[MUSIC].

WELCOME TO THE THIRD IN A SERIES OF POLITICAL CANDIDATE FORMS AN EVENT AUGUST 20 PRIMARY ELECTION THIS FORUM IS A COOPERATIVE PRODUCTION OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLASSEE THE TALLASSEE DEMOCRAT AND WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA TODAY'S CANDIDATES ARE RUNNING FORLEON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT NUMBER FOUR I'M.

[LISTING NAMES] OF WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA I'M JOINED BY WILLIAM HATFIELD OF THE TALLAHASSE DEMOCRAT AND DANIEL ARE ONE FROM THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLASSEE.

WE WILL QUESTION THE CANDIDATES ON VARIOUS TOPICS LET'S MEET THE CANDIDATES .

>> Moderator: CANDIDATES FOR LEON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT COURT SITTING LEFT TO RIGHT OR LAURIE LAWSON COX WHO IS THE INCUMBENT IN THIS CASE AND JEREMY ROGERS THOSE WATCHING OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA PLEASE HIT THE SHARE BUTTON AND HELP ALL YOUR FRIENDS SEE AT HOME HERE IS HOW THE FORUM IS GOING TO WORK WE WILL ROTATE WHICH CANDIDATE GETS TO ANSWER FIRST.

WE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS WE WILL ASK THE CANDIDATES TO KEEP THEIR ANSWERS TO ABOUT 60 SECONDS.

ACTUALLY PROBABLY MORE LIKE 45 WE ARE BEING STINGY.

SOMETIMES IT SHORTER FOR FOLLOW-UPS WILL WILL KEEP TIME IN A TECHNICAL WAY YOU WILL HEAR THIS WHEN PLEASED TO FINISH HER SENTENCE WE WILL KEEP TRUCKING ON.

>> IF YOU'RE WATCHING A FACEBOOK AND YOU HAVE A QUESTION FOR THE CANDIDATES GO AHEAD AND TYPE THEM IN THE COMMENTS.

WE'LL GET TO AS MANY OF THEM AS WE CAN TIME IS VERY LIMITED YOU CAN IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF YOUR QUESTION BEEN ASKED IF YOU KEEP IT BRIEF AND POLITE MAKE IT APPLICABLE TO ALL CANDIDATES.

ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE START.

LET'S JUMP RIGHT IN.

LAURIE LAWSON COX WILL BEGIN WITH YOU.

WHERE IS THE ENTITY SCHOOL DISTRICTS STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW AND WHERE IS IT EXCELLING 45 SECONDS.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.

THE FIRST THING THAT COMES TO MIND IS I THINK IT IS NOT JUST A LEON COUNTY ISSUE BUT I STATE AND NATIONWIDE ISSUE IT IS CONTINUING TO GET GOOD QUALIFIED HIGHLY EFFECTIVE TEACHERS AND RECRUITING TEACHERS.

I THINK THAT IS ONE AREA WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON.

THAT'S AN AREA THAT WE NEED TO CONTINUE TOSTRIVE FOR.

THE OTHER THING YOU SAID THE OTHER PART OF THE QUESTION WHAT WE ARE DOING WELL .

>> Moderator: WHERE IS IT EXCELLING.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: I THINK WE ARE MAKING GREAT STRIDES IN PROVIDING RESOURCES AND SUPPORT FOR OUR SCHOOLS AND I'M SURE WE'LL GET INTO THAT A LITTLE BIT LATER.

ANOTHER THING I THINK WE ARE DOING A REALLY GREAT JOB ON IS OUR SAFETY AND SECURITY.

WE WILL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT AS WELL.

>> Jeremy Rogers: WHERE WE ARE EXCELLING AS OUR PEOPLE.

WE ARE SO BLESSED TO HAVE THE TEACHERS AND THE SUPPORT SERVICE STAFF AND THE PRINCIPLES.

WE HAVE THE TOWN SPRING WHERE WE ARE FAILING IS PAYING THEM.

WE HAVE TO PAY THEM MORE.

THEY'VE GOT TO FEEL VALUED.

THEY HAVE TWO AT MINIMUM OR IN A LIVABLE WAGE.

I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING I CAN BRING TO THE TABLE A BIT OF CREATIVITY AND MOVE THINGS AROUND HERE AND THERE AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO PAY THEM A LITTLE MORE.

>> Moderator: OKAY MR ROGERS WILL START WITH YOU WITH THE NEXT QUESTION WHAT MAKES YOU THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR THIS SEAT OVER YOUR OPPONENT 45 SECONDS.

>> Jeremy Rogers: JUSTTHE SHORT ANSWER I'VE GOT A VESTED INTEREST IN THIS.

I'M A FATHER TO A 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL BECAUSE TO .

[LISTING NAMES].

I'M A FIREFIGHTER I WHEN A PRESCHOOL I OWN A SUMMER CAMP EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IS SUPER IMPORTANT TO ME.

I ALSO WORK IN THE AT RISK COMMUNITY OVER 6000 CHILDREN GONE TO MY PROGRAM TO DATE.

I JUST THINK THAT BRINGS ME THE TYPE OF WELL ROUNDED EXPERIENCE TO THE TABLE THAT CAN LEAD DISTRICT 4 INTO A BETTER PLACE.

>>Moderator: THANK YOU .

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: I THINK WHAT MAKES ME A BETTER CANDIDATE.

I WAS BORN IN LAKELAND BUT RAISED IN LEON COUNTY WENT TO LEON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

I THOUGHT LEON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

WITH 33 STRAIGHT YEARS 36 TOTAL YEARS BUT 33 STRAIGHT IN LEON COUNTY.

WE RAISED OUR SON MY HUSBAND IS AN EDUCATOR IN LEON COUNTY WENT TO LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS FOR OUR SON WITH ELEMENTARY MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL INSTEAD HERE WITH THE FLORIDA STATE PRINCE I AM SO INVESTED IN THIS COMMUNITY ONE THING I BRING TO THE TABLE IS THE BUILDING OF RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATING TO PEOPLE LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY LISTENING TO PARENTS LISTENING TO TEACHERS.

HAVING BEEN A TEACHER I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT WE VALUE OUR TEACHERS.

AND LISTEN TO OUR PARENTS.

>> Moderator: THIS IS A NONPARTISAN RAISED BUT MAYBE NOT FOR LONG.

AND IF THIS NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION VOTERS WILL BE ASKED TO APPROVE OR REJECT AN AMENDMENT TO THE FLORIDA CONSTITUTION THAT CHANGES THE ELECTION OF THE 67TH LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS FROM NONPARTISAN TO PARTISAN.

SHOULD THE ELECTION OF SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS BE NONPARTISAN OR PARTISAN?

THIS IS SOMETHING I'VE TALKED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE AROUND THE STATE AS WELL.

TO BE HONEST MY PERSONAL OPINION I LIKE THE FACT IT IS NONPARTISAN.

BECAUSE WE ARE DEALING WITH CHILDREN WITH MINORS.

THE ME POLITICS SHOULD NOT BE REALLY A FACTOR WHEN YOU'RE LOOKING AT POLICIES AND THINGS THAT YOU WANT TO SEE THE LEGISLATORS ARE COMING FROM YOUR POINT OF VIEW THEY WANT YOUR VALUES.

THAT SHOULD BE PUBLIC RECORD I GUESS.

I DO BELIEVE IT'S A REALLY TOUGH SITUATION.

PERSONALLY, I LIKE THE FACT THAT IS NONPARTISAN.

>> Jeremy Rogers: I AGREE WITH MS COX I THINK IT SHOULD BE NONPARTISAN THIS IS ONE OF MY MAIN FOCUSES WHEN YOU START GETTING PARTISAN START INVITING EXTREMIST GROUPS LIKE MOMS FOR LIBERTY AND IT'S NOT THAT THEY DON'T HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE BUT WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT BANNING BOOKS AND CENSORSHIP AS A VETERAN, I CAN'T GET BEHIND THAT IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM.

STEPPING IN THE VOID FOR OTHERS IS A FIREFIGHTER AND A NONPROFIT FOUNDER IT'S ABOUT THE KIDS IT'S ABOUT THE OUTCOMES.

IT'S ABOUT GETTING THEM OUTSIDE IT'S ABOUT KEEPING THEM HEALTHY AND HAVING A GOOD EXPERIENCE I JUST DON'T THINK POLITICS HAS ANY PLACE IN OUR SCHOOLS.

>> Moderator: AND YET LAWMAKERS DO WHAT IS YOUR PARTY AFFILIATION HOW DOES IT INFORM YOUR VIEWS ON YOUR PLATFORM 30 SECONDS MR ROGERS.

>> Jeremy Rogers: I'M A VERY IT DOESN'T MY PARTY VIEW DOES NOT APPLY TO MY SEAT IN THIS RACE.

I CARE ABOUT KIDS I CARE ABOUT OUTCOMES CARE ABOUT FAMILIES.

THAT OTHER NONSENSE IT JUST DOESN'T HAVE A PLACE IT DOESN'T HAVE A PLACE IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: SO I ALSO AM A BIG BELIEVER IN WHAT IS BEST FOREVERYONE .

I AM A REGISTERED REPUBLICAN I DON'T MAKE BONES ABOUTTHAT.

I ALSO HAVE SUCH A HEART FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE FORWARD TEACHERS AND MAKE SURE YOU'RE DOING THE BEST THING FOR KIDS.

