School services

Voted yes on CS/CS/HB 19 (2023), which required individual education plans for certain students to include information on the legal rights that transfer at age 18, including how a student can consent to a parent's continued participation in education decisions. Senate third reading, April 18, 2023: passed 39-0. Became law as Chapter 2023-96.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 23, 2026

Voted yes on CS/SB 290 (2023), which let parents of certain students with disabilities choose to have them retained in prekindergarten, allowed those students to receive early literacy instruction, and revised the good cause exemption from mandatory third-grade retention for certain students with disabilities. Senate passage, April 19, 2023: passed 40-0. Became law as Chapter 2023-91.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 24, 2026

Voted yes on CS/SB 102 (2025), which would have required the Department of Education to create a workforce credential program for students with autism spectrum disorder or students on a modified curriculum. Senate passage, March 27, 2025: passed 36-0. The bill itself died in the House; the Legislature's record lists CS/CS/CS/HB 110 as a companion bill that passed.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 24, 2026

Voted yes on CS/HB 447 (2025), the Evin B. Hartsell Act, which specified material to be included in public schools' disability history and awareness instruction. Senate passage, April 28, 2025: passed 35-0. She was a co-introducer of SB 540, the Senate companion bill. Became law as Chapter 2025-49.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 24, 2026

Voted yes on CS/CS/HB 1279 (2026). This was a catch-all education bill covering many unrelated topics; this entry describes only its special education provisions. It requires a school district to notify parents in writing or electronically within 10 school days when a related service in a student's IEP is not provided as scheduled, explain why, and discuss a plan for make-up services, and it gives parents the right to see service provider logs or progress notes within 15 school days of a service. Senate third reading, March 13, 2026: passed 36-1. Became law as Chapter 2026-59.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 23, 2026

Voted yes on CS/HB 257 (2025), which would have required each district school board, except in fiscally constrained counties, to vote on whether to adopt a policy providing video cameras in self-contained exceptional student education classrooms at a parent's request. House passage, April 25, 2025: passed 106-0. The bill died in the Senate and did not become law.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 23, 2026

Voted yes on CS/HB 447 (2025), the Evin B. Hartsell Act, which specified material to be included in public schools' disability history and awareness instruction. House passage, April 25, 2025: passed 107-0. Became law as Chapter 2025-49.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 24, 2026

Voted yes on CS/HB 859 (2026), which would have required each district school board to adopt a policy providing video cameras in self-contained exceptional student education classrooms at a parent's request. House passage, February 25, 2026: passed 111-0. The bill died in the Senate and did not become law.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 24, 2026

Voted yes on CS/CS/HB 1279 (2026). This was a catch-all education bill covering many unrelated topics; this entry describes only its special education provisions. It requires a school district to notify parents in writing or electronically within 10 school days when a related service in a student's IEP is not provided as scheduled, explain why, and discuss a plan for make-up services, and it gives parents the right to see service provider logs or progress notes within 15 school days of a service. House third reading, March 3, 2026: passed 84-25; also voted yes on final House passage, March 13, 2026 (81-16). Became law as Chapter 2026-59.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 23, 2026

Voted yes on CS/CS/HB 615 (2026), which would have set timeframes for initial IEP evaluations and IEP team meetings, required notice to parents when an IEP-related service is not provided, and given parents access to service logs. House passage, March 4, 2026: passed 112-0. The bill itself died in the Senate; its IEP provisions were also included in CS/CS/HB 1279, which became law as Chapter 2026-59.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 24, 2026

Voted yes on CS/HB 257 (2025), which would have required each district school board, except in fiscally constrained counties, to vote on whether to adopt a policy providing video cameras in self-contained exceptional student education classrooms at a parent's request. House passage, April 25, 2025: passed 106-0. The bill died in the Senate and did not become law.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 23, 2026

Voted yes on CS/HB 447 (2025), the Evin B. Hartsell Act, which specified material to be included in public schools' disability history and awareness instruction. House passage, April 25, 2025: passed 107-0. Became law as Chapter 2025-49.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 24, 2026

