Polk 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 (+) next to the question to show the candidate’s responses.
District 3
Sarah Corona
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My children attended private, magnet, and public schools; I saw their strengths and challenges.
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for private school vouchers and education savings accounts in Florida?
Answer: Support/Oppose/Neutral
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2. Chaplain Program: Do you support or oppose a volunteer school chaplain program in your school district?
Answer: Support/Oppose/Neutral
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3. School Library Materials: 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/Oppose/Neutral
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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: Support/Oppose/Neutral
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5. 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/Oppose/Neutral
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6. 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/Oppose/Neutral
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7. 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/Oppose/Neutral
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8. Is there anything else you would like voters to know [300 character limit.]
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Victor Sims
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I grew up in Polk County Public Schools attending 12 different schools from my K-12 experience.
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1. Voucher expansion
Answer: Oppose
“I believe we have to get right what we are currently doing with our voucher system.”
2. Volunteer chaplain program
Answer: Support
“As long as the chaplain program matches the child and families pracitced religious activities.”
3. Keeping challenged library books available during review
Answer: Support
“It' the law and it's important that we follow the law.”
4. School-sponsored religious displays
Answer: Oppose
“This should be something that is practiced at home.”
5. Comprehensive reproductive health curriculum
Answer: Support
No written explanation provided.
6. Expanded release time for religious instruction
Answer: Support
“If a parent makes this request it is their choice. As a parent choice state long as we don't mandate this for other people's children.”
7. Policies restricting staff-led prayer
Answer: Support
No written explanation provided.
8. Other comments
No response provided.
Kate Wallace (i)
Did Not Respond
District 5
Kay Fields (i)
Did Not Respond
No Website Found
Sam Neelam
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“Sent all my kids to public school thru 10th (not Polk); mixed—less reading/STEM, more indoctrination.”
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1. Voucher expansion
Answer: Support
“I strongly support voucher expansion. Parents deserve choice, not government monopoly. Vouchers empower families, spark competition, and give every kid a real shot at better schools.”
2. Volunteer chaplain program
Answer: Support
“I support a voluntary school chaplain program. Kids need strong moral guidance, hope, and someone to talk to. Chaplains respect faith, help families, and build character without forcing beliefs.”
3. Keeping challenged library books available during review
Answer: Oppose
“Protect our kids first. If a book is challenged as pornographic or age-inappropriate, keep it off shelves during review not accessible. Parents deserve safe schools. Follow Florida law.”
4. School-sponsored religious displays
Answer: Support
“They reflect our nation's heritage, promote moral values, and align with Florida law protecting religious expression.”
5. Comprehensive reproductive-health curriculum
Answer: Neutral
“I support Florida's required focus on abstinence as the expected standard. Local boards should carefully review all materials to ensure they are age-appropriate and respect parental rights.”
6. Expanded release time for religious instruction
Answer: Support
“I support policies that expand release time for off-campus religious instruction. It respects parental rights and Florida law while allowing flexibility for families.”
7. Policies restricting staff-led prayer
Answer: Support
“I oppose overly restrictive policies on staff religious expression. Teachers should not be forced to hide their faith. Respect the law while protecting voluntary participation and parental rights.”
Note: Candidate’s selected answer is “Support,” but his written explanation says he opposes overly restrictive policies. That apparent inconsistency may be worth noting.
8. Additional statement
“I am committed to safe, high-quality schools focused on strong academics, parental involvement, and fiscal responsibility in Polk County School Board District 5. I will listen to parents and work to put students first while following all state laws. Thank you for your support.”
District 6
Justin Sharpless (i)
Did Not Respond
Kasen Hampton
Did Not Respond
