>> WELCOME TO THE NINTH IN A SERIES OF POLITICAL CANDIDATE FORUMS IN ADVANCE OF THE AUGUST 23RD PRIMARY ELECTION, THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLAHASSEE, THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT AND WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA.

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

I AM TOM FLANIGAN FROM WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA.

I'M JOINED BY WILLIAM HATFIELD THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT AND TRISH NEARLY, WE ARE QUESTIONING THE CANDIDATES ON VARIOUS TOPICS, LET'S TAKE A GLANCE AT THE GROUND RULES AND THEN GO ON AND MEET THE CANDIDATES.

>> THE CANDIDATES FOR LEON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 4 SITTING LEFT TO RIGHT ARE LAURIE LAWSON COX, SUSAN ELAINE HODGES, AND ALEXANDER STEMLE.

FOR THOSE OF US WATCHING ON SOCIAL MEDIA PLEASE HIT THE SHARE BUTTON AND HELP YOUR FRIENDS SEE THE DAY'S DISCUSSION AS WELL.

HERE'S HOW THE FORUMS ARE GOING TO WORK.

WE WILL ROTATE WHICH CANDIDATES IF THEY ANSWER FIRST SO EVERYONE WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO GET THE FIRST CRACK AT QUESTIONS.

WE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS SO WE WILL ASK THE CANDIDATES TO KEEP YOUR ANSWERS TO ABOUT 60 SECONDS, SOMETIMES SHORTER FOR FOLLOW-UPS.

WE WILL KEEP TIME, WE WILL RING A BELL WHEN YOUR TIME IS UP.

IT WILL SOUND LIKE THIS.

[BELL RINGING] >> YOU DON'T HAVE TO COME TO A DEAD STOP AT THAT POINT BUT PLEASE FINISH YOUR SENTENCE AND WE ARE GOING TO MOVE ON.

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FORUM WE WILL HAVE OUR LICENSED TRADEMARKED LIGHTNING ROUND WHEN WE ASK YOU TO KEEP YOUR ANSWERS TO JUST ONE SENTENCE.

AT THE END OF THE FORM WE WILL GIVE YOU 90 SECONDS TO MAKE THE CASE DIRECTLY TO VOTERS AND SHARE YOUR WEBSITE OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION.

>> FOR THOSE WATCHING ON FACEBOOK AND HAVE QUESTIONS FOR OUR CANDIDATES GO AHEAD AND TYPE THEM INTO THE COMMENTS AND WE WILL GET TO AS MANY AS WE CAN.

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

MAKE A QUESTION THAT IS APPLICABLE TO ALL THREE OF OUR CANDIDATES.

CANDIDATES, ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE WE GET STARTED?

LET'S GO AHEAD.

>> THANK YOU AND LET'S KICK IT OFF WITH THIS QUERY FOR EACH ONE OF YOU AND WE WILL GO LEFT TO RIGHT IF WE CAN DO THAT.

WHAT IS THE NUMBER ONE PROBLEM IN OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM AND DISTRICT 4 AND HOW SPECIFICALLY WOULD YOU ADDRESS IT.

LET'S START WITH LAURIE LAWSON COX.

>> Cox: WE HAVE SOME ISSUES IN OUR COUNTY AND WE DO A LOT OF GREAT THINGS AND WE DO A LOT OF THINGS RIGHT AND AFTER COVID WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF CHALLENGES NOT JUST IN LEON COUNTY BUT AROUND THE STATE, AROUND THE WORLD BUT THAT HAS BROUGHT TO LIGHT SOME BEHAVIORAL ISSUES, LEARNING LOSSES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AND I THINK ONE OF THE WAYS WE CAN COMBAT THAT IS BY TRANSPARENCY AND COMMUNICATION.

WHEN WE OPEN LINES OF COMMUNICATION TO ALL STAKEHOLDERS TEACHERS FEEL THEY HAVE INPUT, PARENTS HAVE AN INPUT, ADMINISTRATION SUPPORTS STAFF, THEN WE CAN ADDRESS THESE ISSUES WE'VE SEEN COMES TO LIGHT.

>> SUSAN ELAINE HODGES SAME POINT HERE.

>> Hodges: NOT BEING IN THE ACTUAL SCHOOL ITSELF BUT KNOWING SOME OF THE THINGS GOING ON, I WOULD SAY THE GUARDIAN PROGRAM NEEDS TO BE IMPROVED UPON BECAUSE I BELIEVE THE SAFETY OF THE CHILDREN NEEDS TO COME FIRST AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE IMPROVE ON THAT SO THAT IF ANYTHING HAPPENS THEY ARE COMPLETELY PROTECTED.

>> ALEXANDER STEMLE, YOUR TURN.

>> Stemle: THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE STUDENT LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT IN OUR CLASSROOMS.

WHEN OUR KIDS LEFT AND CAME BACK THEY WERE VERY DIFFERENT, SOME WERE CONFUSED AND ANGRY.

WE EXPERIENCED A LOT OF LEARNING LAWS AND IT IS IMPORTANT WE NOTICE THE TRAUMA THAT THEY HAVE.

STUDENT LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT IS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY IN THE WAY WE IMPROVE THAT IS OPENING COMMUNICATION CHANNELS FROM TOP TO BOTTOM AND CONNECTING WITH WHAT IS GOING ON IN OUR CLASSROOMS AND THE NEEDS IN OUR CLASSES.

>> WE HAVE A FEW FOLLOW-UPS, BACK ACROSS THE FRONT IF WE COULD.

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

WHAT ARE ONE OR 2 THINGS THAT JUMPED OUT AT YOU, 30-2ND RESPONSE ON THAT.

SUSAN ELAINE HODGES, WE CAN START WITH YOU.

>> Hodges: A LOT OF THE SEA GRADE SCHOOLS OF IMPROVED, SOME OF THE GREATS OF COME UP.

I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS FOCUS ON STATE TESTING AND MAKE SURE WE ARE TEACHING THE CHILDREN THE STATE REQUIREMENTS SO THAT THEY CAN BRING THE GRADES UP.

>> LAURIE LAWSON COX, YOUR THOUGHTS?

>> Cox: WE FEEL VERY EXCITED ABOUT SOME OF THE IMPROVEMENTS WE'VE SEEN FOR THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, GREAT IMPROVEMENTS, I KNOW THE PRINCIPAL VERY WELL.

WE NEVER WANT TO SIT ON OUR LAURELS AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO TARGET THOSE STUDENTS THAT ARE STILL STRUGGLING AND COME UP WITH INDIVIDUAL PLANS AND PROCEDURES TO BRING THOSE GRADES UP SO IT IS GREAT BUT WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO, NEVER WANT TO SIT ON THAT.

>> ALEXANDER STEMLE.

>> Stemle: IT IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST RESPONSE.

ON THE SCHOOL BOARD.

ONLY TWO SECONDARY SCHOOLS MAINTAIN THEIR A, ROB MIDDLE SCHOOL WAS TWO POINTS FROM GETTING A B AND WE HAD SCHOOLS THAT STRUGGLED SO WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WORKED AND DIDN'T WORK AND IDENTIFY THE LEARNING NEEDS AND GAPS AND FOCUS ON THOSE THINGS.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO REMEMBER IS A LOT OF THINGS NEED SUPPORT.

>> WE CAN START WITH YOU AND GO BACK, WHAT IS THE BIGGEST THING TO YOUR WAY OF THINKING THAT MAKES DISTRICT 4 UNIQUE?

>> Stemle: THE WIDE RANGE OF SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES YOU HAVE, SOME SCHOOLS ARE VERY COMMUNITY ORIENTED WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY AND SEVERAL THINGS, YOU HAVE COMMUNITIES WHERE YOU HAVE COLLEGE STUDENTS SO IT IS DIFFICULT FOR SCHOOLS TO CREATE A COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENT SO WE HAVE TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO HELP THOSE SCHOOLS SUCCEED AND CREATE THAT ENVIRONMENT WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT FOR SUCCESS.

>> LAURIE LAWSON COX, WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> Cox: WE HAVE A WIDE SPECTRUM AND THAT MAKES DISTRICT 4 UNIQUE, WE HAVE SCHOOLS ALMOST ALL THE WAY TO GEORGIA ALL THE WAY TO GADSDEN COUNTY ON THAT WESTSIDE SO THERE ARE COMMUNITIES LIKE ALEX WAS SAYING, TIGHTKNIT COMMUNITIES, SCHOOLS FROM ONE TO THE NEXT TO THE NEXT, TOGETHER FOR MANY YEARS AND THEN SOME SCHOOLS, WE'VE GOT SOME CHALLENGES AND WE NEED TO WORK WITH OUR ADMINISTRATION AND SUPPORT STAFF.

>> SUSAN ELAINE HODGES.

>> Hodges: I'M NOT IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM BUT I'VE LOOKED AT THE DISTRICT AND GOTTEN TO KNOW WHERE THE DISTRICT IS.

I WOULD LIKE TO VENTURE OUT AND VISIT SOME OF THE SCHOOLS AND THINGS LIKE THAT BUT I DON'T KNOW THE SCHOOL VERY WELL YET AND I AM STILL LEARNING.

