The Palm Beach Post sent questionnaires to candidates in the primary races for the Palm Beach County School District in District 4 and District 6.
Candidates for the primary in District 4 are Tiffany Bryant, Anthony Hamlet, Christina Romelus and Daniel Zapata.
Candidates for District 6 are John McGovern, Widline Pierre and Wanda Rosario-Schoenfeld.
Karen Brill in District 3 and Edwin Ferguson in District 7 are unopposed.
The primary election will be held Aug. 18. Winners advance to the general election Nov. 3.
The candidates’ answers were edited for length.
Tiffany Bryant, District 4
Age: Unlisted
Hometown: Boynton Beach
Previous experience: Financial advisor; substitute teacher; mental health practitioner; adult education instructor; immigration specialist and consultant.
Education: Ph.D. in International Relations.
Employment history: Licensed financial advisor and financial services representative; substitute teacher, Palm Beach County School District; mental health practitioner (contracted); adult and community education instructor; consultant and immigration specialist.
Campaign priorities:
She said her top priority is strengthening early literacy and foundational learning so every student is reading at grade level by the end of third grade.
She supports reducing laptop use beginning in grades K–2 to ensure technology enhances rather than replaces teacher-led instruction, hands-on learning, and foundational skill development in reading, writing, and mathematics.
She also supports expanding cost-neutral classroom support for teachers, beginning in grades K–2, through partnerships with local colleges and universities that provide structured internship and practicum opportunities for future educators while giving students additional support under the guidance of certified teachers.
Another priority is promoting fiscal responsibility by ensuring district resources are aligned with student achievement and classroom needs. She said she will advocate for responsible budgeting, expanding opportunities beyond government funding through strategic partnerships with businesses, nonprofit organizations, and higher education institutions, and pursuing initiatives that improve educator recruitment and retention by increasing access to affordable housing and homeownership opportunities for teachers and school employees.
She also wants to expand college, career, and workforce pathways so every student graduate is prepared for success through opportunities in higher education, skilled trades, apprenticeships, entrepreneurship, military service, and industry certifications. She said she will make decisions guided by research, measurable outcomes, transparency, and accountability.
Declining student enrollment is a problem. What ideas do you have to offset any decline in student funding, and as a school board member, what specific steps would you take to promote district policies and programs to curb the trend?
She said declining enrollment requires proactive leadership focused on understanding why families are leaving, strengthening the value of our public schools, and ensuring responsible stewardship of resources.
She would support a comprehensive review of enrollment trends to identify the factors contributing to enrollment declines and use that data to develop targeted solutions.
She would prioritize fiscal responsibility by ensuring district resources are aligned with student achievement and classroom needs. She said as stewards of taxpayer dollars, the Board must regularly evaluate spending to identify opportunities for greater efficiency while protecting and strengthening direct support for students and teachers. She would explore opportunities to expand partnerships with businesses, nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, and private-sector partners to supplement, not replace, public funding through grants, sponsorships, and collaborative initiatives.
She said reversing enrollment trends also requires greater community outreach and engagement. She would encourage the Chief of Strategic Communications and Engagement and the district to take a more proactive role in connecting with families through existing schools, preschool programs, community organizations, and neighborhood associations. This includes, she said, reaching out to families who have left the district and hosting community open houses throughout the year to showcase the opportunities available within Palm Beach County schools.
Campaign website: electdrtiffanybryant.com
Quotable: “My top priority is strengthening early literacy and foundational learning so every student is reading at grade level by the end of third grade.”
Why should voters choose you?
“Voters should choose me because I bring a unique combination of perspectives, experience, and expertise that will allow me to lead with both insight and action.
“I come to this role first and foremost as a parent of a child in the Palm Beach County School District, the spouse of a district educator, and a current district employee with direct, firsthand experience inside our schools. I also bring the perspective of a researcher dedicated to improving public education. Together, these experiences provide me with a comprehensive understanding of how School Board decisions impact students, families, educators, staff, and the broader community.”
