Fifth candidate files for Manatee County School Board District 1 seat
BRADENTON -- A fifth candidate has filed for the Manatee County School Board District 1 seat.
Palmetto resident Christine Howze joins Xtavia Bailey, Edward Viltz, Gina Messenger and Linda Schaich in the race.
"I thought I could do a good job," said Howze, a Manatee County native who retired from teaching in Osceola County in 2010. She came out of retirement and is working as the media specialist at Blackburn Elementary School.
Howze, 65, said she thinks the school board could benefit from her insights.
Howze said she believes in public education and the American ideal of public education, but people don't realize how hard the job is. Howze said she has no aspirations of becoming a politician.
"I'm not a fighter. I'm a lover," she said.
Bob Gause, who held the District 1 seat 10 years, announced he would not seek re-election to focus on his business and family.
The District 1 seat is among three school board races this year. All registered county residents may vote in the nonpartisan school board races. Candidates must live in the district they represent.
The District 1 seat covers the northern part of the county, excluding downtown Palmetto, extending to the eastern border.
The other candidates:
Bailey is co-owner of Exb Inc. and former Florida regional director of Amer-I-Can Life Skills.
Viltz is a retired math teacher at Team Success and retired corporate executive.
Messenger is a former Title I teacher and a product of Manatee County schools.
Schaich is a retiree and a frequent school board attendee. Schaich lost to Gause in the 2012 election.
The District 5 seat, held by Gov. Rick Scott appointee John Colon, is also up for election. Colon is the only candidate to file so far.
Voters will select a permanent replacement for first-time board member, Mary Cantrell, who died in July. The District 5 seat covers Lakewood Ranch and the eastern part of the county south of State Road 64.
The District 3 seat held by Dave Miner is also up for election. Miner, a first-time board member and a local attorney, is seeking a second term.
He is being challenged by Sadie Montanus, a Palmetto High School teacher who has worked with the state on policy, and Misty Servia, a planner at an engineering firm and active member of a number of local boards.
The Aug. 30 primary election will be followed by the Nov. 8 general election.
Meghin Delaney, education reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7081. Follow her on Twitter@MeghinDelaney.
This story was originally published February 4, 2016 at 11:35 PM with the headline "Fifth candidate files for Manatee County School Board District 1 seat ."