>> Moderator: IN MANY WAYS THIS RACE HAS BEEN DEFINED BY PARTY POLITICS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS TAKEN PARTICULARLY AIM AT YOUR PARTY AFFILIATION DESCRIBING YOU AS AN EXTREME RIGHT WING FORCE ON THE SCHOOL BOARD WHAT YOU MAKE OF THAT I WILL ASK YOU THE SAME THING MR ROGERS 32ND.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: TO ME A LETTER THAT ANYBODY THAT KNOWS ME KNOWS THAT'S ALMOST LIKE A SET LEVEL.

I SPENT 36 YEARS AS A TEACHER TEACHING IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

I LOVE ALL MY STUDENTS I DO TRY TO ALWAYS DO WHAT'S BEST FOR OUR PARENTS FIRST TO INSPIRE TEACHERS.

YOU CAN LOOK AT MY VOTING RECORD THE LAST YEAR AND 1/2 I DON'T SEE WHERE ANYONE CAN SAY I HAD AN EXTREME VIEW.

>> Jeremy Rogers: I SAY FOLLOW THE MONEY.

LOOK AT THE CAMPAIGN DONATIONS .

THESE GIANT CORPORATE PACKS THAT ARE TRYING TO INFILTRATE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND OUR SCHOOLS THAT IS SCARY.

THAT IS REALLY REALLY SCARY.

IT DOESN'T HAVE A PLACE IF YOU LOOK AT MY DONATIONS THEY ARE MY NEIGHBORS.

THEY ARE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS IN MY DISTRICT.

THEY ARE NOT THESE GIANT DARK AND SCARY CORPORATE PACKS.

>> Moderator: WHAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE DARK SCARY CORPORATE PACKS.

>> Jeremy Rogers: CLASSIC EXAMPLE WOULD BE A MOM FOR LIBERTY GROUP.

POLITICAL FUNDRAISER FOR GOVERNOR DESANTIS.

RECENTLY WE LEARNED MY OPPONENTS CAMPAIGN JUST TIRED A VERY HEAVY HITTER IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

AND RAISED IS THERE TO RAISE A BUNCH OF MONEY FROM THOSE DONORS.

>> Moderator: THANK YOU MS COX Laurie Lawson Cox: WHO ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, MY OPPONENT IS THE ONE THAT IS TRYING TO BRING PARTISAN POLITICS BY LABELING ME AS AN EXTREMIST.

ANYONE THAT KNOWS ME KNOWS THAT IS THE FURTHEST THING FROM THE TRUTH.

I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE WHO HE'S TALKING ABOUT WHAT HE IS TALKING ABOUT.

>> Moderator: LET'S GET TO THE REAL SCHOOL BOARD NONPARTISAN OVER TO THE ISSUE OF CHARTER SCHOOLS.

FLORIDA'S CONSTITUTION MANDATES A SYSTEM OF FREE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

IN YOUR VIEW HOWEVER UNIVERSAL VOUCHERS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS IMPACTED THE LEON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT AND HOW DO YOU COMPETE WITH THE CHOICE GOING FORWARD?

45 SECONDS WE WILL BEGIN WITH MR ROGERS.

>> Jeremy Rogers: I AM ANTI-FAUCHER I THINK THAT'S A SNEAKY WAY TO PRIVATIZE PUBLIC SCHOOLS I DON'T THINK PUBLIC MONEY SHOULD BE GOING INTO PRIVATE ENTITIES IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORUM I THINK THAT MONEY NEEDS TO GO INTO TEACHER PAY NEEDS TO GO INTO TRAINING.

IT NEEDS TO GO INTO A MYRIAD OF THINGS.

OUTSIDE JUST DOESN'T HAVE A PLACE FOR THAT.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: I SPENT 33 YEARS TEACHING IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS RIGHT HERE IN LEON COUNTY.

I'M A PRODUCT OF OUR LEON COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

I'M A HUGE ADVOCATE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

AT THE END OF THE DAY I ALSO REALIZED THAT PARENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHOOSE THE BEST PLACE THAT THEY WANT THEIR STUDENTS OR THEIR KIDS TO BE EDUCATED.

WHETHER THAT IS PRIVATE, CHARTER, HOMESCHOOL AND BELIEVE PARENTS SHOULD HAVE THE CHOICE OF WHERE THEY WANT IT TO SEND THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOLS THAT TO ME IS NOT , IT COVERS A WIDE SPECTRUM OF THINGS.

I BELIEVE IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS I LOVE LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY PARENTS HAVE A RIGHT TO CHOOSE THE BEST PLACE FOR THEIRS STUDENTS CHILDREN TO BE EDUCATED.

>> Moderator: A QUICK FOLLOW-UP HOW SHOULD THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BE COMPETING IN THIS NEW ERA OF COMPETITION.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: THERE IS AFINANCIAL HIT IT REALLY MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO REALIGN WHAT WE ARE DOING AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE OFFERING THE BEST PROGRAMS , THE BEST ACADEMICS AT OUR SCHOOLS.

THAT PARENTS FEEL CONFIDENT AND COMFORTABLE SENDING THEIR KIDS TO OUR SCHOOLS.

I BELIEVE IN OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS I BELIEVE IN LEON COUNTY.

WE JUST CONTINUE TO LET THE COMMITTEE KNOW THAT LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS IS THE BEST PLACE TO EDUCATE YOUR CHILDREN.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY IF WE ARE NOT MEETING THEIR NEEDS AND PARENTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO CHOOSE THE PLACE THEY WANT THE KIDS TO GO.

>> Moderator: DISTURBED ROGERS HOW SHOULD LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS BE COMPETING.

>> Jeremy Rogers: IT IS CERTAINLY NOT BY SPENDING HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ON A LOGO.

IF YOU WANT TO COMPETE WITH THE DAYCARE OF YOUR HOUSE.

YOU'VE GOT TO CLEAN UP YOUR HOUSE FIRST.

THAT STARTS WITH PAYING TEACHERS MORE COMING UP WITH FUN AND CREATIVE CURRICULUM GET THE KIDS BACK OUTSIDE.

FORMING MONEY OUT FORMING PUBLIC MONEY TO PRIVATE COMPANIES IT IS ODD TO .

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE WOULD DO THAT.

ONE WHY SHOULD PARENTS CHOOSE TO SEND THEIR CHILD TO A LINN COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL OVER A PRIVATE OR CHARTER 45 SECONDS GETTING WITH MS COX.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: WE HAVE SOME INCREDIBLE I WOULD SAY THE BEST TEACHERS IN OUR LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS.

WE HAVE SOME AMAZING ADMINISTRATORS.

ARE WE PERFECT?

NO, NO PLACE IS WHEN YOU DO WITH 33,000 STUDENTS OVER 5000 EMPLOYEES.

I WILL TELL YOU FROM THE TOP DOWN PARENTS SHOULD BE CONFIDENT IN SENDING THEIR STUDENTS TO OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THE EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES THAT ARE SCHOOLS OFFER HIGH ACADEMIC STANDARDS THAT WE HAVE.

THE MUSIC PROGRAMS THE ART PROGRAMS.

SPORTS PROGRAMS .

THE CLUBS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS THAT WE ARE PART OF.

LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS IS A GREAT PLACE TO EDUCATE YOUR KIDS.

>> Jeremy Rogers: I WILL GO BACK TO PEOPLE.

IT IS THE TEACHERS IT IS THE PRINCIPLES AND THE SUPPORT STAFF.

YOU WILL NOT GET BETTER YOU WILL NOT GET BETTER WITH THE SWORD BUT TAKING CARE OF THEM.

WE'VE GOT TO CHALLENGE THEM WE GOT TO GIVE THEM CREDIT INCENTIVIZED BASE PAVED WITH DO TAKE CARE OF THEM THEN THE REST WILL FALL INTO PLACE.

>> Moderator: THIS NEXT QUESTION INVOLVES SOMETHING WILLED TO EARLIER HISTORICALLY THE LINN COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS CHALLENGED THE NEW RATION OF CHARTER THOUGH IT'S BEEN OVERRULED SEVERAL TIMES BUT THE STATE SHOULD THE SCHOOL BOARD CONTINUE THAT POSTURE 30 SECONDS OF RESPONSES.

>> Jeremy Rogers: AS FAR AS CHALLENGING GOES IF THAT IS THE LAW WE NEED TO FOLLOW THE LAW.

IF THAT IS WHAT THE GOVERNOR AND THE DIRECTOR SAYS WE NEED TO FOLLOW THE LAW.

I DON'T NATURALLY AGREE WITH IT BUT I WILL FOLLOW WHAT THE BOSS SAYS.

CAN YOU REPEAT THAT QUESTION STUART HISTORICALLY LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS HAS CHALLENGED THE CREATION OF NEW CHARTERS THOUGH IT'S BEEN OVERRULED SEVERAL TIMES BY THE STATE.

SHOULD THE SCHOOL BOARD CONTINUE THAT POSTURE?

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: I THINK WHEN CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE PRESENTED TO US WE NEED TO LOOK VERY CLOSELY AT WHAT THEIR MISSION IS AND THEIR STRUCTURE AND ALL OF THAT.

AND TAKE CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.

I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BLANKET CHALLENGE A CHARTER SCHOOL.

WE SHOULD WELCOME PEOPLE THAT WANT TO OFFER AN ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION.

RIGHT HERE IN LEON COUNTY.

BUT IT IS SOMETHING WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK AT.

>> Moderator: DECLINING ENROLLMENT IS A REALITY IN MANY PUBLIC SCHOOLS INCLUDING HERE IN LEON COUNTY THAT PROMPTED SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER.