“I believe our students deserve a district that holds itself to the same high standards it expects of them. As a board member I will bring independent leadership, thoughtful oversight, and a commitment to proactive governance that emphasizes responsibility, transparency, accountability, action, and results. I am ready to help restore confidence in our public schools and ensure every decision is guided by what is in the best interest of students. Voters should choose me because I will help raise the standard for all.”
Anthony Hamlet, District 4
Age: 56
Hometown: Delray Beach
Previous experience: Superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools; director in the Palm Beach County School District; university professor; education consultant.
Education: Not provided
Employment history: President and CEO, CSI Strategies LLC (2022–present); administrative and doctoral faculty, American InterContinental University System (2021–present); adjunct professor, American College of Education and Nova Southeastern University; superintendent, Pittsburgh Public Schools (2016–2021); director, School District of Palm Beach County (2014–2016).
Campaign priorities: He said his campaign is centered on one clear purpose: improving student outcomes. Every policy, budget decision, and boardroom discussion should be measured against one question: Will this help more students learn, achieve, and succeed?
He said, with his experience, he understands the difference between managing activity and governing for results. An effective school board must establish a limited number of measurable student outcome goals, monitor progress publicly and consistently, align resources with those priorities, and hold the superintendent and the system accountable for results, he said.
Additional priorities include creating safe, supportive, and well-managed schools where students and employees can thrive; strengthening teacher recruitment, compensation, development, and retention; and ensuring taxpayer dollars are invested transparently, responsibly, and directly toward the district’s highest academic priorities.
He will champion authentic family and community engagement. Public trust is built when leaders listen, communicate honestly, explain decisions, and report progress openly, he said.
Declining student enrollment is a problem. What ideas do you have to offset any decline in student funding, and as a school board member, what specific steps would you take to promote district policies and programs to curb the trend?
He said declining enrollment is not simply a budget issue, it is a governance issue. He said families choose school systems they trust to provide safe schools, excellent teaching, meaningful opportunities, and strong academic results. The responsibility of the School Board is to establish that vision, monitor progress, and ensure the district continually earns the confidence of families, he said.
As Superintendent of Pittsburgh Public Schools, he said he led a district facing many of the same enrollment pressures affecting public education nationwide. He said their response was to improve the value of the schools rather than simply marketing them. He said they expanded career and technical education, strengthened college and career pathways, increased access to Advanced Placement coursework, modernized curriculum and technology, improved school climate, and launched the Imagine PPS initiative to redesign programs around student needs, family expectations, workforce demands, and demographic trends. He said they also forged partnerships with universities, employers, healthcare institutions, and community organizations to create opportunities that made our schools more attractive to families.
He would advocate for a comprehensive enrollment strategy grounded in effective governance. The Board should establish measurable enrollment and student outcome goals, require regular public reporting on enrollment trends and family feedback, and align district resources with the programs that families value most, he said. He said we must continue expanding high-quality academic options, career and technical education, early college opportunities, specialized academies, and innovative neighborhood schools while ensuring every school delivers an exceptional educational experience.
To address the financial impact of declining enrollment, he said he would support responsible long-term financial planning, pursue competitive grants and public-private partnerships, identify operational efficiencies, and prioritize investments that directly improve student outcomes.
Campaign website: hamlet4district4schools.vote
Quotable: “Every policy, budget decision, and boardroom discussion should be measured against one question: Will this help more students learn, achieve, and succeed?”
Why should voters choose you?
“I have spent more than 30 years improving public education as a teacher, principal, superintendent, university professor, and national school governance coach. I have transformed struggling schools, led one of the nation’s largest urban school districts, managed a $700 million budget, and helped school boards across the country improve student outcomes through effective governance.
“My experience has taught me that student achievement does not improve because adults work harder. It improves when school boards establish a shared vision with their community, set clear student outcome goals, align resources with those priorities, monitor progress through transparent data, and hold the superintendent accountable for results while respecting the distinct roles of governance and management.