>> LET'S HAVE ONE LAST FOLLOW-UP ON THIS BEFORE WE MOVE ON, DISTRICT 4 AS ALL THREE OF YOU REFERENCED COVERS A LARGE AREA OF LEON COUNTY FROM THE BORDER TO GEORGIA AND THAT INCLUDES ONE OF THE MOST AFFLUENT ZIP CODES IN THE AREA AND EXTENDS INTO 32304 WHICH HAS BEEN WIDELY PUBLICIZED AS ONE OF THE POOREST ZIP CODES IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF FLORIDA.

HOW WOULD YOU MAKE SURE TO REPRESENT YOUR DISTRICT EQUITABLY GIVEN THAT WIDE VARIATION IN STUDENTS, FAMILIES, AND THE ENTIRE ENVIRONMENT?

ELMER STUART RHODES >> Stemle: IT'S IMPORTANT TO RETURN PHONE CALLS, BEING THERE FOR GRADUATIONS AND SCIENCE NIGHT AND PLAYS, THOSE THINGS MATTER TO KIDS AND FAMILIES AND THAT GIVES A CHANCE FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS TO MEET US AND SEE US AND BRING US CHALLENGES THEY HAVE.

IT IS IMPORTANT.

THERE'S A PHONE CALL MADE TO THE DISTRICT AND OUR OFFICES, GIVE THE PHONE CALL BACK.

JUST BEING ACTIVE AND AVAILABLE IS A HUGE PART.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT CAUSES THE POOREST PART TO BE POOR, I WANT TO ADDRESS THAT AND FIND OUT HOW TO IMPROVE THE LIFESTYLE, THE AREA, TRY TO BRING THE MORE TOGETHER AND I THINK I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING ALEX SAID, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO BE AS AVAILABLE AS WE CAN TO HELP IMPROVE AND PUT SOME PROGRAMS IN PLACE TO HELP THE LESS FORTUNATE AND THE POOR COMMUNITIES TO MEET THE SAME GOALS.

>> Cox: THAT'S WHAT I'M MOST EXCITED ABOUT.

I JUST RETIRED FROM TEACHING SO I'M SO EXCITED TO GET TO GO INTO THE SCHOOLS AND AS A PHYSICAL EDUCATION COORDINATOR FOR THE LAST 13 YEARS BEFORE COVID ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS WAS GOING TO VISIT THESE SCHOOLS AND I HAVE GREAT RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE PE TEACHERS AND SOME OF THE TEACHERS IN EVERY SCHOOL ALREADY, IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO GET INVOLVED IN THOSE COMMUNITIES, SHOW UP AT THEIR GAMES, GRADUATIONS, ACTIVITIES AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

>> CHANGING GEARS, GOVERNOR DESANTIS IS GETTING INVOLVED IN LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD RACES THEY WERE SENT THE DESANTIS EDUCATION AGENDA SURVEY THAT GAUGES CANDIDATES STANCE ON FACEMASKS, CREEK OR RACE RACE THEORY AND MORE AND COULD BE A LITMUS TEST FOR ANY SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATE WHO WANTS THE GOVERNOR'S ENDORSEMENT, THE LEAGUE PUT OUT ENDORSEMENTS ALTHOUGH I DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING FROM LEON COUNTY.

DID YOU RECEIVE THE SURVEY?

WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS AND YOUR LEVEL OF SUPPORT FOR THE GOVERNOR'S EDUCATION AGENDA?

ONE MINUTE TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION STARTING WITH YOU, LORI COX.

>> I DID RECEIVE THE SURVEY AND I DID FILL IT OUT AND THERE WERE SOME INTERESTING QUESTIONS AND AS A GOVERNOR HE HAS EVERY RIGHT TO GET A LITMUS TEST FOR WHAT IS GOING ON, EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT TO HIM AND IF ANYBODY LOOKED AT HIS AGENDA HE HAD TEN STEPS AND I THINK MOST PEOPLE WOULD AGREE WE WANT OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM TO BE THE BEST IN FLORIDA, WE WANT TO LEAD THE NATION 80 LEON COUNTY WE WANT TO DO THAT.

SOME OF HIS TOP PRIORITIES ARE PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT AND MAKING SURE WE GET BACK TO EDUCATING OUR STUDENTS.

I DID RECEIVE IT AND MAYBE I DON'T AGREE WITH ALL THE RHETORIC ON SOME THINGS HE SAYS BUT I WOULD AS A GOVERNOR HE IS THE ELECTED ONE TO LEAD THE STATE.

>> HE WOULD ACCEPT AN ENDORSEMENT?

>> IF HE WERE TO DO THAT I WOULD ACCEPT ANYBODY'S ENDORSEMENT IF THEY AGREE WITH MY PLATFORM.

>> Hodges: I'VE NOT RECEIVED IT.

IT MAY HAVE GONE INTO MY JUNK FOLDER SO I NEED TO LOOK BUT I AM VERY FAMILIAR WITH WHAT GOVERNOR DESANTIS -- SORRY, DESANTIS STANDS FOR AND I COMPLETELY STAND BY HIM.

I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING I HAVE HEARD HIM SAY.

I'M VERY RIGHT WING CONSERVATIVE.

I WHO ACTUALLY SUPPORT EVERYTHING HE HAS PUT FORTH AND I HOPE IN THE FUTURE WE CAN WORK TOGETHER.

I WOULD ACCEPT HIS ENDORSEMENT.

I WOULD BE PROUD TO.

>> Stemle: I DID NOT RECEIVE THE SURVEY BUT I THINK WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS EVERYBODY'S RESPONSE ABILITY TO SUPPORT OUR SCHOOLS AND EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY IN LEON COUNTY.

HE SPOKE THE OTHER DAY AND STATED HOW HE HAS TWO KIDS HE WANTED TO SEE, LET'S GET BACK TO LEARNING IN THE CLASSROOM AND TAKE AGENDAS AND MANDATES OUT SO I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE GOVERNOR ON THOSE THINGS AND HELPING STUDENTS GET BACK TO LEARNING, I AM ENDORSED BY THE TEACHERS, EDUCATIONAL PROFESSIONALS IN LEON COUNTY AND FIREFIGHTERS AND PARAMEDICS SO WE VALUE THOSE ENDORSEMENT AND LOOK FORWARD TO PICKING UP A FEW MORE.

>> HE WOULD ACCEPT THE GOVERNOR'S ENDORSEMENT?

>> IF IT CAME DOWN TO IT.

>> MOMS FOR LIBERTY, CONSERVATIVE PARENTS, A FORCE IN TALLAHASSEE AND AROUND THE STATE AND NATION.

HAVE YOU RECEIVED OR WILL YOU SEEK THEIR ENDORSEMENTS?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

WE START WITH SUSAN ELAINE HODGES.

>> Hodges: I STAND WITH MOM'S FOR LIBERTY, I AGREE WITH WHAT THEY HAVEN'T I WOULD ACCEPT AN ENDORSEMENT FROM THEM.

>> ALEXANDER STEMLE.

>> Stemle: WE HAVE BEEN MEETING VOTERS ON DOORSTEPS AND TED - I HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT WHAT MOMS FOR LIBERTY STANDS FOR, THEY HAVE REACHED OUT TO ME, WE HAD SOME DISCUSSIONS.

MY CONCERN IS THE CHAIR OF THE ORGANIZATION IS SUPPORTING ONE OF THE CANDIDATES IN THE PUBLIC FORUM SO IT'S IMPORTANT IF WE HAVE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE THIS IN OUR COMMUNITY THEY COME FROM A PLACE THAT IS UNBIASED.

MY CANDIDACY WILL REPRESENT EVERYBODY, WE ALL HAVE DIFFERENT VIEWPOINTS AND PERSPECTIVES AND IT IS IMPORTANT WE LISTEN TO EVERYBODY.

>> LAURIE LAWSON COX.

>> Cox: ANYONE WHO AGREES WITH MY PLATFORM I WELCOME THE ENDORSEMENT, I HAVE FRIENDS ON ALL SPECTRUMS, ALL SIDES OF THE AISLE.

I'VE GOTTEN SUPPORT FROM ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE, A LOT OF TEACHERS AND COMMUNITY PEOPLE AS WELL.

I HAVE FRIENDS IN MOMS FOR THE BUDDY BUT ALSO HAVE FRIENDS THAT DO NOT ONLINE THEMSELVES WITH THEM.

SO AGAIN, IF THEY WERE TO ENDORSE ME, IF THEY AGREE WITH MY PLATFORM I WOULD ACCEPT IT.

THE ENDORSEMENT.

>> WHAT IS ONE PART OF THEIR AGENDA YOU AGREE WITH AND WHAT PART OF THE AGENDA DO YOU DISAGREE WITH?

>> WE AS EDUCATORS SHOULD WELCOME PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT.

IT IS NOT A SECRET AND HAS BEEN WELL-KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME THAT PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT IS KEY TO ANYBODY'S SUCCESS AND WE ARE TRYING TO GET PARENTS INVOLVED FOR YEARS AND I'M FORTUNATE TO WORK AT SCHOOLS WITH AMAZING PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT.

IT MAKES SUCH A DIFFERENCE SO TO ME ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS HIS PARENTS ARE FINDING OUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE CLASSROOM WHICH EVERY PARENT HAS A RIGHT TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON IN THEIR CLASSROOM SO I WOULD SUPPORT THAT.