[LISTING NAMES] CALLED FOR A DIALOGUE ON THE POSSIBILITY OF CLOSING SCHOOLSPIRIT THAT HAS HAPPENED IN DISTRICTS AS NEAR AS JACKSONVILLE.

IS THAT SOMETHING WE NEED TO DISCUSS HERE IN LEON COUNTY WHY OR WHY NOT ?

45 SECOND RESPONSES.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: I WAS AT THAT BOARDMEETING .

IT IS HAPPENING AROUND THE STATE AROUND THE COUNTRY.

WE ARE NOT THERE YET.

IS THAT A CONVERSATION WE MIGHT EVENTUALLY HAVE?

MAYBE .

I'M NOT SURE WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT YET.

I WAS AT ONE OF MY DISTRICT SCHOOLS A COUPLE OF MONTHS BEFORE THE SCHOOL GOT OUT AND THE TEACHERS LOVE THAT THE SCHOOL IS NOT BUSTING AT THE SEAMS.

I THOUGHT IT SCHOOLS THERE BUSTING AT THE SEAMS.

THAT CREATES ITS CHALLENGES.

I TAUGHT AT SCHOOLS THAT WERE UNDER CAPACITY THERE ARE SOME TRUE BENEFITS AND HAVING A SMALL SCHOOL SETTING.

WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO BE FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE BUT I THINK WE CAN COME UP WITH CREATIVE WAYS AND HOPEFULLY NOT CLOSE AT SCHOOLS ANYTIME SOON.

>> Moderator: MR ROGERS.

>> Jeremy Rogers: A LOVE THAT SHE SAID CREATIVE WAYS THAT'S EXACTLY IT WE HAVE TO BEGIN PRAYING WITH THE ROLE OUR SLAVES UP WITH TO GET TO WORK WITH TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN SAVE THOSE) WITH THE BRING THE WHOLE COMMUNITY TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS ARE INVOLVED.

MANY TO KEEP THESE CLASSROOMS MOVE ON TO ANOTHER TOPIC.

MORE THAN ONE THIRD OF LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS STUDENTS MISSED 10% OR MORE OF THEIR CLASSROOM TIME IN 2023 SCHOOL YEAR.

HOW CAN LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS REDUCE CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM?

45 SECONDS .

>> Jeremy Rogers: AGAIN YOU WILL HEAR ME KEEP BEATING THIS DRUM.

IT STARTS WITH YOUR STAFF.

IT IS FUN AND ENCOURAGING AND CREATIVE CURRICULUM.

IF YOU CAN GET THE KIDS ENGAGED .

THEY WILL WANT TO COME THEY WILL DEFINITELY DO THEIR VERY BEST TO COME.

UNDERSTAND THERE ARE SOME SOCIAL THINGS THAT MAY KEEP THEM FROM COMING HEREIN WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT WE NEED TO WORK WITH THESE DEPARTMENTS AND FIGURE OUT IS IT TRANSPORTATION?

WHAT IS THE DEAL?

THE ENVIRONMENT?

A BIG PROPONENT OF THE WHOLE CHILD FIGURING OUT FROM START TO FINISH WHAT IS GOING ON.

>> Moderator: THANK YOU.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: ABSENTEEISM IS A REAL ISSUE NOT JUST HERE IN LEON COUNTY ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

ESPECIALLY COMING OFF OF COVID.

WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO INSTILL IN PARENTS THE VALUE OF THEIR STUDENTS THEIR KIDS BEING IN SCHOOL.

WE HAVE GOT TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON PROCESSES THAT MAKE THE SCHOOL I JUST LOST MY TRAIN OF THOUGHT I'M SORRY.

IT IS AN ISSUE WE DO HAVE HERE IS WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY WE HAVE SOME GREAT PEOPLE AND PLACES THAT ARE FOLLOWING UP WITH OUR PARENTS AND OUR FAMILIES WHEN THEIR STUDENTS ARE ABSENT WITH GOT SOME POLICIES IN PLACE, WE'VE GOT TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THOSE FAMILIESTHAT HAVE CHRONIC ABSENTEEISM TO LET THEM SEE THE VALUE OF THEIR KIDS BEING IN SCHOOL.

WE KNOW WHEN THEY ARE IN SCHOOL THEY WILL PERFORM BETTER AND THAT THEY WILL LEARN THANK YOU >> Moderator: WHAT IS YOUR LEVEL OF SATISFACTION WITH THE DISTRICT'S INCLUSIVITY AND LGBTQ GUIDE TO WHAT NEEDS ADJUSTING IN 60 SECONDS .

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: THAT WAS STARTED BEFORE I GOT ELECTED AND OF COURSE WE HAVE PASSED IT IS BASED ON STATE STATUTE RAN THAT KIND OF THING WE HAVE IT IN LEON COUNTY.

Jeremy Rogers: WE CAN ALWAYS DO BETTER.

IT'S ABOUT LEARNING ABOUT YOUR COMMUNITY IT'S ABOUT LEARNING WHO IS IN THE SCHOOL.

WHAT KIND OF POPULATION YOU HAVE?

AND THEN LOVE THEM.

LOVE THOSE CHILDREN LOVE THOSE FAMILIES.

>> Moderator: ANY ADJUSTMENTS YOU THINK NEED TO BE MADE TO YOU CAN ALWAYS MAKE ADJUSTMENTS BUT THINK YOU CAN DO BETTER YOU CAN LOVE THEM A LITTLE BIT MORE.

>> Moderator: THANK YOU IN 2017 STUDIESSHOWED THAT LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS WERE AMONG FLORIDA'S MOST SEGREGATED.

HAVE WE MADE ANY PROGRESS ON THAT AND WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO NEXT IN 45 SECONDS .

>> Jeremy Rogers: WE'VE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

ONE OF MY IDEAS IS PARTNERSHIP SCHOOLS.

MAYBE PARTNERING CHILDREN WITH BOND OR MAYBE PARTNERING THE EFFLUENT THE SCHOOLS WITH MAYBE NOT SO AFFLUENT SCHOOLS.

AND FIGURING OUT HOW WE CAN GET THESE FAMILIES TOGETHER AND PULL IN THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST IN BOTH SCHOOLS.

INTERMINGLING, AND JUST COMING TOGETHER.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO.

>> Moderator: THANK YOU.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: I'M NOT SURE WE HAVE GOTTEN A LOT BETTER SINCE 2017.

OUR SCHOOLS ARE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS.

IT'S INTERESTING MY OPPONENT MENTIONED THAT.

THAT IS ONE AWESOME THING I'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO THIS YEAR IS TALK TO SOME OF OUR SCHOOLS IN OUR DISTRICT ARE DRUNK WITH ONE OF OUR TIDAL I SCHOOLS THE ONLY TIDAL I SCHOOL IN MY DISTRICT, THOSE PARTNERSHIPS ARE BEING CREATED.

WITH SOME OF THE SCHOOLS.

THAT'S REALLY A NEAT THING.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CONTINUE HAVING TO WORK ON.

>> Moderator: FINAL QUESTION IN THIS SEGMENT.

WHEN IS LAST TIME THE DISTRICT DID SCHOOL REZONING?

IT MIGHT ANGER A LOT OF PEOPLE AS PARENTS WILL CHOOSE TO BUY HOMES JUST TO LAND IN THE SCHOOL OF THEIR CHOICE BUT SOME SCHOOLS ARE MATCHED WHILE THE OTHER IS NOT HIS ATTEMPT TO TALK ABOUT THIS IN 45 SECONDS.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: I CANNOT REMEMBER THE LAST TIME ACTUALLY I THINK LAST TIME WAS WHEN ROBERTS WAS BUILT WHICH I WAS ABLE TO OPEN THAT SCHOOL.

IT IS A CONTENTIOUS ISSUE FOR SURE WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT REZONING BECAUSE FAMILIES BUY HOMES IN AN AREA WHERE THEY WANT THEIR KIDS TO GO TO SCHOOL.

WE HAVE NOT HAD THOSE CONNOTATIONS YET I'M NOT SURE WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK AT NUMBERS AND IF WE DO HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS WE ABSOLUTELY GET THE COMMUNITY INVOLVED THAT IS NOT A DECISION THAT CAN BE MADE FROM THE TOP DOWN IT HAS TO HAVE EVERYONE BUYING INTO THOSE DECISIONS THOSE ARE TOUGH ISSUES TO REZONE.

>> Moderator: 1145 SECONDS.

>> Jeremy Rogers: I AGREE WITH MY OPPONENT GETTING THE COMMUNITY INVOLVED THAT IS FIRST AND FOREMOST.

BUT WE CAN ABATE THAT) IF WE TAKE CARE OF OUR TEACHERS, AND WE PAY THEM MORE AND COME UP WITH NEW AND CREATIVE AND EXCITING CURRICULUMS TO KEEP THESE FAMILIES ENGAGED, WE WILL NOT HAVE TO DO THAT THE SCHOOLS ARE GOING TO COME UP.

WE NEED TO CIRCLE THE WAGONS AROUND THE SCHOOLS THAT ARE NOT DOING SO WELL WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT PARTNER THEM FOR THE SCHOOLS THAT ARE DOING WELL AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WORKING WELL OVER HERE, MAYBE IT CAN WORK OVER HERE.

THE FORKLIFT MAKE THIS BIG ADJUSTMENT IN THIS BIG CHANGE MAYBE WE DON'T HAVE TO MAYBE WE CAN JUST SOLVE THE PROBLEM BY TAKINGCARE OF OUR JUMPING ONTO REBOUNDING WHICH WAS REFERENCED EARLIER 40 THINK THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS LOGO AND REBRANDING CAMPAIGN HAVE YOU SEEN ANY RESULTS SO FAR MR ROGERS .

