Three of the seven seats on the Duval County School Board are up for election this year. These are nonpartisan races that will appear on the August primary ballot. In District 2, incumbent April Carney is not seeking re-election. Three candidates - Donovan Bradley, Terence Lavele Myers, and Donna Mae Westrich - are running in this race, which will appear on the ballot for all voters in this district, regardless of party affiliation. 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.
READ MORE: Meet the three candidates vying for Duval County School Board District 2 seat
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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.
Note: Responses are sorted alphabetically and are presented exactly as submitted, with no editing by News4JAX staff.
| NON-PARTISAN CANDIDATES |
Donovan Bradley
Occupation: Policy Analyst.
Age: 26
Family: I am the oldest of my two siblings and come from a family of public servants. My mother has been a teacher in Duval County for more than 30 years, and I am happily married to my wonderful wife, Noelle Bradley.
Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science, University of North Florida.
Political experience: I have never run for political office before, and I have no interest in being a “career politician.” As a proud Jacksonville native and graduate of Duval County Public Schools, I want to give back to the school district that helped shape my future. I also want to ensure today’s students have even more opportunities than I did. One area where we can do better is expanding awareness of skilled trades, apprenticeships, and career and technical education programs. Not every student will choose a four-year college, and that’s okay. By strengthening classroom-to-career pipelines through partnerships with local businesses and industry, we can better prepare students for high-paying, in-demand careers while meeting the workforce needs of our community.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
I believe the three most pressing challenges are student achievement, teacher retention, and school safety.
To improve student achievement, we must ensure students are not only prepared to pass assessments, but are retaining and applying what they learn. This includes strengthening core instruction in reading, math, and science, expanding access to career and technical education pathways through public-private partnerships, and reducing overreliance on standardized, computer-based testing to better support deeper learning and real-world application.
To improve teacher retention, Duval County must remain competitive in compensation and benefits, reduce unnecessary administrative burdens, and ensure teachers have the support and respect needed to be successful in the classroom. This includes streamlining lesson planning requirements, reducing duplicative reporting, and increasing instructional autonomy so educators can focus on teaching.
Maintaining a safe learning environment is essential to the success of our students and teachers. We must continue investing in school police officers, strengthen campus security measures, and regularly update emergency response plans and training so our schools are prepared to respond to potential threats and parents can have confidence that their children are safe.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I believe I bring a unique combination of experiences that no other candidate in this race can offer. As the son of a longtime Duval County teacher and a graduate of Duval County Public Schools, I understand our classrooms firsthand. Growing up, I spent time volunteering in my mother’s classroom, which gave me an early appreciation for the dedication of our teachers and the challenges they face every day.
I also bring a unique background in policy work as the only candidate with legislative experience. Professionally, I served as a Legislative Aide in the Florida Legislature and as a Policy Analyst for local nonprofits, where I worked on policy research, budgeting issues, and drafting legislation that later became law. Additionally, my experience recruiting students for jobs and internships has given me firsthand insight into workforce readiness and the importance of creating stronger classroom-to-career pathways.
These experiences have prepared me to make informed decisions on educational policy, budgeting, and ensuring every student has the tools, opportunities, and support needed to succeed after graduation — whether that path leads to college or directly into the workforce.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I believe leadership is about serving others, solving problems, and leaving things better than you found them. If I have the privilege of serving on the Duval County School Board, I hope to be remembered as someone who always put students first and worked to make a meaningful difference in their lives. I want to help create a school system where every child has the opportunity to succeed, where teachers feel supported and valued, and where families have confidence in the education their children are receiving. Most importantly, I want my children to grow up in Jacksonville with access to a high-quality education and a school system that prepares them to thrive. If, at the end of my service, I can look back and know that I helped improve opportunities for the next generation of students, that would be the greatest accomplishment I could hope for.`
Campaign website: DonovanBradley.com
Campaign social media: Facebook | X | Instagram
Terence Myers
Occupation: Dean of Students, Kernan Middle School
Age: 47
Family: Married, 2 children
Education: Associate Degree Business Administration
Bachelor of Criminal Justice
Masters of Education
Political experience: None
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
Declining Enrollment: Enrollment impacts funding, staffing, and educational opportunities. We must make our schools the first choice for families by strengthening academic programs, supporting teachers, and communicating the value of our schools while listening to the needs of parents and the community.
Student Support: Every student deserves the resources to succeed. I support expanding academic interventions, mental health resources, and other support services while ensuring teachers have the tools they need to help every student reach their potential.
