Questionnaire: Jeff Holness, Candidate for Broward County School Board District 5

Name: Jeff Holness

Residence: Sunrise, Florida

Educational Background

Nova Southeastern University, Florida Atlantic University, Broward College
Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership – (2005)
Specialization Areas: Educational Leadership and Conflict Resolution
Nova Southeastern University. Davie, FL
Master of Science in Education - (2001)
Specialization Areas: Curriculum Design, Educational Technology and Online Teaching
Nova Southeastern University. Davie, FL
Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology - (1998)
Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts/Associate of Science (1992)
Broward Community College. Davie, FL
Dillard High School-1989, NSU 2005 - Doctor of Education, NSU Master of Science-2001, FAU-
1998 Bachelor of Arts, Broward College 1992

Have you ever been arrested? No
Have you ever been convicted of a crime? No
Have you declared bankruptcy in the last 7 years? No
Are you a first time candidate? No

Offices you've run for or have served in. If you were elected, list the years/terms you served in that office.
School Board of Broward County -2022 Elected
School Board of Broward County -2020
City of Sunrise-2018
City of Plantation-2011, 2013, 2015

Candidate's Net Worth
$1.1 Million

Campaign Website: re-electjeffholness.com

Office Seeking: School Board, District 5

How much has your campaign raised to date? $34,000
How much has your campaign spent to date? About $5,000
Cash on hand: $29,000

Campaign Email Address: info@re-electjeffholness.com

List all endorsements
Organizations: Broward Teachers Union, AFL-CIO, Hispanic Vote, Broward County Council of
Professional Fire Fighters, Hindu America PAC

Elected Officials/Individuals: Marty Kiar-Broward County Property Appraiser, Harold F. Pryor- Broward County State Attorney, Florida Senator Rosalind Osgood, Broward County Commissioner Elect Alexandra Davis, Plantation mayor Nick Sortal, Plantation Councilmember Louis Reinstein, Plantation Councilmember Jennifer Andreu, and Sunrise Commissioner Jacqueline Guzman

Do you currently serve, or have you ever served on any municipal, county, or school board appointed committees/boards? Yes

List the committee/board, who/what entity appointed you, your terms on that board, and your position.
Member of the Broward County Cultural Council (2022-Present)
Member of the Broward County Racial Equity Task Force (2022 - Present)
Member of Broward County Oversight Committee (2022 - Present)

List all civic associations, nonprofits, private associations and organizations that you are active in.
Member of Greater Sunrise Kiwanis Club. Provided numerous services to children of Broward
County to include K-Kids, and School Beautification. (2017 - Present)
Member of Lauderhill Kiwanis Club (2010-2012, 2016-2017, 2024-Present)
Member of the Broward County Democratic Black Caucus
Member of the Plantation Democratic Club

Past President, Kiwanis Club of Lauderhill, Kiwanis International: Directed numerous fundraisers and oversaw programs implemented in various schools as President of the Kiwanis Club. Provided numerous services to children of Broward County to include K-Kids, and Kids and the Power of Work programs. Also, conducted youth mentoring, feeding program, and back-to-school drives. Past Member of Plantation Kiwanis Club: Provided numerous services to children of Broward County to include K-Kids, School Beautification and Kids and the Power of Work programs Past Vice-President of the Lauderhill Kiwanis Club. Provided numerous services to children of Broward County to include K-Kids, and School Beautification. Past Member of Broward County’s Consumer Protection Board, Broward County Florida. (2017-2022).
Past Plantation Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Chair: Provide suggestions and advice to City Council on improving Parks and Recreation Activities.
Past Member of Plantation Summer Scholarship Committee: Make yearly decision on grants to fund summer camp programs for economically disadvantaged students in the city.
Member of Broward County Democratic Black Caucus
Member of Plantation Democratic Club
Past Member of Greater Sunrise Democratic Club.
Past Member of West Broward Democratic Club.
Past Member of East Sunrise Resident Association.
Past Member of West Sunrise Resident Association.
Past Member of Central Sunrise Resident Association.

Introduce yourself to our readers by telling us why you're running for School Board.‍

My Top Three Reasons for Running:
1. To put our District is in the best position to be A rated through implementation of effective programs and initiatives, effectively meeting the needs of our ESOL students, effectively meeting the needs of ESE students, effectively meeting the needs of our struggling students, and valuing our teachers and staff.

2. To Navigate Broward County Schools to a stable top-notch school district through redefining our schools, supporting action plans to attract families and increase enrollment, improving district-wide customer service, improving the aesthetic appeal of our schools, building strong community partnerships, and strengthening our PTA/PTSAs.