>> Jeremy Rogers: I THINK IT WAS A COMPLETE BLUNDER AND A WASTED OPPORTUNITY AS A BUSINESS OWNER I GET IT I GET THE BRANDING AND THINGS BUT YOU STOLE AN OPPORTUNITY FROM SO MANY KIDS THEY COULD'VE DESIGNED THAT.

YOU COULD HAVE HAD CONTESTS THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS THAT YOU COULD HAVE SPENT THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY AND ACCOMPLISH THE SAME JOB.

Laurie Lawson Cox: THOSE WERE DISCUSSIONS THAT WERE STARTED BEFORE I GOT ON BOARD.

IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS A LONG PROCESS COMING.

IT WAS A LOT OF MONEY.

IT IS A LOT OF MONEY.

COULD WE HAVE DONE A LOT BETTER JOB ON THAT?

ABSOLUTELY!.

>> Moderator: WHAT DO YOU THINK THE REACTION WAS SO BRUTAL ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO THE NEW LOGO WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THE PROCESS?

JUST 15 SECONDS ON THAT.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: I THINK WE COULD'VE DONE A BETTER JOB COMMUNICATING TO THE COMMUNITY WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND WHAT WAS GOING ON.

THE WAY IT WAS ROLLED OUT I THINK COULD'VE BEEN HANDLED A LITTLE BETTER.

>> Jeremy Rogers: 'SSIMPLY PUT WE JUST TOOK PUBLIC MONEY AND WE WASTED IT.

>> Moderator: OKAY WE ARE BACK TO DISTRICT MANAGEMENT THIS NEXT SECTION IS FOCUSED ON DISTRICT MANAGEMENT AND FACULTY.

REPORT CARD TIME.

WHAT LETTER GRADE WOULD YOU GIVE OUR SUPERINTENDENT AND WHY?

WHAT DOES HE DO WELL AND WHAT CAN HE IMPROVE ON?

45 SECONDS .

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: I'VE KNOWN OR SUPERINTENDENT FOR A LONG TIME WE WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL TOGETHER MY FATHER-IN-LAW COACHED HIM MY HUSBAND COACHED HIM WERE NOT CLOSE FRIENDS BUT I'VE ENJOYED WORKING WITH HIM THIS LAST YEAR AND ASPIRIN IS HE PERFECT?

ABSOLUTELY NOT WHAT WISH HE HAD A BETTER RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR GOVERNOR AND OUR LEGISLATORS AND COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION?

YES I'M WORKING WITH HIM ON THOSE THINGS.

SOME THINGS THAT HE DOES EXCEPTIONALLY WELL, HE CARES ABOUT OUR KIDS OUR FAMILIES OUR COMMUNITY.

HE WAS ONE OF THE MOST BELOVED PRINCIPLES LEON HIGH SCHOOL HE IS ALSO VERY FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE AND I HAVE LOVED WORKING WITH THEM.

LETTER GRADE IN LIGHT OF ALL OF THAT A-/B+ I THINK WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB OF COMMUNICATION.

>> Jeremy Rogers: WOULD YOU MIND REPEATING THE QUESTION.

>> Moderator: WHAT LETTER GRADE WOULD YOU GIVE OUR SUPERINTENDENT AND WIFE WHAT DOES HE DO WELL IN WORKING TO IMPROVE.

>> Jeremy Rogers: I WOULD SAY A C GIVE HIM A C PRINCE BECAUSE HE CARES THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT SETTLEMENT CARES ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY AND HE CARES ABOUT OUR KIDS.

I JUST CAN'T GET ON BOARD WITH SOME OF THE WASTEFUL SPENDING AND IF THE PROJECTS NOWHERE.

IT IS JUST ODD I'M CURIOUS I'M JUST CURIOUS WHY?

I'M SCRATCHING MY HEAD WHY?

OFTEN.

>> Moderator: WHAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF PROJECTS NOWHERE.

>> Jeremy Rogers: I WOULD SAY THE SCHOOL LOGO WHY ARE WE SPENDING $100,000 ON A SCHOOL LOGO ROBBING PLENTY OF KIDS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DESIGN OR DRAW THAT.

I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT SECURITY.

>> Moderator: CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS HAVE BEGUN AGAIN WITH THE LEON COUNTY'S TEACHERS UNION PAST BARGAINING SESSIONS HAVE GOTTEN CONTENTIOUS WHAT IS REVISED FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT AND KEEPINGNEGOTIATIONS PRODUCTIVE 32ND RESPONSES .

>> Jeremy Rogers: HATE THEM MORE.

THEY DESERVE A LIVABLE WAGE.

YOU SHOULD ABLE TO AFFORD THE NEIGHBORHOOD YOU ARE LIVING IN.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: I WOULD SAY CONTINUALLY OPEN COMMUNICATION .

COMMUNICATION WHEN YOU SIT DOWN AND HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH SOMEONE YOU CAN SEE THEIR POINT OF VIEW THEY CAN SEE YOUR POINT OF VIEW, THINGS ARE NOT ALWAYS AS EASY AS THEY SEEM.

BUT WE DO NEED TO WORK TO PAY OUR TEACHERS MORE AND OUR STAFF MEMBERS MORE.

>> Moderator: MANY TEACHERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT WHETHER WHAT THEY SAY IN A CLASSROOM AND GET THEM FIRED A FINE WORK SANCTION HOW YOU TALK TO TEACHERSABOUT THIS ISSUE 32ND SPONSORS .

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: I THINK OUR DISTRICT NEEDS TO CONTINUE TO ASSURE OUR TEACHERS IT STARTS FROM TOP DOWN WITH OUR ADMINISTRATORS COMMUNICATING TO OUR TEACHERS WE ARE GOING TO SUPPORT YOU AS LONG AS YOU ARE TEACHING YOUR STANDARDS AND TEACHING YOUR CURRICULUM AND STAYING WITHIN WHAT IS MORALLY AND ETHICALLY THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

AS LONG AS YOU ARE FOLLOWING THE STATE LAW AND DOING THE RIGHT THING WE WILL SUPPORT YOU.

HOPEFULLY THEY ARE NOT LIVING CAN TELL YOU THEY ARE LIVING IN FEAR AND HOLY TOXIC ENVIRONMENT I'VE BEEN KNOCKING ON HUNDREDS OF DOORS I COME ACROSS A LOT OF TEACHERS AND ONE FOR INSTANCE I HOPE SHE'S WATCHING SHE SAID I WILL SUPPORT YOU I WILL VOTE FOR YOU.

BUT I CANNOT PUT A SIGN OUT IN MY YARD .

AND AFRAID OF RETRIBUTION.

THAT SAYS IT ALL.

A SIGN .

FOR SUPPORTING A DIFFERENT CANDIDATE.

THAT IS FEAR.

THAT IS TOXIC.

WE NEED CHANGE.

>> Moderator: HAVE THEHOW DO YOU THINK THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HANDLED THE RECENT STORMS SPECIFICALLY THE MAY TORNADO OUTBREAK 32ND RESPONSES .

>> Jeremy Rogers: DISASTER ZERO CHANCE THAT THERE WAS HANDLED VERY GOOD AT ALL.

AS A FIRST RESPONDER THAT'S WHY WE NEED SOMEONE LIKE MYSELF IN HIS POSITION SO WE CAN HELP COACHED THEM A LITTLE BIT BETTER THERE IS NO WAY THAT WE NEED TO HAVE THOSE BABIES COME TO AND FROM SCHOOL IN THE MIDDLE OF A TORNADO THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE .

I'M ASTOUNDED.

I'M ASTOUNDED AT HOW THEY HANDLED BAD.

WHEN I GET IN OFFICE I CAN PROMISE YOU THAT THEY WILL HAVE SOME CONVERSATIONS AND THE TRAINING AND DO BETTER I PROMISE YOU Lawson Cox: THERE ARE THINGS THAT HAPPENED BEHIND THE SCENES THE PEOPLE DON'T KNOW.

UNTIL YOU ARE IN THAT SEAT MAKING A DECISION, IT IS TOUGH TO MAKE A DECISION WHEN THE SITUATION IS A FLUID AND CHANGING.

DID WE MAKE SOME MISTAKES ABSOLUTELY DID WE LEARN FROM THOSE MISTAKES?

ABSOLUTELY MOVING FORWARD BETTER COMMUNICATION .

WE CAN DO THINGS BETTER.

WHEN YOU WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF A CRISIS YOU ARE HANDLING THINGS THE BEST YOU CAN WITH THE KNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE AT THAT SECOND.

BUT THE ASPIRIN .

>> Moderator: MOVING ON TO SCHOOL SAFETY.

SCHOOL SHOOTINGS HAVE BECOME THE BIGGEST FEAR OF PARENTS TEACHERS ANDADMINISTRATORS.

HOW WOULD YOU AS AN ELECTED SCHOOL LEADER ENSURE SUCH A THING CAN'T HAPPEN IN LEON COUNTY 45 WOULD PUT SWORN LAW-ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS THEY CAN DO THREAT ASSESSMENT AND ALL OF OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

RECENTLY WE HAD SOME OF OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS LOSE SWORN OFFICERS THEY CAN DO THOSE ALSO UNACCEPTABLE WE NEED TO BE OR HAVE OUR BEST AND BRIGHTEST IN LEON COUNTY OVER SWORN OFFICERS BEING ABLE TO MAKE THOSE THREAT ASSESSMENTS PROTECT THOSE BABIES.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: SAFETY AND SECURITY IS ONE THING I AM SO PROUD OF LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS.

