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. The District 6 incumbent, Charlotte Joyce, is term-limited, so this is an open seat this election. There are five candidates in the race. 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: Five candidates are running for Duval County School Board District 6 seat
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 |
Lindsey Denmark
Campaign website: lindseydenmark.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
This candidate has not responded to email and telephone invitations to complete the News4JAX candidate questionnaire. If responses are received, they will be promptly posted in this space.
You can see her full interview with News4JAX reporter Ariel Schiller below.
Clarence H. James
Occupation: Active Duty School Police Sergeant
Age: 54
Family: Wife, 2 kids in public schools, 3 adult children.
Education: Robert E Lee High School, Bachelor’s Degree from Columbia Southern.
Political experience: None.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
School Safety, Budget, Literacy Rates
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
There has never been a law enforcement perspective from the school board. I have been in the classroom longer than anyone else running.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
For fully funding the police department, improving literacy rates, and balancing our budget.
Campaign website: www.electclarencejames.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
You can see his full interview with News4JAX reporter Ariel Schiller below.
Michelle Petty
Occupation: Florida Registered Paralegal
Age: 45
Family: Husband, Eric Petty
Daughter, Haley Petty
Daughter, Mackenzie Petty
Education: Associate in Science - Internet Services Technology Webmaster/Web Development
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration - Marketing
Political experience: I have no previous political experience but do pay attention to politics, locally, statewide and nationally.
What do you see as the top three issues in this race, and how do you plan to address them?
My top priorities are improving academic achievement, increasing transparency and family engagement, and recruiting and retaining high-quality teachers. I will focus on data-driven decisions, open communication with families, supporting educators, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are directed where they have the greatest impact, which is our classrooms and our students.
How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot?
I offer a unique combination of firsthand experience, proven advocacy, and district involvement. I’m not just a parent, I have served on my school’s School Advisory Council for 11 years, including 9 years as Chair. I’ve served on the Academic and Community Excellence Committee, participated in the Master Facility Plan Focus Groups, and led the Save Baldwin Initiative to keep our new school in our community. As a Florida Registered Paralegal, I’m also prepared to analyze policies, budgets, and contracts with attention to detail. Unlike a campaign built on political endorsements or large fundraising, mine has been a grassroots effort built by listening to families, knocking on doors, and earning support one conversation at a time.
What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?
I hope to be remembered as a leader who always put students first. Someone who listened to parents, supported teachers, made thoughtful, transparent decisions, and never lost sight of why I ran in the first place. I want to leave our district stronger, with higher academic achievement, safer schools, more engaged families, and a culture of trust and accountability. If, years from now, parents feel heard, teachers feel supported, and students have greater opportunities because of the decisions I helped make, then I’ll consider my service a success.
Campaign website: petty4schoolboard.com
Campaign social media: Facebook | Instagram
You can see her full interview with News4JAX reporter Ariel Schiller below.
Robert Stafford
Campaign website: vote4robertstaffordd6.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
This candidate has not responded to email and telephone invitations to complete the News4JAX candidate questionnaire. If responses are received, they will be promptly posted in this space.
You can see his full interview with News4JAX reporter Ariel Schiller below.
Tammyette L. Thomas
Campaign website: www.drtammyettethomas.com
Campaign social media: Facebook
This candidate has not responded to email and telephone invitations to complete the News4JAX candidate questionnaire. If responses are received, they will be promptly posted in this space.
You can see her full interview with News4JAX reporter Ariel Schiller below.