Introducing the Candidates Who Want to Be Our Next School Board Member

By Sharon Aron Baron

On August 14th, residents will have a chance to vote for the next School Board Member to represent our community. There are currently six candidates, and the top two in August will go on to the November election in a runoff.

It is essential that every one of us votes. The Woodlands Country Club is, and always has been, a stronghold in elections due to the overwhelming amount of voters that take the time to vote in primaries. Many of our residents are considered “Super Voters,” which means they vote in all the August primaries and November elections. These residents have a proven track record of voting and help make our community influential in all the local elections.

Here is a bit of information about our School Board Candidates and what they are currently doing at this time. You can also read more at www.TamaracTalk.com, as I cover them more thoroughly.

Shelly Solomon

Shelly Solomon

I had the opportunity to walk some of the Woodlands, and I am very impressed with the closeness of the neighbors and how interested everyone is in the education of our students. Woodland parents shared some of the same concerns I have heard during my campaign: They want a School Board member to advocate for their schools and circumstances unique to the Tamarac community. If elected, I will be engaged with all. I believe very strongly that it is my duty to listen and be the voice for District 4 concerns.

For those who do not know me, I am a proud mother of four District 4 school-aged children, and I have been an engaged parent and child advocate in the schools and community since 2000 when my twins started kindergarten. I am a Florida Bar-licensed attorney, a certified life coach, and a certified mental toughness coach who has the opportunity to mentor and work with kids in athletics. As a parent activist and child advocate, I am very proud of my work in schools and the community with the education and awareness of Anti-Bullying prevention and intervention. I was the Co-Chair of the District Anti-Bullying Task Force, which was instrumental in the drafting and eventual Board passing of the Broward County Anti-Bullying Policy. I feel very passionate about the safety of our children in schools and the community and mutual respect for teachers and students standing up for each other as allies.

Finally, I have been paying a lot of attention to the School Board workshops and School Board meetings and doing a lot of research. It is my responsibility, if elected to be ready to start day 1. There is no time for job training. Please email or call with questions, concerns, or suggestions. www.ShellySolomon.com.

Robert Mayersohn

Robert Mayersohn

I am the only District 4 candidate to qualify by petition instead of writing a check. That makes me the “People’s Candidate” since the people placed my name on the August 14th ballot.

The campaign has been very active. I had a few very well-attended “Meet and Greet” candidate opportunities. I have been out in the community visiting with voters, been in neighborhoods, attended community meetings, and rallied our grass root supporters. I am also planning the upcoming 2012 Campaign Kickoff on Thursday, June 28th, starting at 5:30 pm at Buffalo’s Southwestern Cafe in Coral Springs, which everyone is welcome to attend.

In honoring those who sacrificed their lives to serve our country, I attended Memorial Day Ceremonies in Coral Springs and Tamarac. Both municipalities did a fantastic job at putting together an engaging program.

I received from the Broward “10-13” Club (Retired NYC Police Officers) their endorsement.

We look forward to meeting with everyone on the campaign trail to hear your concerns. Together we can stand up for education. www.mayersohn4kids.com

Abby Freedman

Abby Freedman

The campaign trail is amazing! The warm and welcoming reception has been overwhelming—so many people offering to help me succeed indeed been inspirational. I am so excited that the voters are sharing my vision for education.

For those of you that I have not been able to reach personally, I am Abby Freeman, and I would like to let you know what I will represent on the August 14th ballot. I am running for school board because I am determined to bring education and the resources to support it back to the classroom. I am a mother and advocate for children in regular, special needs, and gifted programs via my three children who attend District 4 Broward County elementary, middle, and high schools.

Being directly involved with the schools has allowed me to see firsthand the educational system’s problems. I am confident in my ability to help facilitate the changes needed! My business degree, law degree, and elementary education coursework, along with my life experiences as a financial officer, budget coordinator, legal intern at the Pentagon, and elementary school teacher, will assist me in adequately analyzing situations, understanding perspectives, and implementing policies and procedures.

Every day I will continue to do my best to serve on the Broward County School Board, where I will represent the interests of students, parents, teachers, and administrators.

Just a quick “thank you” to those who smile at me and say, “I am voting for you!”

www.abbyfreedman.wordpress.com

Nick Steffens

Nick Steffens

The campaign has continued its grassroots outreach to likely voters and interest groups.

My volunteers and I have canvassed in Coral Springs and Tamarac over the past few weeks. I also recently received the endorsement of County Commissioner Stacy Ritter.

As the campaign continues, I look forward to announcing more endorsements in the coming days and meeting with residents of the Woodlands and the rest of Tamarac.

www.steffens2012.com

Andrew Ladanowski

Andrew Ladanowski

I am busy knocking from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm each night; I want to try to meet every super voter.

The two issues that most people are interested in and want answers to are why our transportation costs are twice the state average, and our lawn service costs are four times the value of Palm Beach. Everyone knew that Broward County Schools wasted money; no one believed it was this bad.

We must stop cutting at the schools and look elsewhere for those cuts.

www.andrewforschoolboard.com

No update at press time from Louis Kushner. Feel free to contact any of the candidates with questions via their websites.