Ava Taylor

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Ava Taylor
Image of Ava Taylor
Elections and appointments
Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

High school

Henninger High School

Bachelor's

Clark Atlanta University, 2004

Graduate

Liberty University, 2010

Ph.D

Capella University, 2019

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Navy

Personal
Birthplace
Syracuse, N.Y.
Religion
Christian: Baptist
Profession
Military
Contact

Ava Taylor ran for election to the Brevard Public Schools school board to represent District 4 in Florida. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Taylor completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Ava Taylor was born in Syracuse, New York. She began serving in the U.S. Navy in 2006. She earned a high school diploma from Henninger High School, a bachelor's degree from Clark Atlanta University in 2004, a graduate degree from Liberty University in 2010, and a Ph.D. from Capella University in 2019. Her career experience includes working in the military and the mental health field. Taylor has been affiliated with Take Stock in Children, Top Teens of America, Cocoa Beach Regional Chamber of Commerce, Military Affairs Council, Children's Hunger Project, Central Brevard NAACP, and Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc.[1]

Elections

2024

See also: Brevard Public Schools, Florida, elections (2024)

General election

General election for Brevard Public Schools school board District 4

Incumbent Matt Susin defeated Ava Taylor in the general election for Brevard Public Schools school board District 4 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Matt Susin
Matt Susin (Nonpartisan)
 
59.5
 
42,541
Image of Ava Taylor
Ava Taylor (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
40.5
 
28,972

Total votes: 71,513
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Brevard Public Schools school board District 4

Incumbent Matt Susin and Ava Taylor defeated Keith Schachter and Max Madl in the primary for Brevard Public Schools school board District 4 on August 20, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Matt Susin
Matt Susin (Nonpartisan)
 
48.3
 
12,164
Image of Ava Taylor
Ava Taylor (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
33.2
 
8,343
Image of Keith Schachter
Keith Schachter (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
10.7
 
2,691
Image of Max Madl
Max Madl (Nonpartisan) Candidate Connection
 
7.8
 
1,965

Total votes: 25,163
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Taylor in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Ava Taylor completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Taylor's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

I am Dr. Avanese "Ava" Taylor. I am active duty in the United States Navy, where I have honorably served for nearly 18 years and will retire after 20 years Florida's School Board races are nonpartisan, allowing me to serve both my country and Brevard’s children and families. We need a moderate, nonpartisan representative who will act with transparency, integrity, and excellence. My goal is to ensure all children have access to a safe and supportive educational environment with qualified professionals. I plan to minimize partisan distractions and refocus Brevard Public Schools on critical priorities. Unfortunately, my family has felt firsthand the negative impact of the intense partisan politics of school boards. My son was a victim of hazing on the Viera High School football team. Instead of prioritizing transparency, elected leaders focused on controlling the media narrative, leading to an insufficient response. This made me realize the need for deeper involvement in our educational system. As a dedicated parent, I turned my advocacy into action. My increased involvement revealed broader district issues such as discipline, retaining and supporting teachers, enhancing literacy and math achievement for all students, book banning, and a general lack of respect among board members. Determined to make a difference rather than complain, I decided to run for the Brevard School Board, District 4.
  • Prioritize School Safety- We need a modern approach to school safety that addresses all aspects, including mental health resources, qualified and highly trained resource officers, and comprehensive anti-bullying/hazing programs. Ensuring all students feel safe at school is paramount. I support the presence of armed School Resource Officers on our campuses without arming staff. Enhancing physical security and expanding mental health services creates a safer and more supportive environment. Access to mental health professionals helps address issues before they escalate, while well-trained resource officers add a layer of security. Together, these measures foster a supportive environment that protects and nurtures every student.
  • Encourage Collaboration- Parents and teachers deserve open communication and mutual respect to collaborate and advocate for students' best interests effectively. We can ensure a supportive and enriching learning environment by fostering strong relationships between parents, teachers, and the school administration. Improving relations between the School Board and the community is essential. From my discussions with community members, some perceive our school board as chaotic and ineffective. I aim to restore calm and focus to the board by treating people with dignity and respect, addressing the essential needs of our schools, and fostering a community environment where every voice is heard and valued.
  • Demonstrate Accountable Leadership-I am committed to transparency, responsiveness, and a focus on results. Through my leadership, I seek to build trust, foster collaboration, and create a culture of continuous improvement and success within the District. I prioritize fact-based decision-making and active community engagement to represent needs and concerns accurately. With my skills in conflict resolution, I aim to foster cooperative and productive board operations. By being empathetic and understanding, I can listen and address teachers, parents, and students' specific challenges, allowing for more focused and effective advocacy efforts. I strive to lead with integrity and drive positive change in the school district.
I am passionate about several key areas of public policy. Ensuring high-quality education for all students by improving school safety, supporting teachers, and enhancing literacy and math achievement is essential. Promoting economic development through job creation, supporting local businesses, and investing in workforce development and vocational training programs is vital for economic growth. Additionally, addressing the affordable housing shortage and supporting low-income families is a priority. Strengthening social services to support vulnerable populations, including the homeless, elderly, and low-income families, is critical for community well-being. These areas are essential for fostering a thriving and resilient community.
I worked at Auntie Annie's Pretzels throughout my sophomore to senior years of high school and during college breaks when I returned home.
The primary job of a school board member is to ensure that every student receives a high-quality education in a safe and supportive environment. This involves setting strategic policies that enhance educational standards, promote student achievement, and support teacher effectiveness. School board members must advocate for the needs of students, teachers, and the broader community by making informed decisions on educational policies, budgets, and resource allocation.

Collaboration with parents, teachers, and community stakeholders is essential to create a unified vision for the school district. By fostering open communication and mutual respect, school board members can effectively represent the community's interests and address their concerns. This means actively engaging with the community, attending meetings, and being accessible to constituents.
Promoting economic development through job creation and workforce training programs can provide students with better opportunities and a more stable future. By continuing to promote the Brevard Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, we can equip students with practical skills and training that align with local industry needs, ensuring they are prepared for the workforce and contributing to the community's economic growth.
Accountable leadership is crucial for a school board member. This includes being transparent, responsive, and results-oriented. School board members must build trust by demonstrating integrity, making decisions based on data, and adapting policies in response to new information. They should also be skilled in conflict resolution to ensure cooperative and productive board operations.

Ultimately, the primary job of a school board member is to serve as a dedicated advocate for the educational and overall well-being of all students, ensuring the school district operates effectively and equitably.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 22, 2024