We have an A-rated school district with outstanding arts and music programs and leading-edge technology in all of our schools, thanks to careful budgeting and exciting community partnerships. I want to continue to build on this; it’s a ‘win-win-win’ for our students, taxpayers and community.

I ran for the school board in 2006 to bring stability and leadership to the school board.  We had six superintendents in as many years and staff morale and public confidence were down.  

During my tenure, the School Board has:

- Appointed and retained Schools Superintendent Lori White, a former graduate, teacher and administrator for Sarasota schools, who has earned numerous accolades from board members and the public for her leadership.

- Saved more than $100 million by using bonds to take advantage of low interest and dropping construction costs.

- Expanded Sarasota County Technical Institute with new programs at its existing Beneva Rd and expects to have a new south county campus In North Port completed by 2016-17.

- Kept painful budget cuts away from the classroom while preserving art and music programs.

As a former legislator, I fully understands the complicated state funding formula for our schools and can spot the shell games sometimes played. I know that outside forces are pulling legislative strings in Tallahassee to divert funds from public schools. As a member of the Florida School Boards Assn. I have frequently pushed for more local control for school districts and I received Master Board certification in 2007. 

 My children, and now my grandchildren, attend Sarasota County public schools. I want to know they are getting an “A” rated education. We need to prepare our students for college or the work force opportunities that will await them when they graduate.

Awards Include: Who’s Who of Women in Politics; Girl's Inc. - She Knows Where She’s Going; National Council of Jewish Women - Women in Power; Florida Arts PAC- Cultural Advocacy Award; Florida Women’s Political Caucus - Outstanding First Term Legislator; Florida Chamber of Commerce Biz Award; Legislator of the Year – Sarasota Classified/Teachers Association; Florida Network on Youth and Family Services; and others.

Positions held and Community Involvement: Florida School Boards Assn.; Florida Consortium of School Boards; Sarasota County School Board chair 2009-2010; State Coordinating Council for Early Childhood Services; State Task Force on Juvenile Sex Offenders and their Victims; Sarasota Chamber’s Leadership Sarasota, Class of 1998; Sarasota Newcomers Club – Founding President.

Shirley Brown is a candidate for Sarasota County School Board District 4