NEWS

Wood's School Board campaign begins

Amanda Claire Curcio
Democrat staff writer

Rosanne Wood's run for School Board kicked off with a bang Wednesday evening.

Hundreds gathered at the Fifth Avenue Taproom to show support for the retired SAIL High School principal with 36 years of experience in Leon County Schools. Wood filed for the District 2 seat – occupied by Dee Crumpler, who does not plan to run again – last month; the primary election will be held next August.

Over the twangy pickin' and strummin' of SAIL alumni's six-piece bluegrass band, the buzz of conversation – jump-started by Wood's supporters' confidence in her leadership experience – began to run away as what had started as a campaign event swelled into a party.

"Rosanne is action-oriented, but she still listens. She sees the big picture," said retired Cobb Middle School principal Lynda Roser, who knew Wood since their days at Florida State University. "She can take up policy and make it a win-win for students, teachers and parents."

Roser was joined by dozens of educators who worked with Wood in the past, including LCS big wigs past and present – namely Sen. Bill Montford, Superintendent Jackie Pons and City Commissioner Curtis Richardson.

"We use her work to set an example of what we all need to do in Florida for our children," said Montford, chief executive of Florida Association of District School Superintendents.

"Your thumbprint is all over that school (SAIL)," he added. "And your fingerprints are on the hearts of so many students and parents in the community."

SAIL opened in 1975 as an alternative high school geared toward at-risk students; it soon became the proving ground for budding artists. Wood began her tenure as a social studies teacher for three years, and then was appointed as principal until retiring decades later, in 2010. Since the 2001-2002 school year, SAIL has been an A or B school.

Wood has received statewide and national accolades for the work she has done with her students. Her campaign has already raised $21,000. She is also well along the way to collecting the 400 signatures needed by next May.

"This campaign is so much more than being about a person. This is more of a cause," Wood said, during her speech. "Education is the cornerstone of democracy. Education gives all kids opportunity no matter what their background."

Wood also outlined plans she has as a board member, including creating local internships for high school students, ensuring that budget dollars were directed as much as possible to classrooms, advocating for early education programs and fostering positive "climate change" – where kids would feel welcome in their schools.

"I know a lot of this is in the Legislature," she added. "Perhaps the (board member's) role should be larger than it's been and it's my goal to do that."