My Priorities for Volusia County
Strong communities are built on strong schools. Jaclyn Carrell is ready to tackle our district's toughest challenges and put students first.
Transparent Governance & Fiscal Accountability
Taxpayers and families deserve complete transparency regarding how district decisions are made and how our tax dollars are allocated. Volusia County Schools manages a massive budget, yet we consistently face multi-million dollar operating deficits. This must change.
I will fiercely advocate for clear, line-item budgeting to give the community a true understanding of where our resources are going. Public trust is built through absolute accountability.
By ending closed-door budget secrecy and mandating responsible stewardship of every dollar, we can eliminate bureaucratic waste and ensure that our critical funding actually reaches the classrooms where it belongs.
Back to Basics: Academic Excellence
Every child deserves a strong educational foundation that develops both deep knowledge and critical thinking skills. I support a return to proven, time-tested instruction that focuses on core academics rather than endless test preparation.
We must prioritize phonics-centered early reading programs to build strong literacy skills from the very beginning. Furthermore, I support bringing back classical education foundations, including foundational mathematics, civics, grammar, and cursive writing.
Our schools must prepare students not just to pass standardized state exams, but for successful careers, informed citizenship, and a lifelong love of learning.
Empowering & Retaining Our Teachers
Great schools begin with great teachers, but our educators are currently overwhelmed by excessive testing requirements and micromanagement. Teachers are highly trained professionals, and they must be empowered to teach creatively and effectively.
I will fight to restore classroom autonomy, reduce unnecessary administrative burdens, and eliminate policies that force educators to "teach to the test."
Furthermore, recruiting and retaining top-tier talent must be a fiscal priority. I support responsible budget reforms that prioritize highly competitive teacher pay and foster a culture of professional respect, so we can keep Volusia's best educators in our district.
Restoring Discipline & Safe Classrooms
Students cannot learn, and teachers cannot teach, in chaotic environments. Everyone in our district deserves safe, orderly classrooms built on a foundation of mutual respect.
We must ensure that district discipline policies are consistently and fairly enforced, and that behavioral issues are addressed immediately rather than being masked to protect district metrics. Avoiding these problems hurts our students and drives good teachers out of the profession.
I will push for honest reporting of school data and unwavering support for staff members when they enforce the rules, ensuring every classroom remains a safe, positive space for learning.