Candidate: Maria Pinto Barbosa

Dr. Maria P. Barbosa

Is seeking reelection to the Flagler County School Board in District 5.     

Maria is married to Jack Barbosa. Together, they have 3 children and eleven grandchildren.  Maria is a proud mother and nurturing Grandmother.

Dr. Maria has a bachelor’s degree in theology and Pastoral Leadership from FCU and received a PHD Diploma in 2008 for Christian Philosophy and Clinical Counseling. Dr. Maria provides ongoing support to children and families in need.

During her tenure as a School Board Member of Flagler Schools received an A rating from the State of Florida for the first time in seven years.

Dr. Maria’s number one priority : Students and their Parents. She is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students, as well as the successful graduation of each child. She is dedicated to delivering the very best quality of education for all. Among future goals are improved early childhood education, focusing on improving English, Reading and Math skills, as well as developing more mentors for students.  Dr. Barbosa also looks forward to supporting more comprehensive help for students with disabilities and better mental health options for students.

She did acts as liaison to Matanzas High School, Buddy Taylor Middle School and now to Belle Terre Elementary School,  Indean Trails Middle School, African American Mentor Program, CFSS, SAC & PTO and Florida School Boards Association (FSBA) Nominating Committee.

Dr. Maria and her husband Jack are longtime successful business owners in the community, and she recognizes the importance of business participation in our schools. To help accomplish that end Dr. Maria created the “Excellence Five Gold Star Awards” that recognizes enterprises contributing to the school system.

Dr. Maria spends much of her time lobbying for the School District in Tallahassee and with local representatives Paul Renner and Travis Hutson. When she is not participating in school events and Board meetings, Dr. Maria is very busy with many organizations that work toward the improvement of our youth in the community.

 Dr. Maria serves as President of the Flagler Palm Coast Kiwanis, an organization that contributes over seventy-five thousand dollars a year to local groups that work with the youth in Flagler. Dr. Maria coordinates the Service Leadership Programs for Kiwanis in our elementary and secondary schools.  Dr. Maria is very proud of Terrific Kids, a program that recognizes students with improved behavior and academic success. She is the advisor the Flagler Palm Coast High School Key Club , Flagler Teens Club , Children’s Summer Camp , American Association University Women of Flagler County Branch, and many others that are not named here. Dr. Maria is also the author of eleven books.

Education it's her passion