Walton County Superintendent of Schools Candidates - WMBB News 13 - The Panhandle's News Leader

Carlene H. Anderson
Republican

Qualifications: 

Educational Background

• University of Southern Mississippi

• Associate of Arts/English 1972
• Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education and Early Childhood 1975
• Master of Education and Educational Leadership 1982

• University of West Florida

Educational Employment History –

Thirty-seven years of service in the Walton County School District

• Teacher Aide/Paraprofessional, Maude Saunders Elementary School - August 1975-July 1976
• Mathematics Teacher, Walton Middle School - August 1976-July 1980
• Primary Teacher, Freeport Elementary School - February 1981-August 1983
• Mathematics, Reading, and Science Teacher, Walton Middle School - August 1983-July 1992
• Assistant Principal, West DeFuniak Elementary School - July 1992-January 1998
• Principal, West DeFuniak Elementary School - February 1998 - November, 2004
• Superintendent of Schools Walton County – November 2004 - Present  

Professional Certifications held through the Florida Department of Education and Florida Association of District School Superintendents

• Elementary Education

• Early Childhood Education
• Middle School Math Education
• School Principal
• District School Superintendent

3 Main Campaign Points:

Excellence in Education

Walton County School District (WCSD)has experienced the worst five funding years in its history; however, we have maintained excellent schools during these times.  So why should you re-elect Carlene Anderson?  During these very difficult funding years and her term as superintendent, the school district has maintained an "A" district rating for six consecutive years and has been designated by the State Board of Education as a High Performing School District for five consecutive years.  This distinction is only held by 5 out of 67 school districts in the state.  Additionally, the graduation rate has increased 18% while Superintendent Anderson has been in office. 

Sound Business and Educational Management

The High Performing School District status requires school districts to demonstrate improved student achievement, have no material weaknesses in their financial audit and meet Class-Size Reduction.  Receiving this designation confirms Carlene Anderson can manage a budget while maintaining academic excellence, as well as, manage personnel required to meet class-size.  Additionally during her term, Superintendent Anderson has not recommended closing schools, had massive layoffs, cut essential programs for students, cut art and music from the elementary programs, and has not removed school resource officers.  In fact, Walton County student enrollment has grown every year during her terms in office.  WCSD has built new schools or added on to existing schools every year she has been in office; using the pay-as-you go model to reduce the tax burden on future generations.  All of this has been accomplished with a declining budget.

Need for Experience

With 37 years in the Walton County School District, almost eight as superintendent, Mrs. Anderson has proven she is on the right track.  However, it isn't finished, yet.  Walton County School District needs her to get through the next few years of continued difficult budgeting and the new legislative requirements to increase student achievement.  In other words, she knows how to "do more with less and do it better than before".  A newly elected superintendent would have a significant learning curve that would set the district back and seriously jeopardize student achievement at a time when the bar is being raised, yet again, and new standards and assessments are being mandated.  Walton County Schools cannot afford inexperience. 

Rosemary B. Ragle
Democrat

Has not yet responded to News 13's request for information.