Candidate: Steve Lanier

Biography of Steve Lanier

Candidate for Superintendent of Schools

Franklin County, Florida

My name is Steve Lanier and I am running for Superintendent of Schools in Franklin County, Florida.  The Superintendent of Schools is one of the most important leadership positions in Franklin County.  There is no greater responsibility that can be given to an individual than to be entrusted with a child’s education. Schools are the backbone of any community.  They produce our thinkers, leaders, innovators, and productive citizens. Education changes our world for the better, and administrators, teachers, students, parents and the community must be involved in that process.

I am a product of the Franklin County System.  I grew up in Franklin County where I attended Chapman Elementary School, Chapman Junior High School, and graduated from Apalachicola High School in 1976.  My father, Don Lanier grew up in Apalachicola and was the owner of Lanier Pharmacy in Apalachicola for 45 years until his retirement in 2004.  My mother, Shirley Taylor, has been a resident living in Franklin County for 70 years.

After high school, I was employed by the St. Joe Paper Mill in Port St. Joe, Florida for two years.  Out of a sense of responsibility and the desire to serve my country, I left Franklin County in 1979 to enlist in the United States Air Force.  My goal from day one of joining the Air Force was to work hard, get my college degree, and to become a commissioned officer.  While on active duty, I went to college full-time and in six years received my Masters in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma (1985), my Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Care Administration from Southern Illinois University (1983), and my Associate of Arts (AA) from the University of Maryland (1981).  In 1985, I was commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy.

I am results oriented and self-driven.  Achieving my military and educational goals illustrate my belief that hard work produces positive outcomes.

Throughout my military career, I had many leadership positions and was stationed at 12 different duty stations.  I have had the privilege of working with a variety of exceptional leaders and have had exposure to many different leadership styles.  No matter what my assignment entailed, I always made significant improvements which ultimately left the job in a better position than when I first arrived.

After 27 years of service to my country, I retired as a senior officer with the rank of Commander and returned to my roots in Franklin County in 2011. I am currently employed as the Executive Director of the Apalachicola Housing Authority. I am also Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Apalachee Mental Health Center in Tallahassee.  I am married to the former Sheila Bradberry of Tallahassee and have two daughters, Ashley (age 30) and Kelsey (age 26).  Sheila is a graduate of Florida State University and is retired after having a 35-year career with the State of Florida.

My educational background and work experience offer a unique and fresh perspective as Superintendent of Schools.  If elected, my plan is to work with parents, teachers and our community to ensure that Franklin County students receive the educational experience they deserve.  I am dedicated and ambitious and pledge to serve you with an uncompromising code of integrity and honesty.  I will conduct myself in the highest ethical manner in all relationships. The ability to analyze, budget, plan, communicate and work with people are critical skill components of the Superintendent of Schools.  I have the ability to set and communicate a clear and positive direction and have always applied myself fully to any task, no matter the complexity.  I am a proven leader and top performer in my professional career of over 40 years.  My skill strengths are:

• Executive Leadership
• Communication
• Transparency
• Creating Partnerships
• Teambuilding
•  Financial Management
•  Budgeting
•  Goal Setting
•  Planning
•  Fostering Community Support 

I will be proactive in encouraging parents to be involved in all elements of their child’s education because parent involvement leads to student success. I will promote opportunities where parents can participate or serve in meaningful parent leadership activities at the school.  Parents must also be valued and respected and their ideas will be considered.

Our teachers are the key to a child’s education and a successful school system.  They deserve to be respected, heard, and supported by administration and parents. Our children need outstanding teachers that are committed to their field and classrooms and are ready to help the students of Franklin County succeed.  Investing in and supporting our teachers will be one of the priorities under my leadership.  I promise to work with teachers to help them become the best educators possible by ensuring:

• Professional Development
• Adequate Resources
• Ongoing Communication (they should feel free, and will be encouraged to bring their ideas to the Superintendent)
• Positive Relationships

I am committed to the growth, development and well-being of every person under my leadership.  The children of our community deserve the best possible environment to learn and grow in while receiving the best education possible.  With the issues facing our school today, we need a proven leader. I am devoted to finding working solutions for the educational needs of Franklin County.  If I am elected, I will build a cohesive team that will provide the best educational experience for every student.  My highest priority is and will always be the students of Franklin County.  I will meet the expectation to build a tradition to prepare our children for success.  It would be an honor to continue to serve my community as Superintendent of Schools in Franklin County and I would greatly appreciate your vote and support.