Voted yes on CS/HB 859 (2026), which would have required each district school board to adopt a policy providing video cameras in self-contained exceptional student education classrooms at a parent's request. House passage, February 25, 2026: passed 111-0. The bill died in the Senate and did not become law.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 24, 2026

Voted yes on CS/CS/HB 1279 (2026). This was a catch-all education bill covering many unrelated topics; this entry describes only its special education provisions. It requires a school district to notify parents in writing or electronically within 10 school days when a related service in a student's IEP is not provided as scheduled, explain why, and discuss a plan for make-up services, and it gives parents the right to see service provider logs or progress notes within 15 school days of a service. House third reading, March 3, 2026: passed 84-25; also voted yes on final House passage, March 13, 2026 (81-16). She was the bill's House sponsor. Became law as Chapter 2026-59.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 23, 2026

Voted yes on CS/CS/HB 615 (2026), which would have set timeframes for initial IEP evaluations and IEP team meetings, required notice to parents when an IEP-related service is not provided, and given parents access to service logs. House passage, March 4, 2026: passed 112-0. The bill itself died in the Senate; its IEP provisions were also included in CS/CS/HB 1279, which became law as Chapter 2026-59.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 24, 2026

Voted yes on CS/CS/HB 19 (2023), which required individual education plans for certain students to include information on the legal rights that transfer at age 18, including how a student can consent to a parent's continued participation in education decisions. House passage, March 31, 2023: passed 113-0. Became law as Chapter 2023-96.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 23, 2026

Voted yes on CS/SB 290 (2023), which let parents of certain students with disabilities choose to have them retained in prekindergarten, allowed those students to receive early literacy instruction, and revised the good cause exemption from mandatory third-grade retention for certain students with disabilities. House passage, May 3, 2023: passed 113-0. She was a co-introducer of HB 223, the House companion bill. Became law as Chapter 2023-91.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 24, 2026

Voted yes on CS/HB 257 (2025), which would have required each district school board, except in fiscally constrained counties, to vote on whether to adopt a policy providing video cameras in self-contained exceptional student education classrooms at a parent's request. House passage, April 25, 2025: passed 106-0. The bill died in the Senate and did not become law.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 23, 2026

Voted yes on CS/HB 447 (2025), the Evin B. Hartsell Act, which specified material to be included in public schools' disability history and awareness instruction. House passage, April 25, 2025: passed 107-0. Became law as Chapter 2025-49.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 24, 2026

Voted yes on CS/HB 859 (2026), which would have required each district school board to adopt a policy providing video cameras in self-contained exceptional student education classrooms at a parent's request. House passage, February 25, 2026: passed 111-0. The bill died in the Senate and did not become law.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 24, 2026

Voted yes on CS/CS/HB 1279 (2026). This was a catch-all education bill covering many unrelated topics; this entry describes only its special education provisions. It requires a school district to notify parents in writing or electronically within 10 school days when a related service in a student's IEP is not provided as scheduled, explain why, and discuss a plan for make-up services, and it gives parents the right to see service provider logs or progress notes within 15 school days of a service. House third reading, March 3, 2026: passed 84-25; also voted yes on final House passage, March 13, 2026 (81-16). Became law as Chapter 2026-59.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 23, 2026

Voted yes on CS/CS/HB 615 (2026), which would have set timeframes for initial IEP evaluations and IEP team meetings, required notice to parents when an IEP-related service is not provided, and given parents access to service logs. House passage, March 4, 2026: passed 112-0. The bill itself died in the Senate; its IEP provisions were also included in CS/CS/HB 1279, which became law as Chapter 2026-59.

Source: Official voting record · Verified September 24, 2026

His campaign website's education platform lists prioritizing children's mental health and special needs services, alongside teacher pay, school funding, and school safety.

"Prioritize children's mental health and special needs services."

Source: Public statement · Verified September 23, 2026

Says IEP and 504 plan commitments should be honored, and says she supports adequately funding special education staffing, stronger accountability, and treating parents as partners.