3. The District Needs Continuity to Resolve Current Major Pending Issues. I am in the best position to maintain continuity in this time period when proven experienced leadership matters. We are in the middle of major concerns and changes in our school district. The district is in the middle of redefining schools including possibility of closing some schools. The district is also in the middle of completing major construction projects with a deadline of 2025. The district is also looking at how to efficiently provide services and compensate staff while maintaining a reasonable fund balance that aligns with state requirements. Further, the District also has safety measures currently pending such as the implementation of metal detectors in all high schools starting over the summer with Flanagan and Taravella High Schools and into the first quarter of next school year for all high schools and the list goes on. Due to the scope of concerns existing currently, proven experienced leadership matters. I am confident that I am able to provide that.

What specific experience or qualifications do you bring to this role that makes you the best candidate?

‍My wide scope of experience in education from teaching and learning to educational leadership! My in-depth understanding of school base as well as district base issues! My passion for education and learning! My many years of community service! My dedication to student learning outcome! I have been an educator for the past 25 years. I have served in several capacity as an educator in Broward County Public Schools and currently as a small
business owner of a math and reading center. My experience on the School Board along with my extensive experience as a past BCPS educator/school leader and my experience running a successful small education business position me as the best qualified candidate to represent our school District. I have spent my entire career dedicated to the education and wellbeing of our children. In the past, I have taken on numerous school-based leadership roles and continued to grow year after year receiving numerous recognitions for students’ success including department Teacher of the Year for two middle schools and Broward County Department Teacher of the Year Finalists. In addition, I have always been very involved in serving my community and have held several roles serving on many boards in Broward County. I have demonstrated throughout my career my passion and commitment to children and my community. I strongly believe that I am the most qualified and best candidate for this seat at this time.

Below is a summary of some of my relevant experience:
Summary of Leadership Knowledge and Experience
*School Advisory Council (SAC) Chair
*Anti-Defamation League - School Coordinator
*Broward County Public Schools’ Assistant Principal Program: Leadership Experience &
Administrative Development (LEAD)
*Broward County Public Schools’ North Area Assistant Principal program: Leadership and
Mentoring Program (LAMP)
*Broward County Public Schools’ South Area Assistant Principal program: South Area Leaders
of Tomorrow (SALT 1 & 11)
*Ed.D in Organizational Leadership (NSU)
*ESOL Coordinator
*Florida Certification in Educational Leadership
*Monarch I Zone Family Nights – Community Partnership Coordinator
*School Base Literacy Leadership Team
*Student Learning Communities (SLC) – Founder and Coordinator
*Title 1 Parent Involvement Nights – Community Partnership Coordinator
*Kiwanis Club – President
Summary of other Experiences
FAU Clinical Intern Educator, Broward County Public Schools Coop with FAU (2012-2014):
Supervise, monitor, and evaluate the performance of teacher interns from Florida Atlantic
University.
Assistant Principal Designee (Operational), Broward County Public Schools (2008 – 2015):
Coordinated daily school operations including transportation services, cafeteria and routine
emergency drills during absence of assistant principals. Used school district’s discipline
matrix to administer consequences for incidents, resulting in corrective behavior, increased
student achievement, and greater parent involvement
Assistant Principal Designee (Instructional), Broward County Public Schools (2008 – 2015):
Conducted Leadership Council workshops with department heads and coaches on creating
goals for the School Improvement Plan (SIP) and programs to increase student achievement.
Conducted staff development sessions to include topics on Common Core State Standards,
FCAT 2, PARCC, calculating AMOs, EOC exams, school improvement, lesson planning, ESOL,
FCAT strategies, data analysis and diversity awareness. Part of interview panel for several
key positions at school. Participates in pre-conference activities utilizing Marzano Art and
Science of Teaching Teacher Evaluation Tool.
SAC Chair/Co-Chair, Broward County Public Schools, (2008-2015): Facilitated the writing,
implementation, and monitoring of the School Improvement Plan and the School
Comprehensive Planning Tool. Recruited parents, business and community partners to
support school improvement goals and created sub-committees that comprised parents and
teachers to advance the goals of the School Advisory Council including implementation of
SIP. Adhered to the Code of Ethics and ensured a fair process in decision-making. Made
budget requests decisions as SAC chair using data (BAT, FCAT, and grades) to fund programs
and materials aligned with SIP and aimed at increasing student achievement.
Teacher Mentor, Broward County Public Schools, (2006-2014), Mentored interim teachers by
sharing effective teaching strategies and materials including Marzano High Yields,
Differentiated Instructions, cooperative grouping, and utilizing technology in the classroom.
Conducted staff development sessions to include topics on school improvement, lesson
planning, ESOL, FCAT strategies, data analysis and diversity awareness resulting in greater
teacher competence.

