Former Teachers Flip Sarasota School Board 4-1 as 2 Conservatives Lose Seats
Updated
Updated · WUSF · Aug 18
Former Teachers Flip Sarasota School Board 4-1 as 2 Conservatives Lose Seats
3 articles · Updated · WUSF · Aug 18
Summary
Beth Mayberry and Megan Tennimon won Sarasota School Board seats, giving moderates a 4-1 majority after conservatives had controlled the board since 2022.
Both former teachers beat conservative challengers after campaigning on school funding, academic performance and support for underserved students rather than the board's culture-war agenda.
A third race is headed to a runoff: Jimmy Glover led with about 44%, while Heidi Brandt took 32% and Teresa DeWitt about 25%, leaving the seat open after Bridget Ziegler did not seek re-election.
The board had drawn national attention for hard-line fights over immigration and other cultural issues, and for turmoil after conservatives ousted Superintendent Brennan Asplen soon after taking power four years ago.