONY DEMARCO.

>> I DON'T BELIEVE THAT I RECEIVED IT.

I DON'T SEE IT IF I DID.

I DON'T, I DO NOT SUPPORT GOVERNOR'S CURRENT STANCE ON PUBLIC EDUCATION.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT, HE'S RAPIDLY DEFUNDING AND RAPIDLY REMOVING SERVICES UNDER THE DISGUISE OF -- [INAUDIBLE] >> ALL RIGHT.

WE DO HAVE A FOLLOW-UP FOR EACH OF YOU ON THIS ONE, AND WE'LL START WITH YOU, MARYANN ASH I LIEU.

THE MOMS FOR LIBERTY, A CONSERVATIVE GROUP, HAS BECOME A FORCE IN TALLAHASSEE AND AROUND THE STATE AND NATION.

WOULD YOU SEEK THEIR FORMAL OR EVEN INFORMAL ENDORSEMENT?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS.

>> I WOULD SEEK ANYONE'S ENDORSEMENT IF THEY BELIEVE IN WHAT I AM SAYING AND IF THEY SUPPORT MY POSITION ON THINGS, NOT THE OTHER WAY AROUND, IF THAT MAKES SENSE.

SO IF MOMS FOR LIBERTY FIND MY MESSAGE SOMETHING THEY AGREE WITH, THAT'S GREAT.

I'M HAPPY TO HAVE THEIR ENDORSEMENT AS I WOULD THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OR THE TALLAHASSEE BOARD OF REALTORS OR ANY OTHER GROUP -- >> ONE QUICK THOUGHT, DO YOU BELIEVE IN WHAT THEY'RE SAYING?

>> IF WE ISOLATE THEIR MESSAGE DOWN TO PARENTS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF PARENTS IN THIS CONVERSATION, I DO SUPPORT THAT.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

ALVA STRIPLIN.

>> I, AS LONG AS IT IS LEGALLY ALLOWED, I WOULD ACCEPT ANYONE'S ENDORSEMENT, AND AND I BELIEVE THAT ALL PARENTS WITHIN OUR DISTRICT HAVE A RIGHT TO COME AND INTERJECT THEIR OPINION IN OUR MEETINGS.

WE WELCOME ALL PARENTS OF EVERY VARYING DEGREE OF OPINION AND BACKGROUND, AND WE WANT THEM ALL TO COME TO THE PODIUM AT LEON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD AND THEM ALL TO BE HEARD.

NO ONE OPINION IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANY OTHER OPINION.

I BELIEVE THEY'RE ALL VALID.

>> OKAY.

AND AS WILLIAM HAD ALREADY INTERJECTED THERE, AGREEMENT, PERSONAL, WITH THEIR WAY OF LOOKING AT THE WORLD?

>> I SUPPORT ALL PARENTS WHO WANT TO COME AND SHARE THEIR OPINIONS WITH US.

ESPECIALLY ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

ANTHONY DEMARCO.

>> SO I'M GOING TO AGREE WITH THEIR ANSWER.

MOMS FOR LIBERTY SENT ME A CANDIDATE SURVEY LAST FRIDAY AFTER THEY HEARD ME ANNOUNCE ONLINE -- ON RADIO, SORRY.

I DON'T SUPPORT THEM, WOULDN'T SEEK THEIR ENDORSEMENT, WOULDN'T WANT IT.

I DON'T THINK THEY WANT MY ENDORSEMENT.

YOU KNOW, IT'S A HARD TO ISOLATE A MESSAGE DOWN WHEN THEY'RE PUTTING OUT MESSAGES LIKE THE TREVOR PROJECT IS -- >> OKAY.

>> AND I'M GOING TO JUMP IN ONE, JUST LOOKING FOR A 15-SECOND ANSWER, JUMPING BACK TO THE GOVERNOR'S SURVEY.

DO YOU THINK THAT KIND OF SURVEY IS APPROPRIATE, TO HAVE A GOVERNOR AT THE TOP OF THE STATE REACH DOWN TO THE SCHOOL BOARD AND SOLICIT THEIR VIEWPOINTS, THE CANDIDATE?

MARIANNE ARBULU.

>> I THINK THE GOVERNOR CAN DO WHATEVER HE CHOOSES TO DO.

>> ALVA IS STRIPLIN.

>> I WOULD AGREE.

THERE'S DEFINITELY SOME CONFLICT TWEAK LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT, BUT HE HAS THE RIGHTED TO DO THAT.

>> ANTHONY DEMARCO.

>> DEPENDING ON YOUR VIEWS, GETTING AN E-MAIL FROM THE GOVERNOR EVERY DAY CAN BE KIND OF INTIMIDATING.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT.

SO THIS QUESTION DEALS WITH THE COVID PANDEMIC AND LESSONS THAT WERE LEARNED.

ONE THING THAT THE DISTRICT DID ABSOLUTELY RIGHT AND ONE THING THE DISTRICT GOT WRONG, AND MARIANNE, WE'LL BEGIN WITH YOU, AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> OKAY.

I THINK THE DISTRICT DID A GOOD JOB OF PROTECTING ITS STUDENTS AND STAFF AND IMPLEMENTING POLICIES AND GUIDELINES THAT THEY THOUGHT WERE APPROPRIATE.

NOT TO MONDAY NIGHT QUARTERBACK, BUT I THINK LOOKING BACKWARDS, PERVADING DIVISION BETWEEN MOMS WHO WANT MASKS AND MOMS WHO DON'T WANT MASKS, I THINK, WAS A MISTAKE AND COULD HAVE BEEN HANDLED DIFFERENTLY.

>> THANK YOU.

ALVA?

>> WELL, SINCE I LIVED IT, I WILL SAY ONE THING WE DID ABSOLUTELY RIGHT WITHOUT A DOUBT WAS WE KEPT OUR SCHOOLS OPEN.

WE ARE NOT SEEING THE LEARNING LOSS IN FLORIDA LIKE WE ARE ACROSS THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

AND IF NOT ONLY DID WE KEEP THE SCHOOLS OPEN, BUT WE PROVIDED DIGITAL OPTIONS, BLENDED OPTIONS AND IN-PERSON OPTIONS.

WE GAVE EVERY FAMILY THE OPTION THAT WORKED FOR THEM AND FOR THEIR CHILD.

I WOULD ABSOLUTELY STAND BEHIND THAT AS ONE OF MY PROUD IF MOMENTS AS A A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER.

WHAT I WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY, YOU KNOW, I CAN'T HONESTLY SAY WE WOULD DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY.

WE DID THE VERY BEST WE COULD AT THE TIME WITH WHAT WE HAD, AND WE TRIED TO GIVE EVERYONE THE RIGHT OPTION.

AND IT WAS THE MOST DIFFICULT TIME I'VE HAD AS A BOARD MEMBER, ABSOLUTELY, SINCE THE TIME I'VE BEEN THERE.

>> THANK YOU.

ANTHONY?

SAME QUESTION.

>> SO YEAR ONE I DON'T THINK MIGHT BE REALLY KNEW WHAT THEY WERE DOING.

EVERYBODY THOUGHT THEY HAD A VERY GOOD IDEA OF WHAT WAS RIGHT, AND EVERYONE WAS SHOWN WE WERE ALL WRONG.

AND, YOU KNOW, THERE IS NO ONE SOLUTION, AS EVERYBODY SAID.

COMING AT IT FROM A BROAD SPECTRUM IS REALLY, YOU KNOW, THE WAY TO DO IT.

YOU KNOW, YEAR TWO WAS NICE THA- [AUDIO DIFFICULTY] >> HE'S FROZEN.

>> ANOTHER ZOOM AGE PROBLEM.

>> YEAH.

OKAY.

>> I THINK WE'VE GOT TO CONTINUE.

>> SO I DO HAVE A POLL-UP -- OH, ANTHONY, YOU'RE BACK WITH US.

WE LOST PART OF THAT, BUT I HAVE A FOLLOW-UP, AND MET ME GO AHEAD AND START WITH YOU -- LET ME GO AHEAD AND START WITH YOU.

