Brevard County
School board elections are nonpartisan. Eligible voters may vote in the school board races appearing on their ballot, regardless of the voter’s party affiliation.
This guide includes all candidates in contested races. All were invited to participate; candidates who did not submit responses by the deadline are marked “Did not respond.” Incumbents are marked with an (i), and candidates are listed alphabetically by last name within each race.
Find the full school board candidate questionnaire here.
Inclusion in this guide does not constitute an endorsement.
Click the plus sign (+) to show the candidate’s responses.
School District
Tara “Coach T” Gibson
Did Not Respond
Megan Wright (i)
Did Not Respond
Florida Senate District X
Kyle Savage
Did Not Respond
Gene Trent (i)
Did Not Respond
Kelly Wentworth
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“Parent of two BPS students and longtime school volunteer.”
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1. Voucher Expansion: Do you support or oppose the continued expansion of public funding for private school vouchers and education savings accounts in Florida?
Answer: Oppose
“I support parental choice, but not at the expense of public schools. Any school receiving taxpayer funds should meet the same accountability and transparency standards.”
2. Chaplain Program: Do you support or oppose a volunteer school chaplain program in your school district?
Answer: Neutral
“If permitted, chaplains should be optional, require parent opt-in, clearly disclose their faith affiliation, and never replace licensed school counselors.”
3. Library Materials Accessibility: Do you support or oppose a local school board policy that prioritizes keeping challenged library books accessible to students while a formal review is conducted, unless the material must be removed under state law?
Answer: Support
“I support keeping challenged materials available during the review process unless state law requires removal. Due process, not a single objection, should guide district decisions.”
4. Religious Displays in Public Schools: Do you support or oppose allowing school-sponsored religious displays, such as the Ten Commandments, Bible verses, crosses, or other devotional materials, in classrooms or school buildings beyond what state law requires or what is used in a neutral curriculum context?
Answer: Oppose
“Public schools should not endorse one religion over another. Students' individual religious expression is protected, but schools should remain religiously neutral.”
5. Comprehensive Reproductive Health Curriculum: Do you support or oppose comprehensive reproductive health curriculum that includes medically accurate information on disease prevention and contraception alongside required abstinence instruction?
Answer: Support
“I support age-appropriate, medically accurate reproductive health education. Evidence shows abstinence-only instruction is less effective than providing students with complete health information.”
6. Expanding Release Time for Religious Instruction: Do you support or oppose local school board policies that expand or facilitate “release time” programs for off-campus religious instruction during the regular school day beyond what is required by state law?
Answer: Oppose
“I support following Florida law, but I don't support expanding release-time programs. Public schools should focus on education while respecting parents' religious choices.”
7. Restricting Staff-led Prayer and Religious Expression: Do you support or oppose local school board policies that restrict staff-led prayer or staff participation in prayer with students during regular school hours and school-sanctioned activities?
Answer: Support
“I support policies that prohibit staff-led prayer during school activities while protecting private religious expression before or after school. Public schools must remain religiously neutral.”
8. Is there anything else you would like voters to know?
“Public schools serve students of every faith and no faith. I support protecting every family's religious freedom by keeping our schools welcoming, inclusive, and focused on education; not religious endorsement.”
FL HOUSE 5
Tammy Dennis
Did Not Respond
Michele McCormack
-
“Experienced Brevard educator of 20+ years, including 11 in Deaf/Hard of Hearing.”
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1. Voucher Expansion: Do you support or oppose the continued expansion of public funding for private school vouchers and education savings accounts in Florida?
Answer: Neutral
“Parent choice matters, but taxpayer funds must be transparent and accountable, ensuring every dollar positively supports student learning.”
2. Chaplain Program: Do you support or oppose a volunteer school chaplain program in your school district?
Answer: Neutral
“I’m neutral. Any chaplain program must follow state law, ensure clear boundaries, and maintain a safe, respectful environment for all students.”
3. Library Materials Accessibility: Do you support or oppose a local school board policy that prioritizes keeping challenged library books accessible to students while a formal review is conducted, unless the material must be removed under state law?
Answer: Neutral
“I’m neutral. Challenged books should stay accessible during review if allowed by state law, with a clear, consistent process that keeps students’ needs at the center.”
