Kimberly Fahlgren

Candidate for Nassau County School Board, District 4

AGE:  41

FAMILY: Husband of 21 years, attorney Steven Fahlgren, 3children, ages 12 (Caleb), 10 (Joshua) and 8 (Abigail)

OCCUPATION:  Occupational therapist; business administrator, adjunct faculty at Florida State College of Jacksonville

EDUCATION:  Hilliard Middle Senior High School (1989); Bachelor of health science, University of Florida (1992); Doctor of occupational therapy, University of St. Augustine (2009)

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:  Appointed by Gov. Rick Scott in August 2011; no prior political experience


WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE TOP THREE ISSUES IN THIS RACE?

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  • "We will continue to face the challenge of ensuring transparency and accountability in how we do business as a School District. With such a large budget and taxing authority, the citizens want to ensure they are able to easily access information to keep a watchful eye on their local government. As a Board, we have a responsibility to ensure we are transparent and diligent in our efforts of oversight. We as a Board must insist that our budget is accessible online to parents and taxpayers.
  • "We are going to need to respond to the fact that our world has changed into a global economy and our children are now competing not just within the county, state or even the U.S. but on global scale. As a school system, we are going to have to raise the bar to meet these new challenges. School choice is going to be a continuing issue for our district, state and nation. Providing additional opportunities in virtual education, allows small schools and school districts to give children the freedom and opportunity to have access to classes that they would otherwise not have such as different languages, honors and AP classes.
  • "It is imperative that the Nassau County School Board readily and quickly respond to the changing needs of employers and ensure that our graduates have the skills necessary to meet the needs of our employers. This can be done through the retooling and strengthening of our career and technical education to more closely align with the needs of employers."
  • HOW CAN YOU HELP VOTERS IN A WAY YOUR OPPONENTS IN THIS RACE CANNOT?

    • "I am the only candidate that is not beholden to any special interest groups, so I can make an independent decision and be open minded to solutions to the education dilemma. I believe in student centered education, school choice, transparency in government, and emphasizing our Science, Technology, Engineering and Math programs and career and technical programs to help grow our economy. The only special interest group I represent is the children, working families and taxpayers of Nassau County.
      "I have the most recent and varied educational experience of all the candidates and have three school aged children. As a Board Member vetted and appointed by Governor Scott after Jim Adams stepped down last year, I have asked some hard questions. I would not win a popularity contest among those who do not think that we can make a good system better, but I have a passion for educating children. It is borne out by recent experience that starts with my three young children, extends to those who I have taught in 4-H, to those whom I have taught at FCSJ, and to many of those young people who I have mentored and who are now attending college. I am not seeking a retirement plan or to protect the status quo."


    WHAT WOULD YOU HOPE TO BE REMEMBERED FOR ACCOMPLISHING AFTER SERVING IN THIS OFFICE?

    "I would hope to be remembered as someone who was a transformative leader."

    CAMPAIGN WEBSITE:  VoteKim2012.com