Jamie Deonas
CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE
What goals do you have for your time in office?
I have many goals for the Nassau County school system, my three main goals: manage growth, hiring and retaining personnel and school safety.
What do you see as the biggest hurdle to quality education for kids in Nassau County?
There are two main areas that affect quality education: high-performing teachers and class sizes. Hiring and retaining high-quality teachers and keeping our class sizes small.
Nassau County has not been immune to the recent surge in teacher resignations. How will you work to address this issue?
There is a teacher shortage and it’s not just in our district or our state, it is a national issue. I am a huge supporter of teachers and our support staff. Our district has done a good job being creative in the ways we advertise and promote open positions. Hosting web-based recruitment fairs, and identifying qualified substitutes and paraprofessionals currently working in our district to transition into teaching positions. Continuing to work to raise the pay, not only for new teacher salaries but for our veteran teachers and support staff.
“Don’t Say Gay” has taken effect. How will you support teachers and students through this controversial change?
HB 1557 was signed earlier this year and is now law. Working with our teachers and staff, training on what's appropriate to say/teach in our K-3 classrooms.
What role do you think race and gender play in public education?
They shouldn't have a role or a place in any school system. We are very fortunate in our school district that our students are not categorized by their race and gender.
The Nassau County School District is already an A-rated district, placing second out of all the districts in Florida. How do you think it can improve?
We can always improve and always be better. Our “A” rated status is a true benchmark of our district's success and the dedication of our teachers and support staff. Continuing to identify, recruit and retain highly effective teachers and keeping our class sizes small.
What is your plan to address growing classroom sizes as more families move to Nassau County?
We have experienced a lot of growth over the past 5 years in all of our schools. Our district has done a good job at managing growth and preparing for future growth. Our district monitors closely the needs of each school, current capacity and number of required student stations. Utilizing portables, adding on to current schools and building new schools to accommodate growth.
How will you support education support personnel such as bus drivers, food service workers and custodians?
I am a huge supporter of our support staff. Our district has some amazing and talented support personnel that are dedicated, committed and invested in our students. Continuing to work closely with our support staff and NESPA on their needs, challenges and issues. Reviewing and addressing additional needs and resources for our support staff as our district expands and continues to be an advocate for our employees.
Why do you think transparency is a key factor in how a school board operates?
We are an elected board that serves the citizens of Nassau County. Our board meetings are advertised, open to the public, and all decisions are made in accordance with the sunshine law. I feel parents, grandparents, students, concerned citizens and others have the right to know what decisions are being reviewed by the board. Topics that are being discussed and a platform to address all board members at one time to voice their concerns.
How will you ensure schools are safe places for kids?
Safety is and continues to be a top priority for me. When I came on the board in 2014 we only had resources officers at our middle and high schools. Today we have armed resource officers and/ or guardians at all of our schools. I was a huge supporter of developing and implementing the district's police department in 2018. Supporting safety measures like fencing, lighting, cameras/ surveillance and much more to all of our campuses. I work closely with our chief of police, school safety specialist and our resource officers in making sure our schools and campuses are the safest environment for our students and teachers.
CANDIDATE STATEMENT
Editor’s Note: Jamie Deonas is running for School Board Member, District 1. Deonas submitted the following for publication.
A born and raised lifelong resident of Nassau County. Jamie graduated from the Nassau County public school system in 1989. Married for 22 years to Janet Deonas. They have 2 adult children who also attended and graduated the Nassau County public school system and a 12-year-old grandson who attends FBMS. Jamie is a 27-year veteran of the Nassau County Fire/ Rescue division where he serves as a senior Engineer and Paramedic. Jamie is a small business owner who has owned and operated a number of small businesses all in Nassau County. Jamie is very active in his community and a large stakeholder in Nassau County.
Jamie is currently serving on the Nassau County School Board and seeking re-election. There have been many accomplishments during Jamie's time on the Nassau County School Board with highlights that include: school resource officers on every campus, development and creation of the Nassau County School District Police Department, a dedicated district security specialist, A-Rated schools, 93.5% graduation rates, increasing the minimum teachers starting pay $6,720.00 over a two year period, maintaining a 0 increase to health insurance the last 4 years, implementing concurrency mitigation agreements with developers to ensure funds are available for expanding and building new school facilities, establishing a land growth committee to identify land opportunities for new schools and much more.
Jamie is seeking re-election for the following reasons: Teachers and support staff, managing growth and safe schools.
Teachers and Support staff. Jamie is a huge supporter of our teachers and support staff. The success of our schools and students is largely due to the hard-working men and women who serve in these roles Providing our teachers and support staff with the tools and resources they need to do their job in the best and most efficient way. Continue to identify, recruit and retain highly qualified teachers in all grade levels offering the best education and school experience to every student. Continue to be a voice and an advocate for our teachers and support staff.
Growth. Carefully and strategically continue to manage the growth in our school system. Identifying the areas in our county and the schools in those zones with the largest growth and immediate needs. Reviewing both short and long-term solutions and the best actions with the greatest benefits for each school. Keeping the quality of education high and the classroom sizes small throughout our district.
Safe schools. Providing the safest, most secure schools for our students and teachers. Continue to work closely with our district's Chief of Police and our Security Specialist on the latest security threats and measures ensuring we have the safest environment possible on all of our campuses.