Three candidates are seeking this office. The incumbent, Kelly Barrera, is not seeking re-election. This is a non-partisan election, and the race will appear on the primary ballot for all voters in District 4. If no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote in the August primary, the top two vote-getters will advance to the November general election.
News4JAX sent a questionnaire to each candidate asking about their background and their views on several issues. Scroll down to read the responses of those seeking your vote in their own words.
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Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4JAX staff.
| NON-PARTISAN CANDIDATES |
Leif M. Jonassen III
Occupation: Real Estate
Age: 63
Family: 3 Children and Engaged partner 3 children (Brady Bunch)
Education: San Diego St. University
Political experience: Limited formal political experience. Served as High School Booster Club President, where I’ve led parent volunteers, managed budgets, and advocated for students and schools programs.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Parents Rights: Restore transparency and opt-out rights. Notify parents on curriculum and protect their authority in education and health decisions. Fiscal Responsibility: Cut waste through audits, transparent budgets, and prioritizing classroom spending over administration. Academic Fundamentals & Vocational Training: Emphasize phonics, math, and core skills. Expand CTE and apprenticeships for workforce readiness.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
Unlike career politicians or insiders who defend the status quo, I bring an independent, parent-first voice with no ties to special interests. Voters get a fighter who listens directly to families, follows through with measurable results, and puts children and taxpayers ahead of the system.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
Making curriculum transparent, protecting patently authority, eliminating waste to redirect money into classrooms, raising reading and math proficiency, and building strong career & technical educations pathways so every graduate has real options. (College, Trades or Apprenticeships)
Campaign website: leif4schoolboarddistrict4.com
Campaign social media: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok
Tammie McClafferty
Occupation: CEO Lifework Leadership First Coast
Age: 53
Family: Husband of 31 years...Sean McClafferty
Daughter and Son-in-Law...Baylie and Camden Kuhn
Son...Creed McClafferty 23
Son...Canon McClafferty 20
Education: Ed.D Organizational Leadership in Education (Grand Canyon University)
MAR Masters in the Art of Religious Studies (Liberty University)
MAT Masters in the Art of Teaching (Marygrove College)
BA Elementary Education (Cedarville University)
Political experience: While I have assisted and volunteered on several campaigns for local civic leaders, this is my first time seeking elected office. My background is not in politics—it is in education, leadership, and community service.
Throughout my career, I have served as a teacher, principal, professor, university director, and school operator, while also remaining actively involved in our local schools and community organizations. I am running because I believe my experience in education and my commitment to St. Johns County can help ensure our students, teachers, and families continue to thrive.
I view this opportunity not as a political endeavor, but as a chance to serve our community and strengthen our schools.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
1. Fiscal Accountability and Budget Transparency
As a steward of taxpayer dollars, I believe we must ensure every dollar is being used effectively to support student success. I will advocate for an independent forensic review of the district’s finances to identify opportunities for greater efficiency, transparency, and accountability. Our community deserves confidence that resources are being directed where they have the greatest impact—our classrooms, students, and teachers.
2. Stronger Advocacy in Tallahassee
St. Johns County is proud to be home to one of the highest-performing school districts in Florida. As our community continues to grow, we need a stronger voice at the state level to ensure our students, families, and educators are represented. I will work with state leaders to advocate for policies and funding that support our district’s unique needs while protecting the local control that has contributed to our success.
3. Teacher Retention and Staff Development
Exceptional schools are built by exceptional educators. To maintain the academic excellence our community expects, we must invest in recruiting, retaining, and developing high-quality teachers and staff. I will support meaningful professional development, provide educators with the tools and resources they need to navigate new requirements, and work to create an environment where teachers feel valued, supported, and empowered to help every student succeed.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
What sets me apart is the combination of experience, values, and community involvement that I will bring to the School Board on day one.
First, I have a depth of educational experience that is unmatched. Throughout my career, I have served as a teacher, principal, professor, university director, and owner/operator of four schools. This gives me a unique understanding of education from the classroom to administration, allowing me to make informed decisions that support both students and educators. I am the MOST QUALIFIED.