Student Discipline: Safe, orderly classrooms are essential for learning. I support fair, consistent discipline policies that hold students accountable, support positive behavior, and give teachers the authority and resources to maintain productive learning environments.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
What sets me apart is the breadth of my experience serving students and families. I have worked as a teacher, truancy officer, staff member, and dean, giving me firsthand knowledge of the challenges our schools face from multiple perspectives. As a retired Army Reservist, I also bring a strong commitment to service, leadership, accountability, and teamwork.
These experiences allow me to make informed decisions, work collaboratively to solve problems, and keep the focus where it belongs, on student success. I will be an accessible, transparent, and accountable school board member who listens to the community and works to strengthen our schools for every student.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I hope to be remembered as a school board member who put students first, listened to the community, and made thoughtful decisions that strengthened our school system. I want to leave our schools stronger than I found them by helping improve student achievement, increasing enrollment, supporting teachers and staff, promoting safe and disciplined learning environments, and rebuilding trust between the school district and our community. If my service results in better opportunities for students and a stronger foundation for future generations, I will consider that a success.
Campaign website: www.terencemyers.com
Campaign social media: Facebook | Instagram
Donna Westrich
Occupation: Marine Science Teacher at Fletcher High School, most recently. Previously, I taught at Seaside Community Charter School. Prior to that, I was a middle school science teacher in Logan, Utah. I also taught science at Sandia Preparatory School, a private 6th through 12th grade school in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Age: 53
Family: I have a husband who is a professor at UNF and two children who attend public school in District 2.
Education:
-Graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science Degree and an Environmental Science Certificate.
-Graduated from Fort Lewis College Education Fellowship Program in 2000 with an Education Degree.
-Attended Graduate-level education classes through Adam’s State College in Alamosa, Colorado.
-Attended Graduate-level education classes at UNF during the summer of 2019.
Political experience:
I do not have any political experience. However, I have experience volunteering in my community as a teacher-sponsor of Beaches Go Green, as a running coach at Seaside Community School, as a children’s swim instructor at the YMCA, as a CPR instructor and as an instructor trainer at the Red Cross in Durango, Colorado, and as a volunteer paramedic and firefighter at Hermosa Cliff Fire Department in Durango, Colorado.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
The three most pressing issues facing Duval County Public Schools are closely connected: budget shortfalls, declining enrollment, and the loss of experienced teachers. As schools lose funding and educators, more families choose alternatives to their neighborhood public schools. Declining enrollment then leads to additional funding losses, teacher reassignments, and, in some cases, school closures or consolidations. At the center of these challenges is inadequate and inconsistent funding.
Florida invests approximately $9,000 to $11,500 per public school student, ranking among the lowest states in per-pupil funding. At the same time, the state has expanded school choice programs without ensuring that public schools are adequately funded or that taxpayer dollars are fully accounted for. Recent state audits have identified approximately $270 million in scholarship funds that could not be properly tracked, raising serious concerns about financial oversight. Additionally, the state extended vouchers to many students who had never attended public schools, increasing costs without providing additional funding to offset the impact on public school districts.
As a School Board member, I will advocate for greater fiscal accountability and transparency. Every student should be accurately counted, every taxpayer dollar should be traceable, and every funding decision should prioritize the success of all students while protecting the long-term stability of Duval County Public Schools.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
With more than 20 years of teaching experience, I understand firsthand how decisions made at the district level affect teachers, students, schools, and our community. As the parent of two children attending Duval County Public Schools, I also understand the choices families face and the importance of maintaining strong, high-quality neighborhood public schools.
My commitment to education has always been rooted in the belief that every child deserves access to safe, equitable, and academically excellent schools. Throughout my career, I have worked to create opportunities for student success, and I am ready to bring that same dedication to the Duval County School Board.
As the District 2 representative, I will advocate for policies that put students first, support and retain outstanding teachers and staff, and work collaboratively with my fellow School Board members to ensure responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars through a transparent and fiscally sound budget. My experience, commitment, and passion for public education will guide every decision I make on behalf of the families of District 2 and Duval County.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
As part of my campaign, I have committed to holding monthly meetings that are open to the public because I want our community to know that I am accessible, engaged, and accountable. I encourage residents to bring not only their concerns, but also their ideas and possible solutions. The best decisions are made when we work together.
When my time in office is over, I hope to be remembered as someone who truly represented the community, listened to every voice with respect, communicated openly and transparently, and made thoughtful, well-informed decisions that always put students’ success, safety, and well-being first.
Campaign website: donnawestrich.com