DURING SOME OF THE WORST STRETCHES OF THE PANDEMIC, LEON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT OFTEN FOUND ITSELF AT ODDS WITH THE GOVERNOR AS WELL AS STATE LAWMAKERS.

WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN YOUR ADVICE TO THE SUPERINTENDENT DURING THOSE TIMES?

AND YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS.

>> I WOULD SAY JUST DO WHAT YOU FEEL IS RIGHT IN YOUR HEART AND SOUL.

>> I DIDN'T CATCH THAT.

>> DO WHAT YOU FEEL IS RIGHT IN YOUR HEART AND SOUL.

>> OKAY, ALL RIGHT.

SORRY, I JUST DIDN'T CATCH IT.

MARIANNE?

>> WELL, IT'S DIFFICULT TO SECOND GUESS WHAT THE SUPERINTENDENT DID.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S APPROPRIATE.

HE ACTED IN WHAT HE FELT WAS THE BEST INTERESTS OF HIS STUDENTS AND HIS STAFF, AND I THINK THE BOARD SUPPORTED THAT, AND I THINK THAT WAS RIGHT THING TO DO.

>> ALVA?

>> IT WAS, LIKE I SAID, THE MOST CHALLENGING TIME I CAN IMAGINE FOR EVERY SCHOOL BOARD SUPERINTENDENT ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND OURS IS NO DIFFERENT.

ONE THING I WISH HE WOULD HAVE DONE DIFFERENT ARELY IS LEAN ON THE BOARD A LITTLE BIT MORE FOR OUR INPUT, CONVERSATION AND COLLABORATION ON HOW TO MOVE OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT FORWARD DURING THAT TIME.

HE MADE SOME DECISIONS WITHOUT US, AND I WAS VERY VOCAL THAT I WAS NOT PLEASED TO NOT BE INCLUDED IN SOME OF THOSE DECISIONS.

>> THANK YOU ALL.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LAWMAKERS WERE VERY BUSY SESSION ON THE EDUCATION FRONT.

SO WE'VE GOT A FEW QUESTIONS ON THAT.

HOW SHOULD THE SCHOOL BOARD RESPOND TO RECENT LEGISLATION ARE RESTRICTING DISCUSSIONS ABOUT RACE, GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS?

MARIANNE ARBULU, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

>> REALLY, WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS IN THREE MINUTES?

>> WHAT'S THAT?

[LAUGHTER] >> I SAID WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS IN THREE MINUTES?

THAT'S A BIG QUESTION.

>> IT'S A BIG QUESTION.

>> OKAY -- >> WE'RE GOING TO ZERO IN ON DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF IT.

>> SO HERE'S MY BOTTOM LINE FOR THIS, THE MISSION OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT IS TO INSURE THAT EVERY STUDENT HAS A SAFE AND WELCOMING AND INTELLECTUALLY-STIMULATING ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH TO LEARN.

IF I THINK IF WE HONE MANY ON THOSE -- IN ON THOSE VALUES, THEN WE CAN STAY WITHIN THE LAW, AS WE MUST, BUT ALSO TAKE CARE OF INDIVIDUAL STUDENT NEED.

AT GROUND LEVEL.

>> THANK YOU.

ALVA STRIPLIN, SAME QUESTION.

>> SO THE GOVERNOR AND THE LEGISLATURE, OBVIOUSLY, HAVE EVERY RIGHT TO OUTLINE THEIR PRIORITIES AND PUSH THEM THROUGH AS LAW.

THAT'S WHAT THEY WERE ELECTED TO DO.

SO MY URGING TO OUR COMMUNITY AND TO THE STATE IS IF YOU DON'T AGREE WITH SOME THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING, GO AND VOTE.

GET INVOLVED AT THE STATE LEVEL.

PEOPLE COME AND LOBBY US AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND OFTEN WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF CONTROL.

WE ARE SWORN OFFICERS TO UPHOLD THE LAW, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

GETTING INVOLVED IN STATEWIDE RACES AND GO VOTE.

>> THANK YOU.

ANTHONY DEMARCO, SAME QUESTION WITH.

>> I THINK RECENT LEGISLATION IS ABHORRENT.

YOU KNOW, FEDERAL STATUES AND LAWS THAT WE'RE IN VIOLATION OF CURRENTLY AS A RESULT OF TRYING TO IMPLEMENT STATE LAWS.

I THINK THAT THAT AT THE CORE PUBLIC EDUCATION IS, YOU KNOW, FOUNDATION A -- FOUNDATIONAL TO SAFETY AND EQUITY.

THOSE ARE THE TWO FOUNDATIONAL NEEDS.. FOR A HIGH QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION.

AND IF YOU REMOVE EQUITY FROM THE FOUNDATION, THEN YOU CAN'T DELIVER HIGH QUALITY PUBLIC EDUCATION.

AND THAT LEGISLATION HAS REMOVE IF EQUITY.

>> THANK YOU.

ALVA STRIPLIN, A FOLLOW-UP ON THIS.

HOW SHOULD SCHOOLS ADDRESS TOPICS AND CONVERSATIONS AROUND RACE IN HISTORY AT THIS POINT?

AND ALTERNATIVELY, HOW SHOULDN'T THEY?

45 SECONDS.

>> SO OUR SCHOOLS ARE, WE TEACH CURRICULUM AS OUTLINED BY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, AND IF IT IS OUTLINED BY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AS PART OF SOMETHING THAT A HISTORY TEACHER NEEDS TO BE TEACHING OR IS REQUIRED TO TEACH, THEN THAT TEACHER IS TEACHING THAT TOPIC.

ILL ALSO SAY THAT OUR TEACHERS -- I WOULD ALSO SAY THAT OUR TEACHERS, WE URGE THEM TO KEEP THEIR PERSONAL OPINIONS AND VIEWS OUT OF THE CLASSROOM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE THERE TO EDUCATE EVERY CHILD, EVERY CHILD REGARDLESS OF BACKGROUND, WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION, WHERE THEY COME FROM, WHAT THEY BELIEVE IN.

WE ARE THERE TO PROVIDE SOUND EDUCATION.

>> THANK YOU.

ANTHONY DEMARCO, SAME QUESTION.

>> I'M SORRY, COULD YOU REPEAT QUESTION?

>> SURE.

HOW SHOULD SCHOOLS ADDRESS TOPICS AND CONVERSATIONS AROUND RACE AND HISTORY.

>> THEY SHOULD JUST HAVE -- WHAT DO YOU MEAN, HOW SHOULD THEY ADDRESS IT, YOU MEAN REGARDING LEGISLATION?

>> CORRECT.

>> AGAIN, THAT'S WHAT'S PROBLEMATIC ABOUT THE LEGS, THAT WE NOW -- THE LEGISLATION, WE'RE NOT EVEN SURE HEALEY ALLOWED TO DO THIS -- LEGALLY.

TEACHERS STATEWIDE ARE IN FEAR OF TRIPPING AND OVER AND ACCIDENTALLY POINTING TO A BOYS' BATHROOM AND THAT BEING MISTAKEN FOR GENDER INSTRUCTION.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

MARIANNE ARBULU.

IF.

>> I THINK WE HAVE TO TEACH HONESTLY.

IF THERE IS A SLANT THAT'S COMING OUT OF TALLAHASSEE, OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE, I THINK THOSE ARE THINGS THAT AS A GROUP, AS AN ASSOCIATION, WE NEED TO OBJECT TO IT, STAND UP AND LET OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS KNOW WHERE WE STAND.

THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH SHARING EXPERIENCES WITH YOUR STUDENTS WITHIN THE CONFINES OF APPROPRIATENESS, VERY LITTLE APPROPRIATENESS.

TO ME, THIS JUST BECOMESES ONE MORE DISTRACTION MANY OUR SYSTEM.

>> THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

WE'VE WORK OUR WAY THROUGH THAT.

WHAT'S YOUR MESSAGE TO TEACHERS WHO ARE FEELING VILIFIED BY RECENT RHETORIC IN THIS LEGISLATION?

ALVA STRIPLIN, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

>> YEAH, I CAN ABSOLUTELY -- ADDRESS THAT ONE SPECIFICALLY WITH OUR RECENT PASSING OF THE LGBTQ GUIDE.

