Candidate: Cara Marie Reynolds

I am pleased to announce my candidacy for Charlotte County School Board, District 1. Having three young children in our schools gives me insight into the educational struggles that students and their families face in today’s current testing and standards obsessed climate. I have watched with dismay as my third grader stressed over weeks of back to back state and district mandated testing. Time is precious and too much of it is wasted on useless preparation for assessments that do nothing to further a child’s education. As a member of your school board, I will vote against further mandatory testing and push state representatives to do what’s best for our children and stop the testing madness. As a former Charlotte County teacher, I understand the educational and professional struggles our teachers face. Invasive legislation continues to limit teachers’ autonomy within their classroom to motivate, captivate, and inspire their students. Teacher pay and treatment in Charlotte County is shameful. We must pay our teachers fairly and foster a culture of respect and trust. Only with proper salaries and caring dedication can we attract and retain the best to teach our children. Owning and operating a large community business has taught me a great deal, the most important of which is integrity. As a member of the school board I will strive to represent my constituents with the utmost integrity, transparency, and accessibility. Parents provide firsthand knowledge of the problems in our system. I will ensure parents’ concerns will be heard and acted upon. I will make it a top priority to further open all school board proceedings to the public through social media and improved communication because our community needs to know exactly how our schools are run. My experience as a teacher, Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, business ownership, and raising a young family in a growing community, makes me the right choice to ensure our schools are helping children reach their full potential. I am committed to facilitating an honest and collaborative culture between all stakeholders in the education of Charlotte County’s youth. As a member of your school board, I will lead with energy and enthusiasm for educational excellence!