"I believe an IEP or 504 plan should mean something. If a child has been evaluated and a team has determined that specific services, accommodations, or supports are needed, those commitments should be honored. As someone with a Master’s degree in Special Education who has spent years advocating for children and families, I know that parents can sometimes feel overwhelmed trying to understand the system and make sure their child receives what they need. We need to adequately fund special education and make sure schools have the teachers, paraprofessionals, therapists, behavioral specialists, and other professionals necessary to serve students effectively. I also believe parents must be treated as partners—not obstacles. They know their children better than anyone, and their voices belong at the table. Every child learns differently. A disability should never mean a child receives less opportunity. My goal would be to strengthen accountability while also giving educators the resources and support they need to do their jobs well. We should be asking one simple question: Are we doing what this child needs to succeed?"

Source: Candidate questionnaire · Verified October 3, 2026

Says, as a parent of a child with an IEP, that he saw firsthand how hard it can be when a student is not getting the services they need, and says he wants every student to get the services they are entitled to, with teachers supported and families heard.

"As a parent, I also saw how hard it can be when my child with an IEP wasn't receiving the services they needed."

Source: Public statement · Verified September 24, 2026

In public comment at the February 24, 2026 school board meeting, asked the board to conduct a district-wide audit of IEP service delivery, including staffing gaps and compensatory services owed; establish written district protocols for IEP implementation at every school; require real-time notification to families when services are missed, with a documented make-up plan; and create a standing special education oversight committee or regular board reporting.

"Create a standing special education oversight review committee, whether through a committee or regular board reporting, so that this issue is monitored consistently, not reactively."

Source: Public statement · Verified October 4, 2026

Voted 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. She did not speak on the item.

Source: Official voting record · Verified October 4, 2026

Voted yes on a district reorganization that included changes to the Exceptional Student Education department. The motion passed unanimously by voice vote. Before the vote she said she had received concerns about the plan and passed them to staff, that she was relying on the superintendent's judgment, and that she would look for improved outcomes when the board reviews results.

"For those that are concerned, thank you for speaking up, keep speaking up."

Source: Official voting record · Verified October 4, 2026

At a January 2026 work session on a grant-funded postsecondary program at Ridge Technical College for students with intellectual disabilities, spoke about the value of independence for those students and asked how much the grant provides and whether the district would need to contribute funds.

"You cannot put a price tag on a lifetime of dignity and independence."

Source: Public statement · Verified October 4, 2026

At a September 2026 work session on Growth Point Academy, the district's K-5 alternative program for students with behavioral and mental health needs, asked what happens when a parent does not agree to a placement, whether a student without an IEP can be placed there, and whether a student can return to a different school afterward. Said that when a student is not receiving adequate support, classmates' learning and the teacher are affected as well.

Source: Public statement · Verified October 4, 2026

At a February 2026 work session on a proposed K-5 alternative education program for students with behavioral needs, said teachers in secondary grades had told her they could not discipline students labeled ESE. She described this as anecdotal and said she did not know that district policy says so. Said a mild cognitive disability should not be conflated with a student's ability to manage behavior, and that students able to meet expectations should be supported and held accountable.

"I've had teachers in secondary grades tell me that, hey, I've got kids that know exactly what they need to do, but because they're labeled ESE, I can't discipline them. And I don't know that that's what our policies say."

Source: Public statement · Verified October 4, 2026

Her campaign site lists advocacy for expanded scholarships for students with unique abilities among her prior education-policy work.

Source: Public statement · Verified October 4, 2026

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 · Verified October 6, 2026

Voted 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 · Verified October 6, 2026

Voted 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 · Verified October 6, 2026

Named 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 · Verified September 24, 2026

At 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 · Verified October 6, 2026

At a March 2023 board discussion of a $3.1 million proposed increase to special education funding, said the district was seeing behavior problems, especially in middle schools, and that she was hearing from constituents about it almost daily.

"We have behavior problems, especially in middle schools. Everybody's nodding. I get phone calls almost daily."

Source: Public statement · Verified September 24, 2026