Herald recommendation: Edward Viltz for Manatee County School Board District 1
Edward G. Viltz carries an impressive and diverse résumé ranging from the business world and government to education and community service. He would bring a fresh and expansive perspective to the Manatee County school board, succeeding Bob Gause in District 1.
This partial list of Viltz’s professional and personal history reflect the leadership value he would bring to the board:
▪ 15 years as a chief executive officer, president or vice president with mostly technology companies.
▪ 20 years with IBM in program management and executive leadership.
▪ A master of arts in organizational management and a bachelor of science in psychology.
▪ Service with the Small Business Administration.
▪ Board memberships and visiting professorships at various universities, including Florida A&M.
▪ Member of board of directors for Centerstone Florida, formerly Manatee Glens.
▪ Six years as a math teacher, consultant and mentor of at-risk elementary and middle school students in Manatee County.
Those are just some highlights.
Viltz’s platform features three goals certainly absent in the past and still a problem today in some quarters. Those three are: Not intervening in operational disputes that are the superintendent’s responsibility; sharpening the board’s focus on policy, oversight and “the big picture of districtwide needs,” he states; and strengthening the board’s efforts to operate professionally, collaboratively and productively.
One of the worst board offenses is when certain members cross the line and interfere in administrative operations when the board’s only duties are setting policy and ensuring. That has not been as public a complication as in the past.
While a once highly dysfunctional and divided board has made some progress, doubts and mistrust justifiably remain. No one person can solve that, but Viltz holds many tools that could go a long way toward improving community relations and board performance.
With his background mentoring and teaching at-risk children, some of his other priorities address the district’s needs: a stronger focus on boosting the graduation rate through continued early intervention with an emphasis on at-risk youth whose graduation rate is abysmal. Truth be told, the district’s overall graduation rate has improved greatly from five years ago, but Viltz’s focus on the youth most at risk of failing to earn a diploma is on target.
Xtavia Bailey, one the other three candidates in this contest, shows a passion for education. A business owner and community volunteer in numerous organizations, Bailey served as a regional director and teacher in the highly respected Amer-I-Can life skills and anti-gang program. She wants to expand on her public service by joining the school board, and her extensive community connections would be an asset.
A public school teacher, Gina Messenger has focused her career on teaching in Title 1 schools in low-income neighborhoods with at-risk students for the past six years. She would bring a youthful exuberance to the board alongside her teaching background.
Linda Schaich, a retired business owner and community activist, has attended school board meetings for the past eight years and has served on the district’s sales tax committee, budget panel, land and facilities committee, and the superintendent search committee. Her financial scrutiny of district spending has been admirable.
Viltz offers the most impressive credentials for service on the school board. With his skill set and experience, he is best positioned to help rebuild the public’s trust in the board and be a stronger force on improving board unity and collaboration. For Manatee County School Board District 1, the Bradenton Herald Editorial Board recommends Edward. G. Viltz.
Candidate replies
Candidates who do not receive the Herald Editorial Board's endorsement are invited to submit a response of up to 300 words by 5 p.m. the day after the endorsement appears in print. Those can be sent to letters@bradenton.com or faxed to 745-7097.
View candidate forums
The Herald, in partnership with Manatee Educational Television, has videotaped candidate forums in these contested races. These forums can be viewed on www.youtube.com/manateeeducationaltv (click on Videos). METV is also regularly airing all the forums, and the station can be viewed on Brighthouse channel 614, Verizon FIOS 31 and Comcast 19. For METV air times, visit www.metvweb.com.
This story was originally published August 10, 2016 at 12:52 PM with the headline "Herald recommendation: Edward Viltz for Manatee County School Board District 1."