Second, I bring a strong foundation of faith, character, and conservative values. My Master’s Degree is in Biblical Studies, I have been actively involved in the local faith community for many years, and my husband serves as a local pastor. These experiences have shaped my commitment to integrity, accountability, servant leadership, and putting students first. I am the MOST CONSERVATIVE.
Finally, I am deeply rooted in St. Johns County. My family has lived in Ponte Vedra Beach and Nocatee for 18 years, and we have raised our children in St. Johns County schools. I have served on the Valley Ridge Academy Principal Advisory Council, as President of the Nease Athletic Boosters, and in numerous community organizations. I understand our schools not only as an educator, but also as a parent, volunteer, and taxpayer. I am DEEPLY ROOTED.
Voters deserve a School Board member who understands education, shares their values, and has a proven record of investing in this community. I believe my experience and long-standing commitment to St. Johns County uniquely position me to serve our students, families, and educators effectively.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
When my service on the School Board is complete, I hope to be remembered for leading with integrity, courage, and transparency. I want parents, students, educators, and taxpayers to know that I listened, communicated openly, and always made decisions based on what was best for students.
I hope to be remembered as a strong advocate for parents and students, ensuring their voices were heard and respected in the decision-making process. I also want to be known for protecting and strengthening the academic excellence that has made St. Johns County one of the highest-performing school districts in Florida.
Most importantly, I hope my contributions helped prepare students not only for academic success, but for life. Education should equip young people with knowledge, critical thinking skills, strong character, and a commitment to responsible citizenship. If I leave our schools stronger, our families more engaged, and our students better prepared to thrive beyond the classroom, I will consider my service a success.
INTEGRITY. BOLDNESS. TRANSPARENCY.
ADVOCATING FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS
MAINTAINING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
BUILDING LIFELONG LEARNERS WITH CHARACTERISTICS THAT TRANSLATE BEYONG THE CLASSROOM.
Campaign website: www.tammiemcclafferty.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
Jillian Tozer
Occupation: Small Business Owner
Age: 40
Family: I live in Nocatee with my husband, Brendan, and our two daughters, Lilly and Maddy, who are entering the third and fifth grades here at Valley Ridge Academy.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning from Temple University; Associate’s Degree in Culinary Arts from The Culinary Institute of America.
Political experience: I am a first-time candidate. I am stepping up as a parent, a local business owner, and a community planner to serve our students, rather than a career politician looking to build a resume.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
1. Smart Growth & Rezoning: Our district is grappling with explosive population growth and chaotic rezoning. I will leverage my professional background in Community and Regional Planning to implement data-driven infrastructure modeling. We need proactive solutions to ease school overcrowding, rather than wasting taxpayer dollars building $67 million new facilities while neighboring schools sit under capacity due to poor planning.
2. Retaining Elite Educators: We recently lost over 60 highly qualified teachers due to stagnant wages and the rising cost of living in St. Johns County. To maintain our #1 state ranking, I will fight for competitive, living wages to keep top-tier talent in our classrooms, and I will trust teachers’ professional judgment rather than allowing culture wars to undermine their expertise.
3. Fiscal Responsibility & Accountability: I will rigorously audit district operations to maximize the efficiency of our billion dollar budget. Additionally, I will demand that any private institution receiving public taxpayer voucher dollars meets the exact same rigorous accreditation and quality standards as our traditional public schools. Public money requires a public quality guarantee.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I am the only candidate in this race who actually owns a home in District 4, meaning I pay the property taxes that fund our district. I am also the only candidate with children currently enrolled in our public schools. While my opponents are renting their way through this election, I have permanent roots and actual skin in the game. Furthermore, to prove that my focus is strictly on our students and not personal political gain, I have formally pledged to donate 50% of my School Board salary directly back to the local PTOs within District 4.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I hope to be remembered as a pragmatic problem-solver who successfully managed Nocatee and Ponte Vedra’s rapid growth without diluting the educational excellence of our community. Most importantly, I want to be remembered as the board member who kept national politics out of the classroom and ensured that St. Johns County remained the #1 school district in the state by putting our students and teachers first.
Campaign website: jilliantozer.com
Campaign social media: Facebook