WE MOW OUR TEACHERS ARE BEGGING FOR GUIDANCE FROM THE DISTRICT, HOW DO I HANDLE SOME OF THESE SITUATIONS, AND WE ARE NOT TRUE LEADERS IF WE DON'T PROVIDE THAT GUIDANCE.

AS LIFT AS IT WAS AND AS CHALLENGING AS IT IS TO MAKE 33,000 STUDENTS AND THEIR PARENTS HAPPY AND MEET ALL OF THEIR NEEDS, THAT IS OUR JOB.

THAT IS OUR JOB AS LEADERS, TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE TO OUR TEACHERS SO THEY KNOW WHEN TO ADDRESS A PROBLEM OR WHEN TO SEND A CHILD TO GUIDANCE OR TO ADMINISTRATION.

>> THANK YOU.

ANTHONY DEMARCO, SAME QUESTION.

>> MY MESSAGE TO TEACHERS IS DON'T WORRY, I'M HERE NOW, WE SUPPORT YOU 100% AS WE HAVE MT.

PAST, I ARE HAVE ALWAYS -- IN THE PAST, I A HAVE ALWAYS, AND THAT'S GOING TO CONTINUE.

IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET GREATER.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

MARIANNE ARBULU.

>> REPEAT THE QUESTION FOR ME, PLEASE.

>> WHAT'S YOUR MESSAGE TO TEACHERS WHO ARE FEELINGVILLE PIED BY RECENT RHETORIC IN -- VILIFIED BY RECENT RHETORIC IN THIS LEGISLATION?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT ANY TEACHER'S FEELING THAT WAY, AND IT IS UP TO THE LEADERSHIP, LOCAL LEADERSHIP AND STATE LEADERSHIP, TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR TEACHERS ARE WORKING IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT IS CONDUCIVE TO SUCCESS AND TO PROFESSIONALIZE THEIR ROLE.

AND I'M NOT SURE THAT WE'VE DONE THAT, AND I THINK WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO IN THAT AREA.

>> THANK YOU.

LAST FOLLOW-UP ON THIS, ALVA STRIPLIN BROUGHT UP THE LG WITH BTQ GUIDE.

WHAT'S -- THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL PART HAS BEEN THE PARENTAL NOTIFICATION PROVISION.

WHAT'S YOUR OPINION OF THE PARENTAL NOTIFICATION PROVISION IN THE SCHOOLS' LGBTQ+ GUIDE?

ANTHONY DEMARCO, DO YOU WANT TO START US OUT ON THIS?

>> ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL, IT VIOLATING THE -- VIOLATES THE STUDENT'S RIGHT TO PRIVACY OF THOUGHT.

IT'S EXTREMELY INVASIVE.

I MEAN, ARE WE GOING TO ASK THEM TO SIT AT THE BACK OF THE BUS NEXT?

NO.

IT'S INTERESTING THAT WE'RE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION THREE DAYS AFTER IS IT 56 YEARS AGO THE TALLAHASSEE CITY COMMISSION ENACTED A BAN ON AFRICAN-AMERICANS USING THE BUS.

>> THANK YOU.

MARIANNE ARBULU, SAME QUESTION.

>> WELL, I SAT WITH THE FOLKS AT THAT PARTICULAR BOARD MEETING FROM THE LGBTQ GROUP WITH, AND I AGREE WITH THEIR SENTIMENTS THAT THE GUIDE MANY ITSELF ALMOST TENDS TO MARGINALIZE THOSE STUDENTS AND MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT.

AND SO I GO BACK TO, YOU KNOW, IF -- IF THE GOAL IS TO MAINSTREAM, THEN I'M NOT SURE THE GUIDE ACCOMPLISHES THAT.

BUT GIVEN THAT, I'M GLAD THAT THE BOARD APPROVED THE GUIDE.

IT HAS FLAWS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> AND I KNOW THEY'LL GO BACK TO THAT IN SIX MONTHS AND RELOOK AT IT, SO THIS IS A WORK IN PROGRESS.

>> ALVA STRIPLIN, SAME QUESTION.

>> AS THE ONLY PERSON HERE WHO ACTUALLY SAT THROUGH THAT, I CAN TELL YOU THAT IT IS VERY CHALLENGING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF ALL PARENT GROUPS IN OUR DISTRICT AND OUR STUDENTS AND TO FOLLOW THE PARENT BILL OF RIGHTS WHICH WE'RE BOUND TO DO BY LAW.

THAT IS WHY THAT WAS IN THERE.

WE ABSOLUTELY ARE TAKING FEEDBACK ON THE GUIDE AND ARE GOING TO ARE REVISE IT AGAIN, BUT WE DID THE VERY BEST WE COULD WITH WHAT WE WE ADD HAD TO MOTEFY OUR PARENTS, TO FOLLOW BILL OF RIGHTS AND TO PROVIDE THE SUPPORTS NEEDED FOR ALL OUR STUDENTS.

>> OKAY, FOLKS, AN UPDATE ON A PERENNIAL ISSUE THAT HAS FACED NOT ONLY OUR DISTRICT, BUT EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT ACROSS FLORIDA AND BEYOND.

IT'S KIND OF TIMELY, THERE IS A NEW REPORT THAT JUST CAME OUT FROM THE FLORIDA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION SAYING THAT STATEWIDE WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 9500 TEACHER AND SUPPORT STAFF VACANCIES THAT ARE NOW OPEN.

SO IF I COULD CAN ASK EACH OF YOU TO RESPOND IN A MINUTE HERE, WHAT CONCRETE STEPS DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE TAKEN TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS?

THEY'RE -YARD LINE ARBULU, IF WE CAN START WITH YOU.

>> I THINK WE NEED TO WRING THE FUN BACK INTO THE -- BRING THE FUN BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM.

TEACHING SHOULD BE JOYFUL.

I CAME FROM A TEACHER.

AND I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS TODAY.

WE HAVE CRAMMED DOWN SO MANY THINGS INTO THE CLASSROOM THAT TEACHERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR, I THINK WE'VE STRUCTURED THEM TO DEATH AND STUDENTS AS WELL, WHICH IS PART OF WHY WE HAVE A DISCIPLINE PROBLEM.

SO ONE OF I MY GOALS IS TO BRING MORE INNOVATION INTO THE CLASSROOM.

LET'S FREE UP WHAT TEACHERS AND CANNOT DO SO THAT WE CAN CREATE CHILDREN WHO ARE ABLE TO THINK INDEPENDENTLY, TO WORK MANY GROUPS WHERE TEACHERS CAN FACILITATE RATHER THAN LECTURE.

MORE OF A PROBLEM-SOLVING TYPE OF INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN THAT GIVES EVERYBODY AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHINE.

JUST IT'S -- THINK ABOUT IF YOU WERE A TEACHER COMING OUT OF A TEACHER PREP IF PROGRAM TODAY AND YOU WALK INTO A CLASSROOM AND MAYBE YOU HAVE A BAD DAY, AND YOU THINK ABOUT IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT TO DO FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE FOR THE NEXT 30 YEARS, YOUR ANSWER'S PROBABLY NO.

ENTER THANK YOU.

ANTHONY DEMARCO.

>> TO ADDRESS THE TEACHER SHORTAGE, TWO CONCRETE STEPS THAT I WOULD PUT FORWARD, ONE WOULD BE LIKE A CONTINUING EDUCATION INITIATIVE WHERE THE DISTRICT REIMBURSES SOME AMOUNT TO A TEACHER -- [INAUDIBLE] INCREASING ARE RETENTION, INCREASING THEIR QUALIFICATIONS AT THE SAME TIME.

SO IT'S AN INVESTMENT, DEFINITELY.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO SEE A REAL BOARD, A REAL COMMITTEE OF TEACHERS ON THE BOARD MADE UP OF ACTUAL TEACHERS, PICKED BY TEACHERS.

I WANT TO HEAR FROM THE PEOPLE ON THE GROUND THE MOST, NOT JUST A 3-MINUTE COMMENT AND BANG.

>> THANK YOU.

