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Jessica Wright (Florida)
2024 - Present
2028
0
Jessica Wright is a member of the Pasco County Schools school board in Florida, representing District 4. She assumed office on November 19, 2024. Her current term ends on November 21, 2028.
Wright won election to the Pasco County Schools school board to represent District 4 in Florida outright in the primary on August 20, 2024, after the general election was canceled.
Wright completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Jessica Wright was born in Dunedin, Florida. She earned a high school diploma from Gulf High School, a bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida in 2012, and a graduate degree from St. Leo University in 2021. Her career experience includes working as an educator.[1]
Elections
2024
See also: Pasco County Schools, Florida, elections (2024)
Nonpartisan primary election
Nonpartisan primary for Pasco County Schools school board District 4
Jessica Wright won election outright against incumbent Alison Crumbley in the primary for Pasco County Schools school board District 4 on August 20, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Jessica Wright (Nonpartisan)  | 51.0 | 29,867 |
| Alison Crumbley (Nonpartisan) | 49.0 | 28,672 | ||
| Total votes: 58,539 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Shawn Hayston (Nonpartisan)
Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Wright in this election.
Campaign themes
2024
Video for Ballotpedia
| Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released June 25, 2024 |
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jessica Wright completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Wright's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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My husband and I grew up in Pasco and now we are raising the kiddos here! I graduated from Gulf High School, earned my undergrad at the University of Central Florida and my master's in educational leadership at St. Leo University.
I started volunteering in our community when I attended Chasco Middle School and we would read to the neighboring students at CHES. Years later, I found myself teaching in some of the same schools where I was a student in West Pasco.
From teaching a diverse range of courses to coordinating fundraising initiatives, coaching all ages, and facilitating professional development – I aim to exceed expectations for our students because that is what our families deserve. I've demonstrated leadership in various capacities, including being certified in educational leadership and serving as a new teacher mentor.
I’ve learned so much as an educator, but being a mom has been a game changer and will frame my perspective as a school board member. As a staunch advocate for equal access to education I will make all decisions with student access and teacher support at the forefront.- There is a shortage in every position of education and educators are leaving at record rates. Recognizing that staff are the heartbeat of our schools, Wright is committed to attracting and retaining the best people by advocating for reduced class sizes, competitive salaries, increased planning time, reduced workloads, and by creating a supportive environment. With record high staff shortages, it’s difficult for families to get the support they need. We need to refocus how we address all behavioral concerns and reduced class sizes are one of the biggest factors in properly addressing behavioral issues. With reduced student to staff ratios we can ensure that teachers are able to give each student the attention they need.
- Parental involvement and literacy are the number one indicators of lifelong success. Today’s learners are tomorrow’s earners. Jessica is dedicated to increasing reading and math literacy rates across our county. It’s great that our graduation rate has increased, but it does not mean much if our kids cannot adequately read. Together we can prepare our children to be successful after graduation and in life. Did you know that some of our students are assessed on alternate state standards? It's essential to ensure that they have the support and proper equipment they need to learn the skills to become independent adults and lifelong learners.
- Getting our kids to and from school safely and efficiently is a top priority for Jessica. Improved transportation means less time on the bus and more time in the classroom. Our kids can no longer miss hours of school each day or come home late due to late buses! Our kids with disabilities are suffering the most every time their bus is canceled due to not having an available aid. Let's ensure that our children have a smooth ride to their dreams!
Integrity: Being honest and transparent builds trust with constituents. Integrity also means making decisions based on ethical considerations rather than personal gain.
Accountability: Officials should be willing to answer for their actions and decisions. This involves being open to scrutiny and accepting responsibility for both successes and failures.
Empathy: Understanding and considering the wide ranging experiences and needs of the community is key. Empathy helps in crafting policies that are fair and beneficial to all.
Competence: A solid grasp of relevant issues, policies, and governance processes is essential. Competence also means having the skills to analyze information and make informed decisions.
Communication Skills: Being able to clearly and effectively communicate with constituents, colleagues, and the media is crucial for building support and understanding.
Vision: A forward-looking perspective helps in setting long-term goals and creating strategies for future growth and development.
Fairness: Ensuring that policies and actions are just and equitable is important for maintaining public trust and fostering social harmony.
Work Ethic: Dedication and diligence in fulfilling responsibilities and staying engaged with the needs of the community are fundamental.
Collaboration: Working effectively with others, including colleagues from different parties and community stakeholders, is important for achieving legislative goals and addressing complex issues.
Policy Oversight: Develop and review policies to ensure they meet educational standards and serve the best interests of students and the community.
Budget Approval**: Review and approve the school district’s budget, ensuring financial resources are allocated effectively to support educational programs and facilities.
Superintendent Evaluation: Provide support to the superintendent, who manages the day-to-day operations of the school district.
Community Engagement: Act as a liaison between the community and the school district, addressing concerns, gathering input, and keeping the public informed about school matters.
Educational Excellence: Promote and support high standards for curriculum, teaching, and student performance, and work to improve educational outcomes.
Strategic Planning: Contribute to long-term planning and goal setting to advance the district’s vision and address emerging educational needs.
Advocacy: Advocate for the needs and interests of students and schools at local, state, and federal levels.
Compliance and Accountability: Ensure the district complies with laws and regulations, and hold the district accountable for meeting educational standards and performance goals.
Financial Transparency:
Open Budgeting: The county should provide clear, accessible budgets and financial reports online, allowing residents to see how funds are allocated and spent.
Regular Reporting: Frequent financial reports and audits should be available to the public, ensuring that the county’s financial management practices are transparent and accountable.
Public Involvement: Residents should have opportunities to participate in budget discussions and provide feedback, ensuring the budgeting process reflects community priorities.
Accountability Mechanisms: There should be systems for reporting and investigating financial irregularities, helping to address any issues of mismanagement or discrepancies.
Government Accountability:
Performance Metrics: Clear metrics and performance indicators should be used to evaluate the effectiveness of county programs and services, ensuring that public funds are used efficiently.
Ethical Standards: Elected officials and government employees should adhere to high ethical standards, avoiding conflicts of interest and maintaining integrity in their roles.
Independent Oversight: Independent auditors or ethics commissions should review government activities to ensure they are conducted properly and transparently.
Public Accountability: Officials should be responsive to public concerns through regular town halls or community meetings, allowing residents to hold them accountable.
Access to Information: Public records and decisions should be easily accessible, enabling residents to obtain information about government actions and spending without unnecessary barriers.
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
2024 Elections
External links
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Candidate Pasco County Schools school board District 4 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on July 31, 2024