I WATCHED IT FROM THE FIRST TIME SRO SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS CAME INTO LEON COUNTY AT SCHOOL WE BACK IN THE DAY OF SCHOOL SAFETY AND SECURITY TEAM IS TOP-NOTCH WE ARE ONE OF THE LEADING DISTRICTS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA IF NOT THE NATION WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS IS SECOND TO NONE .

THIS PAST YEAR WE'VE ADDED ANOTHER RESOURCE DEPUTY INTO ALL OF OUR HIGH SCHOOLS WE HAVE RESOURCE OFFICERS FROM THE LEON COUNTY SHERIFFb DEPARTMENT IN ALL OUR MIDDLE SCHOOLS ARE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS BUT MY OPPONENT IS REFERRING TO IS MUCH MORE TO THAT STORY.

BUT WE DO HAVE ARMED GUARDIANS AT EVERY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL THEY ARE TOP NOTCH HIGHLY TRAINED AND LOVE WHAT WE'RE DOING IN SAFETY AND SECURITY.

>> Moderator: THANK YOU WE HAVE A COUPLE OF INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONS IN REFERENCE TO THE SUPERINTENDENT SCHOLARSHIP WITH THE GOVERNOR AFTER YOUR VICTORY GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS WAS CELEBRATING REPUBLICANS WILL BOARD WINS DURING A PRESS CONFERENCE AND HE SAID HE HELPED BEHIND THE SCENES IN LEON COUNTY BECAUSE WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN HELPFUL TO BE INVOLVED PUBLICLY.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE WHAT KIND OF HELP THE GOVERNOR PROVIDED 45 SECONDS.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: THERE WAS MONEY THAT TRICKLE DOWN THROUGH A PACK OF HIS THAT WAS HELPFUL.

YES BUT LEON COUNTY IT IS TRICKY BECAUSE AGAIN, I DO NOT LIKE TO GET INVOLVED IN PARTISAN POLITICS ANYONE THAT KNOWS ME I HAVE MANY FRIENDS THAT ARE DEMOCRATS AND SUPPORTERS THAT ARE DEMOCRATS.

I HAVE FRIENDS THAT THE REPUBLICANS AND ARAB SUPPORTERS THE REPUBLICANS.

I TRY TO GET INTO THE PARTISAN SIDE OF THINGS.

WHAT IS BEST FOR KIDS AND WHAT'S BEST FOR EVERYONE AND OF COURSE TO RUN A CAMPAIGN YOU HAVE TO HAVE MONEY.

>> Moderator: HAVE YOU EVER SPOKEN TO THE GOVERNOR PUBLICLY ABOUT LEON COUNTY ISSUES WILL BE GOVERNOR HELPED THIS TIME AROUND.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: I HAVE NEVER SPOKEN TO HIM PERSONALLY.

>> Moderator: MR. ROGERS I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR YOU THE LEON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTYCHAIR TOLD US IN AN INTERVIEW THAT THE PARTY RECRUITED YOU TO RUN.

DESCRIBE WHAT I LOOK LIKE AND HOW THEY CONVINCED YOU TO GET INTO THE DON'T THINK THEY RECRUITED ME AT ALL I WENT TO THEM ACTUALLY AND SAID I'VE HAD ENOUGH FRIENDS I WANT TO STAND FOR THESE MEN AND WOMEN THAT'S HOW THAT WENT.

>> Moderator: [LISTING NAMES] HAS BECOME SOMETHING OF A DE FACTO LEADER OF THE PROGRESSIVE WING OF THE LOCALDEMOCRATIC PARTY AND TO SOME HE'S JUST AS POLARIZING AS THE GOVERNOR.

OBVIOUSLY HE STRONGLY SUPPORTS YOUR CAMPAIGN WHAT'S IN AREAS THAT YOU DISAGREE WITH .

[LISTING NAMES] >> Jeremy Rogers: THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE DISAGREE ON BUT I KNOW WHAT WE DEFINITELY AGREE ON.

THAT IS LOVING THOSE CHILDREN AND PAYING TEACHERS MORE.

COMING UP WITH CREATIVE AND RIGOROUS CURRICULUM SPREAD JUST DOING RIGHT BY THE WHOLE COMMUNITY NOT JUST SOME.

>> Moderator: MRS COX AFTER THE LAST CONTRACT YIELD HE SAID TEACHERS SHOULD HAVE AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE AND A LITTLE THANKS GOES A LONG WAY CAN YOU ELABORATE WHAT YOU WERE DISCUSSING THEIR .

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: THAT GOT TAKEN OUT OF CONTEXT AS WELL.

ANYONE THAT KNOWS ME LORD KNOWS I WAS A TEACHER FOR 36 YEARS.

I'VE BEEN WHERE THEY HAVE BEEN.

MY HUSBAND WAS A TEACHER AND A COACH WHEN WE MET AND THEN HE BECAME A PRINCIPAL AND WAS AN ADMINISTRATOR FOR MANY YEARS.

WE HAVE LIVED WHAT THEY ARE LIVING.

WE ARE IN TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES.

THAT IS A TRUE FACT THAT WE NEED THE PAYER TEACHERS MORE ABSOLUTELY.

AT THE END OF THE DAY WE LIVE IN A GREAT COMMUNITY TEACHING IS ONE OF THE BEST PROFESSIONS AND WE ALL I THINK IT'S A LIFELONG LESSON TO BE GRATEFUL.

>> Moderator: MR. ROGERS THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS DESCRIBED YOUR OPPONENT AS AN EXTREME RIGHT-WING POLITICIAN WHAT ARE THE TWO MOST EXTREME ACTIONS THE INCUMBENT HAS TAKEN ON THE LEON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD DURING HER TENURE.

>> Jeremy Rogers: FOLLOW THE MONEY.

THOSE LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY COMINGFROM THOSE .

>> Moderator: WHAT ABOUT ACTIONS.

>> Jeremy Rogers:TAKING THE MONEY.

>> Moderator: AS FAR AS POLICY.

>> Jeremy Rogers: THE ACTUAL TAKING OF THE MONEY AND PUTTING IT INTO YOUR CAMPAIGN .

>> Moderator: THANK YOU I'M DONE WITH MY INDIVIDUAL QUESTIONS.

I THINK WE WILL PICK UP ON DISTRICT MANAGEMENT.

WE ALREADY DID THAT .

I'M SORRY I MESSED THIS ALL UP BY GOING WITH ME.RDER.

THE CONSERVATIVE PARENT RIGHT GROUP MOMS FOR LIBERTY HAS BECOME A POTENT FORCE IN SCHOOL POLITICS AROUND THE NATION THIS GROUP IS JOINED RON DESANTIS IN SAYING OF RIGHTS THAT PUBLICS ALSO BECOME BASTIONS OF INDOCTRINATION .

OUR TEACHERS ANDADMINISTRATORS INDOCTRINATING STUDENTS IN LEON COUNTY .

>> Jeremy Rogers: ABSOLUTELY NOT.

ABSOLUTELY NOT I CAN'T GET BEHIND THIS MONSTER MOMS FOR LIBERTY GROUP BECAUSE OF THE MANY REASONS THE MAIN ONE THERE CENSORSHIP AS A VETERAN I SERVED IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY RAISED MY RIGHT HAND TO PROTECT AGAINST THAT KIND OF EXTREMITY.

THAT EXTREMIST MINDSET OF CENSORING TAKING TOOLS OF TEACHERS HANDS I THINK THE EASY SOLUTION HERE IS JUST BE INVOLVED IN A CHILD'S EDUCATION.

AN OPT OUT CLAUSE MAY BE.

THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH AS WELL.

I SUPPORT THAT.

ONE MRS COX OUR TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS INDOCTRINATING STUDENTS IN LEON COUNTY.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: HAVING BEEN A TEACHER IN LEON COUNTY NEVER PERSONALLY SOLVED THAT INDOCTRINATION .

ARE THERE A FEW TEACHERS THAT COULD ALLOW THEIR PUBLIC WITH THEIR PERSONAL VIEWS ON SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ISSUES INTO THE CLASSROOM ABSOLUTELY.

I THINK AFTER COVID WE SAW A FEW EVIDENCES OF THAT.

AS IT IS A WIDESPREAD THING IN LEON COUNTY I PERSONALLY DON'T BELIEVE SO.

>> Moderator: WOULD YOU SEEK OR ACCEPTTHE ENDORSEMENT OF MOMS FOR LIBERTY CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE GROUP OR ITS MEMBERS .

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: I THINK I SAID THIS TWO YEARS AGO I HAVE FRIENDS THAT ARE A COUPLE FRIENDS THEREIN MOMS FOR LIBERTY.

I ALSO HAVE MANY FRIENDS AND MANY SUPPORTERS THAT DO NOT ALIGN WITH MOMS FOR LIBERTY.

AT THE END OF THE DAY WHEN YOU LOOK AT MOMS FOR LIBERTY THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THE SCHOOLS COMING OFF COVID.

PARENTS HAVE A RIGHT TO BE INVOLVED IN THEIR SCHOOLS.

I HAVE FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS IN MOMS FOR LIBERTY AND ALSO THAT ARE NOT PART OF THAT GROUP IN .

>> Jeremy Rogers: ABSOLUTELY NOT I WOULD NOT FEEL THAT GROUP IS VERY DIVISIVE.

WE NEED INSTEAD OF MOMS FOR LIBERTY I THINK WE NEED MOMS FOR PAYING TEACHERS MORE MOMS FOR SAFER AND STRONGER SCHOOLS.

