Candidate: Laura Zorc

Dear Indian River County Parents and Taxpayers:

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve you on the School District of Indian River County.   I am proud to report that I am leaving the district in a state of good financial health and leadership.

Without regret I spent my four years challenging the status quo, questioning the budget, and bringing about the needed changes in leadership to put us on the current path of success.  I made bold decisions that were in the best interests of our students.

My business background and experience in creating and running efficient organizations enabled me to launch a critical examination of the district school budget and hold our former Superintendent accountable. Then last November, as School Board Chair, I successfully led the Board through the challenging process of hiring a dynamic new Superintendent, Dr. David Moore, under whom we have begun implementing practices that will ensure excellence for ALL students in the district. 

In November the Indian River County School Board  will be comprised of four out of five lifelong educators.  As the mother of three current public-school students, I whole heartily encourage parents and caregivers to stay engaged and vigilant.   As a school board member, I had the unique experience of 22 continuous years of having a child in the school system.  Moreover, as the parent of children of such diverse ages, from the boardroom to the classroom I had a professional and personal understanding of the impact of school board decisions regarding policy, curriculum, budget, and special programs. Decisions are being made for our children on the national, state, and especially local school board level. I strongly encourage more parents to get involved.  These are our children and it is imperative that we hold our elected leaders accountable for the choices they are making for our children’s education.   

I began my journey as an education advocate because as a parent I was not satisfied with the quality of education being provided to my own children.   My chapter on the school board will end in November.  However, I will continue to have high expectations for all students, and I will continue to advocate for policies and initiatives that are in the best interests of our diverse student body, among them:

• Enhance vocational/certification training programs for middle and high school students
• Expand school choice opportunities
• Close the achievement gap for all students

The public-school system is a system resistant to change. Together we can break the norms that are holding us back.   Every child should be given a quality education in America and it is up to parents to ensure that the decisions being made are made with your child’s best interest in mind.

Respectfully yours,

Laura Zorc