Why I'm Running: Rick Murphy, School Board D3

I am running because I have always been a servant leader and believe my experience will provide organizational leadership skills to the district while supporting student achievement, the administration, teachers, schools and all employees in their work as a team.

In a place that needs a change I want to make a difference. I have a granddaughter who is a sophomore at Parrish Community High School and my grandson graduated from Lakewood Ranch High School. I am a member of the Parrish Civic Association and the Parrish Community High School Boosters. If elected to serve on the Manatee county school board I serve the best interests of all schools and residents as a county wide elected school board member from District 3.

Our students deserve an excellent education and teachers deserve the utmost respect with the resources to teach our students. I am passionate about education and by utilizing my experience I would be honored to help make a difference. All employees deserve to be heard and appreciated. I believe my experience, knowledge and interpersonal skills will help unify the board in their leadership roles and responsibilities as elected public servants to work together for the common good of all people and support all employees, students, parents and community stakeholders.

I have worked in business management, as a substitute teacher, paraprofessional, classroom teacher in Manatee and Highlands County and school administration in Palm Beach county. I was elected to serve on the Hendry county school board for 14 years and superintendent for 4 years during the great recession. I have worked in public schools and in a public converted charter school. I understand the jobs of the organization and what is needed to support their work. My experience in business, as a teacher, assistant principal, former school board member and as a superintendent will allow me to understand the responsibilities of district employees, school board members and the superintendent.

I also have worked in school bus transportation, maintenance and overseen the construction of new schools working with contractors, architects, and construction management companies. I will work diligently to build a proactive, close, positive, communicative, collaborative, consensus building, positive, school board and superintendent partnership as a cohesive team with high-impact governance empowering the strategies that support the entire organization for continued success.

I am concerned about the reopening of schools this year and the safety of our students and employees with COVID-19 virus growing in cases. I want to make sure our students and employees are safe by providing additional support staff, school resource officers and secure school buildings. I want to make sure the school board members and the administration are transparent with the district finances; budget and to make sure the money follows the child.

Currently the state law requires local school boards to levy a 1.5 mil property tax on all property owners that is used for school buses, building new schools, school maintenance and other expenses specific to the law guidelines for expenditures of those tax funds. In 2018 the school board local referendum was approved by 60 per cent of the voters in manatee county and added another 2-mil property tax which totals 3.5 mil levied on all property owners. Property owners are paying more than their fair share, and, in the future, there should be "no new taxes“. The school board’s role and responsibility is to oversee the budget and the school district expenditures and policies.

My goals are many and these are just a few. Supporting teachers, schools, and parents in improving reading for all students to be on grade level. Adding career academies (CTE) in all middle and high schools while supporting expansion of academies and adult programs at Manatee Technical College. Improving the high school graduation rate for all students and establishing graduation coaches and community mentors for students at risk of not graduating. The high school graduation rate has declined 2.2 percent in Manatee county while the state average has increased. To provide safe and clean schools, classrooms, cafeterias, buses, and facilities. To promote a safe learning environment for all students and a safe working environment for employees. Providing parents with options that are best for their children such as traditional school 5 days a week, district online classes, Florida Virtual online, home school and high school dual enrollment classes with colleges. School choice options with additional career technical academies in all middle and high schools. Supporting teachers with the resources needed for classroom instruction, individual professional development, and new parent programs to support teachers as an extension of the classroom.

I would appreciate the opportunity to serve the students, employees, parents and the residents of Manatee county. My website is www.rickmurphy4manateeschoolboard.com and Murphy for Manatee school board on Facebook and Instagram.