MOMS FOR SUPPORT STAFF SERVICES.

MOMS FOR JUST HEALTHY LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS.

>> Moderator: MOMS FOR LIBERTY REGULARLY HIGHLIGHTS BOOKS AND LOCAL SCHOOL LIBRARIES ON THEIR FACEBOOK PAGE THAT THEY FIND OBJECTIONABLE.

WHEN IT SHOULD A BOOK BE PULLED FROM THE SCHOOL LIBRARY THREE SECONDS BEFORE I DON'T BELIEVE IN CENSORSHIP ANY WHERE YOU FORUM THE CONSTITUTION PUTS ME VERY SQUARELY AGAINST CENSORSHIP.

MANY SWEARWORDS IN A BOOK IF IT'S IN MIDDLE SCHOOL SHELVES IF IT IS THERE NO PROBLEM >> Jeremy Rogers: I DON'T BELIEVE IN CENSORSHIP ANY NEW WAY SHAPE OR FORUM .

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: I STOOD BEHIND THIS OUTSIDE AGAIN I DO BELIEVE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WHAT IS IN OUR MEDIA CENTERS AND IN OUR SCHOOLS AS AGE-APPROPRIATE.

MANY TIMES BOOKS ARE DONATED TO OUR SCHOOLS THEY'RE NOT EVEN REALLY LOOK AT.

I DON'T BELIEVE WE ARE BANNING BOOKS AT ALL I THINK WERE MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE AGE-APPROPRIATE.

PUBLIC SCHOOL IS MANDATORY EDUCATION COMPULSORY EDUCATION.

IT IS NOT LIKE A PUBLIC LIBRARY WHERE PEOPLE ANYONE CAN COME IN.

WE'VE GOT THE CAPTIVE ATTENTION WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR BOOKS ARE AGE-APPROPRIATE.

>> Moderator: THIS NEXT SECTION IS FOCUSED ON TECH IN THE CLASSROOM.

THIS QUESTION COMES FROM THE FALLACY AND COUNTY COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS.

DO SUPPORT THE STATES SOCIAL MEDIA BEENFOR MINORS AND HOW CAN LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS HELP PREPARE STUDENTS FOR SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE SOCIAL MEDIA USE.

45 SECOND RESPONSES .

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: I'VE SEEN THE HARM AND DANGER THAT SOCIAL MEDIA HAS HAD ON OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

I HAVE SEEN THAT TRANSITION THROUGH THE YEARS.

THE LONELINESS AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

I TRULY BELIEVE THAT SOCIAL MEDIA CONTRIBUTES A LOT TO THAT.

AT THE END OF THE DATE PARENTS NEED TO BE INVOLVED IN THEIR KIDS AND THEIR KIDS LIVES AND MONITORING THAT.

BUT YES.

>> Jeremy Rogers: AGAIN THAT IS SCARY TO ME.

THAT FEELS AND SOUNDS A LOT LIKE CENSORSHIP.

I CAN'T GET ON BOARD WITH THAT.

IT IS VERY VERY SCARY AS A VETERAN I'VE BEEN TO SOME PLACES WHERE CENSORSHIP AND STUFF LIKE THAT HAPPENS.

WE DON'T WANT UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO BE LIKE THAT WAS HER LIKE THE WANT LEON COUNTY LIKE THAT EITHER.

>> Moderator: STUDIES HAVE CONCLUDED THAT STUDENTS USE OF SMART PHONES IN THE CLASSROOM DECREASES STUDENT COURSE CONVENTION AND INCREASES STUDENT ANXIETY.

SCHOOL BOARD POLICY PREPARES STUDENTS TO TURN OFF THEIR CELL PHONES DURINGCLASS AND IN HALLWAYS WITH LIMITED EXCEPTIONS IS THIS REALLY HAPPENING AND IT SHOULD SCHOOLS GO FURTHER WITH REGULATING OR THE BAN ON CELL PHONES 35 SECOND RESPONSES .

>> Jeremy Rogers: ABSOLUTELY NOT.

WE'VE GOT SCHOOLS IN OUR DISTRICT WHERE THERE IS NO MEDICATION.

IT IS VERY DIFFICULT COMMUNICATION IF WE TAKE A CELL PHONE OUT OF A CHILD'S HANDS AND SOMETHING HAPPENS.

AND IF THEY CAN'T HOLD OF THEIR PARENT OR GUARDIAN I THINK WE'RE IN BIG TROUBLE.

I THINK WE CAN DEFTLY WORK ON THE POLICY AND COME UP WITH CREATIVE WAYS JUST LIKE WE DO IN OUR HOMES HAVE A 13-YEAR-OLD LITTLE GIRL TRUST ME WITH THE MODIFY THAT RULE EVERY NOW AND THEN.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: WE DO HAVE A CELL PHONE POLICY THAT STUDENTS STATE STATUTE THE STUDENTS SHOULD NOT HAVE THEIR CELL PHONES OUT DURING THE CLASS.

DURING INSTRUCTION TIME UNLESS THE TEACHER REQUIRES IT WAS A LESSON THEY ARE DOING IT IS A DISTRACTION FOR TEACHERS IT CAUSES ISSUES I LOVE OUR CELL PHONE POLICY.

I DO THINK THAT WE RESEARCH SHOWING THAT THE DANGERS THAT CELL PHONES HAVE .

ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOLS HAS DONE THAT THEY HAVE A STRICT CELL PHONE POLICY.

THE TEACHERS LOVE IT THERE GETTING A LOT MORE OUT OF THEIR STUDENTS IN THE CLASSROOM A LOT MORE ENGAGING CONVERSATIONS AMONG STUDENTS.

THERE IS SOME SUCCESS I THINK WE CAN CONTINUE TO WORK TOWARD THAT ONE THAT SOMETHING YOU WOULD PROPOSE HERE.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: WE ARE MOVING TOWARD THAT ABSOLUTELY I'D BE WILLING TO HAVE THOSE POSITIONS WITH PARENTAL SUPPORT AS WELL.

>> Moderator: MR ROGERS I SEE YOU SHAKING YOUR HEAD.

>> Jeremy Rogers: NOT UNTIL WE GET THE DEAD ZONES THAT ARE SCHOOLS THERE IS REAL COMMUNICATION ISSUES.

>> Moderator: THANK YOU WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR INTEGRATING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE INTO THE CLASSROOM.

SPECIFICALLY GENERATIVE AI 32ND RESPONSES BEGINNING WITH MS COX.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: AI IS NOT SOMETHING I'M TOTALLY FAMILIAR WITH I KNOW IT IS COMING I KNOW IT IS ALREADY HERE ACTUALLY.

THOSE ARE SOME THINGS WILL HAVE TO NAVIGATE WITH OUR STUDENTS WITHOUT TEACHERS .

CAN BE A BENEFIT TO WHEN YOU'RE WRITING LONG REPORTS OF THE TEACHER ESPECIALLY OUR ESD TEACHERS THERE IS DEFINITELY SOME BENEFITS TO AI.

THERE ARE PROS AND CONS TO THAT AS WELL WE HAVE GOT TO THOSE ARE THINGS WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON AND CREATE SOME POLICY AROUND.

>> Jeremy Rogers: IT'S EXCITING AI IS SO EXCITING AND IT IS HERE WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT.

WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO EMBRACE IT.

NO WITH EVEN MORE EXCITING IS PLAYING OUTSIDE.

GETTING THOSE KIDS OUTSIDE AND KEEPING THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING.

FOCUSING ON EDUCATION AND OUTCOMES.

>> Moderator: WE ARE GOING TO MOVE OUT TO HELP THIS NEXT QUESTION WAS INSPIRED BY THE FALLACY LEON COUNTY COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS SHOULD THE ENTITY SCHOOLS BE MORE INVOLVED IN SUPPORTING STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH AND RESILIENCY IF SO HOW.

>> Jeremy Rogers: I WOULD ABSOLUTELY AND WILL WHEN I RETAINED BETSY I WILL ADVOCATE FOR MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS IN EVERY SCHOOL I KNOW WE HAVE SOCIAL WORKERS BUT I WANT MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS IN THOSE SCHOOLS ALSO FOR THE STAFF AND THE SUPPORT STAFF NOT ONLY THE CHILDREN BUT THE WHOLE SCHOOL IT IS A TINY COMMUNITY.

THEIR PEOPLE STRUGGLING WE NEED TO BE THERE FOR THEM.

INSTEAD OF FORMING MONEY OUT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS MUST TAKE CARE OF OUR HOUSE.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: WE HAVE MADE GREAT STRIDES IN THIS AREA IT IS AN ISSUE.

NOT ONLY WITH OUR STUDENTS BUT WITHOUT TEACHERS AS WELL.

WE HAVE MADE A COMMITMENT IN LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO PUTTING RESOURCES AT OUR SCHOOLS EXTRA GUIDANCE COUNSELORS AT OUR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS CURRENT AND COUNSELORS AT OUR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL THEIR MAIN JOB IS DEALING WITH SOME OF THESE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

IT'S AN INVESTMENT THAT WE HAVE MADE WE WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE THAT INVESTMENT.

IT IS IMPORTANT.

>> Moderator: AS OF JULY 1 FLORIDA LAW AUTHORIZES SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND CHARTER SCHOOLS TO HAVE VOUCHER SCHOOL CHAPLAINS VOLUNTEER SCHOOL CHAPLAINS AND SCHOOL CAMPUSES AND TO PROVIDE COUNSELING TO STUDENTS.