4. Religious Displays in Public Schools: Do you support or oppose allowing school-sponsored religious displays, such as the Ten Commandments, Bible verses, crosses, or other devotional materials, in classrooms or school buildings beyond what state law requires or what is used in a neutral curriculum context?
Answer: Oppose
“I oppose school‑sponsored religious displays. Public schools serve students of all faiths, so materials beyond what state law requires should stay within a neutral, educational context.”
5. Comprehensive Reproductive Health Curriculum: Do you support or oppose comprehensive reproductive health curriculum that includes medically accurate information on disease prevention and contraception alongside required abstinence instruction?
Answer: Neutral
“Neutral. Curriculum should meet state law, be age‑appropriate, and use medically accurate materials reviewed carefully to support student learning.”
6. Expanding Release Time for Religious Instruction: Do you support or oppose local school board policies that expand or facilitate “release time” programs for off-campus religious instruction during the regular school day beyond what is required by state law?
Answer: Oppose
“I oppose expanding release time programs. Additional absences reduce access to instruction, so policies should not go beyond what state law already requires.”
7. Restricting Staff-led Prayer and Religious Expression: Do you support or oppose local school board policies that restrict staff-led prayer or staff participation in prayer with students during regular school hours and school-sanctioned activities?
Answer: Neutral
“Neutral. Staff must follow federal and state law; employees can’t lead or join prayer with students during school hours, ensuring a respectful environment for all.”
8. Is there anything else you would like voters to know?
“Longtime Brevard educator with 20+ years of service, including 11 as a Teacher of the Deaf/Hard of Hearing. I value transparency, collaboration, and student‑centered decisions that support every child in our public schools.”
Cecilia Trotter
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“I have been an educator in Brevard's public schools for 6 years and 12 years in Broward County.”
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1. Voucher Expansion: Do you support or oppose the continued expansion of public funding for private school vouchers and education savings accounts in Florida?
Answer: Oppose
“Taxpayer-funded vouchers now flow to private and religious schools with no income limits and minimal oversight, weakening transparency and draining resources from accountable public schools.”
2. Chaplain Program: Do you support or oppose a volunteer school chaplain program in your school district?
Answer: Oppose
“Public schools provide licensed social workers, mental‑health counselors, and crisis‑support programs so students and families get real help when they are in need.”
3. Library Materials Accessibility: Do you support or oppose a local school board policy that prioritizes keeping challenged library books accessible to students while a formal review is conducted, unless the material must be removed under state law?
Answer: Support
“Media specialists are trained in state policy to ensure books are age‑appropriate. When a title is challenged, it should stay accessible to all students until the review process is complete.”
4. Religious Displays in Public Schools: Do you support or oppose allowing school-sponsored religious displays, such as the Ten Commandments, Bible verses, crosses, or other devotional materials, in classrooms or school buildings beyond what state law requires or what is used in a neutral curriculum context?
Answer: Oppose
“Religious devotional displays don’t belong in public schools. Public education must stay welcoming to all, so these displays should be kept in homes —not in taxpayer‑funded classrooms.”
5. Comprehensive Reproductive Health Curriculum: Do you support or oppose comprehensive reproductive health curriculum that includes medically accurate information on disease prevention and contraception alongside required abstinence instruction?
Answer: Support
“Reproductive health education is science‑based, teaching accurate terms, real data, and proven information so students gain the knowledge they need to protect their health, safety, and well‑being.”
6. Expanding Release Time for Religious Instruction: Do you support or oppose local school board policies that expand or facilitate “release time” programs for off-campus religious instruction during the regular school day beyond what is required by state law?
Answer: Oppose
“All students must meet regular instructional hours. Release time—whether for religious study, sports, or medical —cannot replace core learning and should be scheduled without disrupting class time.”
7. Restricting Staff-led Prayer and Religious Expression: Do you support or oppose local school board policies that restrict staff-led prayer or staff participation in prayer with students during regular school hours and school-sanctioned activities?
Answer: Support
“Restricting staff‑led prayer ensures every student feels welcome and never pressured to participate in religious activities they don’t share, protecting both inclusion and students’ freedom of belief.”
8. Is there anything else you would like voters to know?
“I’ve spent 19 years in public education, and I’m committed to keeping well‑funded public schools for every child — no matter their race, income, or religion — so all students have access to strong, equitable opportunities.”