“As a lifelong Palm Beach County resident and graduate of its public schools, I am deeply invested in this community’s future. I am not running to make promises. I am running to bring proven leadership, disciplined governance, and unwavering accountability so every decision begins and ends with one question: How will this improve student outcomes for our children?”
Christina Romelus, District 4
Age: 38
Hometown: Boynton Beach
Previous experience: Former Boynton Beach city commissioner and vice mayor; educator; nurse; nonprofit and community leader.
Education: Master’s in Biomedical Sciences, Barry University; bachelor’s in Biology/Chemistry, University of Miami.
Employment history: CEO, PolitiCALM (2021–present); director of programs, Path to College; executive director, Police Athletic League of West Palm Beach; professor, Palm Beach State College.
Campaign priorities:
She said improving literacy and academic outcomes, making schools safer, supporting teachers, engaging parents, and building stronger partnerships between schools, families, businesses, and community organizations. I believe the School Board should stay focused on students — not politics or distractions — and make decisions that improve the daily experience of children, educators, school personnel and families.
Declining student enrollment is a problem. What ideas do you have to offset any decline in student funding, and as a school board member, what specific steps would you take to promote district policies and programs to curb the trend?
She said declining enrollment is both a financial issue and a confidence issue. When students leave,funding follows them, but many district costs remain, she said, so the district must protect taxpayer dollars whilemaking public schools stronger and more attractive to families.
Her focus would be to strengthen the core reasons families choose our public schools: academicoutcomes, safety, strong teachers, and meaningful opportunities. That means prioritizing early literacy,math support, intervention for struggling students, and expanding high-demand programs such as CTE,dual enrollment, STEM, arts, gifted/enrichment, and career academies.
She would also push for a better parent experience: simpler enrollment process, more supportiveESE guidance, clearer communication, improved school choice processes, and stronger customer service(on demand or scheduled tours of school campuses and more) so families do not feel they have to fightthe system for answers.
She said the success of our schools and students also depends on attracting and retaininghigh-quality, well-equipped educators but we do not compensate our educators as the professionals theyare. Recruiting and retention of outstanding teachers will be something that she said she will prioritize.
She would request regular enrollment trend reports, review why families are leaving, hold listening sessions in affected communities, promote successful district programs more aggressively, and build stronger partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, municipalities, churches, and PTAs. I would also advocate at the state level for funding policies that support stable, high-quality public schools while ensuring strong accountability wherever public education dollars go.
Campaign website: christinaromelus.vote
Quotable: “Voters deserve a School Board member who has the experience to govern, the heart to listen, and the courage to put students first.”
Why should voters choose you?
“Voters deserve a School Board member who has the experience to govern, the heart to listen, and the courage to put students first. Throughout my career, I have served this community as a nurse, educator, City Commissioner, Vice Mayor, and mother of two children in our public schools. Each of those experiences has reinforced the same belief: every child deserves a safe, high-quality education that prepares them for the future.
“I know how to oversee multimillion dollar public budgets, ask tough questions, build consensus, and make thoughtful decisions that put the public’s interests first. I’ve spent my career bringing people together to solve problems, and I will bring that same collaborative, transparent, and accountable approach to the School Board.
“I am running to bring steady, student-focused leadership to the School Board. I believe our students, teachers, and families deserve a School Board member who is focused on improving academic outcomes, supporting educators, strengthening school safety, and earning the trust of the community every single day.”
Daniel Zapata, District 4
Age: 25
Hometown: Lake Worth Beach
Previous experience: High school teacher; former assistant administrator; former assistant athletic director.
Education: Associate degree.
Employment history: High school teacher (government, economics and Spanish); assistant administrator; assistant athletic director.
Campaign priorities:
He wants to improve literacy by strengthening early learning opportunities and ensuring students develop strong reading skills from the earliest grades. Building a solid foundation in literacy gives every child the best chance to succeed academically and throughout life.
