Tim Harris is running for the District 7 seat on the Polk County School Board.

1. Why are you running for this office?

I believe my many years of education and business experience, along with corporate board level policy making experience are a positive asset for the community to have on its school board.

2. Why do you think you are the best qualified candidate for the office?

My years of experience in the classroom as a fully certified teacher, my experience working in the district office, my experience as a small business owner and serving on boards of local businesses, along with my community involvement experience make me uniquely qualified to serve our Polk County community.

3. If you are elected, what will be your top priorities?

I am an advocate for:

  • Fiscal Responsibility
  • Academic Accountability
  • Reduced State Mandates

 I believe we are experiencing a decline of support for public education throughout the nation, state and local communities.  As the newly elected Vice-President of the Florida School Boards Association I will work this year to encourage more local control of education to permit communities to more directly choose what is best for children in their local area.

Adequate financial resources to provide educational services to a growing and more diverse student population will continue to be a need in the foreseeable future.  I will continue to work with and support the superintendent in her efforts to reallocate funds to the most pressing areas.

Parent involvement in their children’s educational activities continues to be needed for children to gain the most benefit from their years in school.  This foundational activity needs to continue throughout their school career, not just in elementary grades.  I will continue to speak out about this need and will encourage parents at every opportunity, as I did during my years as a teacher, to become and stay involved in their child’s education.

Children will rise to the occasion when parent express their belief in the value of education.  It is important that all children have parental support.