>> OF THE YOU DISAGREE WITH.

>> Hodges: THE RHETORIC THEY ESPOUSE OR PEOPLE THINK THEY ESPOUSE, THAT IS WHERE OPEN COMMUNICATION, BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE AND OPEN COMMUNICATION IS KEY TO MAKING SURE WE BRING ALONG PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES.

>> SUSAN ELAINE HODGES, SAME QUESTION.

>> Hodges: PARENTAL RIGHT IS AN IMPORTANT THING, WE NEED TO INVITE PARENTS BACK INTO THE CLASSROOM, THEY NEED TO BE EXTREMELY INVOLVED, I BELIEVE WE NEED TO WORK ON CURRICULUM TOGETHER, THE PARENT SHOULD HAVE A SAY IN THE CURRICULUM AND I ALSO AGREE ABOUT THE LGBT Q, THAT THE GUIDELINE THEY INSTATED SHOULD BE READDRESSED.

>> ALEXANDER STEMLE.

>> Stemle: AS A CLASSROOM TEACHER, NOW CURRENTLY AN ASSISTANT INTERVAL, TEACHING IS HARD, IT IS DIFFICULT WHEN WE HAVE ORGANIZATIONS THAT WANT US TO RAISE THEIR AGENDAS UP THE FLAGPOLE.

AS EDUCATORS IT IS IMPORTANT WE PROTECT OUR SCHOOLS.

PARENTS NEED A VOICE, THAT IS SOMETHING IN 2,020, A VOICE FOR PARENTS AND CLASSROOMS, WHAT CONCERNS ME IS MORE OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS TRYING TO RUN THEIR AGENDAS UP OUR FLAGPOLES AND THAT IS HARDER AND HARDER FOR US TO DO OUR JOB.

>> THANK YOU.

>> THE COVID PANDEMIC HAS IMPACTED ALL OF OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS ACROSS THE NATION.

WHAT'S THE ONE THING OUR DISTRICT DID ABSOLUTELY RIGHT AND ONE THING OUR DISTRICT DID WRONG.

WE HAVE ONE MINUTE.

ALEXANDER STEMLE, I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

>> Stemle: ALLOWING SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS TO CREATE ENVIRONMENTS WHERE TEACHERS, TO TEACH KIDS DIRECTLY FACE TO FACE BUT TEN FEET APART, THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR OUR SCHOOLS AND YOU WILL SEE DIRECT REFLECTION, IN FRONT OF TEACHERS AND IMPORTANT, WE IMPLEMENTED TECHNOLOGY IMMEDIATELY INTO THE SCHOOLS, NOT REALLY SURE HOW THOSE WOULD AFFECT LEARNING AND HOW WE CAN IMPORTANT POSITIVES AND NEGATIVES AND SEEING A LOT OF EDUCATIONAL DIVIDE AND MORE OF A GAP CREATED BY TECHNOLOGIES AND WORK WITH EVERYBODY TO BE IMPLANTED IN A WAY THAT IS EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT.

>> LAURIE LAWSON COX, SAME QUESTION.

>> Cox: COVID WREAKED HAVOC ON US AND EVERYONE ELSE.

I SEE FIRST HAND, HELPING PROTOCOLS COME TO FRUITION WITH THE HELP OF ADMINISTRATORS, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND CDC GUIDELINES AND DID A GREAT JOB MEETING NEEDS OF OUR STUDENTS AND TEACHERS MAKING, KEEPING OUR SCHOOLS OPEN WAS HUGE AND OFFERING HYBRID SOLUTION VERSUS DIGITAL.

AND IN HINDSIGHT, COULD HAVE DONE THAT A LITTLE BETTER.

>> I CAN'T SPEAK TO MY EXPERIENCE BECAUSE I'M NOT BUT I HEARD STORIES, DOING THE DIGITAL, A LOT OF THEM WERE SLACKING AND TOLD JUST PASS THEM AND I BELIEVE THAT WAS A HUGE MISTAKE, THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH IT NOW AND REESTABLISHING THE AUTHORITY OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT, THE SCHOOL ITSELF, GETTING CHILDREN BACK INTO THEIR HOMEWORK AND CURRICULUM IS IN ISSUE.

THAT IS WHAT I LEARNED FROM IT.

>> I HAVE A FOLLOW-UP.

>> SORRY -- >> THAT IS OKAY.

>> A FOLLOW-UP.

SUSAN ELAINE HODGES, I WILL STICK WITH YOU TO START.

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

WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN YOUR ADVICE TO THE SUPERINTENDENT DURING THOSE TIMES, 30 SECONDS PLEASE.

>> I WOULD SAY KEEP THE SCHOOLS OPEN, I WOULD HAVE SAID NO MASKS.

I BELIEVE THE MASKS DON'T WORK, THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN INSTITUTED.

AND I AGREED WITH WHAT RON DESANTIS DID.

I SAID HIS NAME RIGHT THIS TIME.

>> DON'T BE -- IT BECOMES PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

AND THEY THINK DIFFERENTLY AND HAVE DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES, IT IS A DANGEROUS THING.

THE FLIPPING OF THE MASKS CREATED A NARRATIVE THAT WAS NOT HEALTHY OR US AS WE ENTERED INTO THE SCHOOL YEAR RATHER THAN AT THE BEGINNING.

I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH GOVERNOR, LEGISLATORS, SUPERINTENDENT, EVERYBODY FROM THE TOP DOWN, THAT IS IMPORTANT, TIME TO GET BACK TO THAT.

>> LAURIE LAWSON COX.

>> Cox: WE FOUND OURSELVES AT ODDS WITH THE GOVERNOR AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION, AS A TEACHER AND COACH I WENT EVERYONE ON THE SAME TEAM.

I WOULD HAVE ADVISED HIM, THE ELECTED OFFICIAL TO MAKE THE LAW AND FOLLOW THE LAW AT THAT POINT.

>> OKAY, EARLIER THIS WEEK, THE FLORIDA EDUCATION ASSOCIATION RELEASED A REPORT INDICATING STATEWIDE, IN DEFICIT BY 9500 TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF, SUDDENLY WE'VE SEEN A DEFICIT OF NUMERICAL FEATURES IN LEON COUNTY SO WHAT CONCRETE STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN TO ATTRACT AND >> Reporter: FEATURES GIVEN ALL THE CURRENT CHALLENGES, ONE MINUTE TO RESPOND.

>> Stemle: WE HAVE TO INCREASE THEIR PAY.

TEACHING TO BE JOYFUL, TEACHERS HAVE THE AUTONOMY TO GET TO THEIR KIDS AND I THINK WE NEED TO BRING THE PROFESSIONALISM BACK, WHEN WE HAVE DOCTORS AND LAWYERS THEY DON'T JUST SEE PATIENTS, THEY SEE CLIENTS, TO GO BACK AND WORK WITH COLLEAGUES, A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THEIR FILES AND DEVELOP THE BEST GAME PLAN, TEACHERS HAVE THE TIME TO DO THAT.

THEY TEACH ALL DAY AND THAT IS ON THEIR OWN TIME.

WE NEED TO FIND OUT-OF-THE-BOX SOLUTIONS, TO RETURN TO THE JOY OF TEACHING.

>> SUSAN ELAINE HODGES.

>> Hodges: I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING HE SAID.

AND TEACHERS NEED TO BE PAID MORE, TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY WHERE THEIR NEXT MAIL IS FROM.

A BUDGET FOR SUPPLIES, NOW IT IS OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKET.

I DO BELIEVE THE TEACHERS NEED TO FIND THEIR JOY FOR TEACHING BECAUSE SOME OF THEM JUST BURN OUT.

AND THEY FIND THAT JOY.

>> Cox: TEACHER MORALE HAS BEEN AN ISSUE IN POST COVID.

I WORK ON STATE BOARD, TEACHERS FROM AROUND THE STATE.

AND HOW DO WE RETAIN QUALITY TEACHERS.

AND KEEPING PERIPHERAL STUFF OUT OF CLASSROOMS, I LOVED EVERY DAY OF TEACHING, AND I WOULD LOVE TO CREATE THAT ENTHUSIASM AND MOTIVATION FOR OTHER TEACHERS AS WELL.

>> BREAKING NEWS, A FOLLOW-UP HERE, THERE IS A NEW STATE PROGRAM RECRUITING MILITARY VETERANS TO TEACH IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE AN ACTUAL TEACHING CERTIFICATE AND TRAINING THAT LEADS TO THAT.

IF WE COULD START WITH YOU PLEASE.

>> I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF THAT.

VETERANS HAVE A LOT TO OFFER, IN PROTECTING US IN THE COUNTRY WHEREVER THEY WERE STATIONED AND THEY WOULD HAVE A LOT TO OFFER OUR CHILDREN AND THAT WOULD BE A GREAT PROGRAM.

I WOULD SUPPORT IT.

>> NOT HAVING A CERTIFICATE, NOT AN IMPEDIMENT TO PERFORMANCE IN THE CLASSROOM.

>> YOU SHOULDN'T JUST LET ANYONE IN.

WHEN YOU WORK TOWARDS A GOAL YOU DON'T ALWAYS HAVE TO HAVE AGREED TO MEET THAT JOB BUT IF IT IS SOMETHING WE NEED WE CAN ALWAYS GET THE CERTIFICATE THEY NEED.