He said he will work to expand career and technical education so more students graduate with industry certifications, hands-on experience, and the skills needed for high paying, in demand careers. He said he will prioritize school security by supporting our School Resource Officers, investing in proactive safety measures, and ensuring every student and educator has a safe learning environment.He said he would be a strong advocate for fiscal responsibility by promoting transparency, eliminating inefficiencies, and ensuring every taxpayer dollar is invested where it has the greatest impact on student success.
Declining student enrollment is a problem. What ideas do you have to offset any decline in student funding, and as a school board member, what specific steps would you take to promote district policies and programs to curb the trend?
He said the answer isn’t simply to spend more money, it’s to give families more reasons to choose our schools while ensuring we are responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.
He said we must make Palm Beach County’s schools more competitive. That means expanding early learning opportunities, strengthening literacy, growing career and technical education, and increasing access to specialized programs that prepare students for college and high-paying careers.
He said we should listen to families who leave the district. Understanding why students transfer to charter, private, or homeschool options can help us improve the educational experience and address concerns where appropriate. I support school choice, but our goal should be to make Palm Beach County’s public schools the best choice.
Finally, we said we must prepare for enrollment changes by budgeting responsibly. He said he would protect classrooms, teachers, and student safety while identifying inefficiencies in administrative operations and ensuring every dollar is focused on improving student outcomes.
Campaign website: zapataforschoolboard.com
Quotable: “My campaign is centered on four priorities that I believe are essential to the future of Palm Beach County’s schools.”
Why should voters choose you?
“I will bring a perspective to the School Board that is grounded in firsthand experience. As a teacher, I understand the challenges our students, educators, and families face because I experience them every day. My background as a substitute teacher, assistant athletic director, assistant administrator, and teacher has given me a well-rounded understanding of how policy decisions affect our schools.
“I also believe School Board members should be accessible, transparent, and accountable to the communities they represent. Throughout this campaign, I have spent countless hours listening to parents, teachers, students, and community members to understand their concerns and priorities.
“If elected, I will focus on improving literacy, expanding career and technical education, ensuring safe schools, and exercising responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars. I will approach every decision with one question in mind: What is best for students? That commitment, combined with my firsthand experience in education, is why I believe I can make a meaningful difference for Palm Beach County’s schools.”
John McGovern, District 6
Age: 52
Hometown: Wellington
Previous experience: Wellington village councilman and vice mayor; attorney; longtime community member and parent in the school district.
Education: J.D., University of Florida Levin College of Law; B.A., University of Florida.
Employment history: Attorney, McGovern Gerardi Law (2015–present); Wellington Village Council (2015–2026); prior law firm roles (2000–2015).
Campaign priorities:
He said his priorities are centered on three core principles: strong academics, supporting teachers, and safer schools. He said core academics must remain the District’s primary focus at every level. He wants to expand VPK, emphasize literacy and mastery of fundamental mathematics in the early grades, increase technology education in coding, programming, and AI, strengthen career and technical education for students pursuing the skilled trades, preserve enhanced funding for AP/AICE courses, and ensure future magnet/vocational schools are geographically located to serve the entire county, including District 6.
He said we must recruit and retain outstanding teachers by providing competitive compensation while reducing administrative costs, improving operational efficiencies, and prioritizing classroom spending and teacher pay.
He said we can never let our guard down on school safety. We must maintain and modernize single points of entry, make metal detectors work effectively, enhance campus security with additional officers, continue identifying and closing safety gaps, strengthen peer intervention and communication among students, parents, and educators, address bullying, and ensure strong coordination between School District Police, PBSO, and the State Attorney’s Office to decrease gang activity, he said.
Declining student enrollment is a problem. What ideas do you have to offset any decline in student funding, and as a school board member, what specific steps would you take to promote district policies and programs to curb the trend?
He said Palm Beach County has outstanding public schools, and we need to do a better job telling that story.
He said we should aggressively promote our academic achievements, career academies, magnet programs, choice options, arts, athletics, and career and technical opportunities so families understand the tremendous value our district provides.
He said we must continue investing in high-quality instruction, school safety, and exceptional teachers because strong schools attract and retain families.
