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The institutional knowledge Roy Terry brings to the Collier County School Board makes him an exceptional choice for re-election Aug. 28 to the District 5 seat.
Terry has demonstrated a steady hand as board chairman the past two years and importantly can ensure there’s stability on the board after four years of recurring divisiveness.
Terry is quick to point out that, without his re-election, the most years of experience on the board for any member would be two. That’s a genuine concern and is one of several reasons we endorse Terry for a four-year term in this three-candidate nonpartisan race.
Already, Jory Westberry joins the board unopposed as a first-time member and the District 3 seat will be filled during the primary with another board newcomer. Two current members were elected in 2016.
By re-electing Terry, voters will put their trust in a career educator who has parented children who graduated from district schools and who has served 35 years in the district. He’s gained the varied perspectives of a teacher, coach, athletic director, assistant principal, principal and board member.
With his extensive background, Terry has developed an understanding of what’s working in the district and what’s not. Much is working in his view, and we concur. Consider, for example, two consecutive “A” grades in the state’s accountability system and Collier’s improvement the past several years during his board service from the No. 33 district in the state to No. 5.
As for fiscal responsibility, Terry has been part of a board that’s banked money yearly toward building a future high school that could save $40 million of interest payments. He also notes the board has moved the district toward becoming debt-free within about seven years.
Beyond his considerable knowledge of district affairs, another reason to support Terry’s re-election is his understanding of the hand dealt to school districts by the Legislature. Terry has the superior understanding among the three candidates of sweeping measures like House Bill 7069 and school safety requirements that have come from Tallahassee the past two years.
Time for a change?
Terry has served on the board for nearly a decade, so isn’t it time for a change?
Change for the sake of change isn’t a valid reason to replace a still-contributing leader like Terry. He continues to bring forward ideas.
When the divided board wouldn’t agree to provide capital dollars for a new building for successful charter high school Marco Island Academy, Terry crafted a compromise to direct some money from the sale of district land on Marco Island toward the project.
With the considerable challenge of recruiting and retaining teachers when housing costs in Collier outstrip salaries, Terry has explored with lenders which mortgage programs are available to assist teachers with loans that offer manageable financial terms.
While it’s an idea that would need much further analysis and debate, Terry has suggested looking at the addition of an eighth period. That shows he’s willing to advance even controversial ideas that he believes might further improve academic performance.
He’s embraced the value of working cooperatively with community organizations to address concerns such as workforce training.
“Every student should have a pathway when they graduate,” he says.
Terry’s opponents are Mary Ellen Cash and Darlene Alvarez, a strong advocate of classroom-to-career. In many elections, a political newcomer surfaces who shows promise as a future elected leader. We hope Alvarez remains involved in some volunteer capacity in school district committees and initiatives to remain ready for future elections.
However, for the Aug. 28 election, we enthusiastically recommend Roy Terry.
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