>> Cox: I WAS AROUND WHEN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, WHEN WE HAD TEACHER SHORTAGES BEFORE, TO APPLY THE TEACHING CERTIFICATE AND GONE THROUGH TEACHER PROGRAMS WE'VE SEEN SOME GREAT TEACHERS AS A RESULT OF THAT AND SOME NOT SO GOOD, DID NOT GO THROUGH AN INTERNSHIP, WITH THOSE THINGS, MY DAD WAS A VETERAN.

I ONE HUNDRED% SUPPORT OUR MILITARY, GREAT MENTORS CAN COME FROM THAT PROGRAM SO I'M INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE.

>> Stemle: I SUPPORT THE MILITARY HELPING US OUT.

ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS IS THEY MEET THE CERTIFICATION TEST, NOT SOMETHING THAT IS A WAY THERE.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE COUNTY DO SOME WORKFORCE DEVELOP AND PROGRAMS THAT TARGET TEACHERS AND FUTURE EDUCATORS WHEN KIDS IN LEON COUNTY SHOULD GO ON WORK AS A DOOR INSTRUCTIONAL THAT WORK SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH TEACHERS, THIS IS SOMETHING THEY WANT TO DO.

THAT IS A HUGE PROBLEM, THE TEACHER SHORTAGE, OUT OF THE BOX SOLUTIONS THAT CAN HELP OUR SCHOOLS.

>> LET'S STICK WITH YOU FOR 30 SECONDS.

EVERYONE INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS INDICATES MORE MONEY WOULD BE AT LEAST A MITIGATING OFFSET, HOW DO WE INCREASE TEACHER PAY.

>> $16 MILLION GOING OUT THE WINDOW FOR KIDS LEAVING THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, THE KIDS TYPICALLY COME TO US FIRST AND THEN FIND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES.

IF YOU WERE TO DRIVE THE CAR DOWN THE ROAD AND THE GAS TANK WAS LEAKING HE WOULD FIX THE LEAK BEFORE YOU PUT MORE GAS INTO IT.

IT IS IMPORTANT WE ADDRESS THE ROOT PROBLEMS OF THESE ISSUES AND UNDERSTAND WHAT IT IS THAT MAKES THEM UP AND THEY WILL NOT BE EASY SOLUTIONS THAT HAPPEN OVERNIGHT.

WE NEED TO BE PATIENT.

>> SUSAN ELAINE HODGES, MORE MONEY FASTER.

>> Hodges: WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE BUDGET AND DO A QUICK GLANCE, AS ALEX PUT IT, PUT A PLUG IN IT AND SAY THIS NEEDS TO BE CHANGED AND REDIRECTED TO TEACHERS AND THERE MIGHT BE OPPORTUNITIES TO IMPROVE THINGS IF WE REFOCUS.

>> LAURIE LAWSON COX.

>> Cox: HOW DO WE GET MORE MONEY.

LOOKING AT THE BUDGET, WITH OUR SUPERINTENDENT AND COMING OUT WITH CREATIVE SOLUTIONS WE HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE BUT I AGREE IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN.

I'M A YES PERSON, DON'T TELL ME NOKIA YOU CAN DO IT, LET'S MAKE IT HAPPEN SO LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING IN THERE.

>> 15 SECONDS FOLLOW-UP I WANT TO TACK ON, WHAT IS THE NUMBER ONE REASON CONTRIBUTING TO OUR WARMER CLIMATE AND I WILL STICK WITH YOU?

>> TEACHERS ARE ABSOLUTELY WORK SO HARD, MOST GO HOME TO FAMILIES AFTER THEY HAVE BEEN TEACHING ALL DAY, HAVE PAPERS TO GRADE AT NIGHT.

OUR TEACHERS DEAL WITH ENORMOUS CHALLENGES THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL DAY AND GO HOME TO THEIR OWN FAMILIES.

>> SUSAN ELAINE HODGES.

>> Hodges: I WOULD HAVE TO SAY THE BEHAVIOR OF THE KIDS.

I'VE HEARD A LOT OF STORIES, THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH BEHAVIOR AFTER THE PANDEMIC.

CAN BE CHALLENGING TO TRY TO CONTROL THE CLASSROOM.

>> ALEXANDER STEMLE.

>> Stemle: OPEN COMMUNICATION CHANNELS TOP TO BOTTOM THAT ARE UNBIASED, THE ABILITY TO SPEAK OUT WITHOUT FEAR OF RETALIATION OR RETRIBUTION IN OUR DISTRICT, THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND AS A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER HOPE TO CONNECT THAT DIRECTLY TO THE CLASSROOM.

>> LAWMAKERS WERE BUSY IN THE EDUCATION SPHERE SO HOW SHOULD THE SCHOOL BOARD RESPOND TO RECENT LEGISLATION RESTRICTING DISCUSSIONS OF RACE, GENDER, IDENTITY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

A LOT OF TERRITORY, GIVE YOU A LOT OF TIME, ONE MINUTE AND 30 IF YOU WANT TO TAKE IT AND WE WILL START WITH YOU, SUSAN ELAINE HODGES.

>> Hodges: I WILL ASK YOU TO REPEAT THE QUESTION.

>> HOW TO THE SCHOOL BOARD RESTRICT DISCUSSIONS ABOUT RACE, GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> Cox: IS THE GUIDELINE THAT WAS INTRODUCED?

>> IT IS ABOUT RACE, GENDER, IDENTITY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, LAWS PERTAINING TO THAT.

>> Cox: I DON'T THINK THE SCHOOL SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN ANY OF THAT.

I DON'T BELIEVE THE SCHOOL SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN TELLING CHILDREN THEY CAN BE MALE OR FEMALE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

THAT'S NOT THEIR BUSINESS.

IT IS UP TO THE PARENT.

AS FOR RACE I AM NOT REALLY SURE WHAT THE ISSUES ARE AT THE MOMENT.

I KNOW THERE ARE SOME BULLYING GOING ON BUT MY UNDERSTANDING THAT WAS MORE FOR THE GUIDELINE ISSUES AND THAT WAS WHY THAT WAS PUT IN PLACE.

I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH ANY RACE ISSUES AT THE MOMENT.

IF ANYONE COULD ENLIGHTEN ME THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

>> ALEXANDER STEMLE.

>> Stemle: THE TEACHERS THAT TEACH DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION STANDARDS, IMPORTANT FOR THE PUBLIC TO KNOW IN MY OPINION, WE DON'T HAVE KIDS TEACHING TOPICS THAT ARE NOT AGE APPROPRIATE IN LEON COUNTY, DON'T HAVE FIRST-GRADERS SPEAKING GENDER IDENTITY, I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE PUBLIC TO KNOW.

KIDS ARE VERY CREATIVE AND WENT TO GET TO KNOW THEIR TEACHERS AND WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SURE TEACHERS HAVE THE SKILLS TO PIVOT IN THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND GET BACK TO LEARNING AND THE CORE CONTENT KNOWLEDGE.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT KIDS THE KIDS LEAVE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND PREPARED ADULTS THAT HAVE THE CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY TO LEAD OUR FUTURE, AND AS A SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER, AND AS I STATED BEFORE THE FLAGPOLE ISSUES ARE ALSO HARD TO DIGEST AS SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR, MAKE THE JOB A LOT EASIER, KEEPING THOSE THINGS OUT OF SCHOOLS IS IMPORTANT.

>> Cox: I DON'T BELIEVE OUR CLASSROOMS SHOULD BE BILLBOARDS FOR PERSONAL, SOCIAL OR POLITICAL ACTIVISM, AND AND STANDARDS THE TEACHERS TEACH.

AND INDOCTRINATING STUDENTS, BUT WANT TO PROTECT AGAINST PERSONAL FOR PERSONAL BIASES, THAT WAS PUT BEFORE THEN.

AND THEY ARE TREATED AS PROFESSIONALS, PROFESSIONAL THEY ARE.

BUILDING THE RELATIONSHIP IS CRITICAL, AND THAT IS CRUCIAL IN THE CLASSROOM, HAVING RIGOROUS CURRICULUM AND HAVING THESE RELATIONSHIPS GO HAND-IN-HAND.

>> HOW SHOULD SCHOOLS ADDRESS TOPICS AND CONVERSATION AROUND RACE?

30 SECONDS.

>> STICK TO THE FACT, STICK TO THE STANDARDS, MAKE SURE KIDS HAVE A CHANCE TO SHARE THEIR PERSPECTIVES AND OPINIONS ON THINGS, HAVE A STRONG DEBATE IN CLASS AND GET FOCUSED ON LEARNING, CONTENT AND STANDARDS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.

>> LAURIE LAWSON COX.

>> Cox: I AGREE, OPEN DIALOGUE AND A GOOD TEACHER KNOWS HOW TO CREATE GOOD DIALOGUE WITH STUDENTS BUT SHOULDN'T BE A TEACHERS OPINION THAT GETS DIVIDED, A CLASSROOM SHOULD NEVER KNOW WHERE THEIR TEACHER STANDS, THEY SHOULD BE TOTALLY NEUTRAL, THOSE ARE IMPORTANT ISSUES TO TALK ABOUT IN OUR DAY.

