Candidate: Kathryn Hensley

Since she was elected to the St. Lucie County School Board in 1996, Kathryn has led the fight to make sure every student is given opportunities to succeed, helping pioneer new college preparatory, career and technical programs in our public schools. When Kathryn was elected, a St. Lucie County less than half the size it is now was expelling hundreds of students yearly, but with the success of alternative education programs, St. Lucie County Public schools has not expelled a student in five years and our graduation rate has soared above the statewide average to consistently over 90%, with the six traditional high schools at 96.8% for the 2018-2019 school year.

Kathryn was raised on a family farm in Illinois, where she learned the value of hard work, persistence and how to make your voice heard in her large family. Kathryn has been married to her husband Carl for 48 years, who recently retired from teaching at IRSC. They moved to St. Lucie County together to begin their family as educators and quickly became involved with the local League of Women Voters, where she is still a board member. In 1990, Kathryn spearheaded the creation of our current Children's Services Council of St. Lucie County. Following that success and her relentless work to continue to advocate for kids, friends and community leaders asked her to consider running for school board in 1996. 

And in the last 24 years on your school board, Kathryn has led unafraid of the ire of people who have attempted to privatize our children's education for profit. St. Lucie County has vigorously screened charters schools, insuring we only accept qualified applicants and don't gamble with your children's education. St. Lucie County has led the way in the adoption of technological and career and trade skills programs, creating unique education experiences for students that keep them engaged and where they receive skills and coaching they need to equip themselves for both successful careers and higher education. St. Lucie's graduation rate has been over 90% the last three consecutive years and the juvenile crime rate has plummeted 52% from 2000 as our local school district puts in the hard work of building a school district that truly serves everyone's needs. Kathryn's dogged pursuit of what's best for students has made her a target of special interests who would see our schools sold to the highest bidder for profit. In 2016, they poured untold sums of dark money behind her opponent that our community had never seen before. But with your support, Kathryn will keep fighting every day for St. Lucie students as your District 4 St. Lucie County School Board Member.