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 (+) 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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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
“I support parental choice, but my priority is strengthening public schools by improving funding, teacher retention, and student opportunities.”
2. Chaplain Program: Do you support or oppose a volunteer school chaplain program in your school district?
Answer: Support
“I support a voluntary chaplain program that provides additional guidance and support for students while respecting parental rights, religious freedom, and the beliefs of all families.”
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 support parents' rights to ensure age-appropriate materials are available to students. Challenged materials should be reviewed carefully before remaining accessible”
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
“Schools should respect individual religious expression while maintaining a neutral environment that welcomes students and families of all backgrounds.”
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 support age-appropriate health education that emphasizes abstinence, respects parents’ rights, and provides students with responsible guidance aligned with state standards.”
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
“I support giving parents the ability to choose religious instruction opportunities for their children while ensuring policies protect instructional time and treat all families fairly.”
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 protecting individual religious freedom while ensuring school employees follow the law and respect the beliefs and rights of every student and family.”
8. Is there anything else you would like voters to know?
“I am a parent whose children have experienced private, magnet, and public schools. I believe every student deserves a quality education, strong teachers, safe schools, and opportunities to succeed. I will listen to families, support educators, and focus on solutions that benefit all students.”
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: Do you support or oppose the continued expansion of public funding for private school vouchers and education savings accounts in Florida?
Answer: Oppose
“I believe we have to get right what we are currently doing with our voucher system.”
2. Chaplain Program: Do you support or oppose a volunteer school chaplain program in your school district?
Answer: Support
“As long as the chaplain program matches the child and families pracitced religious activities.”
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
“It' the law and it's important that we follow the law.”
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
“This should be something that is practiced at home.”
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
Did not answer
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
“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. 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
Did not answer
8. Is there anything else you would like voters to know?
Did not answer
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: Do you support or oppose the continued expansion of public funding for private school vouchers and education savings accounts in Florida?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. Chaplain Program: Do you support or oppose a volunteer school chaplain program in your school district?
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. 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
“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. 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
“They reflect our nation's heritage, promote moral values, and align with Florida law protecting religious expression.”
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 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. 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
“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. 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 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.”
8. Is there anything else you would like voters to know?
“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
Kasen Hampton
Did Not Respond
Justin Sharpless (i)
Did Not Respond