ALVA STRIPLIN.

>> RAISE SALARIES.

PERIOD.

SUPER EASY.

WE'VE GOT TO GET OUR TEACHERS TO THE BASE OF 47,5.

WE'VE GOT TO FIND A WAY TO DO THAT.

I'VE PRESSED SUPERINTENDENT ON THAT, HE'S GEFFEN ME SOME OPTIONS, AND I FULLY INTEND ON FOLLOWING UP WITH THAT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

DISCUSSIONS WITH LTTA, WHAT DO THEY SEE HAPPENING, I WANT INPUT FROM OUR TEACHERS.

BUT WE CAN'TER IFS FORGET OUR BUS DRIVERS, OUR PARAPROFESSIONALS, OUR SECRETARIES, OUR BOOKKEEPERS.

WE'VE GOT TO MOVE ALL OF THEM FORWARD TOGETHER SO THEY CAN AFFORD TO LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

>> THANK YOU.

>> TO -- TO- 30-SECOND FOLLOW UP ON THAT.

WHAT IS ONE WAY TO QUICKLY RAISE TEACHERS' SALARIES?

ALVA, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

>> I WAS PROVIDED SIX OPTIONS, I'M NOT GOING TO SHARE THEM BECAUSE I'D LIKE TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION WITH OTHER BOARD MEMBERS, BUT TELL ME WHAT WE'RE GOING IF TO HAVE TO GIVE.

DON'T TELL ME WE CAN'T DO IT, TELL ME WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO YET THEM THERE.

WE'RE GOING TO DISCUSS IT AS A BOARD.

>> ANTHONY DEMARCO?

>> CUT ALL ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF AT THE UPPER LEVELS SALARY BACK 50%.

>> THANK YOU.

MARIANNE ARBULU.

>> WELL, YOU'VE GOT TO TAKE AWAY FROM SOMETHING ELSE, AND YOU HAVE TO USE RECURRING INCOME IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A STABLE FINANCIAL PICTURE.

YOU CANNOT BE DIPPING INTO YOUR RESERVES AS WE'VE DONE OVER LAST YEAR.

SO I THINK NOT BEING PRIVY, OBVIOUSLY, AS ALVA IS TO SOME OF THE SUPERINTENDENT SOLUTIONS, BUT ALREADY SOLUTIONS, IT'S A CRITICAL AREA.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WE ARE NOW GOING TO CHANGE GEARS A LITTLE BIT AND GO INTO OUR LIGHTNING ROUND.

I'M ACTUALLY GOING TO EASE US INTO THIS A LITTLE BIT WITH A 30-SECOND QUESTION TO BEGIN WITH.

ALVA STRIPLIN, WHAT'S ONE ISSUE WE AREN'T TALK TALKING MUST HAVE ABOUT IN OUR SCHOOLS?

30 SECONDS.

>> WE TALK ABOUT SO MUCH, I HAVE TROUBLE.

DISBRITAIN.

I -- DISCIPLINE.

I THINK WE NEED WHEN THERE'S DISRUPTIONS IN THE CLASSROOM, WE'VE GOT TO GIVE OUR TEACHERS AHA SUPPORT SO THEY CAN POSITION ON THE OTHER CHILDREN IN THE ROOM THAT NEED TO LEARN.

>> THANK YOU.

ANTHONY DEMARCO, SAME QUESTION.

>> LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AND OVERSIGHT.

>> THANK YOU.

MARIANNE ARBULU?

>> HMM, OKAY.

I WOULD SAY THAT WE DON'T TALK ENOUGH ABOUT HOW EDUCATION, HOW HOUR STUDENTS ARE CHANGING IN THE WAY THEY'RE LEARNING AND HOW WE NEED TO MODIFY OUR MEANS OF EDUCATING THEM.

>> THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

NOW WE'RE BEGINNING TO BEGIN THE LIGHT MING ROUND IN EARNEST.

WAY THIS WORKS IS I'LL BE ASKING A SERIES OF QUESTIONS.

WE'LL BE GOING PRETTY QUICKLY ARE.

MOST OF THE ANSWERS WILL BE YES OR NO TYPE ANSWERS, AND I WILL LOOK FOR A SENTENCE EXPLAINER AFTERWARDS AS WE ARE IN THE PRESENCE OF PEOPLE MAYBE CONSIDERED EDUCATORS, WE STERNLY DON'T WANT TO ENCOURAGE TOO MANY RUN-ON SENTENCES, BUT I WELCOME AND, BECAUSE, BUT LET'S KEEP IT TO MAYBE ONE OF HOSE EACH.

WE'RE -- THOSE EACH.

WE'RE GOING TO START THE OFF EASY.

DO YOU CURRENTLY OR HAVE YOU HAD CHILDREN IN THE LEON COUNTY PUBLIC STUDENT, AND NAME DROP THOSE SCHOOLS.

ANTHONY DEMARCO, STARTING WITH YOU.

>> YES, TO ONE CURRENTLY.

ONE GRADUATED, LINCOLN GRADUATE.

AND, OF COURSE, PROUD MUSTANG FOR LIFE.

>> THE THANK YOU.

MARIANNE ARBULU.

>> I HAVE A -- [INAUDIBLE] I HAVE A FLORIDA HIGH GRADUATE AND HEN I HAVE A GRANDCHILD IN BUCK LAKE ELEMENTARY, AND I HAVE A MIDDLE SCHOOLER THAT'S JUST RISING INTO SWIFT CREEK.

>> THANK YOU.

ALVA STRIPLIN.

>> SIX OF THEM, YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE ME MORE THAN 30 SECONDS.

>> WOW.

>> THREE OF THEM CHILD GRADUATES IN DEER LAKE, ONE OF THEM A LINCOLN GRADUATE, SHOUT OUT TO FLORIDA HIGH PRIOR TO THAT, ONE A LEON GRADUATE, ALSO SHOUT-OUT TO FLORIDA HIGH BEFORE THAT AND ONE A CURRENT SOPHOMORE AT LEON.

HEY, HOW'S IT GOING IN.

>> ALL RIGHT.

WHAT IS ONE BOOK EVER STUDENT SHOULD READ?

MARIANNE ARBULU, STARTING WITH YOU.

ONE SENTENCE.

>> GONE WITH THE WIND.

>> WHAT'S THAT?

>> GONE WITH THE WIND.

>> AND WHY?

>> A LOT OF LESSONS IN THAT BOOK.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ALVA STRIPLIN.

>> SHOO DOG.

>> AND WHY?

>> INDEPENDENT, ENTREPRENEURIAL, GET OUT THERE, GET IT DONE KIND OF BOOK.

>> THANK YOU.

ANTHONY DEMARCO.

>> CATCHER IN THE RYE.

>> AND WHY?

>> IT'S AN AMAZING STORY THAT I REMEMBER GRABBING ME WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL.

>> OKAY.

>> EXPLO IF RATION AND FINDING SELF.

-- EXPLORATION.

>> DOES A RAINBOW FLAG EVER HAVE A PLACE AT OUR SCHOOLS?

IF SO, WHERE?

IF ALVA STRIPLIN.

>> ANY FLAGS WITH PERSONAL BELIEF IN THE CLASSROOM DON'T HAVE A PLACE.

>> ANTHONY DEPARR COE.

>> -- DEMARCO.

>> YES, DIRECTLY UNDER THE AMERICAN FLAG -- I'M SORRY, DIRECTLY UNDER THE STATE, LOCAL, COUNTY AND HEN RAINBOW FLAG.

>> THANK YOU.

MARIANNE ARBULU?

>> NO, THEY DO NOT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ARE YOU OPEN TO METAL DETECH TO HAVES AT OUR SCHOOLS?

ANTHONY DEMARCO.

>> IF WE REALLY FELT THEY WERE NECESSARY, IF THAT WAS THE ONLY OPTION.

>> YOU START NARROWING ENTRY AND EXIT AVENUES, SO I DO NOT SUPPORT THEM.

>> ALVA STRIPLIN.

>> YES.

>> STUDENTS WALKING OUT OF CLASS ROOMS FOR PROTESTS, SHOULD THAT BE ALLOWED OR SHOULD THE STUDENT BE MARKEDDED AS AN UNEXCUSED ABSENCE?

