The School Board District 2 seat of Monroe County’s longest-serving elected official, Andy Griffiths, will be filled by one of two candidates who seek a primary victory on Aug. 20: third-generation Conch and current light tackle fishing guide Zach Bentley, or fifth-generation Keys resident and businesswoman Yvette Mira-Talbott, who previously ran against Griffiths in 2012.
District 2 encompasses the eastern half of Key West through Boca Chica and the western portion of Big Coppitt Key.
The Keys Weekly asked both candidates these questions:
1) What is your view on the statewide referendum to create partisan school board elections? Please be specific.
2) The school board will soon be tasked with finding a new superintendent following Teri Axford’s retirement. Would you favor a promotion from within or a national search? Why?
ZACH BENTLEY
1. The litmus test for this answer is “does it help the children?” I do not see how the creation of a partisan school board election helps the children. Therefore, I am not in favor of creating a partisan race for Monroe County School Board.
2. I am in favor of grooming and searching for talent from within. Monroe County possesses a certain uniqueness that is often hard to appreciate unless one has had ample time to assimilate to our island community. Outside disciplines from other parts of the country tend to dilute or lack rapport with our challenges and our charm. Furthermore, the cost of living in the Keys tends to be appalling for newcomers. which in some cases creates a change of heart. This is why we tend to trust and seek our leaders from within for long term stability. We are not looking for a proxy but rather a stable leader who can effectively communicate with all of our stakeholders for years to come.
YVETTE MIRA-TALBOTT
- Partisanship should not play a role in the education of children. It would cause a prioritization that is not aligned with what is best for our children. This should be one place where partisanship plays no role.
- I believe a nationwide search to include local candidates is the right choice. It is the obligation of the board to hire the very best candidate to lead our schools, regardless of where they are from.
