School Board candidate Lauren Kurnov grew up attending public schools in the region. Now holding a Doctorate in Education, she hopes now to pay a role in continuing a level of excellence and encourage improvement.

“What we really need to be focused on is career readiness academic success, supporting teachers and doing everything we can to create best outcomes for students,” she said. “We need to be focused on educational outcomes.”

There’s been criticism of the district in recent years on a decline in third-grade reading levels in Sarasota schools, and while Kurnov said it’s important to remember the impact of COVID-19 in disrupting classroom practice the last two years, it’s also critical the district improve that metric. She sees addresses wages, which in turn will help solve a teacher shortage, will help put more teachers in classrooms. That will allow schools to reduce class sizes and ensure students see more individual instruction so they can catch up and read at grade level.

She’s now seeking an open District 4 seat on the board; incumbent Shirley Brown is not seeking re-election.

While Kurnov said she’s committed running a positive campaign, her website makes reference to the outrage expressed by a conservative group of voters at School Board meetings. “Lauren is committed to running a positive, no-nonsense campaign that focuses solely on the success of our schools, not on fighting a proxy battle in a culture war,” the site states.

Kurnov has raised more than $180,000 for her campaign, more than any other candidate running for Sarasota County School Board this cycle to date. Opponent Robyn Marinelli has raised over $61,000.

Asked about Marinelli, Kurnov leans on her own background, which she said stands in contrast to any other candidate running for one of three seats on the board.

“I am uniquely qualified as parent and educator,” she said, noting her own children attend Sarasota public schools. “It’s important to have someone in the room who has a real vested interest. Not only do I bring expertise to board meetings, but I’m a parent with kids in the public school system.”

Kurnov moved her family back to her home county seven years ago when she took a job as assistant vice president and director of Student Success at University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee. She later worked for New College in its Office of Outreach and Inclusive Excellence and Student Affairs. She earned her doctorate in from USF last year.

Asked about the nature of recent meetings, she said it’s important to hear from all members of the public and that she would not want severe limits on citizen comments.

“We certainly need to be making sure parents have a seat at the table to have any of their concerns addressed,” she said. “We certainly need to make sure the business of the school district gets accomplished. These are business meetings need to be productive.”

Asked about charter schools, Kurnov said her test for approving new schools would offer something truly differentiated from traditional schools and that will provide an enhancement to what already exists in the community.

She wants the district focused on student success, and has concerns about recently passed bills like a parental rights law called the “don’t say gay” bill by critics. “The language is vague in that bill,” she said “If there is this desire to be implemented, there will need to be more guidance. But this really is a distraction from the real educational aspect when we need to make sure we’re focused on getting students caught up from COVID learning loss.”

Erin Silk, a Certified Economic Developer and the Vice President of Business Development Services for The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, has been appointed to the Florida Workforce Development Association (FWDA) board. FWDA is statewide organization that was traditionally comprised of the CEOs of all 24 CareerSource chapters in Florida; CareerSource Florida is Florida’s workforce policy and investment board. Recently, however, it expanded to include economic development professionals, recognizing the value of their voices in conversations about meeting the current and future needs of Florida’s employers and economy. In her work with FWDA, Silk will be working closely with CareerSource Suncoast, the local CareerSource chapter.

“The Florida Workforce Development Association is honored to have Erin Silk join our board of directors. Erin's leadership and economic development expertise is a tremendous asset for the association and will contribute greatly to our charting the path to Florida becoming a global talent leader” said Joshua Matlock, the president and CEO of CareerSource Suncoast. Silk’s work with The EDC of Sarasota County allows her to interact directly with local businesses, which can be useful in this new role. “This group is a testament to collaboration and the way that Florida is leading in workforce solutions. Adding economic developers to the group that is managing our workforce boards will only further help the cause. It shows across the state that people are willing to give time and resources to continue to improve the workforce,” said Silk. 

For more info on the Sarasota EDC.

Forty Carrots Family Center welcomes new Board of Trustee members Valerie Dall’Acqua, Realtor, Premier Sotheby's International Realty and Joleen Searles, founding partner of Searles & Gornitsky.  They will both serve three-year terms supporting Forty Carrots' mission of nurturing healthy child and family development and preventing child abuse, neglect, and other childhood traumas. Current officers include Board Chair Susan Travers, nonprofit fundraiser, volunteer coordinator and event planner, Treasurer Ben Jones, Managing Director with Mariner Wealth Advisors; and Secretary Tammie Sandoval-Badger, Principal, Sabal Trust. Other board of trustee members remaining: Kevin Cooper, Dawn Doughty, Jag Grewal, Jackie Griese, Karimu Hill-Harvey, Chris Jarmul, Eric Kaplan, Bob Lewandowski, Jeff Reynolds, Alan Ross, Susan Sakhai, Kevin Stencik, CEO Michelle Kapreilian (ex-officio) and trustee emeriti Kim Githler, Stanley Kane (deceased), and Jeff Steinwachs. 

The 2022-2023 Subscription Series has been announced at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. This incredible lineup features nine Broadway shows, with four Sarasota premieres, three dance productions, and four subscriber specials. 

Every season at the Van Wezel includes a spectacular array of Broadway musicals, like Disney’s Aladdin, Tina Fey’s Mean Girls, the worldwide smash-hit Blue Man Group, the ridiculously clever Tootsie, the adored classic My Fair Lady and the iconic Chicago. But there is even more to see! The Dance Series is not to be missed. It includes the widely acclaimed Momix: Alice, the universally renowned dance company Ailey II, and the fresh and vibrant Pilobolus: Big Five-OH! 50th Anniversary show. 

Subscribers receive ticket discounts and the best seats in the house. To see all shows included in the 2022-2023 subscription series or to reserve a package, visit VanWezel.org/subscriptions. 

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