MARIANNE ARBULU.

>> ALLOWED.

>> ALVA STRIPLIN.

>> NOT ALLOWED DURING INSTRUCTIONAL TIME.

>> ANTHONY DEMARCO.

>> ALLOWED IF IT'S TEACHING CIVICS.

>> OKAY.

AT THE MIDPOINT OF ROCKY HANNA'S SECOND TERM AS SUPERINTENDENT, WHAT LETTER GRADE WOULD YOU GIVE HIM AND WHY?

ALVA STRIP LYNN.

>> A -.

>> BECAUSE?

>> COULD BE A BETTER COMMUNICATOR WITH HIS BOARD.

>> OKAY.

ANTHONY DEMARCO.

>> A B.

>> AND WHY?

>> HE COULD BE A BETTER COMMUNICATOR WITH HIS CONSTITUENTS TOO.

[LAUGHTER] >> MARIANNE ARBULU?

>> I WOULD DO B, AND I WOULD AGREE COMMUNICATION AND SYSTEM OF THE ACTIONS.

>> OKAY.

HOW MANY SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS HAVE YOU ATTENDED, AND HOW MANY HAVE YOU SPOKEN AT AND ON WHAT TOPICS?

ANTHONY DEMARCO.

>> OH, GOSH, I'VE LOST COUNT.

I THINK I'VE TOUCHED ON JUST ABOUT EVERY TOPIC.

60 -- I DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA.

>> OKAY.

IF MARIANNE ARBULU.

>> I ATTENDED ONE, AND I'VE BEEN WATCHING THEM ONLINE.

I HAVE NOT SPOKEN.

I THOUGHT IT WAS BETTER TO LISTEN.

IF.

>> ALVA STRIPLIN, I THINK I KNOW YOUR A ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION.

>> LET ME -- I GET TO ANSWER SOMETHING, DON'T I?

>> SOMETHING.

>> IN 2014, I BELIEVE I'VE MISSEDDED MAYBE FOUR MEETINGS CUE TO ILL ILLNESS OR CONFLICT IN SCHEDULE.

I DO NOT MISS MEETINGS.

AND I SPEAK AT ALL OF THEM ON A REGULAR BASIS.

[LAUGHTER] >> ALL RIGHT.

WHAT'S ONE PLEDGE YOU WOULD MAKE TO VOTERS RIGHT NOW THAT YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH IF ELECTED?

THEY'RE -- MARIANNE ARBULU.

>> I HAVE AN OPEN DOOR POLICY.

MY PHONE NUMBER'S PUBLIC, AND I ENCOURAGE ANYONE THAT WANTS TO TALK TO CALL.

>> ALVA STRIPLIN.

>> RAISE TEACHER SALARIES TO THE BASE OF 47,5.

>> ANTHONY DEMARCO.

>> I'M GOING TO SAY THE SAME THING, MY DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN, AND I REALLY WANT TO CHANGE THE CULTURE OF RETALIATION SO WE CAN HAVE BETTER COMMUNICATION FROM THE TOP DOWN.

>> OKAY.

LAST QUESTION, WHAT IS THE BIGGEST PART OF YOUR EXPERIENCE THAT QUALIFIES YOU TO BE ON THE SCHOOL BOARD?

MARIANNE ARBULU.

>> WELL, I AM A FORMER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER AND FORMER SUPERINTENDENT.

TO TAKE JEFFERSON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT TWICE OUT OF FINANCIAL EMERGENCY THAT I INHERENT METERED WALKING IN THE -- INHERITED WALKING IN THE DOOR CAN.

SO I AM -- AND THE SECOND GO AROUND WE DID THAT PRETTY MUCH SINGLE-HANDEDLY.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

>> THAT IS MY FOCUS ON, AND THAT'S MY FOCUS ON THE SCHOOL BUDGET HERE.

>> ALVA STRIPLIN.

>> BEING A CLASSROOM VOLUNTEER, A PRODUCT OF LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS.

I ATTENDED LINCOLN, COMPLETE DEDICATION TO THE LEON COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM.

I WAS A TEACHER FOR LEEING ONCOUNTY SCHOOLS, SIX GRADUATES FROM LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS, AND I HAVE NEVER HAD TO BAIL OUR DISTRICT OUT OF FINANCIAL NONCOMPLIANCE BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN FINANCIALLY SOUND SINCE I'VE BEEN THERE.

>> ANTHONY IF DEMARCO.

>> ILL SAY THAT MY CURRENT RECORD SPEAKS FOR ITSELF IT GENERALLY -- IF YOU WANT TO SEE A CHANGE, WE'LL SEE A POLICY OF CHANGE.

THERE'S, YOU KNOW, MY EXPERIENC- [INAUDIBLE] LABORATORY, WORKED WITH CONCERN -- >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

>> EDUCATIONAL -- [INAUDIBLE] >> THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP THINGS MOVING, AND THE LEAGUE IS GOING TO HAVE OUR NEXT QUESTION.

Y'ALL MADE IT THROUGH THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

THAT WAS FUN, THANKS.

>> OKAY.

THE ISSUE OF CHARTER SCHOOLS HAS BEEN CONTENTIOUS.

THE BOARD HAS A TRACK RECORD OF VOTING AGAINST THEIR APPROVAL ONLY TO BE THEN OVERRULED BY THE STATE.

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF CHARTER SCHOOLS AND THE SCHOOL VOUCHERS?

AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE AND, ALVA STRIPLIN ARE, I'LL START WITH YOU.

>> WHEN I FIRST JOINED THE BOARD, WE SAW A LOT OF FOR-PROFIT CHARTERS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THEY WOULD POP UP AND THEN THEY WOULD DISAPPEAR, LEAVING OUR KIDS IN EDUCATIONAL KISS STRESS.

I AM COMPLETELY AGAINST THAT -- DISTRESS.

SINCE THAT TIME WE'VE SEEN BETTER MODELS THAT ARE ACADEMICALLY SUCCESSFUL.

WE HAVE A COUPLE OF MODELS HERE IN TALLAHASSEE.

THE SCHOOL OF MATH AND SCIENCE IS AN AMAZING FACILITY.

I'VE VISITED THAT, I'VE ALSO VISITED ARTS AND SCIENCE.

THEY ARE SUCCESSFUL MODELS.

I WOULD PREFER WE SEE MATH AND SCIENCE, TALLAHASSEE CLASSICAL HAS POPPED UP IN AN AREA THAT IS SURROUND BY SCHOOLS.

AS LONG AS THEY SUPPORT A DIVERSE POPULATION, THEY ARE NOT THERE TO MAKE A PROFIT, AND THEY ARE FULLY INVESTED IN THE COMPLETE EDUCATION OF THEIR CHILD.

I AM FINE WITH THAT.

THEY HAVE A PLACE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> THANK YOU.

ANTHONY DEMARCO.

>> CHARTERS ARE TRICKY.

CHARTER SCHOOL'S NOT TECHNICALLY A PUBLIC SCHOOL, BUT THEY'RE BOUND BY THE SAME REGULATIONS.

I'D PREFER THAT WE GIST KEPT -- JUST KEPT OUR FUNDS INSIDE PUBLIC SCHOOLS, BUT THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE.

>> THANK YOU.

THEY'RE -YARD LINE ARBULU?

>> -- THEY'RE MARIANNE ARBULU.

>> I SUPPORT SCHOOL CHOICE AS LONG AS THERE'S ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY.

AND THE OTHER PIECE I THINK OUR CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE MISSING IS THEIR MISSION IF REALLY IS TO BRING INNOVATION INTO OUR SCHOOLS.

AND WHEN THEY DON'T DO THAT, I THINK IT'S A LOST OPPORTUNITY BOTH FOR THE CHARTER AND FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ITSELF.

>> THANK YOU.

SO I HAVE A FOLLOW UP FOR ALL OF YOU.

THE STATE HAS EXPANDED SCHOOL CHOICE IN RECENT YEARS, AND THE DISTRICT HAS ATICKETED ITS EXPANSION ENROLLING IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND CHARTERS AS THE REASON FOR AN 11.5 MILLION BUDGET DEFICIT.

