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Marsh dismisses the idea that the Florida Standards are generating much negative feed- back. "There's a little controversy from some people who are very vocal," he says. "And I think a great majority of people believe in a common set of standards so that there can be comparisons: school-to-school, dis- trict-to-district, state-to-state." He emphasizes that the standards are not any kind of "top- down curriculum." "There's nothing that one board member, five board members even, are going to be able to do in Sarasota or any other school district in Florida to stop it," Marsh adds. "I think the prudent thing to do is monitor it as we would any new initiative." Paul Schafer, another candidate in the race, says that while he's generally pleased with the board's direction, standardized test- ing is out of control. "I've seen kids crying in fourth grade, stressed out over the state- wide exams," he tells the News Leader. "That should not happen." Schafer, who has most recently taught as a reading specialist at Keiser University, is running a grassroots campaign, pledging to accept absolutely no donations. "Money corrupts," he says. "I'll get my word out. I will talk to people like you. I will go to any organization." But he criticizes the process entailed in elec- tions for the board: A candidate must live within a specific district but campaign county- wide. Schafer says that limits the prospects of a candidate of modest means. Ziegler's appointment represents another challenge Schafer must overcome. He applied to Gov. Scott for the position — as did Fisher — but both were denied. "The School Board should be absolutely non-political," Schafer says. "We should have the best peo- ple possible." While much of the criticism directed Ziegler's way has cited her political ties (her husband, Christian Ziegler, is the former executive director of the Republican Party of Sarasota County), her youth (she's 31) and her lack of education experience, Fisher says the real problem is that she won't clearly state where she stands. Citing a recent email poll Ziegler sent out, Fisher says, "She wants to put her finger in the air and figure out what position to take." Ziegler, in fact, did not respond to multiple News Leader emails requesting an interview. Velton Hodges, who filed for the race just last week, was out of town and unable to respond before our deadline. "I was disappointed that Gov. Scott appar- ently thought so little of Sarasota County parents and teachers and students that he would appoint somebody with so little expe- rience to such an important position," Marsh says. "That's not a partisan issue, because there are many other Republicans he could have appointed." Does Ziegler's appointment give her an edge in the campaign? "I think what it gives her is some name recognition," Marsh replies. "Whether it helps her or not may relate to other parts of party politics and the extent to which the governor is a popular governor or not." Early voting in the School Board races begins Aug. 16 and runs through Aug. 23; election day is Aug. 26. If one candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote, he or she automatically wins the seat. If no candidate reaches that threshold, the top two vote getters will com- pete in the November general election. % Sarasota News Leader June 20, 2014 Page 15