Orange school District 1 hopefuls offer views

A changing of the guard on the Orange County School Board promises to bring new perspective to the nation’s ninth-largest public school district.

As many as six seats of the eightmember board could change hands this year, including the District 1 seat being vacated by four-term incumbent Joie Cadle.

The Orange district covers schools in the Winter Park and east Orange County area, including 23 elementary schools, four middle schools, four high schools as well as some charter schools and a Montessori school.

Three candidates have filed to run in the nonpartisan race in the Aug. 28 primary. School Board members are paid $44,443.

Who they are

Angie Gallo, 50, legislative chair for the Florida Parent Teacher Association and owner of two businesses. She said she’s advocated for numerous education policies in Tallahassee.

Heather Traynham, 45, a volunteer and past PTA president. She started LighbulbPR, a Winter Parkbased public relations firm focused on schools.

Terrance Rooth, 45, an Orlando criminal attorney and assistant general counsel to student legal services at the University of Central Florida. He’s married to a former Orange County teacher.

Where they stand

Gallo and Traynham said Orange County Public Schools should further prioritize technical education.

Traynham, citing a personal example, said she mentored students of Orange Technical College at her public relations firm, and now they own and operate it. “It’s amazing to see the success of adult career technical education graduates that didn’t have a degree prior to going to Orange Technical College,” she said.

Gallo said technical education prepares students to fill high-wage, high-skill jobs that are in demand. “We have a gap where we don’t have enough skilled labor to fulfill the jobs we have out there,” she said. “We need to close that gap.”

Rooth said the district needs to prioritize teacher pay to help put the brakes on an exodus of teachers leaving the profession. He said he would support diverting money from other parts of the budget to salary, where educators are paid below the state average.

“Our goal should be to elevate ourselves as the beacon where teachers want to work,” he said.

He also said teachers need more time to teach and plan lessons, and the district should be more receptive to their ideas. With a law degree and an MBA, he said his legal and financial knowledge would be important in reviewing policies and making budget decisions.

Gallo said offering dual enrollment in more schools would improve equity and let more students attend college courses. She also supports pre-kindergarten in each elementary school.

Traynham, who helped in the renewal of the Change 4 Kids halfpenny tax, said the district should continue hardening campuses and focus on social-emotional development for students.

How they differ

Each of the candidates cited differences in their backgrounds setting them apart in the race.

With Chairman Bill Sublette not seeking re-election, Rooth said he would be the board’s only lawyer, which would allow a different mindset in decision making.

Gallo and Traynham both cited their business backgrounds.

Gallo said her advocacy and background in education policy sets her apart. She said she has a knowledge of where the district can make changes and where it’s stuck because of state regulations.

Traynham said she’s worked with schools across the district, so she’s familiar with their needs and also has a wider perspective from working with educators across the country.