>> THANK YOU.

SUSAN ELAINE HODGES.

>> Hodges: I AGREE WITH BOTH ANSWERS BUT WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE CURRICULUM BEING TAUGHT TO MAKE SURE IT IS FACTUAL AND MAKE SURE WE ARE AWARE OF WHERE THE RACE STARTED AND, THE RACE ISSUES, WHERE THAT CAME FROM AND NEED TO HAVE CURRICULUM THAT SPEAKS THE TRUTH ON THAT.

>> LAURIE LAWSON COX, THE RECENT LB GT Q PLUS GUIDE, BY THE SCHOOL BOARD, MOST CONTROVERSIAL PROVISION IS THE PARENTAL NOTIFICATION PART OF THAT.

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION.

>> MY HUSBAND WAS THE ONE THAT PRESENTED THAT BEFORE THE BOARD, AND THEY CAME TOGETHER AND COMPLETE A GUIDE.

I WAS SURPRISED THAT LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS HAVE ONE, AND ADMINISTRATION TEACHERS, AND PARENTS SHOULD NOT BE -- THE STUDENT IS SAFE BUT PARENTS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED.

>> PARENTS SHOULD BE NOTIFIED.

I DON'T BELIEVE THEY STATED, SAYING THEY HAD A CONVERSATION, I BELIEVE EVERYTHING ABOUT CHILDREN NEEDS TO BE THE PARENTS AWARENESS.

THE PARENTS ARE THE ONES RAISING THE CHILDREN, AND EDUCATING THEM.

>> PARENTAL RIGHT IS THE LAW OF THE LAND AND WE WILL FOLLOW THAT.

ONE OF THE ISSUES, SINCE WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME DISCUSSING THIS, THE RIGHTS OF ALL TO PROTECT SOME.

AND GIVE TEACHERS A GUIDE WENT TO IMPROVE READING AND LEARNING IN OUR CLASSROOMS.

A LOT OF TIMES WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL.

>> THANK YOU.

SUSAN ELAINE HODGES, PARENTS RIGHTS ADVOCATES SAYS PARENTS MUST RECLAIM EDUCATION AND THEY HAVE BEEN CUT OFF FROM THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS, ISSUES IMPACTING THE CHILDREN.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THE STATEMENT, GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF THE KIND OF DECISION-MAKING PARENTS HAVE BEEN CUT OFF OF.

>> I DO AGREE WITH THAT STATEMENT.

THAT IS A GOOD EXAMPLE, WHAT I UNDERSTAND, PARENTS HAVE NO SAY WHAT HAPPENS AT SCHOOL, AND I AM UNCOMFORTABLE IN MY BODY, THEY DON'T HAVE TO TELL THE PARENTS THEY'VE GONE THROUGH A CRISIS.

THEY CAN SAY I TALKED WITH THEM AND WE HAD A CHAT AND I DON'T AGREE WITH THAT AT ALL, THERE NEEDS TO BE CHANGED.

>> ALEXANDER STEMLE.

>> Stemle: REPEAT THE QUESTION.

>> PARENTS RIGHTS ADVOCATES SAY THEY MUST RECLAIM EDUCATION, THEY'VE BEEN CUT OFF FROM THE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS ON ISSUES IMPACTING THEIR CHILDREN, DO YOU AGREE WITH THE STATEMENT AND GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT KIND OF DECISION-MAKING PARENTS HAVE BEEN CUT OFF?

>> Stemle: IT IS THE CLASSROOMS AND TEACHERS AS WELL.

THE LGBT Q GUIDE THAT WAS IN PLACE PRIOR TO OUR DISCUSSION HERE, DO NOT CALL THE PARENTS IN THE FALL TO TO NOT CALLING PARENTS AND THAT DEFAULT HAS BEEN CHANGED AND THAT IS IMPORTANT.

WE HAVE SEVERAL PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT HAVE ISSUES PRIOR TO IT BECOMING AN ISSUE AND THOSE VOICES WERE NEVER HEARD.

PARENTS IN PARTICULAR NEED TO GET PHONE CALLS BACK FROM DISTRICT LEADERS AND THEY WANT ANSWERS.

>> LAURIE LAWSON COX.

>> Cox: COVID BROUGHT TO LIGHT WITH ONLINE LEARNING THAT PARENTS MAYBE SAW THINGS IN CURRICULUMS THEY WEREN'T AWARE OF.

I DO KNOW THAT THE CURRICULUM GOES ONLINE, WITH THE LGBT Q GUIDE, THAT WAS SOMETHING, THAT PARENTS ARE NOT AWARE OF -- REPEAT THE QUESTION AGAIN.

THIS IS REALLY -- >> AN EXAMPLE OF WHERE PARENTS HAVE BEEN CUT OFF FROM DECISION-MAKING.

>> Cox: IN OUR DISTRICT THE LGBT Q GUIDE MAY HAVE BEEN ONE THAT DISTRICTS LIKE.

AND THAT GUIDE IT WAS SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE TO NOTIFY PARENTS.

>> WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO TEACHERS FEELING VILIFIED BY RECENT RHETORIC AND LEGISLATION?

>> Stemle: MY MESSAGE, ON THE FRONT PORCH AND MEET OUR VOTERS, GRANDPARENTS AND PARENTS ARE VERY AWARE OF THE IMPACT THAT THEY ARE MAKING KIDS AND GRANDKIDS LIVES, AND HELP IS COMING AND WE ARE GOING TO HELP REESTABLISH THE PROFESSIONALISM THE COMMUNITY TEACHING IS DIFFICULT, NO DOUBT ABOUT THAT SO WE HAVE TO FIND WAYS TO HELP OUR TEACHERS IN THE CLASSROOM TO RELIEVE THAT BURDEN AND WORK WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO DO THAT.

>> TEACHING IS A TOUGH PROFESSION.

AND HAD CAN YOU REPEAT THAT QUESTION?

>> MESSAGE TO TEACHERS WHO ARE FEELING VILIFIED.

>> SOME OF THE RHETORIC HAS BEEN VERY DIVISIVE.

WORKING TOGETHER, BRINGING THEM TOGETHER AND HELPING TEACHERS FEEL SUPPORTED AND LISTENED TO, OPENING THAT LINE OF COMMUNICATION, BECAUSE TRUTH PLUS TRANSPARENCY EQUALS STRESS AND BILLING THAT TRANSPARENCY AND COMMUNICATION IS KEY.

>> SUSAN ELAINE HODGES, SAME QUESTION.

AFTER 19 WE DON'T WANT TEACHERS TO FEEL VILIFIED IN ANY WAY.

AT THE SAME TIME, YOU HAVE CHILDREN IN YOUR CLASSROOM AND WE WANT TO KNOW WE CAN TRUST YOU AND IT IS NOT A MATTER OF YOU ARE A BAD TEACHER AND I UNDERSTAND THE CLAIMANT OF BEING ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER A CURRICULUM AND PLANNING AND WHAT AM I GOING TO TEACH CHILDREN TODAY, I UNDERSTAND THAT BUT WE HAVE TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE PARENTS.

AND WHAT THE PARENTS WANT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> SUSAN ELAINE HODGES, I WILL START WITH YOU.

ONE OF THE SCHOOLS IN THE DISTRICT, SPRINGWOOD ELEMENT TREE SCHOOL, THEIR GREAT FELL FROM C2 AT THE THIS YEAR.

IF IT IS ANOTHER THE NEXT YEAR THE STABLE IMPLEMENT AN EXTERNAL OPERATOR AND TURNAROUND PLAN.

WOULD YOU HELP THE SCHOOL RAISE ITS GRADE FROM A D TO A C TO KEEP THAT FROM HAPPENING.

>> I WANT TO LOOK AT THE CURRICULUM, HOW MUCH THEY ARE SPENDING ON THE SUBJECTS.

AND HOW WE CAN TARGET CERTAIN CURRICULUM THAT THEY ARE NOT BEING TAUGHT.

AND FOCUS ON AREAS WE ARE STRUGGLING IN AND WHY THEY ARE STRUGGLING AND THAT AREA, IS THERE A REASON FOR IT?

I WOULD DO A LOT OF RESEARCH TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.

>> THANK YOU.

ALEXANDER STEMLE, HOW WOULD YOU HELP THE SCHOOL RAISE ITS GRADE FROM A D TO A C?

>> Stemle: I WILL MEET WITH MS. MYERS TO SEE WHAT WE NEED FOR THE SCHOOL.

IT IS IMPORTANT WE FIND TIME, THIS TAKES TIME TO GET IN FRONT OF KIDS TO HEAD GET HIGH QUALITY EDUCATORS, TO WORK WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS, PARENTS SO THAT WE GET THE KNOWLEDGE AND CONTENT IN FRONT OF THE KIDS AND GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO PRACTICE AND PRACTICE AND PRACTICE SO THEY CAN BECOME FLUENT LEARNERS, THIS HINGES ON THEIR ABILITY TO READ, A LOT OF STATE TESTS AND READING TESTS EVEN THOUGH THERE MAY BE A SCIENCE TEST OR READING TEST, UNDERSTANDING HOW EARLY LEARNING, AND EARLY LITERACY IMPACT WHEN KIDS GET TO THE SYSTEM AS IT IS QUICKLY AS WELL.

