Candidate: Mark "Big Chief" Strickland

Please list your age, occupation/retired, how long you’ve lived in Bay County and which city you reside in currently. 

I’m 56 years young and an artist and owner of Big Chief real estate investment corporation. We are currently creating a unique affordable housing environment for teachers. I have lived in Hiland Park most of my life and loved growing up here. I went to Hiland Park, Mowat, Mosley and Gulf Coast. I have deep roots in our community.

Why did you decide to run for the school board?

I feel it is a calling. I have been attending board meeting for the past year and see a need for someone who will listen. My father was a pastor at Hiland Park Baptist for 27 years and was a man who helped so many and made a difference in our community. He taught me that people need someone who will listen. I will! I want to make a difference in our schools and make our District a place where everybody is somebody.

What qualities and qualifications do you think you have that would make you the best candidate for a school board seat?

I started volunteering when I was 10 helping my mother who teaches physical impaired students. My family has over 150 years of teaching experience. My wife, mother and late mother in law were and are great teachers to special needs students. I have art taught at MKL, St. Andrews, New Horizons and Bozeman. I have a art education degree from the University of West Florida and I will think outside the box to bring positive change to our District.

What goal or goals do you most want to accomplish if elected and why?

I want to see all our schools get back to being A schools. Students can only succeed in life if they have a solid foundation. We need to continue to restore our community schools like Patterson and Springfield and help them to be shining examples of equality for all. I want everyone to know that they will have a leader who not only listen but will also respond to their needs. My family has always been strong advocates for all students and especially special needs students and I will continue to stand up for the least of them.

What are the biggest challenges that you think the school district faces in the coming years and how do you hope to address them?

We have gone through trying times in the past two years with Hurricane Michael and now the pandemic. A safe and secure environment for students and teachers is my main concern. Set backs can be a good set up for a great comeback if we get it right. Students, parents, teachers and all District employees need to know that you they have a leader who will listening to science and health professionals as we head into the unknown. They all need to feel free to share their thoughts and ideas and feel secure when they speak up for what’s right.