SHOULD LEON COUNTY START A SCHOOL CHAPLAIN PROGRAM WHY OR WHY NOT YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: I KNOW THAT LAW WAS JUST PAST WE HAVE NOT HAD THAT DISCUSSION IN LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS YET.

IF THAT IS SOMETHING THAT PARENTS ARE REALLY ON BOARD WITH AND THE SCHOOL BULLY WAS TO HAVE I THINK THOSE ARE SOME CONVERSATIONS THAT COULD BE HAD.

ALSO NOTE THAT WE HAVE GREAT PARTNERSHIPS THAT IS ONE THING I'VE BEEN WORKING ON AND WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON WITH CHURCHES PARTNERING WITH SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE MENTORS AND VOLUNTEERS.

WE WILL CONTINUE THOSE PARTNERSHIPS WE HAVE NOT HAD THOSE CONNOTATIONS ABOUT THE CHAPLAIN YET.

>> Jeremy Rogers: I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THAT LAW.

JUST WRITE OFF THE REP.

I DON'T THINK SO.

I THINK WE CAN DO OTHER THINGS LIKE PAY TEACHERS MORE GETTING KIDS OUTSIDE COMING UP WITH RIGOROUS CURRICULUMS LET'S KEEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING.

>> Moderator: LAST QUESTION IN THIS SECTION PRINTS WITH TWO YEARS OF DISTANCE FROM THE PANDEMIC BUT THE BIGGEST THING YOU'VE LEARNED WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY NEXT TIME YOU HAVE 45 SECONDS.

>> Jeremy Rogers: THE BIGGEST THING I WOULD NOT HAVE PUT MASKS IN THOSE CHILDREN.

I THINK THE SCIENCE THAT IS COMING OUT IS JUST BECAUSE SO MANY DELAYS AND THINGS LIKE THAT .

THAT IS HINDSIGHT I BELIEVE THE THOUGHT PROCESS WE WERE IN WE WERE DOING THE BEST WE COULD IF WE COULD GO BACK AND DO THINGS DIFFERENT I THINK AS A PRESCHOOLER REALLY SET A LOT OF THOSE KIDDOS BACK.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: I AGREE WITH MY OPPONENT ON THAT GUARD .

WATCHING THOSE STUDENTS WHEN I WAS TEACHING PE AND IT WAS 100B0 AND THEY WERE WEARING MASKS THAT IS ONE THING I THINK WE COULD'VE DONE BETTER WITH OUR LITTLE CHILDREN YOU ALWAYS PLAN THINGS IN HINDSIGHT!

IT WAS SOMETHING LIKE WE'VE NEVER THE WORLD HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

I THINK MAKING SURE WE GOT OUR SCHOOLS OPEN AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE WAS SOMETHING THAT WE DID.

COULD WE OPENED OUR SCHOOLS EARLIER POSSIBLY.

I THINK WE DID LEARN A LOT OF THINGS AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL NOT HAVE THE FAITH THAT AGAIN.

>> Moderator: BEFORE WE JUMP TO THE LIGHTNING ROUND HAVE A QUESTION FROM A READER THAT SAYS STUDENTS HAVE A LOT OF PRIDE INTHE UNITED STATES AND THEIR AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP IS THAT SOMETHING SCHOOLS SHOULD BE FOSTERING .

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: HAVING BEEN MY FATHER WAS AN ARMY RETIRED COLONEL I GRUB WITH FAITH AND FAMILY AND OUR COUNTRY.

LOVE OF OUR COUNTRY.

I DO THINK IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE GOT TO CONTINUE TO EDUCATE OUR KIDS ON IS OUR COUNTRY PERFECT?

ABSOLUTELY NOT DID WE MAKE MISTAKES ABSOLUTELY.

BUT THIS STILL IS THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD.

I'M PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO TEACH OUR STUDENTS THE VALUE OF BEING AN AMERICAN CITIZEN.

AND WHAT THAT REALLY MEANS THE SACRIFICES THAT WERE MADE FOR US TO HAVE FREEDOM.

>> Jeremy Rogers: YOU KNOW WHAT MAKES US THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD?

IS THE CONSTITUTION.

THE CONSTITUTION.

AND OUR VETERANS.

AND OUR PEOPLE AND OUR MEN AND WOMEN THAT SIGN UP TO GO IN HARM'S WAY.

THAT IS WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT.

THIS WAS JUST AN EXPERIMENT BUT LOOK AT IT NOW.

LIGHT ON THE HILL.

HAVING BEEN TO 43 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES SIX OF THE SEVEN CONTINENTS I CAN TELL YOU FIRSTHAND THIS IS THE GREATEST NATION ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET.

>> Moderator: SHOULD SCHOOLS BE TEACHING TREATERS AND SEXUALLY.

>> Jeremy Rogers: ABSOLUTELY.

>> Moderator: MOVING TO THE LIGHTNING ROUND THAT IS A ONE SENTENCE ANSWER WE DON'T LIKE ONE AUNT WE ARE EDUCATORS.

THE REASON IT JUST MADE IT HAPPEN TO THE 10 COMMANDMENTS BLOWN CLASSROOMS FOR FUN I GUESS IT WOULD BE CONCEPTUAL IF IT DOES NOT INSTRUCT ACTIVITIES ARE NOT WILDLY AGAINST IT WISE THAT THERE WHAT IS THE CONTEXT THAT YOUR TEACHING.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: I WOULD SAY THE SAME THING HONESTLY.

>> Moderator: WHAT ABOUT RAINBOW FLAGS.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: WHEN I RAN TWO YEARS AGO I DON'T BELIEVE OUR CLASSROOM SHOULD BE BILLBOARDS FOR POLITICAL OR SOCIAL ACTIVISM.

WE FLY THE AMERICAN FLAG AND THE FLORIDA FLAG.

>> Jeremy Rogers: SAME SORT OF THING THINK IT IS CONTEXTUAL .

IF WE WILL HAVE THE 10 COMMANDMENTS MONIES WILL HAVE Moderator: WHAT IS YOUR DAY JOB WOULD YOU CONTINUE IF ELECTED.

>> Jeremy Rogers: HAVING SO MANY JOBS MY CAREER I'M A FIREFIGHTER IN A BUSINESS OWNERS OWN A SUMMER CAMP I'M A HUSBAND AND MY FATHER.

>> Moderator: WOULD YOU DO ALL OF THOSE THINGS.

>> Jeremy Rogers: I PROMISE YOU YES SPITTER I'M IN A UNIQUE SITUATION I RETIRED FROM TEACHING AFTER 36 YEARS.

THE SCHOOL BOARD HAS BEEN MY FULL-TIME DAY JOB DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR.

>> Moderator: WAS ONE BOOK YOU THINK EVERY STUDENT SHOULD READ AND WHY?

SPITTER MIND SET THIS TWO YEARS AGO IT STILL IS TRUE IF THE BOARD BOOK ALL NIGHT IT'S ABOUT A HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR I THINK THE DAY AND AGE WE ARE LIVING NOW WITH THE ANTI-SEMITISM IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER THE RESILIENCY OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT IT IS GREAT.

>> Jeremy Rogers: I THINK START WITH WHY.

I FEEL KIDS TODAY ARE KIND OF LOST THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO HOW TO PICK A CAREER FIELD.

THE BOOK IS BY.

[LISTING NAMES].

>> Moderator: WHAT SCHOOL HAS THE MOST PRESSING NEED IN THE DISTRICT THE MOMENT.

>> Jeremy Rogers: IN DISTRICT 4 I WOULD ARGUE THE CANOPY OAKS NEED TO PUT OUR ARMS AROUND CANOPY OAKS TOFIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND THERE WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE TURNOVER WHY IS IT PROGRESSIVELY GOING DOWNHILL .

Laurie Lawson Cox: I SPENT QUITE A BIT OF TIME THERE AT CANOPY OAKS UNDECIDED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THAT SCHOOL BUT ALL OF OUR SCHOOLS IN THE STATUS WE CONTINUE TO GIVE THEM THE SUPPORT AND RESOURCES SUPPORT BOTH TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS.

>> Moderator: I'M TIRED AFTER THAT WE'VE BEEN ASKING ALL THE QUESTIONS.

WHAT IS ONE QUESTION YOU WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOUR OPPONENT WITH A 45 SECOND OH LORD!

I HAVE A WEIRD QUESTION.

SPEAKING OF ENDORSEMENTS IF THE GOVERNOR DESANTIS WOULD OFFER YOU AN ENDORSEMENT WOULD YOU TAKE IT?

>> Moderator: HE IS A NAVY GUY.

SURE.

WHY NOT.

>> Jeremy Rogers: WHY DO YOU THINK THESE GIANT EXTREMISTS GROUPS DONATE SO MUCH MONEY TO YOU?

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'RE TALKING (IF YOU CAN LET ME KNOW THAT I WILL BEGLAD TO ANSWER.

>> Moderator: WHAT DEFINES THESE BIG LARGE REPUBLICAN PACKS LIKE MOMS FOR LIBERTY.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: I HAVE NOT TAKEN ANY MONEY FROM MOMS FOR LIBERTY NOT SURE WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT.

>> Jeremy Rogers: WHAT ABOUT FRIENDS OF COREY SIMON BACKPACK.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: COREY SIMON IS A FRIEND OF MINE I HAVEN'T KNOWN HIM SINCE HE WAS IN COLLEGE.

>> Jeremy Rogers: HOW DO WEGET POLITICS OUT OF SCHOOL IF YOU KEEP TAKING MONEY FROM THOSE PEOPLE .

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: FROM A FRIEND COREY SIMON.

