Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
March 15, 2018 11:56 a.m.
Nassau County School Board District 4 member Kimberly Fahlgren has resigned her position effective August 1, 2018. She notified Florida Governor Rick Scott of her decision in a letter dated March 6, 2018.
According to a report published in the March 8, 2018 edition of the Westside Journal , Fahlgren made the following statement: “It has been an honor and privilege to serve the people of Nassau County in the capacity of a School Board Member. However, the Lord has called me to focus on my three children and their transitions from middle school to high school and high school to college.
“While young women continue to need examples of strong, accomplished women to inspire them and help them know they have a lot to contribute to the world, young women also need examples of those same strong women who know how to say ‘no’ to busy, overscheduled lives, and ‘yes’ to ministering to the needs of their family.”
“I am forever grateful for having had the opportunity to serve Nassau County and working to give children, parents and teachers of my community a school system that is more effective, accountable and transparent.”
Fahlgren is resigning from a term that would not normally be up for election until 2020. At this time, it is the Governor’s call as to filling the remainder of the term. He has not indicated whether he will seek to appoint a replacement to serve until 2020 or whether he will have the position filled via election in the 2018 General Election.
Those interested in seeking this position may submit an application to the Governor’s Appointment Office . Interested individuals should also file with the Nassau County Supervisor of Elections Office for the 2020 General Election. Should the governor decide that he wishes to avoid a direct appointment and opt for an election in November 2018 to fill the remaining 2 years of Fahlgren’s term, anyone who has filed to run for this seat in 2020 may switch to 2018 with a written notification to the Supervisor of Elections.
School Board elections are non-partisan.
It is important that those interested in seeking this position via election keep in mind that the deadline for filing by petition is noon on May 21, 2018. For complete candidate information visit the Supervisor of Elections website.
Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.
If able to do so, hope Robin Lentz puts her name in for consideration.
Ditto Dave Lott. Robin can make a real difference.
Do the districts contain actual boundaries in the county or can you live anywhere and run for any district?
School Board Districts are congruent with County Commission Districts. District 4 is on the west side of the county. Candidates must live in the district they represent. Robin Lentz is a candidate for School Board District 1 and will run against incumbent Donna Martin in November.
Thanks Suanne for the clarification. I thought that was the case but didn’t see anything in the article or on the NC Election website about district geographical restrictions. My understanding that three of the Board seats are up plus possibly Mrs. Fahlgren’s. Will be interesting to see what Gov. Scott decides and the overall election.
Thank you Dr Fahlgren for your tremendous service! From the first time I interviewed you, it was evident that you were wholly focused on families and understood that education was essential to success of the community. The appointment of a replacement will be a tall order but one name that comes to mind is Ashley Strickland, a bright mother whose only focus is children. The truth is that the school board has become mired in the quagmire of political relationships with everything from the CELPHIE scandal to the $5 million dollar entrance road for Wildlight to the manner in which key appointments are made. There is a real need for reform minded leaders to emerge who will demand real background checks on Principals to ensure they are serious leaders, greater transparency with public records laws and an open and honest conversation about the state of our system relative to the SAT scores and our competitiveness in Bright Future Scholarships. The truth is that business owners need well trained workforce and a robust education system is essential to the success of the whole community. Hopefully great candidates will emerge like Ms. Strickland and there will be some check and balance on the current system to ensure greater accountability and transparency. What is interesting is that Gov Rick Scott may decide to make the appointment, he could place it on the ballot, he could allow the Lt Gov Carlos Lopez Cantera to make the appointment when Gov Scott leaves to seek the US Senate seat now held by Senator Bill Nelson. On top of this we will likely see ballot initiatives dealing with the subjects of school board term limits and the appointment of superintendents in 2018. No question education reform and issues will rightly be at the top of everyone’s mind.