Follow the money: Comparing Adkins’ and Burns’ campaigns for School Superintendent

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter – News Analyst

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Because the 2016 race for Nassau County School Superintendent between Republican candidates Janet Adkins and Kathy Burns appears to be the one that is generating the most interest at the local level today, I decided to look more closely into the campaign contributions that both candidates received during calendar year 2015. Initially I also included Libertarian candidate Cheryl Reynolds James in my calculations, but since she has reported only 5 donations totaling $900.40 to date, I decided to reserve judgment on whether she is a serious or credible candidate.

Superintendent_sign-1067x600Statistics in the table below were taken from campaign treasurer reports on file with the Supervisor of Elections. I have included cash, in-kind and loans from the candidates to their own campaigns, as well as the candidates’ own contributions to their campaigns. Any errors or omissions may be laid at my feet, not those of either the candidates or their treasurers.

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Adkins’ fundraising has far outpaced that of Burns. However, if you eliminate the highest category of contributions ($500+), the statistics are not that far apart:

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The major difference is among the high level contributors. I compiled the following, again from records provided by the candidates, to indicate the source and amounts provided by the contributors in the highest categories, breaking out $500 donors and $1,000 donors. Note that the highest donation that can be given per election cycle is $1,000.

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Given that the Nassau School Superintendent position should be a matter of concern primarily for Nassau County people, it is striking that of the highest donors in the Adkins campaign, only 11 out of 76 come from Nassau County individuals and businesses, while 29 of Burns’ 38 high level contributors are listed with Nassau County addresses, including current Superintendent of Schools John Ruis.

Voters should take into account that as a State Representative, Adkins developed many contacts with lobbying firms and advocacy groups. Also, charter school proponents and health-related organizations make up a large portion of her contributions. But what do these groups have to do with running the Nassau County School District? Why would they “invest” in Adkins’ campaign?

Should candidates for county office need to raise so much money to mount a campaign?

And my final question: Is this campaign about how best to educate Nassau County children or how to secure the highest paid elected office in the county?

You be the judge.

Our county’s children will be directly impacted by this election.  And unless you are a registered Republican, you will not have a voice in this election.

 

Suanne Thamm 4Editor’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.

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Robert Warner
Robert Warner (@guest_46641)
8 years ago

Who would have guessed…. And Adkins just voted in the Florida Legislature to allow gun carry on Florida Campuses. Perhaps Cheryl James, the libertarian running as a third candidate for the GOP nomination for Superintendent, might want to follow the lead of Rand Paul’s principled withdrawal from the GOP nominations process and withdraw herself from the race. Might open up county wide this critical school board election to those that care more about the quality of their children’s education than the agenda’s of their sponsors..

Peggy Bulger
Peggy Bulger(@peggy-bulger1949gmail-com)
8 years ago

Thank you Suanne, for giving us FACTS . . . there have been many rumors and intimations concerning the non-local support for Janet Adkins and the lobbyists who are investing in this Nassau County race to benefit financially with our school children as the losers. This information gives us definite information on which to base our vote. Our schools are rated as excellent and our school administrators and teachers deserve the BEST for a superintendent. Dr. Kathy Burns is a most qualified and respected educator who has no hidden agenda . . . . she wants to continue and improve on the outstanding work of the Nassau County School System. I hope that all of Nassau County voters realize how important this race is!

Mrs. Audrey Stone
Mrs. Audrey Stone (@guest_46649)
8 years ago

I wrote a Letter to the Editor months ago, supporting Kathy Burns, and wish to once again give her my support. Ms.Adkins is a politician and I am not criticizing her for that; she has done her job and done it well; but now her term of office is coming to an end, and she is looking for another “job” – well, everyone in Nassau County who is eligible to vote needs to come out strong for Ms.Burns, who has devoted years and years to our school system. She is indeed well qualified for the position of Superintendent and has earned it.Money for Ms.Adkins is coming from people who have absolutely no interest in our Bd. of Education!

Steve Crounse
Steve Crounse (@guest_46656)
8 years ago

Ms Stone, my feeling is, That the outside contributors to Ms Adkins campaign, have great interest in this race for Superintendent of Schools. All monetary, a lot of money flows a school system this size, but unfortunately the children don’t always benefit. Always follow the money.

Dave Lott
Dave Lott(@dave-l)
8 years ago

Very informative and interesting. Thanks Suanne.

Genece Minshew
Genece Minshew (@guest_46652)
8 years ago

Wait, why is Dayspring Village and Health each giving political contributations? Aren’t these non-profit organizations that take in government funding for their clients? What money was actually used for these contributions? I understand that Rep. Adkins husband is the director there. I’ve generously supported their Santa program but now I must rethink where my money goes. This does not seem right.

Thomas C. Washburn
Thomas C. Washburn (@guest_46654)
8 years ago

Thank you, indeed, Suanne, for this informative article.
My question #1: Why is this position even an elected one? And, it certainly should not be the result of a partisan election.
My question #2 : Why are Dayspring Village and Dayspring Health making large partisan political contributions to Adkins!
My opinion: The candidate with the educational degrees and background is the obviously correct person for this job as Nassau County Superintendent of Schools.