CAN THE DISTRICT GET THOSE STUDENTS AND FUNDING BACK, AND IF SO, HOW?

IF 30 SECONDS AND, ANTHONY DEMARCO, WE'LL BEGIN WITH YOU.

>> THEY'VE THE ALREADY ENROLLED AND GRADUATED, NO, THE DISTRICTS CAN'T GET THAT THAT MONEY BACK.

IF I'M HEARING THE QUESTION RIGHT.

CORRECT?

>> YES, WE GOT IT.

THANK YOU.

AMERICA ARIANNE?

-- MARIANNE?

>> IF WE GIVE THE FUNDING BACK, THE FUNDING FOLLOWS THE STUDENTS, SO THEY GO HAND IN HAND.

THE QUESTION IS HOW DO WE GET THESE STUDENT BACK?

>> THE STUDENTS AND FUNDING BACK.

>> YEAH.

SO WE NEED TO GET THE STUDENTS -- I BELIEVE THAT THE STUDENTS ARE LEAVING THE TRADITIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT BECAUSE THEY'RE SEEKING SOMETHING MORE.

SOMETHING THAT THEY'RE NOT GETTING.

WE NEED TO GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM.

WHAT'S MISSING, WHERE'S THAT GAP AND HOW DO WE FELL THAT?

AND ONCE WE DO THAT, STUDENTS COME BACK, MONEY FOLLOWS THEM.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

AND, ALVA?

>> AT THE BASE OF THIS CONVERSATION, WE HAVE TO REMEMBER IT'S ABOUT EDUCATING CHILDREN.

LET'S NOT LOSE FOCUS OF THAT.

THE CHARTER SCHOOLS, WE'VE BEEN TOLD, ARE PART OF LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS, SO WE SUPPORT THEM, SUPPORT THEIR NEEDS, HAIR TEACHERS AND FAMILIES JUST LIKE WE WOULD OUR TRADITIONAL SCHOOLS.

WHAT PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT CHARTER SCHOOLS IS THAT THEY IN THE LEON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM WE EDUCATE EVERYONE REGARDLESS OF BACKGROUND, REGARDLESS OF NEED, REGARDLESS OF SPECIAL ABILITIES.

IN THE CHARTER SCHOOL, THEY DON'T DO THAT, SO IT DOES CREATE A DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT THAT YOU'RE POSSIBLY NOT GOING TO FIND IN A PUBLIC SCHOOL.

>> THANK YOU.

>> ONE PHILOSOPHICAL FOLLOW-UP HERE FOR 45 SECONDS.

I MEAN, HAS THE TRADITIONAL IDEA OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS RUN ITS COURSE?

AND HOW DO WE -- HOW DOES IT NEED TO EVOLVE?

ALVA ARE STRIPLIN.

>> I HOPE NOT.

I HOPE IT HASN'T RUN ITS COURSE BECAUSE, AGAIN, I GET BACK TO WE'VE GOT TO SEE EVERY CHILD SUCCEED IN EDUCATION.

WE CAN'T BE KICKING KIDS OUT JUST BECAUSE THEY HAVE A CHALLENGE OR A DISABILITY OR A DISCIPLINE PROBLEM.

WE'VE GOT TO MEET THAT CHILD WHERE THEY ARE AND PROVIDE FOR THEM.

THIS IS THE MODEL THAT IS, THAT OUR STATE IS MOVING TOWARD, SO WE'VE GOT TO FIND A WAY TO EMBRACE THAT, MEET OUR CHALLENGES AND OUR DIFFERENCES AND JUST REMEMBER THIS IS ABOUT EDUCATING THE CHILD, EVERY CHILD.

>> THANK YOU.

ANTHONY DEMARCO, SAME QUESTION.

>> SO MY SON IS 13, AND HE'S ALREADY A TWITTER DEVELOPER WRITING PROGRAMS.

AND I THINK IT'S CURRICULUM THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE.

I DON'T THINK, LIKE, A CORE PUBLIC SCHOOL NEEDS TO CHANGE, BUT MORE OF THE CURRICULUM.

TIMES HAVE CHANGED, AND THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES BEING MISSED INTRODUCING, LIKE, HIGH-LEVEL I.T.

STUFF THAT KIDS FLOURISH IN.

>> THANK YOU.

MARIANNE ARBULU.

>> WELL, I THINK OUR COUNTRY IS GREAT IN GREAT PART BECAUSE OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

AND I THINK THAT IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE MAINTAIN THAT.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE TO BE OPEN TO CHANGE.

ANY CLOSED SYSTEM IN EDUCATION TENDS TO BE CLOSED.

IF IT DOESN'T GET FRESH OXYGEN WITH, IT WILL AT ARE PROMY AND DIE.

-- ATROPHY AND DIE.

WE HAVE TO NOT FEAR CHANGE AND NOT FEAR FAILURE.

WE HAVE TO TRY THINGS THAT ARE DIFFERENT AND -- >> WE'VE GOT A QUESTION FROM THE URBAN LEAGUE FOR A FEW FOLKS.

WE OFTEN LEARN OF WEAPONS BEING BROUGHT TO CAMPUS, SO WHAT ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO PROTECT STUDENTS ALONG WITH TEACHERS AND STAFF?

45 SECONDS, PLEASE.

MARIANNE, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

>> OKAY.

SO, FIRST OF ALL, GUN VIOLENCE IS A FUNCTION OF HOPELESSNESS MARLEY MANY TO OUR YOUTH, AND WE'RE SEEING THAT.

SO WE HAVE TO -- I THINK AS EDUCATORS IT'S OUR ROLE TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR CHILDREN HAVE A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL, AND WE DO THAT THROUGH EDUCATING THEM ABOUT WHAT THEIR LIFE ARE CAN BE, THEIR FUTURE CAN BE, AND THAT MEANS HAVING SUCCESS, BEING A PRODUCTIVE CITIZEN AND A GOOD CITIZEN OF THE WORLD.

SO IF WE CAN DO THOSE KINDS OF THINGS, WE'RE GOING TO GENERALLY REDUCE VIOLENCE IN OUR COOLS.

YOU CANNOT AND I DON'T BELIEVE WE SHOULD MAKE OUR SCHOOLS A PRISON, OKAY?

AND WE'RE MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION, AND IT'S WRONG.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

ALVA STRIPLIN.

>> WE'VE IMPLEMENTED SO MANY ADDITIONAL SAFETY FEATURES.

I WAS DRIVING PAST -- THE OTHER DAY AND NOTICED THE FENCING OUTSIDE THAT NOW HAS AN OPAQUE COVER.

IT IS THERE TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN FROM VISIBILITY FROM THE OUTSIDE.

WE'VE IMPLEMENTED SAFETY GUARDS IN ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS SO WE HAVE ADDITIONAL SECURITY OFFICERS.

IT WASN'T LIKE THAT FOUR YEARS AGO.

WE'VE ADDED A SINGLE POINT ENTRY FOR OUR SCHOOLS, FENCING, MASS NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS, ADDITIONAL SECURITY GUARDS.

BUT THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM IS THEIR MENTAL ABILITY, THEIR MENTAL WELLNESS.

WE'VE INSTIGATED MENTAL WELLNESS COUNSELORS IN EACH OF OUR SCHOOLS.

EVERY SCHOOL HAS ONE NOW.

WE'VE GOT TO FOCUS ON WHY CHILDREN ARE ACTING OUT THE WAY THEY'RE ACTING OUT.

IT'S NOT ABOUT THE GUN, IT'S ABOUT THE MENTAL CAPACITY.

WHAT'S HAPPENING THAT MAKES THE CHILD ACT OUT IN THAT MANNER.

>> YOU INDICATED AN OPENNESS TO METAL DETECTORS IN OUR SCHOOLS.

IS THAT SOMETHING YOU WOULD ADVOCATE IF REELECTED?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> OKAY.

>> ANTHONY DEMARCO, SAME QUESTION ABOUT BEEFED-UP SECURITY FOR SCHOOLS.

>> OKAY.

