Meet Orange County School Board Chair Candidate Alicia Farrant

BIO
Age: 45
City/town of residence: Orlando/Orange County
Family: 5 children (all of whom have grown up in Orange County Public Schools) & married for 25 years to my childhood best friend
Education: Registered Nurse
Qualifications:
• Current School Board Member for District 3
• Mother of 5 children - Being a mother of school aged and OCPS graduated children, I am able to connect with parents at all levels.
• Servant Leader
• Serving people in need throughout Central America since I was a child & raising my family to do the same.
• VP of our family's nonprofit where we rescue men, women and children out of hopelessness. Check out www.farrantadventures.com to see more.
• Fluent in Spanish - I have lived in Guatemala, El Salvador and Spain, giving me a unique perspective of cultures and languages.

What makes you the best candidate for School Board chair?
As a mother of five children, I have championed a return to phonics-based literacy instruction, prioritized the implementation of high safety standards, and demonstrated courageous leadership throughout my service as a School Board member. My proven track record of effective leadership is exactly what our families and schools need to restore trust, raise academic achievement, and provide the highest quality education for every student in Orange County.

What are the key differences between you and your opponent?
I can't speak for my opponent, but what sets me apart is my record and my heart for serving our community.

I am a mother of five children and a passionate mama bear who has been willing to sacrifice my time as both a mother and the leader of a thriving nonprofit to stand up for the children, families, and teachers of Orange County Public Schools.

Throughout my time on the School Board, I have stood courageously when I believed the innocence and well-being of our children were at risk. I have been a bold leader who has consistently advocated for policies that strengthen our schools and protect students. Time and again, I have shown that I am willing to stand up, speak out, and put myself on the line to do what I believe is right.

I believe our community deserves principled, courageous leadership that puts students first. I will continue working to restore trust, raise academic standards, and ensure every child has access to a safe, high-quality education.

What are some changes you’d like to see made during your time as School Board chair?
During my time as School Board Chair, I would like to see OCPS return its focus to common-sense, high-quality education that prepares every student for success.

I want to continue strengthening literacy by expanding evidence-based, phonics-based instruction and ensuring our teachers have the training and tools they need to succeed. Since I joined the School Board, we have seen reading proficiency improve from fewer than 50% of students reading on grade level to now more than 50%. While that progress is encouraging, there is still significant work to do, and literacy must remain our top academic priority.

I would like to see a resurgence of career and technical education. Not every student follows the same path after graduation, and we should provide meaningful opportunities in fields such as construction trades, auto mechanics, HVAC, welding, manufacturing, hospitality, and other high-demand careers. These programs prepare students for well-paying jobs while helping meet the workforce needs of our community.

I also want OCPS to cultivate a culture that values families. Strong families are the foundation of strong communities, and our district should support policies that encourage a healthy work-life balance for teachers, staff, and administrators while fostering meaningful partnerships with parents. As a mother of five, I understand firsthand the importance of keeping families at the center of the decisions we make for our schools.

What are the three most pressing issues facing Orange County Public Schools?
• Tackling the Literacy Crisis – Reading proficiency is the foundation for every student's success. We must continue investing in evidence-based instruction, supporting our teachers, and ensuring every child has the opportunity to become a confident reader.

• Restoring Trust in Our Public Schools – Parents, teachers, and the community deserve transparency, accountability, and a true partnership with their schools. Rebuilding trust is essential to strengthening enrollment and ensuring families feel confident choosing OCPS.

• Safety and Security – Every student and employee deserves to learn and work in a safe environment. This includes maintaining secure campuses, supporting student well-being, and fostering orderly classrooms where teachers can teach and students can focus on learning.

Discuss the current state of the relationship between OCPS and the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association.
The relationship between OCPS and the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association is currently strained, as contract negotiations have reached an impasse. While disagreements are a normal part of the bargaining process, I would like to see a greater emphasis on collaborative, good-faith negotiations, where both parties come to the table willing to listen, work together, and find common ground rather than allowing distrust to grow. Strong relationships are built on mutual respect, transparency, and a shared commitment to serving students. As School Board Chair, I would encourage a culture of collaboration that values our teachers while also being a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars.

Where could OCPS cut costs that would allow the district to allocate more funds to teachers, district health insurance and school-level expenses?
OCPS has already reduced spending by approximately 5% over the past two years, but I believe there are still opportunities to improve efficiency. Rather than making across-the-board cuts, I would work closely with the Superintendent and her leadership team to review each division individually, identifying areas where we can reduce costs without impacting classroom instruction. I believe in being a good steward of taxpayer dollars. Just as families prioritize essential needs when budgets are tight, the district should continually evaluate every expense to ensure resources are being directed where they have the greatest impact. My priority is to keep the focus on student achievement, supporting our teachers through competitive pay and strong benefits, and ensuring schools have the resources they need to succeed.

What criteria should be used to determine what books should be available to students in public school libraries? 
I have urged the Board since day one to set a standard for what material we will allow in our school libraries. We should have a rubric with set standards for age-appropriate materials at each level: elementary, middle, and high school. The bottom line for me, sexually explicit material should never be accessible to minor children in our public schools. We should be providing wholesome, age-appropriate books for our students to read. Books that inspire, bring hope, and teach wholesome lessons. 

What are the root causes of declining student enrollment, and what are the solutions to those issues?
While there are several factors contributing to declining enrollment, I believe one of the primary reasons many families have chosen other options is that our public schools have drifted away from their core mission of providing a wholesome, common-sense, foundational education. Parents want schools that prioritize strong academics, safe learning environments, and a partnership with families.

As a current School Board member, I have listened to parents and consistently championed a return to foundational education. We only get one opportunity to educate our children, and many families have decided they cannot wait for the district to get back on track.

The solution is to restore confidence in our schools by focusing on academic excellence, supporting our teachers, partnering with parents, and creating learning environments where every student can thrive. When families trust the quality of the education we provide, they will choose OCPS.

Discuss your position on OCPS’ ongoing contract with Caissa Public Strategy LLC. Is this partnership working? Why or why not?
I was apprehensive since day one and have not been impressed by the partnership. The data Caissa has provided the district has only confirmed information we already knew: parents are leaving to attend charter schools, private schools, and home school. But zero data has been provided on reasons why. Besides the data, the amount of money the district is paying to Caissa, which was several million this past year, does not sit right with me. 

Following your term or terms as School Board chair, what are three key ways the board will be different?
• Students are thriving because we have returned our focus to academic excellence, strong literacy, career readiness, and safe, distraction-free classrooms.

• Teachers feel appreciated and supported with the resources, professional development, and respect they need to succeed, allowing them to focus on teaching rather than unnecessary bureaucracy.

• Families choose OCPS with confidence because they trust our schools, know their voices are valued, and see a district committed to transparency, parental partnership, and delivering an outstanding education for every student.