Lake County School Board
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.
District 1
Pat Kelley
Did Not Respond
Eric Schwalbach
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“I have been a classroom teacher for the last 30 years and I am still in the classroom.”
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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: Support
“I believe students in low performing schools should have the opportunity to the best education possible. I have worked in both high and low socio economic level schools. Schools need accountability.”
2. Chaplain Program: Do you support or oppose a volunteer school chaplain program in your school district?
Answer: Support
“I want students to have parent approved access to volunteer faith based counseling.”
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: Oppose
“I want students to have access to age appropriate books. I do not want inappropriate content accessible to all students. Parents provide this content for their own children.”
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: Neutral
“If a student run club wants to put content up advertising what their club is doing on campus, I support it.”
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
“I want scientifically age appropriate reproduction information taught in a science classroom setting. I do not want to encourage teenage reproduction and sexual activity in youth.”
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: Support
“The constitution allows for freedom of religion so students need to be allowed to practice their religious beliefs voluntarily during non academic times on campus or off campus.”
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: Oppose
“The constitution and Freedom of religion gives us the right to freely express our religious beliefs without government interference.”
8. Is there anything else you would like voters to know?
“I would like for them to Google Eric Schwalbach so they can see why I am so passionate about helping ALL students reach their full potential. We need to develop Income Producing Citizens who are Life Long Learners!”
James Smith
Did Not Respond
No Website Available