He said he would prioritize protecting classroom instruction while identifying administrative inefficiencies, leveraging technology to reduce unnecessary costs, and ensuring every budget decision is guided by student outcomes and long-term fiscal responsibility.
Campaign website: mcgovernforschools.com
Quotable: “Strong schools make stronger communities, and great schools make great futures for our kids.”
Why should voters choose you?
“The success of our public schools is personal to me. My daughters have attended our public schools since kindergarten and are recent graduates (’24 & ’26). My wife, Michelle, and I are graduates of the PBCSD. Any success we’ve had has been largely born out of the education we got in our schools.
“As Councilman for the largest municipality in Dist. 6, where 25% of the district’s schools are located, I know first-hand that great public schools are the bedrock to successful and safe communities.
“Simply, strong schools make stronger communities, and great schools make great futures for our kids.”
Wanda Rosario-Schoenfeld, District 6
Age: 71
Hometown: Palm Beach County
Previous experience: School principal; assistant principal; program coordinator; classroom teacher; district facilitator.
Education: Doctorates in Educational Leadership and Administration.
Employment history: Principal and district facilitator, Buffalo Public Schools; assistant principal; program coordinator; classroom teacher.
Campaign priorities:
She said her campaign focuses on three critical priorities: safety, curriculum, and teacher support.She would prioritize physical and emotional safety by implementing proactive security measures and robust mental health resources ensuring every school is a secure environment for learning.
She said she is committed to elevating academic excellence through a rigorous, evidence based curriculum that prepares all students for future success in a rapidly changing world.
She said, because outstanding schools require outstanding educators, she would champion competitive compensation, professional development, and a strong support system to recruit and retain top-tier teachers. She said she would use her knowledge of the complex intersection of policy, pedagogy, and administrative accountability and foster transplant collaboration between parents, educators, and community stakeholders.
Declining student enrollment is a problem. What ideas do you have to offset any decline in student funding, and as a school board member, what specific steps would you take to promote district policies and programs to curb the trend?
To offset funding losses from declining enrollment, she would implement a two pronged strategy: aggressive program diversification and strict operational optimization.
To safeguard the budget, she would push to audit and consolidate underutilized administrative spaces, shifting those dollars directly back into the classroom. She said we must also aggressively pursue federal grants, corporate partnerships, and philanthropic foundations to insulate our revenue from fluctuating state per pupil funding .
She would promote policies that transform our schools into premier regional destinations. She would champion the expansion of specialized, high demand programs − such as dual-enrollment academies, career-themed workforce tracks (AI, biotechnology, aviation), and early childhood education.
She would direct the implementation of a modern, data-driven market campaign to actively promote our district’s unique advantages, exceptional safety records, and specialized programs directly to local families.
Campaign website: wandaforpbcschools.com
Quotable: “My campaign focuses on three critical priorities: safety, curriculum, and teacher support.”
Why should voters choose you?
“I’m 38 years in public education, combined with two master’s degree and a doctorate in educational leadership and administration, have uniquely prepared me to serve on the Palm Beach County school board. Throughout my career, I have occupied almost every major facet of educational infrastructure. I have successfully managed multimillion school operational budgets, spearheaded data-driven initiatives that measurably improve student literacy, and lead complex teams through sweeping state policy changes and economic shifts.
“This extensive work history gives me a rare, ground level understanding of how board policies directly affect principals, teachers, and classroom dynamics. Equally important is my act of community immersion right here in Palm Beach County. By collaborating with local PTA’s, Civic organizations, and law enforcement, I have listened directly to the concerns of family. I know first-hand what our community demands: and uncompromised student safety.
“Voters do not need a school board member who requires an on the job training period they need a battle tested educational administrator. My deep institutional knowledge ensures that on day one, I can cut through the district bureaucracy, optimize resources, and put our students and teachers first.”
Widline Pierre, District 6
Pierre did not respond to a questionnaire from The Palm Beach Post.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach Post voter guide for school board primaries
Reporting by The Palm Beach Post, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By The Palm Beach Post, Palm Beach Post | USA TODAY Network
