Veteran School Board member, write-in, face off for District 3 seat
A 15-year incumbent is facing a challenge from a write-in candidate for the St. Lucie County School Board District 3 seat.
Donna Mills is seeking reelection for a fifth term against political newcomer Ben "Zag" Zagrobelny, who qualified as a write-in candidate, in the nonpartisan race. They will face off at the Nov. 3 General Election.
School Board members are elected to four-year terms. Registered voters across the county are eligible to cast ballots in School Board races, regardless of where they live, but candidates must live in the district they're running to represent.
Editor's note: TCPalm sent questionnaires to all qualifying candidates. Mills' responses are below.
Zagrobelny did not return a completed questionnaire.
Donna Mills, St. Lucie County School Board District 3 candidate, incumbent
| Office you are running for: | St. Lucie County: School Board District 3 |
| Name: | Donna Mills |
| Date of birth: | 01/04/1957 |
| City of residence: | Port St. Lucie |
| Current occupation and work history: | 1986-2014, co founds the Bible Way Soul Saving Station, a non-denominational church which focuses on children and youth.1989-current, co-founds the Save Our Children Center, an after school, tutorial, social, cultural and recreational program for children ages 5-17. The Center is open five days a week, from 3pm-7pm, and during the summer months from 9am to 4pm, this place has become a safe haven for many children in SLC.1998-1999 Worked for SLC Health Dept. as a Tobacco Prevention Specialist and helped to implement the Tobacco Prevention Program into SLC schools.1999-2004, opens the Mills Academic Learning Center, a preschool / childcare center for children, ages 2-5. This preschool focused on preparing children for academic success.2000-2004, opens up an inner city school for grades K-8th. Although both pre-school and school were successful, after the hurricanes of 04, both schools were closed.2009-2018, reopens a preschool/childcare center for ages 2-5, the Bible Way Academy. The school offers a new, innovative and exceptional curriculum to preschoolers for academic success. The curriculum includes: Advance Phonics, Math Concepts, Computer Skills, A-Z Bible Scriptures, Spanish, Sign Language, African American Inventors, Positive Affirmations, Poetry, Music, Art, and Character Building Skills.1989-current, co-founder of the Save Our Children Center, an after school, tutorial, social, cultural and recreational program for children ages 5-17. The Center is open five days a week, from 3pm-7pm, and during the summer months from 9am to 4pm, this place has become a safe haven and educational center for many children in Lincoln Park area.2010-current, St. Lucie County School Board Member |
| Education: | Colleges and Universities:Indian River State College: Associate of Arts DegreeFlorida Atlantic University: Bachelor of Arts DegreeJacksonville Theological Seminary: Masters and DoctorateCertifications:Sign LanguageDirector Credential in ChildcareReal Estate Certification |
| Volunteer and civic involvement: | My current civic involvement:1. I volunteer in the deaf and hard of hearing classes in SLC Public School District2. I am the founder and host of the SLC Public School's Speakers Bureau program. Its purpose is to interview successful community guest who share their life stories. The program goal is to motivate, encourage, and inspire both community and students. This show plays on the school media channel and Youtube.3. I volunteer on several children focus driven boards throughout the community: Save Our Children Inc. Agricultural and Labor Program Inc. (ALPI), SLC Educational Foundation, St. Andrews Episcopal K - 12th Academy, and SLC Early Learning Coalition (ELC). |
| List two accomplishments in your professional or public service life you are most proud of: | I am most proud of our district closing all academic gaps across subgroups and races. Our black, white, and hispanic groups, both manles and females students are equally achieving the same, despite economic differences. The majority of our schools are title 1 schools.I am also very proud of our graduation rate. This is no small accomplishment. In order to graduate from High school our students must pass State exams in all core subjects. Our students have done this for 9 consecutive years. |
| Why are you running for office? : | I am running for office because I am concern about the education and wellness of every child in St. Lucie County. I want to be a vital part in helping to advance our educational system. As a School Board Member, I believe I can make a tremendous difference for our St. Lucie County students. I have been a child activist and have successfully helped educate children throughout this county for over 40 years. I desire to use my abilities, gifts, talents, experiences, and expertise to enhance the academic and social skills of every student. I have accomplish this for 16 years in the Public School system and if re-elected will continue to do so. |
| What would be your top three priorities during your first year in office? Explain. : | Although our district has made some incredible strives and improvements there is still plenty of room to improve. My top priorities during my first year in office would be:1. Improving proficiency in all grade levels and subjects. I want us to surpass all State averages. Until we have master this accomplishment there will always be room for improvement.2. Keeping our students, educators and support staff safe and in caring school,as well as having excellent customer service and community engagement.3. Teaching, learning, talent development and grow is also a top priority for me, as well as increasing teacher and support staff salaries. we should do all we can to meet the financial needs of all our employees. |
| What distinguishes you from your opponents in this race?: | My entire life has been working with children. I have worked with children of all ages in this community for over 40 years. I've founded, opened and directed several preschools, both founded and ran a private K through 8th grade school, and currently run an afterschool and Summer camp program.I have been a School Board Member for 16 years and have help with the improvement of SLC Public schools, taking this District from a low "C" State grade to an "A" State grade for two consecutive years. I have also helped dramatically improve our graduation rate from low 70% to over 90% for the last 9 consecutive years. We are one of only 3 districts out of 67 districts to accomplish this fleet. I have also helped to close all academic gaps among our different student race populations meaning all races, black, white, and hispanic are achieving to same academically.Under my leadership, this district has also increased its vocational and technical career programs from 11 to 39 plus different career choices and options. |
| Have you ever filed for bankruptcy? (If yes, please explain): | NO |
| Campaign website: | www.drdonnamills.com |
| Campaign social media links: | https://www.facebook.com/votedonnamills |
Ben 'Zag' Zagrobelny, St. Lucie County School Board District 3 candidate
Zagrobelny did not return a completed questionnaire.
Jack Randall is TCPalm's economy and real estate reporter. You can reach him at jack.randall@tcpalm.com.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Veteran School Board member, write-in, face off for District 3 seat
Reporting by Jack Randall, Treasure Coast Newspapers / Treasure Coast Newspapers
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This story was originally published June 28, 2026 at 5:03 AM.