>> Cox: SPENDING TIME WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, LOOKING AT THE DATA, COMING UP WITH INDIVIDUAL PLANS FOR THOSE CLASSROOMS AND STUDENTS, GETTING THEIR READING LEVELS UP, WORKING WITH THE WHOLE CHILD IS IMPORTANT AND WORKING WITH THAT COMMUNITY.

>> WE WILL CHANGE GEARS AND GO TO THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

I WANT TO ASK ONE QUICK QUESTION WITH 30-SECOND TIMEFRAME, WHAT IS ONE ISSUE WE ARE NOT TALKING ENOUGH ABOUT AN HOUR SCHOOLS?

WE START WITH YOU, LORI -- HODGES -- >> AGAIN, I THINK CERTAINLY OUR SCHOOL SAFETY IS NUMBER ONE ON EVERYONE'S MIND BUT ANOTHER THING, NOT REALLY TALKED ABOUT MUCH ANYMORE BECAUSE OF ALL THESE OTHER DISTRACTIONS, THE IMPORTANCE OF PHYSICAL HEALTH WITH STUDENTS AND FACULTY, ADMINISTRATION, PHYSICAL HEALTH TRANSCENDS INTO EVERYTHING ELSE.

WHEN KIDS GET THAT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND THE BRAIN STIMULATED, MAKING SURE THEIR NUTRITION IS IN ORDER, MEALS AT SCHOOL DID A GOOD JOB.

>> SUSAN ELAINE HODGES.

>> Hodges: I WAS LISTENING TO LAURIE LAWSON COX'S ANSWER AND MY MIND WENT COMPLETELY BLANK.

I DO BELIEVE SECURITY AND SAFETY IS AN ISSUE WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN OR LOOK AT QUESTIONS THAT ARE IN PLACE, AND THERE ARE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE IMPROVED ON IN THE GUARDIAN PROGRAM.

>> ALEXANDER STEMLE.

>> Stemle: THE TWO LADIES MENTIONED SCHOOL SAFETY, VERY SAFE AND PARENTS NEED TO KNOW THE COMMUNITY NEEDS TO KNOW THAT.

THE EDUCATIONAL MODEL IS OUTDATED, STILL TEACHING KIDS IN CINDERBLOCK ROOMS, BASED ON HOW OLD THEY ARE AND KIDS COME TO US AT DIFFERENT TIMES, AT DIFFERENT AGES.

WE HAVE THE TECHNOLOGY, FLEX ABILITY TO CREATE ENVIRONMENTS WHERE WE TARGET LEARNING AND RELIEVE PRESSURE ON THE TEACHERS TO ENGAGE IN ENVIRONMENTS THAT GET TO OUR KIDS AND THE LEARNING THAT IS DIFFICULT.

>> WE MADE IT THROUGH ALL THREE OF YOU.

WE ARE IN OUR LIGHTNING ROUND, THE WAY IT WORKS IS MOST OF THESE ARE YES OR NO, LOOKING FOR YES, A SHORT ANSWER AND MORE A SENTENCE TO EXPLAIN IT.

IN THE EDUCATION SPHERE, WE DON'T LIKE TOO MUCH OF A RUN ON SENTENCE.

LET'S KEEP THIS MOVING QUICKLY.

WE WILL START WITH YOU, SUSAN ELAINE HODGES.

DO YOU CURRENTLY OR HAVE YOU HAD CHILDREN IN THE LEON COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM?

YOU CAN NAME DROP THE SCHOOLS.

>> I DON'T HAVE CHILDREN IN THE LEON COUNTY SCHOOL SYSTEM.

>> ALEXANDER STEMLE.

>> Stemle: I HAVE TWO BOYS, ONE IS GOING TO FOURTH GRADE, WHAT IS GOING TO FIRST GRADE.

I AM ALSO A PRODUCT OF LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS GOING TO LEON, IT IS IMPORTANT.

>> LAURIE LAWSON COX.

>> Cox: HE DID GO TO ROBERT AND DEER LAKE AND GRADUATED FROM CHILD'S AND I'M THE PRODUCT OF LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS.

>> ALEXANDER STEMLE, WHAT IS ONE BOOK EVERY STUDENT SHOULD READ?

>> Stemle: I THINK A SERIES OF FISH BOOKS THAT TALK ABOUT HOW YOU NEED TO FIND JOY IN EVERYTHING YOU DO AND IT IS IMPORTANT KIDS AND YOUNG ADULTS READ THAT BOOK AND UNDERSTAND LIFE DOESN'T GIVE YOU WHAT YOU WANT BUT YOU GOT TO MAKE THE BEST OF IT.

>> LAURIE LAWSON COX.

>> Cox: A BOOK CALLED NIGHT, A MEMOIR FROM THE HOLOCAUST.

JUST THE DEPRAVITY OF MAN BUT TENACITY AND FIGHT OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT TO SURVIVE UNSPEAKABLE LOGS.

>> SUSAN ELAINE HODGES.

>> Stemle: >> Hodges: I WOULD SAY TOM SAWYER, YOU CAN NEVER GET ENOUGH OF THAT.

>> DOES A RAINBOW FLAG HAVE A PLACE IN OUR SCHOOLS?

IF SO, WHERE?

>> Cox: NO.

>> Hodges: NO.

>> Stemle: NO, NEITHER DOES A TRUMP FLAG OR ALEXANDER STEMLE FOR SCHOOL BOARD OR BLACK LIVES MATTER.

>> ARE YOU OPEN TO METAL DETECTORS AT OUR SCHOOL?

>> Hodges: YES.

>> ALEXANDER STEMLE.

>> Stemle: I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH METAL DETECTORS, BASKETBALL GAMES, FEEL LIKE I'M WALKING THROUGH A DOORWAY.

>> LAURIE LAWSON COX.

>> Cox: ANY AUBURN FOOTBALL GAMES, METAL DETECTORS ARE USED, DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM.

>> WILL ANY OF YOU ADVOCATE FOR MEDICAL -- METAL DETECTORS IF ELECTED?

>> Cox: I WOULD LISTEN TO OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND HAVE OPEN DIALOGUE WITH THEM AND WHATEVER THEY THINK.

>> Hodges: ABSOLUTELY.

>> Stemle: YES, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO GET TO THE ROOT CAUSE OF MENTAL HEALTH.

>> IT A STUDENT BE DISCIPLINED BY SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS BAD BEHAVIOR ON SOCIAL MEDIA OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM?

>> Stemle: AS DEAN OF STUDENTS FOR TWEE 8 YEARS THIS WAS A CHALLENGE OF OURS, THESE ISSUES COME OVER.

WE NEED TO NOTIFY PARENTS TO HANDLE OFF-CAMPUS SOCIAL MEDIA ISSUES.

>> LAURIE LAWSON COX.

>> Cox: MY HAS BEEN DEALT WITH AT QUITE A BIT.

WE NEED A -- TO NOTIFY THEM TO SOLVE THAT.

>> Hodges: IF IT DOES BLEED ONTO CAMPUS IT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH.

IT IS PARENTS RESPONSE ABILITY.

>> THE QUESTION I AM ASKED MOST BY VOTERS WHO EMAIL ME, TO ASK THE CANDIDATES HAS LITTLE TO DO WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD BUT HAS BECOME A LITMUS TEST FOR THE MAN SPEAKS TO OUR DEMOCRACY AT LARGE, DO YOU HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE OUTCOME OF THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION?

>> Cox: WOW.

WOW.

DO I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE OUTCOME OF A 2020 ELECTION?

YES AND NO.

>> EXPLAIN IN ONE SENTENCE.

>> IT HAS BEEN UNCOVERED, THE VOTING DISCREPANCIES THROUGHOUT THE NATION.

>> SUSAN ELAINE HODGES.

.19 NO.

>> ALEXANDER STEMLE.

>> Stemle: YES.

>> STUDENTS WALKING OUT OF THE CLASSROOMS FOR PROTEST, SHOULD THAT BE ALLOWED OR SHOULD STUDENTS BE MARKED WITH AN UNEXCUSED ABSENCE?

>> Hodges: REPEAT THE QUESTION.

>> STUDENTS WALKING OUT OF THE CLASSROOM FOR PROTEST, SHOULD THAT BE ALLOWED OR SHOULD STUDENTS BE MARKED UNEXCUSED ABSENCE.

>> Hodges: INTERESTING QUESTION.

I WOULD SAY THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE MARKED ABSENT.

>> Stemle: NO WALKING OUT DURING INSTRUCTIONAL TIME.

>> LAURIE LAWSON COX.

>> Cox: NO WALKING OUT DURING INSTRUCTIONAL TIME.

>> WHAT LETTER GRADE WOULD YOU GIVE THE SUPERINTENDENT AND WHY?

>> Stemle: A B-.

COMMUNICATION IS SOMETHING WE CAN WORK ON.

MAKING SURE WE ARE NOT A WEDGE THAT DIVIDE OUR COMMUNITY IS IMPORTANT.

>> Cox: TOUGH JOB, TOUGH TO ENTER.

MY HUSBAND IS AN ASSISTANT SUPERINTENDENT AND HAS DONE GREAT THINGS BUT I AGREE THAT COMMUNICATION SHOULD BE IMPROVED.

>> LETTER GRADE?