Steve Crounse
Steve Crounse (@guest_46655)
8 years ago

Great questions above, and concerns. Just remember this contest will not be in the general election. It will be decided in the Republican Primary, between Janet Adkins and Dr. Kathy Burns. If you are not registered in the Republican Party, You will not have a vote for Nassau County Superintendent Of Schools. Nothing against Ms Adkins she seems like a nice person, and served herself and Nassau County in the State House. I thank her for that. But this is about all our Childrens Education. She is not the best candidate for Superintendent of our Schools. Only one qualified person is on the ticket. Dr K. Burns. This position in most communities, is a Non-Partisan position, and advertised, as was our City Managers Job. That conversation is for another day. make sure you are in a position to vote in this important election.

Al Smith
Al Smith (@guest_46657)
8 years ago

Great article Suanne. Following the money will almost always lead you to the truth, in this case, the truth that Janet Adkins is a powerful POLITICIAN. A powerful politician who is losing her job to established term limits. With that said, it appears that Ms. Adkins is now attempting to utilize her political power to buy her way into a new elected job, Nassau County Schools Superintendent, regardless of her qualifications, or should I say, lack thereof. Adkins touts her service as a Florida State Representative, wherein she served on a few educational committees, as her qualifications. I’m sorry, but serving as a Florida Representative & sitting on a few educational committees is not going to cut it. The Office of School Superintendent is a very vital position within our county. We currently have one of the best school districts in the entire State of Florida. We have at least one school that has been recognized as one of the best in the entire United States. With that said, do we really want to turn over control of our schools to a “career politician”? I sure hope not. Dr. Kathy Burns is truly the only qualified candidate running. Dr. Burns has dedicated most of her adult life to the education of children. Her qualifications trump Adkins, A Master’s Degree in Elementary Education, A Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership, and finally a Doctorate Degree in Education. Voted teacher of the year on (3) different occasions. I may be wrong, but don’t believe Adkins has any degrees associated with education, nor do I believe she has ever worked in a public school. So with all that said, do we elect a person who has dedicated herself to public education, Dr. Kathy Burns, or someone who has been nothing but a career politician and who is searching for yet another elected job? For me, the answer is simple, Dr. Kathy Burns.

Leona J Byrne
Leona J Byrne (@guest_46658)
8 years ago

Professional politicians have a place in the world, just not here, not now. Nassau County needs a professional who is passionate about education, not someone looking for a cushy stopover on their way up the political ladder.

Robert Warner
Robert Warner (@guest_46660)
8 years ago

Since the existence of a third candidate in this GOP primary for our Nassau County Schools Superintendent seems a critical issue, perhaps it is time to look at the third candidate more closely?

Orlando Avila
Orlando Avila (@guest_46664)
8 years ago
Reply to  Robert Warner

The 3rd candidate is a Libertarian who will only appear in the General election ballot. Here presence is what is causing this primary to be a closed primary.

Robert Warner
Robert Warner (@guest_46666)
8 years ago
Reply to  Orlando Avila

I know. We need to ask why.

John Bertsch
John Bertsch(@jprbertschaol-com)
8 years ago

When we moved to Fernandina Beach eleven years ago, we were dumbfounded to find out that the Superintendent of Schools was elected. We had lived in suburban New York City (Westchester County) and our Superintendent of Schools was selected by the Board of Education ( a 5-7 member body of local citizens, who volunteered to run and were elected by the voters for 3 year periods). These BOE members received no remuneration of any sort and represented some of the best schools in the United States. The recruitment of a new Superintendent of Schools was a thorough review of an applicant’s background and credentials. The minimum
requirement was at least a Master’s in Education–current Superintendents are required to have either a Ph.D or Ed.D and several years of experience in both the classroom and administrative office. The selection process consisted of the BOE members and a committee of selected teachers and parents.

We no longer have any children in a school system, only grandchildren. However, we are still dumbfounded with the Nassau County system. It is far better to separate politics and education. They do not mix – and this has been proven over and over again. One only has to look at the state of Kansas for proof.

Steve Crounse
Steve Crounse (@guest_46667)
8 years ago

I think this dialog, is a good one and timely. I would hope there will be an open forum by the Candidates to discuss these concerns with the Electorate. Why outside Nassau county contributions from Lobbyist and Corporations? Charter School operators?, it’s our School System? Why would a Charitable Organization be Donating to a Partisan Election? Isn’t their operations financed by Grant Moneys ( our tax dollars) and Donations. Is that even legal? who would make those decision at the Charity? Who financed the Libertarians Application to Run for Nassau County Superintendent of Schools? What possible qualifications could she have to even be considered for that position? Or could it be possible that the only reason this person ran was to deny over 40% of the Electorate in Nassau County the right to Vote for our Childrens future education. Could it be that, The political bosses in Nassau are pulling the wool over the Electorate eyes once again? Lets hope, we don’t give them another chance. Dirty politics, is not the right of either the Democrats or Republicans We all deserve a say in ours and our kids future. Make sure you can Vote in the upcoming Republican Primary. It’s the only time, we all will have a chose.

Robert Warner
Robert Warner (@guest_46668)
8 years ago

Steve Crouse asks the right questions. There is still time this week to change one’s registration to GOP and access one’s right to vote in this gamed primary. Sad thing is that now outside influence and “exploitation” are using our top rated public school system and our kids’ minds as it’s next target of opportunity.