Approved & Paid for by Brenda Wirick, candidate Jefferson County Schools, District 3
My name is Brenda Wirick, and I am humbly asking for your vote for re-election to the Jefferson County School Board, District 3. My husband, Mark, and I are both Jefferson County natives, and this community is near and dear to our hearts.
I have been teaching for over 20 years and currently teach in Leon County. My 12 years of teaching right here in Jefferson County developed a deep love and appreciation for our students, teachers, and staff.
During my tenure teaching in Jefferson County, our school system experienced decades of board mismanagement, low student performance, and high teacher and principal turnover. These issues led to severe financial pitfalls resulting in teacher furloughs and below-average academic performance, necessitating the Florida Department of Education's removal of control from the Jefferson County School Board, placing a charter school company to manage our district.
When I resigned from Somerset Charter Schools in October 2019, deep challenges were facing our schools. Following much prayer and discussions with my family my decision to run for School Board in 2022 was set. My goal—to change the trajectory of our district and rebuild a solid foundation for our kids.
Serving our schools, our children, and this community alongside a truly dedicated team over the last four years has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career. I care tremendously about our students, teachers, staff, and families. Every decision I make is rooted in that care, and I am incredibly grateful to the voters of District 3 for entrusting me with the opportunity to serve.
With a humble heart, I remain fully aware of the responsibility you placed in my hands four years ago. When I first ran in 2022, I promised to bring a steady hand to governance, regain control of our finances, increase teacher morale, restore respect and professionalism, and support student success.
Together with my colleagues and our hard-working Jefferson County Schools staff, we haven't just improved the status quo—we have accomplished great things.
Key Accomplishments Over the Last Four Years:
• Leadership & Professionalism: We have fostered a culture of mutual respect on the School Board, proving that leadership can be both effective and principled.
• Fiscal Integrity: We have managed your tax dollars with total integrity, delivering a balanced budget with a robust 34% fund balance as of June 2026.
• Academic Achievement: Most importantly, our schools are winning. We have achieved passing school grades, increased performance in all academic areas, raised graduation rates, and expanded participation in Dual Enrollment, Adult Education, and Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs.
• Supportive Environment: We updated obsolete policies, cultivated a positive and inviting teaching environment, and supported our educators so they can thrive—which directly reflects in our students' success.
• Behavior & Campus Climate: Behavior concerns have improved. The Board fully supports our Community Partnership School and Principal Davis's Positive Behavior Support programs, which are proven tactics driving positive climate shifts across our campuses.
I am committed to maintaining the Tiger Pride we have established and growing a "Tiger’s Heart" in every student and employee through sound decisions, community input, student-focused programs, and strong retention of our outstanding staff.
I am deeply honored to be a part of the Believe in Jefferson Tiger Team. Let’s keep Jefferson County moving forward. We cannot afford to slide backward; we must protect the collaborative progress we have fought so hard to achieve.
I ask for your support, I ask for your partnership, I ask for your prayers, and I ask for your vote.
Important Dates & Information:
- School Board races are non-partisan – everyone votes regardless of party affiliation.
- This election WILL BE DECIDED during the Primary Elections on August 18th.
- Early Voting begins August 3rd and ends August 15th
- Primary Election Date: August 18th
Let’s Keep Moving Forward! Thank you, and God bless our schools