>> Cox: TOUGH, HE'S AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, LET THE VOTERS DECIDE.

>> SUSAN ELAINE HODGES.

>> Hodges: I DON'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT WHAT ROCKINGHAM HAS DONE SO I AM AFRAID TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

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

>> Cox: THROUGH THE YEARS I HAVE ATTENDED, WATCHED EVERYONE, I'VE SPOKEN SEVERAL OF THEM THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.

>> SUSAN HODGES.

>> Hodges: I HAVE ATTENDED TWO I BELIEVE.

>> DID YOU SPEAK?

>> Hodges: NO.

>> ALEXANDER STEMLE.

>> Stemle: WE ARE ROLLING LIVE ON TV, I THINK OVER THE LAST 10 OR 12 YEARS I'VE WATCHED EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM.

>> WHAT IS ONE PLEDGE YOU WOULD MAKE TO VOTERS THAT YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH IF ELECTED?

>> Hodges: REPEAT THE QUESTION.

>> ONE PLEDGE YOU WOULD MAKE TO VOTERS RIGHT NOW THAT YOU WILL ACCOMPLISH IF ELECTED?

>> Hodges: SCHOOL SAFETY.

>> ALEXANDER STEMLE.

>> Stemle: I WILL BE ACTIVE, INVOLVED, PRESENT, AND VOTE ON ALL ISSUES.

>> LAURIE LAWSON COX.

>> Cox: I WISH I COULD GIVE EVERYONE A MILLION DOLLARS BUT I WILL BE INVOLVED AND LISTEN TO EVERYONE THAT HAS A CONCERN OR ANYONE WHO WANTS TO COME TALK.

>> SIGEL BIGGEST CONTRIBUTION TO THE LEON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR YOUR SCHOOL?

>> Stemle: I THINK I HAVE DEMONSTRATED IN SEVERAL POSITIONS THROUGH MY CAREER THE ABILITY TO BRING ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE, HELPED IMPLEMENT THE LARGEST PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP IN SCHOOLS HERE, CHP CHAMPIONS PROGRAM.

>> LAURIE LAWSON COX.

>> Cox: PLANNING, TRAINING, IN THE SERVICES FOR PD TEACHERS, BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS WITH ALL THOSE SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS WITH LOCAL FIREFIGHTERS, EMS, SAFETY PROGRAM.

>> SUSAN ELAINE HODGES.

>> Hodges: I' VE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TO LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS BECAUSE I HAVEN'T BEEN INVOLVED WITH THEM UNTIL NOW BUT WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY IS I WANT TO CONTRIBUTE MY DEDICATION AND MY TIME.

>> YOU MADE IT THROUGH THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

LET'S SLOW IT DOWN A LITTLE.

>> NOT TO CRAWL.

LESS FRIGHTFULLY THAN WE HAD THE PHONE A MOMENT AGO.

WITH THE ISSUE OF CHARTER SCHOOLS, CERTAINLY ONE THAT IS ALWAYS CONTROVERSIAL, AND THE BOARD HAS A HISTORIC TRACK RECORD OF VOTING AGAINST THE APPROVAL, SO WHAT IS YOUR OPINION OF CHARTER SCHOOLS, LET'S MAKE IT MORE OF AN INCLUSIVE SITUATION.

>> Cox: AS A PARENT I APPRECIATE THAT PARENTS SHOULD HAVE A CHOICE IN THE BEST EDUCATION FOR THEIR STUDENT, THEIR CHILD, CHARTER SCHOOLS PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET DIVERSE NEEDS THAT HOPEFULLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS WILL BE IN COMPETITION AND BE EXCELLENT BUT CHARTER SCHOOLS OFFER OPPORTUNITY.

FOR STUDENTS AND FAMILIES.

>> Stemle: I CAN SUPPORT STRONG AND PRODUCTIVE CHARTER SCHOOLS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THE $16.5 MILLION GOING OUT THE WINDOW IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO ADDRESS.

WE HAVE KIDS COME TO THE SYSTEM FIRST AND WE HAVE TO SHARE OUR MESSAGE AND DO A BETTER JOB FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE, MAKING SURE THE COMMUNITY HAS WHAT THEY THINK THEY NEED AND WHAT THEY NEED.

>> Hodges: I SUPPORT VOUCHERS, PARENTS HAVE A RIGHT TO PICK WHAT SCHOOLCHILDREN GO TO.

>> 30-2ND FOLLOW-UP FOR EVERYONE.

THE STATE HAS EXPANDED SCHOOL CHOICE IN RECENT YEARS, THE DISTRICT HAS ATTRIBUTED ITS EXPANSION AND STUDENTS ENROLLING IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND CHARTERS AS THE PRIMARY REASON FOR $11 MILLION BUDGET DEFICIT.

WHY IS THE DISTRICT LOSING KIDS TO CHARTERS IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND CAN WE GET THOSE STUDENTS BACK?

>> Stemle: 11.5 WAS AN OUTDATED STATISTIC, LOOKS LOOK MORE LIKE A $16 NUMBER.

WE CAN GET OUR KIDS BACK.

IT IS IMPORTANT WE GET THEM TO START WITH AND HAVE TO DETERMINE OUR MESSAGE AND SHARE OUR MESSAGE, AND A LOT OF TIMES WE ARE TALKING THINGS THAT ARE CHALLENGES AND SOME OF THOSE FLAGPOLE ISSUES SO CONTROLLING THE NARRATIVE IS IMPORTANT.

>> THANK YOU, SUSAN ELAINE HODGES.

>> Hodges: REPEAT THE QUESTION.

>> THE STATE HAS EXPANDED SCHOOL CHOICE IN RECENT YEARS AND THE DISTRICT, THAT WAS THE OLD NUMBER, $11.5 MILLION DEFICIT QUOTED BY DISTRICT OFFICIALS AS BEING CONNECTED TO LOSING STUDENTS TO CHARTERS IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS SO THE QUESTION BEING HOW DO YOU GET THOSE KIDS BACK IN PUBLIC SCHOOL?

>> Hodges: THE SCHOOL NEEDS TO REGAIN THE TRUST OF THE PARENTS.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF LGBT Q BEING TAUGHT THAT PARENTS DON'T APPROVE OF, THE KIDS WHO ARE STRAIGHT BEING TALKED TO ABOUT THAT WHEN PARENTS DON'T WANT THEM TO BE TALKED TO, THAT'S AN ISSUE OF WHY PARENTS ARE PULLING THEIR KIDS OUT AND SOME OF THE CURRICULUM THAT IS NOT FACTUAL IS AN ISSUE AND THAT'S ANOTHER REASON THEY ARE BEING PULLED OUT AND WE JUST NEED TO GAIN THEIR TRUST BACK.

>> LAURIE LAWSON COX.

>> Cox: WE NEED TO OFFER A QUALITY PROGRAM, WE DO A GOOD JOB IN MOST SCHOOLS IN LEON COUNTY AND NEED TO EARN THE TRUST BACK OF THE COMMUNITY AND I THINK WE CAN DO THAT.

>> THE FINAL FOLLOW-UP TO START US OFF, LAURIE LAWSON COX, VOUCHERS FOR ALL SEEMS TO BE A END GAME FOR SCHOOL CHOICE ADVOCATES.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THAT CONCEPT AND HOW CAN THE DISTRICT COMPETE UNDER SUCH A SYSTEM, COMPETITION WILL MAKE EVERYBODY BETTER.

>> Cox: WE NEED TO MAKE SURE PROGRAMS AND OFFERINGS IN OUR SCHOOLS ARE MEETING NEEDS OF ALL OUR STUDENTS ACROSS THE DISTRICT.

WHEN STUDENTS ASK FOR VOUCHERS WE NEED TO SEE WHAT IS THE SCHOOL OFFERING THE WE ARE NOT AND LEARN TO ADDRESS THOSE NEEDS, AND ADDRESSING THE WHOLE CHILD IS SO VERY IMPORTANT.

>> THANK YOU.

SUSAN ELAINE HODGES.

UP TO 90 REPEAT THE QUESTION.

>> THE VOUCHERS FOR ALL CONCEPT WHICH GAINED A LOT OF TRACTION AMONG SCHOOL CHOICE ADVOCATES IN RECENT YEARS.

YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT AND HOW CAN THE DISTRICT COMPETE THE WHOLE PLAYING FIELD IS LEVEL AND EVERYONE IS GETTING A VOUCHER HOW DOES THE DISTRICT STAY A PREEMINENT ATTRACTION FOR THESE KIDS?

>> Hodges: BY OFFERING THE BASICS, THEY NEED TO GO BACK TO THE BASICS AND LET THE PARENTS KNOW WE ARE GOING TO DO OUR BEST TO MAKE YOUR CHILD THE CONTRIBUTING MEMBER OF SOCIETY TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY.

>> Stemle: I DON'T THINK THE VOUCHERS ARE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD FOR EVERYBODY.

ONE OF THE THINGS LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS DOES IS WE SERVE ALL KIDS REGARDLESS WHAT THEY COME TO, WHAT THEY BRING TO THE TABLE AND THAT IS IMPORTANT, THIS IS A CHALLENGE THAT OTHER SCHOOLS DON'T, A VERY DANGEROUS SLOPE WE TAKE.

