Justin Sharpless
Nonpartisan · Polk County School Board, District 6
This candidate has been sent this cycle's questionnaire. We haven't received a response yet.
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Seat decided outright in the Aug 18, 2026 primary, certified 67.39%-32.61%; no November ballot line. Profiled as a returning officeholder. Incumbent since 2022, board chair.
Insurance coverage
Research pending. We haven't finished checking official records for this issue yet.
Source: Research pending, 2026 pilot sourcing not yet complete
Medicaid waiver
Research pending. We haven't finished checking official records for this issue yet.
Source: Research pending, 2026 pilot sourcing not yet complete
Early intervention
Research pending. We haven't finished checking official records for this issue yet.
Source: Research pending, 2026 pilot sourcing not yet complete
School services
Voted yes on staffing updates for the district's Learning Support division, which added exceptional student education positions. The motion passed 6-1 by voice vote. He did not speak on the item.
Source: Official voting record · View official roll call
Last checked 2026-10-06Voted yes on a 15-year charter renewal for Victory Ridge Academy, a charter school serving students with special needs. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote. Speaking as chair before the vote, he said he knew the school's impact in Lake Wales and appreciated what it does for students who need a facility like it.
Source: Official voting record · View official roll call
Last checked 2026-10-06Voted yes on a district reorganization that included changes to the Exceptional Student Education department. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote. Before the vote he said he wanted to see how Medicaid reimbursement revenue is reinvested into student services under the reorganization, and that he had asked whether unfunding vacant positions would slow any critical department functions and was told it would not.
"I'm curious to see how that revenue is reinvested into student services through our reorg."
Source: Official voting record · View official roll call
Last checked 2026-10-06Named exceptional student education as one of the budget lines he said he would protect before considering cuts, alongside classroom instruction, school safety, teacher compensation, and career and technical education.
Source: Public statement · View source
Last checked 2026-09-24At a September 2026 work session on Growth Point Academy, the district's K-5 alternative program for students with behavioral and mental health needs, said the program is a step toward addressing classroom behavior but not the whole answer, and that some students need supports to be able to thrive. Asked how the district will measure long-term success for students who return to their home schools.
"I don't believe there's bad kids. I just believe some kids need some supports. They need help to be able to thrive."
Source: Public statement · View source
Last checked 2026-10-06
Provider licensure
Research pending. We haven't finished checking official records for this issue yet.
Source: Research pending, 2026 pilot sourcing not yet complete
Employment
Research pending. We haven't finished checking official records for this issue yet.
Source: Research pending, 2026 pilot sourcing not yet complete
Guardianship
Research pending. We haven't finished checking official records for this issue yet.
Source: Research pending, 2026 pilot sourcing not yet complete
First responders
Research pending. We haven't finished checking official records for this issue yet.
Source: Research pending, 2026 pilot sourcing not yet complete
Autism, in their own words
Statements where the candidate directly addresses autism, quoted in their own words. We do not rate or interpret them.
Research pending. We haven't finished checking official records for this issue yet.
Source: Research pending, 2026 pilot sourcing not yet complete