Three candidates are vying for the school board seat representing Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens and the surrounding areas after incumbent Barbara McQuinn announced earlier this year that she won't seek re-election.
Candidates Matthew Jay Lane, Page Lewis and Francesca Wernisch vary in their experiences with elected office and how they would hope to support students.
Of seven school board seats, three were up for grabs this year — seats representing districts 1, 2 and 5, although Virginia Savietto has clinched the District 2 seat being vacated by Alexandria Ayala after Savietto was the only candidate to qualify in that race.
The District 1 seat is being vacated by McQuinn, who was elected to the board in 2016. A former teacher and principal of Palm Beach Gardens High, McQuinn also serves as the school board's vice chair this year.
Boca Raton:Who is running for school board? A look at the candidates and their finances
Palm Beach County voters, regardless of party affiliation, can vote for a candidate running for the seat in the district in which the voter lives. School board elections in Florida are currently nonpartisan, although voters will decide on a ballot measure this November that could require school board candidates to declare a party starting in 2026.
Palm Beach County school board members serve four-year terms and are elected on a rotating basis.
The three candidates for the Jupiter-area seat will face off in the primary election on Aug. 20. If no single candidate garners more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters will be on the ballot in the general election Nov. 5.
The Palm Beach Post performed a criminal background check on every candidate for school board. The Post is reporting any criminal charges filed and the outcome of the cases since January 2012, even when they did not result in a conviction. The Post is not reporting traffic infractions unless they resulted in criminal charges.
The candidates below are listed in alphabetical order, using the names that will appear on the ballot.
Here's who is running to represent District 1:
About Matthew Jay Lane: Jupiter-area school board candidate
Age and residence: Lane, 69, lives in Mirasol in Palm Beach Gardens.
Platform: His priorities include improving reading in young students, recruiting and keeping teachers and providing strong career programs for students who do not attend college. Lane said he hopes to put more police officers in schools, and that Florida's per-student spending is a "disgrace." He said members of the school board should push harder for more money for education at the local level.
In his words: "Our School District has a budget of $4.9 billion dollars. We have approximately 23,000 employees and 170,000 students in 182 schools," Lane said. "Prior to starting my law firm, I was Vice President & General Counsel to a financial corporation. I understand finance, law and management. Additionally, I have experience governing as an elected public official."
Occupation: Family and divorce lawyer at Lane Law Firm. Former Palm Beach Gardens city council member.
Education: Law degree, Northwestern University
Children in the district: None currently. Lane's adult son attended Marsh Pointe Elementary, Independence Middle and William T. Dwyer High.
Criminal history: None.
Finances: Lane has raised $41,586 and spent $14,588 as of June 28.
Lane's campaign website is https://www.laneforpalmbeachcountyschoolboard.com/
About Page Lewis: Jupiter-area school board candidate
Age and residence: Lewis, 57, lives in Palm Beach Country Estates.
Platform: Her priorities include improving literacy in students of all grade levels, boosting test scores, budget accountability and hiring more high-quality teachers. Lewis said that increasing teacher pay and creating meaningful merit raises for veteran teachers will help keep more educators working for the district. Lewis says on her campaign website that she also wants to give parents more choice and control in their child's education.
In her words: "I am qualified for this position with a background in education, small business, and mental health," Lewis said. "My work ethic and ability to think out of the box will bring a fresh look at how we educate our students."
Occupation: Director of literacy at Urban Youth Impact, a Christian youth ministry that serves children living in poverty in and around West Palm Beach.
Education: Master's degree in addiction counseling, Grand Canyon University, and bachelor's degree in communications, Virginia Wesleyan University
Children in the district: Lewis' daughter graduated from Palm Beach Lakes High in 2022.
Criminal history: None.
Finances: Lewis has raised $48,980 and spent $21,325 as of June 28.
Lewis' campaign website is https://pagelewis.com/
About Francesca Wernisch: Jupiter-area school board candidate
Age and residence: Wernish, 39, lives in North Palm Beach.
Platform: Her priorities include improving student achievement through mental health support for them, inclusivity in schools, teacher training and financial responsibility at all levels. Wernisch said it's her priority to continue running an equity-embedded school district amid new state laws restricting classroom instruction and discussion.
In her words: "As a mom with two children in a PBCSD school, I want to ensure every student has the opportunity to be educated in a way that supports them, keeps them safe, and ensures they graduate from our schools as citizens we want to be among."
Occupation: Recreation assistant at the Village of North Palm Beach. Wernisch has served as the treasurer for her children's school advisory committee since 2022.
Education: Bachelor’s degree in construction management, University of Florida
Children in the district: Her two children attend middle school in the district.
Criminal history: None.
Finances: Wernisch has raised $13,141 and spent $3,584 as of June 28.
Wernisch's campaign website is https://francescawernisch.com/
Katherine Kokal is a journalist covering education at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at kkokal@pbpost.com. Help support our work; subscribe today!
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