>> Jeremy Rogers: IS A PACK THAT A PERSON .

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.

>> Moderator: THIS IS BEEN A GOOD DISCUSSION TO AN IMPORTANT ISSUE BOX GRADUATION THE LATEST DATA ON THE DISTRICT'S GRADUATION RATE IS REPORTED FROM 2023.

IT SHOWS ECONOMIC DISADVANTAGE STUDENTS AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS WITH THE LOWEST RATES.

HOW CAN YOU HELP CORRECT THAT DISPARITY IN THE 45 SECONDS?

>> Jeremy Rogers: CAN YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION.

>> Moderator: THE LATEST DATA ON THE DISTRICT'S GRADUATION RATE IS REPORTED FROM 2023.

IT SHOWS ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN STUDENTS WITH THE LOWEST RATE OF GRADUATION .

HOW CAN YOU HELP CORRECT THAT DISPARITY?

>> Jeremy Rogers: WE HAVE TO LOG ON THEM WITH TO GET OUR TEACHERS INVOLVED MORE SO.

WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR TUTORS.

WE'VE GOT TO INVEST IN THESE KIDS.

IT'S THE WHOLE CHILD FROM START TO FINISH FROM PRESCHOOL TO THE END WE NEED TO DEVELOP A CONNECTION WITH THEM.

THE WEIGHT THEY KNOW I'M A PRODUCT OF THAT ENVIRONMENT.

IF IT WASN'T FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND MY TEACHERS AND MY MENTORS I WOULDN'T NOT BE LUCKY ENOUGH THE LOVE ON THEM.E.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: THIS ARE THINGS WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON IF THEY CONTINUE TO GET MENTORS AND VOLUNTEERS IN OUR SCHOOLS ESPECIALLY THOSE TITLE 1 SCHOOLS ONE THING I'M EXCITED ABOUT SEEING HIS CAREER TECH OPPORTUNITIES STARTING AT THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL MY GOAL IS TO HAVE A CAREER TECH OPPORTUNITY IN EVERY ELEMENTARY MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL JUST HELPING STUDENTS SEE THE VALUE OF A JOB.

IF THEY'RE NOT GOINGTO GO TO COLLEGE BUT LEAST FINISHING OUT HIGH SCHOOL WITH A PURPOSE IS SO IMPORTANT .

>> Moderator: THANK YOU THIS NEXT QUESTION IS ALSO INSPIRED BY THE TALLAHASSEE LEON COUNTY COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS WHAT WOULD BE YOUR APPROACH TO CAREER GUIDANCE AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS TO HELP STUDENTS EXPLORE DIVERSE CAREERPATHS AND PREPARE FOR FUTURE EMPLOYMENT .

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: WE HAVE A GREAT PARTNERSHIP OF COURSE WITH LIVELY ONE OF OUR SCHOOLS.

WE ALSO CREATED AN EDUCATOR WORKFORCE ACADEMY THROUGH THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE THIS YEAR.

GETTING OUR EDUCATORS INVOLVED IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND THAT THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY PUTTING OR GIVING ADVICE ON HOW WE CAN BETTER TRAIN OUR KIDS EVEN STARTING IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

ON A CAREER PATH AND GETTING EXCITED ABOUT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES.

SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN LOOK FORWARD TO.

I THINK BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND PARTNERSHIPS WITH OUR BUSINESSES LOCAL LEADERS IS CRUCIAL.

>> Jeremy Rogers: I THINK DOUBLING DOWN ON THOSE TRADES.

FIREFIGHTER EMPLOYEES EMS SPRING BUILDING CONSTRUCTION.

THINGS LIKE THAT WE NEED PLUMBERS NEED ELECTRICIANS.

WE NEED THESE PEOPLE.

ALSO ON THE FLIPSIDE BUSINESS COMMUNITY ENTREPRENEURS TEACHING KIDS HO TO BE CREATIVE.

HOW TO UTILIZE , WHY IS THIS BOTTLE OF WATER WORTH IT FOR YOU TO BUY.

I THINK THAT'S AN INVALUABLE SKILL SET THAT WE CAN HAVE WE HAVE THOSE LEADERS IN THIS COMMUNITY.

>> Moderator: COMING UP IN OUR LAST QUESTION LEGAL SETTLEMENT WAS REACHED WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA REGARDING THE PARENTAL RIGHTS IN EDUCATION ACT.

ALSO KNOWN AS THE DON'T SAY GAY LAW.

HOW DO YOU ANTICIPATE THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT APPLYING TO CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION 32ND .

>> Jeremy Rogers: I THINK MENTAL LOVE OUR GAY COMMUNITY AND CAN LOVE THEM ENOUGH TO BE HONEST WITH YOU ALL OF THAT NONSENSE IS JUST NONSENSE TO ME WE NEED TO KEEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING WORRY ABOUT READING WRITING ARITHMETIC PAIN TEACHERS MORE IN GETTING KIDS OUTSIDE.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: I DO BELIEVE THAT WE LOVE AND SUPPORT EVERY ONE OF OUR STUDENTS EVERY STUDENT TO WALK THROUGH THE DOOR NO MATTER WHAT RACE WHAT GENDER WE'VE GOT TO LOVE THEM AND SUPPORT THEM AND MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE OUR TEACHERS IN PLACE THEY CAN DO THAT.

AGAIN DON'T BELIEVE OUR TEACHERS I DON'T BELIEVE MANY LEON COUNTY ARE DOING THIS.

OUR TEACHERS SHOULD NOT BE POLITICALLY OR SOCIALLY ACTIVE PERSON THEIR PERSONAL VIEWS SHOULD NOT BEINFLUENCED IN THE CLASSROOM.

WHEN WE ARE GROWN UP YOU NEVER KNOW WE ARE TEACHER STOOD ON POLITICS OR ANY OF THAT .

WHICH IS CONTINUED TO TEACH OUR STANDARDS OF THE KIDS LOVE OUR STUDENTS .

>> Moderator: IT IS CLOSING TIME YOU ALL MADE IT.

YOU HAVE 60 SECONDS TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO VOTERS YOU CAN DROP YOUR WEBSITE WHATEVER ELSE YOU WANT TO SAY .

DIRECTLY TO THE VOTERS.

>> Jeremy Rogers: FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU WFSU LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS AND TALLAHASSE DEMOCRAT DISPENSE SURGICAL EXPERIENCE.

THANK YOU MS COX.

FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY.

I MADE DAD A FIREFIGHTER NAVY VETERANS.

I WENT TO PRESCHOOL IN THE SUMMER CAMP IN MY DISTRICT I'M HERE FOR THE KIDS I'M HERE FOR THE RIGHT REASONS.

I WILL MAKE YOU PROUD OF BEEN MAKING YOU PROUD BUT WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE YOU PROUD.

WE WILL LOOK AFTER PAIN TEACHERS MORE WE WILL GET AFTERWARD I WAS THEN IN THE VOID LIKE I'VE ALWAYS DONE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR TEACHERS.

>> Laurie Lawson Cox: I SPENT MY ENTIRE CAREER 36 YEARS TEACHING A LOT OF STUDENTS BRING A LOT OF FAMILIES AND A LOT OF PEOPLE.

IT IS BEEN THE GREATEST JOYS TO GET SERVE ON THE LEON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD ONLY FOR THE LAST YEAR AND 1/2.

I JUST WAS ELECTED IN 2022.

I WOULD LOVE YOUR SUPPORT TO CONTINUE ON FOR FOUR MORE YEARS.

I FEEL ON THE MOST QUALIFIED FOR THIS POSITION I'VE BUILT SOME GREAT RELATIONSHIPS.

I LIVE IN THE MIDDLE OF DISTRICT 4 OF THAT GREAT RELATIONSHIPS WITH ALL OF THOSE SCHOOLS AND PRINCIPALS AND TEACHERS I WANT TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

MY WEBSITE IS THIS?

I WOULD LOVE YOUR SUPPORT.

THANK YOU.

>> Moderator: THANK YOU TO THE CANDIDATES TO OUR AUDIENCE FOR JOINING THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLASSEE WFSU AND THE TALLASSEE DEMOCRAT FOR THIS PROGRAM.

YOU CAN FIND A REPLAY OF THIS FORUM AND ARE YOU TWO PAGES TALLASSEE.com AND IT WFSU.org THE REPORTED BROADCAST WILL BE THIS TUESDAY, JULY 9 AT 11 AM ON WFSU 88.9 TELL YOUR FRIENDS.

OUR NEXT LIVE STREAM FORUM WILL BE TOMORROW WEDNESDAY, JUNE 27 WILL HAVE TWO MORE RACES AT 11 AM THE CANDIDATES FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY OF THE LEON COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS AND AT 1 PM TALLASSEE CITY COMMISSION SEAT NUMBER TWO.

REMEMBER YOU HAVE UNTIL JULY 22 TO REGISTER TO VOTE OR CHANGE A PARTY FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION.

EARLY VOTING BEGINS AUGUST 10 AND ELECTION DAY TAKES PLACE ON YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ANY OF HER UPCOMING FORMS PLEASE EMAIL US AT NEWS@TALLASSEE.com WILL BE WORKING FURIOUSLY THROUGH THE EVENING CRAFT OF THOSE QUESTIONS.

YOU CAN LOOK FOR A SPECIAL ELECTION SECTION OF THE TALLASSEE DEMOCRAT WITH INTERVIEWS WITH ALL THE CANDIDATES ON THE BALLOT WHICH WILL BE PRINTED AND INSERTED ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 4.

THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US .

AND HAVE AN