District 5 board member Ashley Gilhousen is seeking re-election in this non-partisan race. She faces two challengers, Gerald Beasley and Veronica Powell-Faison. This race will appear on the August primary ballot for all voters in the county. If no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the votes in the primary, the top two vote-getters will advance to the general election in November.
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 |
Gerald Beasley
Occupation: Clay County District Schools, Locksmith
Age: (No response)
Family: (No response)
Education: Associate’s degree
Political experience: Very little.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
1. Safety and security of students. 2. Making sure every student has the opportunity to receive the best education possible. 3. Budget.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I have been employed on the support side of the school district for over 14 years. As a locksmith I am in every building, every office and every classroom. I look, I watch and I listen. During the years of my employment with the school district there has never been anyone on the school board from the support or operations side. It is astounding how much money funnels through this side of the district. I want to know where and how it is really being spent. I see things I don’t agree with.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
My number 1 item is Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs offered by our school district. These programs are absolutely wonderful for the students that are not college minded. If utilized, they will prepare the students for wonderful jobs with certain certifications right out of high school. The problem I am seeing is the students are not being properly motivated to look past high school and are not engaging in these programs during their high school years. I have talked with some past students, and they have said they highly regret not taking advantage of the CTE programs. They wish they could go back and do things differently. My goal will be to make sure all students understand what actually happens after high school making sure they are too late for a great career and life.
Campaign website: (None given)
Campaign social media: Facebook
Ashley Gilhousen
Occupation: Registered Nurse and Director of Programs, Seamark Ranch
Age: 41
Family: Husband, Adam, three sons, Aiden, Brantley, and Caleb.
Education: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of North Florida
Political experience: Elected 2014, 2018, and 2022 Clay County School Board Member District 5
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
I believe the three biggest issues facing our district are financial sustainability, attracting and retaining exceptional employees, and maintaining academic excellence while preparing for continued growth.
Like school districts across Florida, we are facing significant budget constraints driven by inflation and uncertainty in state funding. We must continue making strategic, fiscally responsible decisions that protect classrooms, prioritize student learning, and maximize every taxpayer dollar.
We must also continue investing in our greatest asset—our people. Recruiting and retaining outstanding teachers, support staff, and bus drivers requires competitive compensation, a positive work environment, and reducing unnecessary burdens so employees can focus on serving students.
Finally, as Clay County grows, we must continue improving student achievement while planning responsibly for facilities, transportation, and workforce needs. Our strategic plan provides a strong roadmap, and I will continue using data-driven decision-making, long-range planning, and transparent governance to ensure every student has access to a safe, high-quality education while protecting the financial stability of our district.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I offer a unique combination of experience, professional expertise, and a proven record of results. Over the past decade on the School Board, I’ve helped lead Clay County Schools through periods of growth, financial challenges, and significant academic progress while maintaining a strong focus on fiscal responsibility and student success.
Beyond my board service, my experience as a registered nurse, former classroom teacher, and Director of Programs at Seamark Ranch gives me firsthand insight into the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral needs of children and families. Those perspectives help me evaluate decisions through multiple lenses—not just policy, but their real-world impact on students, parents, and educators.
Voters deserve leaders who understand both governance and education. I bring institutional knowledge, strong community relationships, and a demonstrated ability to make thoughtful, data-driven decisions while remaining accessible and accountable to the families I serve. My commitment is to continue building on the progress we’ve made while ensuring Clay County Schools remains academically strong, financially sound, and responsive to the needs of our community.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
When my service is complete, I hope to be remembered for leaving Clay County Schools stronger than I found it. I want to have helped build a district known for academic excellence, responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, safe schools, and a culture where teachers feel valued and students are prepared to succeed in whatever path they choose.
I also hope to be remembered as a leader who listened well, made thoughtful decisions based on facts rather than politics, and always put students first. I believe school board members are temporary stewards of a public trust, and our responsibility is to make decisions that will benefit future generations—not just solve today’s challenges.
Most importantly, I hope families look back and say their children received an outstanding education in Clay County because our board had the courage to plan ahead, manage resources wisely, and remain focused on what matters most: helping every child reach their God-given potential while respecting parents as their children’s first and most important teachers.
Campaign website: (None given)
Campaign social media: Facebook
Veronica Powell-Faison
Occupation: I honorably served in the United States Navy for 10.5 years and got out in 2012. Since then, I have been a stay-at-home mom.
Age: 42
Family: My family consists of my husband, Carlos, and our 5 amazing children, ranging in age from 28 to 13. I am a full-time caregiver for my mother, and we have 2 beautiful granddaughters.
Education: I hold an Associate’s in Science in General Studies from City University of Seattle
I hold a Bachelor’s in Business Administration Major in Management from Strayer University (Summa Cum Laude)
I am in pursuit of a Master’s in Business Administration from Western Governors University
Political experience: I have no political experience.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
The three top issues in this race that I see are: students safety, teachers pay and retention, and curriculum transparency/accountability. Here is how I plan on addressing these issues, If elected I will approach every issue with an open mind, a willingness to listen, and a commitment to collaboration. My goal is not to represent one group or one viewpoint, but to serve all students, families, teachers, and all taxpayers across Clay County.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I can help voters by being willing to compromise when appropriate, standing firm when necessary, and always keeping the best interests of our community at the center in every decision.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I would hope to be remembered for helping to retain our teachers, for keeping students safe and engaged in a curriculum that benefits their future selves, while remaining as transparent and accountable as possible.
Campaign website: www.v4ccsb.org
Campaign social media: Facebook