School board candidates debate book bans, guns on campus, more

A two-hour candidate forum for two Seminole County school board races highlighted more similarities than differences on topics as wide-ranging as Moms for Liberty, book bans, mandating religion in schools and more as voters prepare to cast ballots.

The Seminole County League of Women Voters held the candidate forum July 24 where nearly every seat in the audience was filled; you can view a video of the forum here. The issues of cell phones in schools, allowing teachers and staff to carry guns on campus, and book bans were all discussed, with many of the candidates in agreement. 

There are two school board seats up for election, and voters will make their choices known in the primary election held Aug. 20. School Board Chair Abby Sanchez is the incumbent running in District 3; she faces health and wellness educator Stephanie Arguello, and gymnastics coach Kelly Critz. If no one gets a majority, the top two candidates will face off in November. 

School board candidates from left to right: Stephanie Arguello, Kelly Critz, Abby Sanchez, Robin Dehlinger and Carl Tipton. (Photo by Makayla Gray)

The District 4 seat currently doesn’t have an incumbent running, as school board member Amy Pennock is running for Seminole County Supervisor of Elections. Candidates Robin Dehlinger and Carl Tipton are facing off for the District 4 seat. Dehlinger is a retired former assistant superintendent, principal and teacher for SCPS, and Tipton is an athletic coach and school resource officer.

Check here for Oviedo Community News’ school board voter’s guide to learn more about the candidates’ backgrounds.

Nancy Groves, a member of the audience on Wednesday night, said going into the forum she did not know who to vote for in District 4. Leaving the forum she had a different outlook.

“It’s clear to me now who to vote for,” Groves said. She did not wish to share her candidate of choice, but she said she wants someone who is compassionate and doesn’t think force or very strong discipline is a good way to educate kids.

School board races are non-partisan, although a proposed constitutional amendment on the ballot could change that in the future. But the issue of who was backing the candidates did draw out some differences.

On one of the most politically charged subjects of the night, candidates were asked to describe “any association you or your campaign has had with Moms for Liberty members, including donations.”

Moms for Liberty is a conservative group that grew out of opposition to COVID-19 health mandates in public schools and has become a prominent group in Republican politics in Florida. In Seminole County, its members at school board meetings have read from books they want to see banned in the school district. 

Sanchez, Dehlinger and Arguello all said they have had no donations and no associations with the group. 

“I’ve had two donations from them,” Critz said. “I am only a grassroots candidate, and I do not speak for any other organizations.”

Tipton said he doesn’t keep track of the organizations of people that donate to his campaign. 

“As a school board member, I will meet with and talk to any person or organization that has a concern or question,” Tipton said. 

Jessica Tillmann is the chapter chair for the Seminole County chapter of Moms for Liberty. She personally has donated to both Critz and Tipton. In an interview with Oviedo Community News, she said the Seminole County chapter of Moms for Liberty decided not to endorse any candidates this election cycle. 

“I think it was an inappropriate question,” Tillmann said. “There were no other organizations that were questioned. None of the other organizations were brought up.” 

Tillmann said she plans to vote for both Tipton and Critz. 

“Those are my candidates,” Tillmann said. “That’s also who the Republican Party is getting behind.”

The Seminole County Republican Executive Committee is endorsing both Critz and Tipton, while the Seminole County Democratic Party is endorsing Arguello and recommending a vote for Dehlinger.  

Separation of church and state draws out difference

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis approved House Bill 931 this year, which allows school boards to adopt a voluntary chaplain program in schools.

That bill was one area where some of the candidates differed. 

“I believe in the separation of church and state,” Sanchez said. “There are so many loopholes in that bill to begin with, and if we start doing that it’s going to create havoc and be an absolute disaster. It was pushed through pretty quickly. I’m Jewish. Are you going to be upset if I have a rabbi come in? I don’t think it needs to be in our schools.”

Dehlinger agreed, adding that there are very few requirements other than a background check. 

“We don’t know who the chaplain is. Did you get your chaplain degree from the internet?” Dehlinger said to laughs from the audience. “We have a mental health crisis. We need qualified people with advanced degrees mentoring and working with our children.”

Arguello said she was supportive of SCPS’ existing programs that partner with faith-based groups. Arguello said she was also supportive of making sure parents could opt in or out of the program. 

“On its face, I would say this bill was written to create confusion and divisiveness in our schools,” Arguello said. “It didn’t come with funding. It didn’t come with clarity on how to implement it.” 

Tipton and Critz were more supportive of the program. Tipton said as a law enforcement officer, he’s had to Baker Act people before. The Baker Act is the Florida law that allows someone to be involuntarily held for a period while a mental health examination is done if the person is a threat to themselves or others. 

“I’m for anything that helps your kids’ mental health. Anything to help a kid in crisis,” Tipton said. “I’m for it, because it’s (with) parental permission. … Why would you deny a little piece that could help your students suffering from a mental health crisis?”

Critz is in support of the program, and was there when DeSantis signed the bill in Central Florida.

It was an honor to be invited to the signing of both HB1317 and HB931. This allows chaplins and other faith-based advisors to be in our schools, which is exactly what we need at a time when our children are struggling with mental health and need purpose. pic.twitter.com/hmR6OcnNec

— Kelly Critz (@KellyCritzSCSB) April 18, 2024

“It doesn’t matter how you get to faith, it doesn’t matter what you practice as your faith, but I do believe we’re in a faith crisis in this country and we could use some grounding,” Critz said. “So I am 100% behind that legislation.”

The issue of book bans has become a major topic in schools in recent years. Members of Moms for Liberty read from books they wanted to see banned last year, and SCPS pulled more than 100 books last year because of challenges. 

Both Tipton and Critz said they support SCPS’ current policy for how books can be challenged. 

“I’m against book bans,” Tipton said. “I’m for age-appropriate content.”

Arguello said she wanted to find a way where parents can opt-out their kids, but leave the books in place for others. 

“Every kid shouldn’t suffer or lose access because of a few,” Arguello said. 

Sanchez said the school system needs to reevaluate books that have been pulled, and Dehlinger said banning instructional material was a first amendment issue. 

Guns on campus discussed

On other issues, there was broad agreement from the candidates. 

All were supportive of adopting some policy similar to Orange County Public Schools’ policy on banning electronic devices during the school day. OCPS requires all electronic devices –  including watches and headphones – to be stored in backpacks, off, even during lunch and between classes. Dehlinger said she wanted to see a community-led process to develop that policy with input from parents.

All the candidates were in opposition to expanding Florida’s Guardian program, where school boards can allow teachers and school staff to be armed in certain situations. While none of the candidates voiced support for allowing that in Seminole County, Tipton said he was broadly supportive of the program because some counties don’t have the funding to have as many officers in schools as SCPS. 

“That’s an easy one for me: Absolutely not,” Sanchez said. “Nobody but our school resource officers will be holding a gun in their hands. I will never allow a teacher to have a gun, or anybody on the grounds, as a matter of fact.”

Voters can still request a mail ballot for the primary election through Aug. 8. Early voting runs Aug. 10 through Aug. 17, and the primary election day is Aug. 20.