Candidate: Kim Amontree

Serving as the District 2 School Board member has been the greatest privilege of my life.  I made the decision to run in 2016, because I believe that a good public education is a cornerstone for adult success. I have worked hard with our dedicated leadership team to fulfill the promises I made as a candidate.  I promised that we would focus on child safety, improve student achievement and use taxpayer dollars efficiently.

Child Safety – This has been and will always be my first priority.  With additional funds received from the state legislature and local taxpayers, we have hired additional School Resource Officers, Security Aides, School Psychologists and Social Workers.  We have added physical security such as additional fencing and camera phones at every school. We have put in place trained threat assessment teams in every school and every member of the instructional team, including myself has participated in Youth Mental Health First Aide Training.

Student Achievement – Our ranking among school districts in the state of Florida has risen 18 positions, putting us in the top half of Florida School Districts. Our graduation rate is at an all-time high (88%) and out paces the state.  Third grade reading proficiency has risen from 66% to 70% again surpassing the state average.  We continue to excel in College Readiness with 58% of students who take Advanced Placement exams receiving college credit.  We also continue to focus on providing opportunities for students to continue to skilled jobs directly after high school.  These opportunities will increase with the addition of an Airframe and Power Plant Mechanics program slated to begin in 2021 and made possible through a $1.7 million dollar grant and $250,000 appropriation from the State.

Efficient and Effective Use of Resources – In 2018, the voters of Charlotte County made clear that education was a priority in our community.  By an overwhelming majority of 56% they voted to pay an additional 1 mill in property taxes to support our schools. The majority of funds raised has gone to increase teacher pay and to lengthen the instructional day by 30 minutes.  We have also used these funds for student success initiatives such as literacy and STEM. The referendum dollars are over seen by representatives of the community.

Personal -  I have lived in Punta Gorda for 29 years, raised my children here and am proud to call Punta Gorda my home.  My two sons graduated from Port Charlotte High School and my daughter will graduate from Charlotte High in 2020.  I enjoy spending my time giving back to my community and over the last 29 years, I have served on seven Boards and Advisory Councils. I presently serve on the YMCA Advisory Board,  the Community Task Force, and Drug Free Punta Gorda. I am a Take Stock in Children mentor and a Big Reading Buddy.   

I graduated with a B.S. Business Degree from University of Colorado and an M.B.A. with a concentration in Finance from the University of South Florida.  With my husband, I founded and managed two businesses - Center for Digestive and Liver Disorders and Charlotte Surgery Center.  I am presently the Program Coordinator for Girls on the Run in Charlotte and Desoto Counties.  Girls on the Run is a nationally recognized Positive Youth Development Program for 3rd-8th grade girls.

I have been married to my husband Jim who is a physician for 28 years. When I am not working in our schools, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, cycling and traveling.