Incoming Manatee School Board member opposes mask mandates and critical race theory

Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Wesley “Chad” Choate, a financial advisor for Edward Jones Investments, to the five-member Manatee County School Board.

DeSantis’ office made the announcement on Friday afternoon, filling the seat previously held by Scott Hopes, who resigned last June to work full time as Manatee County administrator.

Choate, 36, will take the District 4 School Board seat, which includes Harllee Middle and Bayshore High, along with Abel, Bayshore, Daughtrey, Kinnan and Oneco elementary schools.

“I am humbled by this opportunity to serve and look forward to standing with Governor DeSantis by opposing a mask mandate in Manatee County Schools, keeping Critical Race Theory out of our classrooms and prioritizing civics education,” Choate said in a statement.

Manatee County School Board members make about $42,000 a year and serve four-year terms. As an appointee, however, Choate will finish out Hopes’ term, which ends in November 2022.

Choate, a lifelong Manatee County resident, also confirmed on Friday evening that he plans to run in the next election and retain his seat.

“I’m going to be someone that is consistently responsible with the taxpayers’ money, but at the same time making sure that resources get to the classroom,” Choate said in an interview.

Choate previously worked as a teacher and football coach at Manatee High School, where his two children now attend. His grandfather also worked at the school as a coach, educator and administrator over the course of several decades.

Along with working as a financial advisor, Choate serves as a board member for the Leadership Manatee Alumni Association and the Manatee County Aging Network. He also sits on the Membership Committee for Kiwanis of Bradenton, and he serves as the trustees chair for Trinity United Methodist Church.

“My grandmother was an educator. Myself, obviously, I was a teacher. My wife’s a teacher. My aunt’s a teacher. There’s a lot of education in my background,” Choate said.

“Knowing what it takes in the classroom and now being in the financial role and owning my own business — those two combinations go really well together,” he continued. “I think I can help the School Board and push our district to be the best it can possibly be.”

While the school district had yet to schedule a ceremony as of Friday afternoon, it was possible — assuming a judge is available — that Choate could be sworn-in during the School Board’s special meeting on Monday morning.

Board members scheduled the meeting to discuss COVID-19 protocols in the new school year.

“I hope we can get him seated as soon as possible,” said Board Chair Charlie Kennedy.

This story was originally published August 6, 2021 at 5:14 PM.