Candidate: Sandy Counts

I have resided in Citrus County and more specifically in CCSB District 4 since 1973. I care deeply for our county resources, our lifestyle, and our kids. I believe my years in the world of education combined with my years in the world of business truly prepared me to sit as an effective Citrus County School Board member for the past seven years.

I hold an AA degree from St. Petersburg Junior College. I earned a BS degree in English and Speech Secondary Education from the University of South Florida. I am a licensed real estate broker. I had a residential appraisal certificate.

In the business world, I owned and operated Crystal River Real Estate and brought the first RE/MAX franchised office to Crystal River. I served every year for twenty years as an officer or director for the Citrus County Board of Realtors. I served on the Professional Standards Committee at the local and state level. I taught the Professional Standards segment of the monthly Orientation Meeting for new Realtors. I was elected Board President in 1989. I was honored to be named Realtor of the Year.

My real estate career involved working with Tallahassee on legislative issues. I understand contractual law. I understand construction. Appraising enhanced my knowledge of cost and financing. As a School Board member I found this background knowledge essential.

I spent twenty-eight years in secondary classrooms teaching literature, grammar, writing, speech, and drama. For twenty-five years I coached swim and dive teams. I sponsored various clubs. I served several terms as Class Sponsor for sophomores and junior classes. Each of these activities involved teaching the students budget and leadership skills.

I served as the head of the English department multiple years. I traveled to Tallahassee and Jacksonville to review and revise the FCAT/ELA 10th grade test. I administered the ACT test for several years at CRHS. In 2007 was honored to be voted CRHS Teacher of the Year. I retired in 2015 at the end of my DROP time.

I was elected to the school board in 2016. I have faithfully prepared for and attended board meetings each month. I serve on the following committees: Calendar, Code of Conduct, Pupil Progression Plan, Long Range Planning, and five SAC committees. I serve as the Vice Chairman of the Value Adjustment Board representing the school board. I am a Certified Member of the Florida School Boards Association and attend summer and fall meetings each year. I am a member of the state Advocacy Committee. I travel to Tallahassee every year for Legislative Days.

I remain committed to my three-fold goals to renew respect for public education, review responsibilities for all stakeholders, and ensure safe, drug-free schools.