Candidate: Peggy Jones

     Peggy Jones’ unwavering devotion to Indian River County’s public schools is grounded in her vast educational experience and expertise, and in her deep awareness of student needs.

     She rose from classroom teacher to become a highly regarded high school principal. Now she serves as an elected member of the county’s School Board, of which she has served as chairman this year.  In total, she has served 37 years here in education while being involved in the community at large. This includes being at her own children’s soccer or basketball games or listening to their concerns.

       All of this varied experience gives her a valuable perspective.

       Our school district is making commendable strides in academic achievement and educational offerings after going through the rigors of Covid as well as continuing political challenges. We continue our work. We can never be complacent.

     The objective is to afford each student—regardless of background—an opportunity to achieve.  We serve all, welcome all.  It isn’t easy. We aren’t a mass production line producing cars in eight hours.  Education is about every child—an  individual—in a process lasting 13 years.

      During my 11-year stint (1998-2009) as the principal of Sebastian River High School, I was out in the hallways, monitored the cafeteria, and visited classrooms every day. I cheered from football game sidelines, met parents in my office, and listened to staff concerns.

     We’re a human institution dealing with around 17,000 students, including students in publicly funded charter schools.  Schools are communities of people learning to live together as well as studying academics, watching basketball games and performing plays on stage.

      I applaud the involvement of parents and the community.  Let me single out just one as an example: the non-profit Learning Alliance that helps with the all-important early childhood education, which is vital to student success. I urge you to give pats on the back to such groups.

      Let’s stand up, stand up for public school education at home and in the community.”  

JONES’s RESUME, IN BRIEF

--  Doctorate Degree in Education in 1998 from Nova University.

--  A native of Illinois, she was appointed the first high school athletic director for boys and girls sports in Waterman, Illinois.

--  After retiring from the Indian River County School District, she became an administrator at the Florida High School Athletic Association.

--  Has worked with such groups as the United Way, Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Council, Crossover Mission, Moonshot Community Action Network, Learning Alliance Leadership Committee, and was on the board of Dasie Hope Center in Wabasso.  She served on the Florida School Board Association’s State Legislative Committee, Advocacy Committee, and Federal Legislative Platform Committee.

--  As a school board member she has served on the Fellsmere Planning and Zoning Board, the Economic Development Council, Indian River County Value Adjustment Board, NAACP Equity Workshop and the   Executive Roundtable of Indian River County.

--  Recipient of the Florida Music Education Association’s 2023 School Board Member of the Year award. The association has 5,000 members.

-- Distinguished Service Award from Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), September 2014.

-- Outstanding Principal Award for Region 3 in Florida from the Department of Education Award, June 1997.

-- Teacher of the year and finalist at Vero Beach Junior High School, 1985.

--  Is a proud parent of three children, all college graduates with master’s degrees, and grandparent of two boys.

--  Lifelong member of the Catholic Church.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

E-mail: info@peggyjonesforschoolboard.com

Phone:  772-562-3398