Winter Park candidates talk public education

Winter Park City Commission Candidates were asked for their thoughts on how to improve the quality and sustainability of local public schools at the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce candidate forum on Feb. 12. Below are their thoughts:

“The truth of the matter is that our schools are a community responsibility. Three of my children did graduate from the Winter Park High School IB program and it served them very well, but our Winter Park schools have dropped from an A to a B…. We all individually have a responsibility to try and do all we can to elevate our schools. I think that needs to become a conscience. I know we don’t have any authority, but I do think that it impacts the economic sustainability of Winter Park and our quality of life. I do believe it would be a conversation worth having as a city: what can we do above and beyond to help our schools.” – Seat 3 Commissioner Carolyn Cooper

“We have amazing teachers. We have amazing principals. We have amazing programs. They do shine. I live in the Audubon area and I will say I’m excited that [the school system is] doing a new K-eighth school. They have found that that model works better. They are delayed a year but it will be coming in 2018. We don’t have the authority, but it’s nice that [the system is] looking and they are responding to the needs of the community. I applaud them.” – Seat 3 candidate Lambrine Macejewski

“I’ve always said that if you find a great parent teacher association then you have great school. It’s involvement in the community of that school that makes for a great school. We are involved. Our children are involved. Our students are involved. It’s not a Commission thing, it’s a family thing. It’s a personal commitment we all make to be involved in our children’s lives and involved in their school…. Kudos to all of you, because we do have one of the best public school systems in the state and in the nation right here in Winter Park.” – Seat 4 Commissioner Tom McMacken

“The structural reality as we all know is that the Orange County school system does not report to the Winter Park City Commission. We have very little direct influence if we have any direct influence at all. However, the City Commission should be, in my view, supporting parents who say they want the help of the city to encourage the Orange County School Board to make decisions in favor of our children. There was a recent resolution from some residents in the Lake Bell area seeking support of the City Commission with the Orange County School Board asking for their help to help relocate their children’s public school. I think that’s a good example for the city and that’s about the limit of what we can practically do.” – Seat 4 candidate Peter Weldon