MEET THE CANDIDATES: Jake Petroski, Orange County School Board District 4

JAKE PETROSKI
Age: 46
Residence: Windermere
Family: Wife, Christin Petroski, and two daughters: Ellie, 9, and Ava, 14
Education: Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University
Profession: Former public school teacher/full-time candidate
Qualifications: OCPS Leadership Orange graduate (2024), OCPS Additions volunteer (eight years), OCPS School Advisory Council (two years), former varsity head coach, St. Luke’s youth sports coach (four seasons), Lake Down Homeowners Association board member.

You would be replacing Pam Gould, who has served on the Orange County School Board since 2012. Evaluate your predecessor’s work in the role. What was done well? What improvements will you make as her successor?

I believe (Pam) Gould has done a very good job during her time on the School Board. She has specifically done well navigating the construction and opening of new schools here (in West Orange). She has also put a lot of effort into our Career and Technical Education programs. Being a former CTE teacher, I know the importance of these programs and the benefit they have to our students and community. I hope to build upon and grow these programs immediately.

Why are you running for Orange County School Board District 4?

I believe in the power of public education and the impact it can have on our community. This is my home, and I believe thriving communities are built upon great schools. I feel compelled to serve, because our students, teachers, parents and community deserve the best schools possible. I believe I can cultivate pathways of success for every OCPS student.

What are the key differences between you and your opponents?

My skill set and experience set me apart from my opponents. I am the only candidate who has years of classroom experience and two kids currently enrolled in OCPS schools. This gives me unique insights on how leadership impacts both classrooms and living rooms in our community. I’m also the only candidate who has graduated from the OCPS Leadership Orange program. I believe this demonstrates I am willing to put in the time and effort to learn as much as possible for this role, should I have the opportunity to serve.

What are the three most pressing issues facing West Orange and Southwest Orange schools today, and how will you address them?

First is addressing our teacher shortage. We have an opportunity in Orange County to be state leaders by investing, supporting and respecting our teachers in any and all ways possible. Every OCPS success story has been authored by a teacher. Teachers’ pay must increase. We must also find creative ways for teachers to lower their cost of living so their paychecks go further. 

Second is the possible budget shortfall due to the ESSER funding sunsetting in 2025. These relief funds that came from the COVID-19 pandemic will be gone per legislation, but we must prioritize the programs with proven success that will be impacted. I believe we will have to examine the impact each program has on students and make a pragmatic decision based on data and science.  

Lastly, increasing our reading proficiency is critical. OCPS reading proficiency levels have been low and stagnant for years. We need to immediately bring this issue to the forefront, so we can increase the number of proficient readers at all grade levels. We need to get teachers trained so they are equipped with the most up-to-date methods and appropriate tools needed to do their jobs. As a former teacher with a reading endorsement certificate, I know first-hand the frustration that can build in a student who struggles to read proficiently. This investment in our students will have a positive ripple effect that will last a lifetime.

Last year, Florida expanded the school voucher system, enabling more parents to opt to send their children to private or charter schools. In theory, the move could take away both students and funding from OCPS. How should the district respond to this change to ensure future success?

We must make OCPS the premier choice for families in Orange County. This is where I see great opportunities for OCPS to shine. It starts with our teachers. We have the best, so let’s invest and support them. Let’s make our schools the absolute safest schools possible using technology to secure our campuses. Lastly, we can expand our technical/vocational education programs to offer a diverse set of options for students who are interested in these amazing career paths. My vision of education is rooted in the belief that success is not graduation. Rather, it is creating a lifelong pathway of success for students long after they graduate.

In the past few years, public education has emerged to the forefront of the national political conversation. Evaluate how Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state has navigated through some of those challenges.

I believe our state government is failing our public schools. Teachers are continually asked to do more with less. More and more funding is being diverted from public schools every year. High-stakes testing seems to be more about money and profits than student assessment. In addition, the injection of partisan politics into our local public schools has created an unhealthy and unnecessary divide in the community.

Discuss your view on how much access and input should a parent have in his or her child’s education at OCPS.

Public education and curriculum are and should always be transparent to students and parents. Full access and input should be encouraged. However, parents should not attempt to alter the curriculum for other students based on personal beliefs. 

One of the polarizing issues in student athletics is whether transgender athletes should be allowed to compete with other athletes in their identified gender. What is your opinion on this subject?

I believe all OCPS students have the right to feel welcomed, safe and valued during school and during school sanctioned events. OCPS should celebrate every student regardless of their race, LGBTQ+ status, nationality, ethnicity or gender identification. Our community and schools are diverse. Our diversity enriches education by offering multiple perspectives and voices in classrooms and extracurricular activities. 

Recently, Louisiana lawmakers enacted legislation that requires public schools to display a version of the Ten Commandments. What is your view on this?

I believe this is a violation of the separation of church and state. While I’m a Christian and a longtime member and volunteer at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, I believe this display may isolate some students and make others feel uncomfortable because of their closely held religious beliefs. If we truly want our schools to be a safe and welcoming place for everyone, we must be vigilant of what is displayed and the message it may send to some students.

It seems every year, OCPS and the Orange County Classroom Teachers Association enter a difficult, months-long negotiation process. What can OCPS do differently to make this process smoother?

We need to invest, support and respect our teachers. We need to create a relationship with the OCCTA that is transparent, honest and mutually supportive. The relationship should not be adversarial, rather it should be a collaborative partnership that focuses on the mission to educate our children. The district needs to be more open to trying new and creative ways to support our teachers. We need to stop compartmentalizing items like salaries and insurance when they are all part of the compensation package for educators. I believe it’s time to reinvent this relationship into a more positive, transparent and collaborative partnership that works together for the betterment of our community.