Broward County School Board Candidates Discuss Issues at Forum

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On August 14, voters will have a chance to elect the next School Board member to represent Coral Springs and Parkland as well as covering parts of Margate, Tamarac and North Lauderdale.

School Board candidates Abby Freedman and Shelly Solomon met at the Coral Springs Charter School on October 3, to discuss issues that would affect our schools. This free event was sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Broward.

Abby Freedman

Freedman lives in Parkland with her husband and three boys. Two of them are at Stoneman Douglas, and the youngest is at Heron Heights.

She has Law degree from Stetson University College of Law, a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from University of Florida, she is has been certified in elementary education in grades 1-6 from FAU.

“I am a mother and advocate for children in regular, special needs, and gifted programs via my three children who attend District 4 elementary, middle, and high schools. My business degree, law degree, and elementary education course work, along with my life experiences as a financial officer, budget coordinator, legal intern at the Pentagon, and elementary school teacher, will assist me to properly analyze situations, understand perspectives, and implement policies.”

Freedman’s priorities are:

Lowering class size and providing essentials to operate
Retain and entice quality teachers
Prevent waste, and use a checks and balance system;
Put priorities and the budget in order
Give students skills needed to succeed
and TEACH NOT TEST

Freedman says, “My background demonstrates that I bring a broad and unique perspective to the school board. Additionally, I am the only candidate for this seat who is not accepting donations from outside interests. I am running to be your next school board member so I can take special interests out of our schools and bring education back into the classroom where it belongs!”

Major Endorsement: Sun-Sentinel

Rochelle “Shelly” Solomon

Rochelle “Shelly” Solomon lives in Coral Springs is the mother of Lexi, 7th grade, Jake 8th grade and twins Ashley and Adam who are seniors.

Solomon is a Florida Bar attorney, a certified life coach, certified mental toughness coach (Shelly also coaches/mentors student athletes) and a child advocate.

Solomon was a former professional tennis player on the Women’s Tennis Association, graduated Cum Laude from UCLA and Cum Laude from Nova Law School.

She has spent a good part of her life volunteering in the Broward County community, and for the last 12 years in the schools at the local level, in the district and in Tallahassee. She spent the last year doing community work with Anti-Bullying efforts collaboratively with the BSO, Anti-Defamation League and Southern Poverty Law Center, with local businesses that are partners with the schools and with city/education committees.

After spending considerable time with students, parents, teachers, business and community leaders, Solomon filed to run for School Board so she could be the voice representing the diverse needs of all District 4 communities and ensure all Broward County students receive a quality education in a safe learning environment.

Issues Solomon will pursue:

Fully fund the classroom and have equity of resources
A National Norm Reference Achievement Test to measure some part of student achievement and learning gains. (not the FCATs),
Fair and just compensation for all employees.
Rigorous AND relevant coursework including art and physical activities and;
Ensure schools are safe and there is full implementation of the Anti-bullying policy.

Solomon believes she is the wise choice for School Board, District 4. She says she will fight to make sure the budget process is vetted with the public, that the public feels their voice and input matters and that there is transparency and integrity with school and district decisions. Solomon believes she has the heart, passion, and experience and has collaborated to write School District Public Policy (the Anti-Bullying Policy).

Major Endorsement: Broward Teachers Union

Notes: Thank you to the City of Coral Springs for providing video footage. Both Solomon and Freedman are sponsors of our parent company, Talk Media.

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Sharon Aron Baron

Editor of Talk Media and writer for Coral Springs Talk. CST was created in 2012 to provide News, Views, and Entertainment for the residents of Coral Springs and the rest of South Florida.