SO METAL DETECTORS WILL CATCH SOME INCIDENTS, BUT IT DOESN'T STOP THE PROBLEM.

I'VE WORKED HERE LOCALLY, IMMERSED IN WHAT'S HAPPENING IN SOME OF OUR SCHOOLS.

I GREW UP IN A CITY SIMILAR WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS.

REALLY IT'S -- IF YOU DON'T ADDRESS THE ROOT IN THE COMMUNITY WHERE THIS IS COMING FROM AND WHY, THEN IT'S GOING TO PERSIST NO MATTER HOW MANY METAL DETECTORS NO MATTER HOW MANY LOCKS OR WALLS THAT YOU PUT UP.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

A POLL-UP QUESTION FOR 30 SECONDS HERE IF WE COULD.

WHAT COULD YOU AS A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER DO TO MAKE SIGNIFICANT REDUCTIONS IN BULLYING AND ALSO ENHANCE STUDENT SAFETY AND WELL-BEING AT THE SAME TIME?

IF ALVA STRIPLIN, YOU PARIS.

>> WE TALKED ABOUT COUNSELORS BACK IN THE DAY, GUY DANCE COUNSELORS, THEY'RE REALLY MORE ACADEMIC.

WE ALSO SEE GREAT SUCCESS AND MODELS THAT INVOLVE PEER SUPPORT, GROUPS WHERE YOU'RE ALLOWED TO SHARE YOUR FEELINGS IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT WITH PEERS, WHETHER IT BE MEARS OF THE SAME GRACE OR ANOTHER GRADE, BUT WE NEED TO SHOW OUR STUDENTS WITH CREATIVE MEASURES THAT OTHER STUDENTS ARE FEELING THE SAME THING YOU'RE FEELING.

IT'S OKAY TO TALK ABOUT YOUR INSECURITIES YOU'RE FACING IN OUR SCHOOLS.

>> THANK YOU.

MARIANNE ARBULU.

>> WELL, ON POLICY LEVEL I DON'T THINK THAT WE INFORM PARENTS ENOUGH ABOUT WHAT THEIR OPTIONS ARE WHEN THERE IS LEGITIMATE BULLYING, AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID IN MY DISTRICT WAS TO GET A FORMOUT SO PARENTS COULD EASILY REPORT TO THE DISTRICT INCIDENCES.

BUT THE OTHER THING IS I THINK WE NEED -- YOU KNOW, KIDS ARE GREAT AT MANAGING THEMSELVES, SELF-REGULATING, IF YOU GIVE THEM OPPORTUNITY.

AND I THINK SO MUCH OF WHAT ALVA'S TALKING ABOUT, THE MORE WE INVOLVE STUDENTS MT.

DISCIPLINE PROCESS -- IN THE DISCIPLINE PROCESS, THE BETTER.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU.

ANTHONY DEMARCO.

>> THE PROBLEM THAT I THINK SOMEONE SAID, LIKE, THE FIGHTS ARE STARTING ON SOCIAL MEDIA, NOT AT THE SCHOOL SCHOOLYARD LIKE TRADITIONALLY.

SO IMPLEMENTING SAFETY AND REDUCING BULLYING -- [INAUDIBLE] SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS FOR STUDENTS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU.

CHANGING GEARS AGAIN, 2017 STUDY SHOWED LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS WERE AMONG FLORIDA'S MOST SEGREGATED.

HAVE WE IMPROVED ON THIS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS, AND WHAT MORE SPECIFICALLY SHOULD BE DONE?

WE HAVE ONE MINUTE, AND WE'RE STARTING WITH YOU, THEY'RE -YARD LINE ARBULU -- MARIANNE ARBULU.

>> OKAY.

MY PERCEPTION IS THAT'S PROBABLY NOT CHANGED.

AND I THINK OUR COOL GRADES ARE A REFLECTION OF THAT AS WELL.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO IS LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE DOING IN THE SCHOOLS IN TERMS OF DO WE HAVE THE BEST TEACHERS IN OUR SCHOOLS THAT ARE SUFFERING OR FALLING BEHIND, AND IF WE DON'T, WHY DON'T WE?

DO WE HAVE THE BEST LEADERS IN THOSE SCHOOLS.

AND TO BE HONEST, PARTLY WE MAY HAVE, WE MAY HAVE JUST PREFERENCE GOING ON ALSO.

NOT EVERYTHING IS BASE ON ECONOMICS AND ZIP CODE.

THERE'S NOT A STRAIGHT ANSWER FOR THIS ONE.

>> ALL RIGHT.

ALVA STRIPLIN, SAME QUESTION.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WE KNOW IT'S AN ISSUE IN OUR COMMUNITY LIKE IT IS IN MANY COMMUNITIES.

ID PROGRAMS, MAGNET PROGRAMS, THINGS IN THAT BRING KIDS FROM ONE DISTRICT POSSIBLY TO ANOTHER SCHOOL.

NOT ONLY DO WE PROVIDE THOSE PROGRAMS, BUT WE ALSO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION AND TRY TO ASSIST CHILDREN WHO WANT TO GO TO DIFFERENT ZONES.

WE WANT TO TO SEE THAT COLLABORATION AND THAT DIVERSITY WITHIN OUR SCHOOLS.

WE'VE WITH ALSO IMPLEMENTED THE STUDENT A VISELY COUNCIL, AND WE ASK FOR STUDENTS TO BE ENGAGED IN THIS CONVERSATION.

WHAT CAN YOU TELL US?

WE WANT TO KNOW FROM OUR STUDENTS HOW WE CAN ADDRESS THESE PROBLEMS AND WE WANT THEM IN THE CONVERSATION, AND WE DO THAT.

>> THANK YOU.

ANTHONY DEMARCO, YOU'RE UP NEXT.

SAME QUESTION.

>> SORRY, CAN YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION?

>> SURE.

A 2017 STUDY SHOWS LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS WERE AMONG FLORIDA'S MOST SEGREGATED.

HAVE WE IMPROVED OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, AND WHAT MORE SPECIFICALLY SHOULD BE DONE?

>> NO, WE HAVE NOT IMPROVED.

IT'S INCREASED.

I RAN CHARTS AND DATA MYSELF.

THERE'S A LOT THAT CAN BE IMPROVED; MORE EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION OF RESOURCES ACROSS DISTRICT WOULD BE A GREAT START.

YOU KNOW, PROPERLY FUNDING PROGRAMS WOULD BE9 ANOTHER START.

THERE'S SO MANY CAN DIFFERENT AREAS.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

ANTHONY DEMARCO, THE SAME QUESTION HERE -- OR A FOLLOW-UP ON THIS.

THE LATEST FIGURES BY STATE SHOW THAT LEON COUNTY REMAINS A MINORITY-MAJORITY DISTRICT.

HOW DOES THAT APPROACH SHAPE YOUR APPROACH FOR THIS SEAT?

45 SECONDS.

>> IT DOESN'T.

I MEAN, IDENTIFY KNOWN -- I'VE KNOWN THAT FOR YEARS.

THAT'S NOT NEW TO ME.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

MARIANNE ARBULU.

>> IT DOESN'T CHANGE MY POSITION.

AS I STATED EARLIER, OUR MISSION IF WE EXECUTE IT TO PROVIDE A SAFE AND WELCOMING AND INTELLECTUALLY STIMULATE ARING ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS TO LEARN, AND THAT APPLIES TO ALL OF OUR STUDENTS WHETHER THEY'RE ON THE NORTH SIDE OR THE SOUTH SIDE.

EVERYBODY DESERVES A WORLD CLASS EDUCATION.

>> THANK YOU.

ALVA STRIPLIN.

>> AGREED, IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE WAY I RUN OR CAMPAIGN OR MY ACTIONS ON THE SCHOOL BOARD CURRENTLY.

I'M THERE THERE TO REPRESENT DISTRICT 1 BUT ALSO ALL FAMILIES IN ALL LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS.

>> EXCELLENT.

THANK YOU.

>> OKAY.

ANOTHER QUESTION FROM THE URBAN LEAGUE.

