Growing up in a small, rural, north Florida town that only had one school, I didn’t understand the importance of educational excellence and diversity. How that changed when I moved to Sarasota 32 years ago. In Sarasota County, we are fortunate to have so many good public schools that offer our students exceptional educational opportunities. Next February our superintendent, Lori White, will retire after 40 years service to our schools. Now more than ever, it is important to have strong leadership on the Sarasota County School Board who will ultimately decide who the next superintendent will be. Caroline Zucker who is up for re-election to the Sarasota County School Board on August 30 has the experience of sound leadership to keep our schools on the path to excellence. She has served on the board for 17 years. During that time, graduation rates increased, alternative programs for expelled and suspended students were implemented, IB, MAST and AICE programs were established, technology plans strengthening the learning environment were put in place, North Port High was built, school choice and charter schools were put into place and expanded, art and music programs were reinforced district wide and a comprehensive measuring tool to assess the performance of the superintendent was developed, just to name a few. Sarasota County needs the continuity and experience Caroline Zucker can provide. When voting in the general election on August 30, I ask you to help protect our community’s most important resource, quality education for all students by re-electing Caroline Zucker.

Cathi Clark Bell is the mother of a Pine View graduate.