Candidate: Nick Howland

I am a Navy veteran, Jacksonville businessman and a father of 2 young boys who attend DCPS schools. My wife Malou and I have lived in the Intracoastal West area for over 11 years, during which time I've served on the Board of Directors of the First Coast Manufacturers Association (FCMA) and on the City of Jacksonville’s Environmental Protection Board (EPB). But with young boys like mine, the majority of my spare time is generally spent on Patton Park soccer fields and beaches basketball courts.

Having run businesses that employ hundreds in Northeast Florida, I clearly recognize the importance of our public school system in attracting companies and families to Duval County. I know from my kids' experiences at Chets Creek, Jax Beach and Julia Landon that we have an amazing and talented group of teachers and staff within DCPS. We also have an unprecedented opportunity - following quick state and federal legislative responses to the Parkland shooting - to fund and implement constructive improvements to security within our schools. But all of this is clouded by continued budget and spending challenges.

If elected, I plan to focus on 3 priorities – School Safety, Educational Achievement, and Fiscal Responsibility. I have no doubt that Duval County Public Schools are on the right trajectory, and that, with a clear focus on priorities such as these, we can become among the top performing - and safest - large municipal school districts in the country.