SHOULD THE SCHOOL DISTRICT EXPAND VOCATIONAL TRAINING AT HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL, AND IF SO, IN WHAT WAYS?

ANTHONY DEMARCO, WE'LL START WITH YOU.

>> YES.

AND THEY SHOULD, I THINK WE SHOULD BRING IN MORE, A MORE DIVERSE STATE AND MORE UPDATED SET OF, LIKE, CAREER CHOICES.

I OFTEN COME BACK TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, BUT THAT'S JUST SOMETHING THAT'S AVAILABLE AND EASY TO DO AT SCHOOL, AND IT'S EXTREMELY HIGH PAYING, MACHINE LEARNING, A.I., THAT'S ALL GOING TO BE THE FUTURE.

KIDS PICK UP -- >> THANK YOU.

MARIANNE ARBULU, SAME QUESTION.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AND OFTEN WE THINK OF VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS AS, YOU KNOW, THE SCHOOL OFFERS WELDING OR OFFERS HVACING REPAIR.

I TAKE A DIFFERENT APPROACH.

I THINK WORLD IS CHANGING SO QUICKLY AND LET'S GIVE OUR STUDENTS ESPECIALLY IN HIGH SCHOOL, THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE AND BECOME ENTREPRENEURS.

98% OF FLORIDA BUSINESSES ARE SMALL BUSINESSES.

WHY NOT EXPOSE OUR CHILDREN TO THE MECHANICS OF HOW BUSINESSES WORK AND RUN?

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE A MODEL SCHOOL WHERE WE ACTUALLY PROVIDE GOODS AND SERVICES IN THAT SCHOOL MANY A SCALE-DOWN MANNER, A MICROCOSM OF THE ECONOMY.

>> THANK YOU.

AND, ALVA A STRIPLIN.

>> WE SHOULD AND HAVE BEEN EXPANDING OUR VOCATIONAL TRAINING.

WE HAVE A PROGRAM THAT FEEDS IF AUTOMATICALLY INTO LIVELY, A GREAT PARTNERSHIP.

AND WE'RE IMMATERIAL -- IMPLEMENTING OTHER PARTNERSHIPS AT OTHER SCHOOLS AND DIPPING DOWN INTO THE MIDDLE SCHOOL WHERE THOSE PROGRAMS ARE INTRODUCED AT A YOUNGER AGE.

THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT.

Y'ALL MADE IT.

IS SO NOW WE ARE IN OUR CLOSING ARGUMENTS PHASE.

THIS ALLOWS YOU TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO VOTERS.

YOU CAN SHARE YOUR WEB SITE IF YOU LIKE.

IT'S YOUR 90 SECONDS TO TALK THE DIRECTLY TO VOTERS.

ANTHONY DEMARCO, YOU WILL GET US STARTED, AND THEN WE'LL GO DOWN THE LINE.

>> ANTHONY DEMARCO, RUNNING FOR LEON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 1.

DEMARCO FOR A BETTER LEE GONE.COM.

ON TWITTER, DEMARCO FOR LEON WITH.

FACEBOOK ALL OVER THE PLACE, JUST HASHTAG DELAWAREMARCO FOR LEON WITH.

GOOGLE IT, I'M EVERYWHERE..

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING DISTRICT 1'S REP.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

MARIANNE ARBULU.

>> FIRST, I WANT TO THANK THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, WFSU FOR HOLDING THE FORUM.

IT'S INVALUABLE FOR CANDIDATES.

I'VE BEEN WORKING FOR STUDENTS' BENEFIT FOR ALMOST TWO DECADES.

AND WITH YOUR VOTE, I BELIEVE I BRING DIVERSITY TO THIS BOARD THAT'S IMPORTANT.

I HAVE A DIFFERENT LIFE EXPERIENCE, A DIFFERENT SET OF SKILLS, AND I BELIEVE THOSE WILL BRING VALUE TO THE BOARD AS WE MOVE FORWARD IN THIS CRITICAL TIME.

IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ME, MY WEB SITE IS MOM FOR SCHOOLS.COM.

IT'S MOM FOR SCHOOLS.COM.

AND MY PONE NUMBER'S 8 A 50-528-5758.

AND AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM ANY VOTERS IN DISTRICT 1 WHO WANT TO SHARE THEIR CONCERNS, HAVE OPINIONS.

THAT'S A 24/7 NUMBER, SO APPRECIATE BEING HERE AND THANK YOU.

AND I IS FOR YOUR VOTE ON -- ASK FOR YOUR VOTE ON AUGUST 23RD IN THE PRIMARY.

THANK YOU.

>> ALVA STRIPLIN, YOU GET TO CLOSE US OUT.

>> THANK YOU.

THE ONLY CANDIDATE THAT IS A PRODUCT OF THE LEON COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM, A TEACHER, AND THE MOTHER OF SIX LEON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL GRADUATES.

UNDER MY LEADERSHIP DURING THE PAST SEVEN YEARS, WE'VE INCREASED SAFETY AT OUR SCHOOLS, WE'VE PUT MORE EMPHASIS ON THE MENTAL WELLNESS OF OUR STUDENTS, AND WE HAVE GIVEN RAISES NOT JUST TO OUR TEACHERS BUT EVERY SUPPORT STAFF, EVERY INDIVIDUAL THAT WORKS WITHIN THE LEON COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, DISTRICT 1 HAS SEEN GREAT ACADEMIC SUCCESS OVER PAST EIGHT YEARS SINCE I'VE BEEN THERE.

50% OF THE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES IN DISTRICT 1 REPRESENT SCHOOLS WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.

I COULD NOT BE MORE PROUD OF THAT FACT.

THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR A CHANGE IN LEADERSHIP.

UNDER MY LEADERSHIP THIS CRICKET IS MORE FINANCIALLY SOUND THAN EVER.

I'M SO HONORED TO HAVE THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE LEON COUNTY TEACHERS ASSOCIATION FOR THE THIRD CAMPAIGN IN A ROW.

NONSTOP ENDORSEMENT SINCE 2014.

THAT'S THE MOST IMPORTANT BECAUSE I'M A PART OF THEM, AND I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR THEIR SUPPORT.

AS WELL AS FOR THEIR PARTNERSHIP ORGANIZES.

I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT IN THE PAST, AND I ASK FOR YOUR VOTE AGAIN FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

THANK YOU.

>> THAT BRINGS US TO THE CLOSE, FOLKS, AND OUR THANKS GOING, OF COURSE, TO "THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT," THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLAHASSEE, WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA AND OUR CANDIDATES FOR JOINING US FOR THIS PROGRAM.

YOU CAN FIND A REPLAY OF THE FORUM ON OUR YouTUBE PAGES AT TALLAHASSEE.COM AND ALSO WFSU.ORG.

THE RECORDED BROADCAST WILL BE IN THIS THURSDAY, JULY 26TH, AT 11 A.M. THAT WILL BE ON WFSU, 88.9 FM.

>> AND OUR NEXT FORUM WILL BE TOMORROW, WEDNESDAY, JULY THE 20TH AT 1 P.M. AND IT WILL BE WITH TWO CANDIDATES FOR TALLAHASSEE CITY COMMISSION, SEAT 3, DAVID BELLAMY AND JER JEREMY ARTHUR MAT LOW.

AND.

>> AND WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR YOUR QUESTIONS, EASILY E-MAIL THEM TO NEWS@TALLAHASSEE.COM.

YOU CAN ALSO STAY WITH THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS AND ALL SORTS OF NEWS FROM THE CAMPAIGNS AT TALLAHASSEE.COM.

YOU CAN ALSO LOOK FOR OUR SPECIAL ELECTIONS SECTION OF THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT WITH INTERVIEWS WITH ALL THE CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT.

THAT WILL BE PRINTED AND INSERTED IN THE SUNDAY, AUGUST 7TH PAPER.

I WANT TO THANK THE CANDIDATES FOR JOINING US, ALL THOSE VIEWING OUT IN FACEBOOK AND YouTUBE LAND.

AND THE CAST AND CREW HERE AT WFSU MAKES THIS ALL POSSIBLE.

THANK YOU ALL AND HAVE A GREAT DAY.

♪