WE ARE UP FROM THE BATTLE AND ALL THE ASSETS, TO THE TEACHERS, THIS IS AGAIN WE CAN WIN.

>> THANK YOU.

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

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

WE WILL START WITH YOU.

>> Cox: WE ARE A MINORITY MAJORITY DISTRICT.

AND THE COMMUNITY SCHOOLS, STUDENTS GO TO SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY LIVE, MENTORS, VOLUNTEERS, WHICH BUILD A ROBUST, COMMUNITY EDUCATION I BELIEVE.

DO WE HAVE WORK TO DO IN THAT REGARD?

ABSOLUTELY.

>> THANK YOU.

SUSAN ELAINE HODGES.

>> Hodges: I AM SAD TO HEAR THAT AND I WISH IT WAS DIFFERENT.

BUT I THINK WHAT WE CAN DO IS WORK TOWARDS EDUCATING EVERYONE TO REALIZE THAT WE ARE ALL THE SAME UNDERNEATH OUR SKIN.

AND TRYING TO INTEGRATE THE SCHOOLS FOR THE BETTER.

>> ALEXANDER STEMLE.

>> Stemle: OUR SCHOOLS ARE SEGREGATED AND SCHOOL CHOICE EXACERBATES THE PROBLEM.

ALL OF US WOULD LIKE THE COMMUNITY TO BE LESS SEGREGATED BUT CONTINUE TO MAKE CHOICES IN OUR PERSONAL LIVES THAT DON'T HELP US REACH THAT GOAL SO OUR SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, SPORTS TEAMS ARE VERY SEGREGATED AND WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING SCHOOLS CAN SOLVE, THIS IS COMMUNITYWIDE THAT WE SHOULD BE PART OF THE EQUATION.

>> QUESTION FROM THE URBAN LEAGUE, SHOULD THE SCHOOL DISTRICT EXPAND VOCATIONAL TRAINING AT THE HIGH SCHOOL LEVEL AND IF SO IN WHAT WAY?

45 SECONDS TO RESPOND AND SUSAN ELAINE HODGES.

>> Hodges: THEY SHOULD EXPAND THAT.

I BELIEVE A HANDS-ON LEARNING IS SOMETHING THAT IS VERY VALUABLE, THE WAY THAT I LEARN AND I COMPLETELY UNDERSTAND HOW SOMEONE IN HIGH SCHOOL CAN STRUGGLE BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE HANDS ON AND I BELIEVE GETTING THEM INVOLVED IN COMPUTER TRAINING, SOMETHING LIKE THAT, LETTING THEM LEARN THE INS AND OUTS OF PROGRAMMING AND BEING INVOLVED IN THAT WOULD BE A HUGE HUGE BENEFIT FOR THEM.

>> Stemle: I DO SUPPORT VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS GOING INTO HIGH SCHOOLS, THEY SHOULD LEAVE WITH SKILLS TO GO INTO OUR WORKFORCE.

WHAT CONCERNS ME IS PEOPLE WITH THE BIG BEACH HOUSES OWNED BUSINESSES SO HAVING A SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM IS IMPORTANT THAT WE TEACH KIDS TO BE BUSINESS OWNERS AND WE ARE STRUGGLING WITH TEACHERS AND FINDING PROFESSIONALS THAT GET INTO OUR CLASSROOMS AND WHERE WE CAN GET KIDS INVOLVED, EXPERIENCE, AND SEE WHAT TEACHING IS ALL ABOUT TO CREATE SYNERGY THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR US.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> VOCATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE VITAL TO THE COMMUNITY TO ALLOW OUR STUDENTS TO GROW, GREAT NUMBERS OF SOCIETY.

TO EXPAND THOSE PROGRAMS, TEACHING FINANCIAL LITERACY, AND TEACHING THEM HAD OUR OWN SMALL BUSINESSES.

THE WHOLE NICHE OF SMALL BUSINESS, THAT IS SO VITALLY IMPORTANT AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND.

>> YOU MADE IT.

IT IS CONCLUSION TIME WHERE YOU GET TO OUR FOR YOUR CLOSING ARGUMENTS AND SPEAK DIRECTLY TO VOTERS.

ALEXANDER STEMLE, YOU WILL BEGIN.

>> Stemle: I THINK THE OTHER CANDIDATES FOR BEING HERE.

THIS IS NOT EASY TO DO.

WE DID THIS IN 2020 AGAINST A 3 TERM INCUMBENT AND GOT 30% OF THE VOTE, THE VOICE WAS NEEDED THAN.

I AM THE EXPERIENCED CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE AND LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR CONSIDERATION.

I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE TO SUPPORT FIREFIGHTERS, PROFESSIONALS IN OUR SCHOOLS AND WHERE ARE ALL LEVELS OF THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, LEMON TREE, MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL AND THE ONLY CANDIDATE WITH A MASTERS IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND THIS IS NOT ABOUT WHO YOU GO TO CHURCH WITH OR WHO YOUR HUSBAND IS OR HOW INFLUENTIAL HE IS, THIS IS ABOUT WHO CAN BE OBJECTIVE WHEN MAKING DECISIONS ON THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND SCHOOL BOARD.

YOU CAN FIND OUR CAMPAIGN ON FACEBOOK AT ALEXANDER STEMLE FOR SCHOOL BOARD AND TRIP ALEXANDER STEMLE.COM.

SOMETHING WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF.

>> LAURIE LAWSON COX.

>> Cox: I AM LAURIE LAWSON COX, I GREW UP IN TALLAHASSEE, MY BROTHER GREW UP IN TALLAHASSEE, WE WENT TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS, MY HUSBAND DID GO TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN LEON COUNTY, HIS FATHER AND MOTHER TAUGHT IN LEON COUNTY SCHOOLS THEIR WHOLE CAREER, AND LEADERSHIP INVOLVED IN STUDENT GOVERNMENT AND DIFFERENT THINGS IN HIGH SCHOOL, STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT WHEN WE ELECTED A NEW PRESIDENT, BROUGHT A NEW PRESIDENT ON BOARD, I HAVE PROVEN LEADERSHIP ACROSS THE STATE OF FLORIDA, SEVERAL STATEWIDE BOARDS WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND WRITING CURRICULUMS, HELPED A DISTRICT CURRICULUM IN LEON COUNTY, I KNOW TEACHERS AT EVERY SCHOOL IN LEON COUNTY, WORKED IN THIS DISTRICT FOR 33 YEARS.

ONE OF THE THINGS I BRING TO THE TABLE IS BRINGING ALL PEOPLE TOGETHER AND COME TO CONSENSUS AND I AM VERY MUCH A PEOPLE PERSON.

I LOVE GETTING OUT IN THE SCHOOL AND THE COMMUNITY, YOU CAN FIND MORE ABOUT ME AT LAURIE LAWSON COX@SCHOOL BOARD.COM.

>> SUSAN ELAINE HODGES GETS THE LAST WORD.

>> Hodges: THE LAST WORD IS THE BEST.

I AM AT A DISADVANTAGE, DON'T HAVE THE EXPERIENCE MY OTHER TWO CANDIDATES, I RESPECT BOTH OF YOU AND THINK YOU ARE VERY NICE AND SWEET PEOPLE.

MY HEART IS FOR THE CHILDREN.

MY HEART IS TO IMPROVE THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND MY HEART IS FOR THE LORD AND IN HIS WORD BACK INTO THE SCHOOL SYSTEM BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WE ARE MISSING AND IF YOU AGREE WITH ME ON THAT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER.

MY WEBSITE IS SUSAN ELAINE HODGES FOR SCHOOL BOARD.COM, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE.

>> THANK YOU, APPRECIATION GOING TO THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT, LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF TALLAHASSEE, WFSU PUBLIC MEDIA AND THE CANDIDATES FOR JOINING US ON THIS PROGRAM.

YOU CAN FIND A REPLAY ON OUR YOUTUBE PAGES, TALLAHASSEE.COM, WFSU.COM AND A RECORDED PODCAST WILL BE AT 11:00 AM ON WFSU 88.9.

>> OUR NEXT LIVE WEB STREAM FORUM, JULY 26TH AT ONE:00 P.M. 26 AT 1:00 PM AND IT WILL BE WITH THE TWO CANDIDATES FOR LEON COUNTY JUDGE.

JASON JONES AND MARIO THEODORE.

>> YOU CAN LOOK FOR THE SPECIAL ELECTION GUIDE FROM THE TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT WITH INTERVIEWS WITH ALL THE CANDIDATES INCLUDING THESE CANDIDATES PRINTED AND INSERTED IN SUNDAY, AUGUST 7TH PAPER.

YOU CAN STAY TUNED TO TALLAHASSEE.COM, THE LATEST ELECTION NEWS.

I WANT TO THANK THOSE WATCHING TODAY.

I ALWAYS WELCOME YOUR QUESTIONS FOR THESE FORUMS, REALLY EASY, EMAIL US, NEWS@TALLAHASSEE.COM.

YOUR NEIGHBORS CAN ATTEST I WILL OFTEN ASK THOSE QUESTIONS, THANK YOU TO THE CANDIDATES, THANK YOU FOR WATCHING AND THANK YOU TO THE AMAZING CREW AT WFSU FOR MAKING THIS POSSIBLE, HAVE AN EXCELLENT DAY.

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