Peggy Jones and the Importance of Public Schools
Peggy Jones is devoted to Indian River County’s (IRC) public schools. A life-long educator with a doctorate in Educational Leadership, whose 3 children attended IRC public schools, Dr. Jones understands the importance of public schools to their community.
“For me, being a school board member is far more than sitting in a chair in a public meeting. It is about building a sense of community – attending football games, watching students perform in plays and musical competitions, and helping our schools achieve “A” grades.” – Peggy Jones
https://www.peggyjonesforschoolboard.com/resume/
[For the record, the Indian River County School Board is where Mom’s For Liberty co-founder, Tiffany Justice and Shawn Frost, founder and past president of the Florida Coalition of School Board Members, once served.]
First elected to the IRC School Board in 2020, Dr. Jones was re-elected on August 20, 2024 after an intense, “sometimes hateful,” campaign directed against her. She described her experience in a recent op-ed (published this morning, 10/1/24):
“About a year ago, Gov. Ron DeSantis targeted me. I received death threats. I was scorned by a group called Moms for Liberty.”
https://www.tcpalm.com/story/opinion/contributors/2024/10/01/opinion-election-attacks-over-focus-on-serving-indian-river-kids/75292046007/
Running in a county with a Republican majority, her opponent was endorsed by the governor, Moms for Liberty and the local Republican Executive Committee. Campaign mail attecked her for opposing “parental rights” and “criticizing DeSantis’ education agenda.” On election night, Jones won with 57% of the vote and Indian River ensured a pro-public education majority on their school board.
More importantly, in this morning’s op-ed, Dr. Jones highlighted the importance of public schools to their community:
“Public education is one of the foundations of this country, and it is the only local educational system fully accountable to our taxpayers. Our finance books are open for all to see. In contrast to private and home schooling, public schools are bound by many state statutes, including teaching standards, testing and certification just to name a few.
Please stay involved in our schools and in making them better rather than opting for a political agenda that seems intent on creating sensationalist headlines or slogans. Be involved as you can be in your child’s education.
I know we all want to live in a community where we have good schools, and where our children prosper. Let’s model what we expect for our children — play fair in the sandbox. I did. My campaign was positive, and when I talked with people this past year, I kept the focus on what I could bring to the table as a board member. This is how everyone should run a campaign. And do you know what? The voters agreed!
In closing, please know I will not falter in striving to serve all students in our public school system. I proudly say as a public-school advocate, “We welcome all, we teach all,” and when we serve and teach our students, our parents reap the benefits.
https://www.tcpalm.com/story/opinion/contributors/2024/10/01/opinion-election-attacks-over-focus-on-serving-indian-river-kids/75292046007/
Congratulations Dr. Jones and the Indian River County community. Your voters have made a great decision for the future of your public schools and your entire community.