Associate Professor (Online), Graceland University (2005 – 2015): Instruct course in the field
of communications Revised University’s Intercultural Communication’s course to align with
of communications. Revised University s Intercultural Communication s course to align with
latest edition of text.
Teacher (Gifted, Regular, and Adult), Broward County Public Schools (1998-2015):
a) Apollo Middle School (U.S. History) – Developed lessons plans and taught Advance/Gifted
U.S. History to 8th grade students utilizing strategies to include Marzano, differentiated
instructions, project based and cooperative groupings and using data driven approaches to
ensure optimum student learning.
b) Lyons Creek Middle (Geography) -- Developed lessons plans and taught
Regular/Advance/Gifted Geography to 7th grade students utilizing strategies to include
Marzano, differentiated instructions, project based and cooperative groupings and using data
driven approaches to ensure optimum student learning.
c) Walter C. Young Middle (World History) - Developed lessons plans and taught
Advance/Gifted World History to 6th grade students utilizing strategies to include Marzano,
differentiated instructions, project based and cooperative groupings and using data driven
approaches to ensure optimum student learning.
School Board of Broward County, Developed “Silence Hurts” lesson plans for SBBC’s Special
Investigative Unit to be used county-wide by elementary schools enabling students to take
appropriate reporting actions such as emailing or calling to reduce crime.
Adult Community School (GED/ABE), Instruct GED/ABE classes through a combination of
facilitative student centered and teacher led approaches to ensure maximum success on the
State GED test.

ESOL Coordinator, Broward County Public Schools, (2010-2011): Ascertained appropriate
placement in the ESOL program of over 130 students resulting in 100% of LFs transitioning
to LZ and ELLs receiving proper accommodations to include flexible timing, ELL strategies,
differentiated instructions, supplementary materials, and multilingual staff assistance.
Collected, analyzed, and shared ELL’s FCAT, CELLA and IPT data to meet the requirements of
the META Consent Decree. Coordinated the development of and supervised the school’s
parent volunteer One Step Forward ESOL English Language program. Recruited over 50
bilingual peer counselors (6 languages) to provide peer mentoring to. Planned and
coordinated ELL Parent Night by disseminating information in several languages and utilizing
aspiring leaders to conduct several presentations.

‍
Student Learning Communities Founder/Coordinator, Broward County Public Schools, (2009-
2012): Founded and implemented a school-wide Student Learning Communities (SLC)
program resulting in increases in learning gains in reading and math for Economically
Disadvantaged students. Collaborated with instructional staff to developed curriculum,
lessons and assessments that utilized Marzano High Yields and differentiated instruction (DI)
and facilitated teacher trainings for school’s SLC program. Delegated leadership tasks to
various members of our SLC Core Planning Team to make decisions on identifying students,
curriculum development, scheduling, and teacher recruitment. Created a curriculum team
comprised of department heads, coaches, and teachers to develop curriculum and lesson
plans based on power benchmarks to instruct and ascertain the progress of 350+
economically disadvantaged students in the SLC program.

‍
Monarch Zone Business Partner Coordinator, Broward County Public Schools, (2009-2012):
Planned and coordinated parents and partners’ participation in the School’s Zone Family
Night and Title 1 Parent Involvement Night while serving as the Zone’s Business Partner
Coordinator and Title 1 Children’s Program Coordinator.
Middle School Leadership Council, Broward County Public Schools, (2009-2012): Conducted
Leadership Council workshops with department heads and coaches on creating SIP goals,
action plans, and programs to increase student achievement
Diversity Awareness Committee Chair, Broward County Public School, (2008-2009): Founded
and led the Diversity Awareness Committee whose mission is to design school wide activities
to promote Black, Hispanic, Jewish and women’s history and to increase diversity awareness
among teachers and students. Provided diversity trainings to staff, coordinated students’
anti-defamation league and anti-bullying workshops and invited guest speakers to address
staff on diversity. Planned, coordinated, and supervised several diversity events including
the school’s annual cultural showcase with approximately 600+ students and parents
celebrating cultural diversity through plays, projects and music yearly.

‍

From your standpoint, what are the top three issues impacting the district? What is your plan to address these issues, and what specific initiatives or strategies will you champion?

‍There are numerous pending issues, but the top three are likely the ones below;
1. Decline in enrolment - We have lost over 40, 000 students in the last 2 decades. Schools
are funded by the state based on actual student enrolment using a measure call FTE or full
time equivalent. When schools are significantly under-enrolled, the District encounters
challenges to function effectively. We will not be able to continue to function efficiently
unless the District either fills or reduces the number of empty seats. With increasing number
of charter schools, educational options such as virtual learning and incentives provided for
parent choices, filling the empty seats in our traditional public schools is more challenging
and will require a long-term action plan to regain students. Consequently, the immediate and
responsible option to resolve the problem so we can effectively meet the needs of our
students and maximize the weight of the FTE dollar is to reduce the number of empty seats
which will involve closing some schools as part of our redefining process.
We need to determine how many empty seats we can eliminate to function effectively as a
district without losing important programs or having negative learning impact on students.
Subsequently, we can use this data to help guide the school closing process and determine
what and how many schools to close. Factors such as current enrolment versus capacity and
adjacent capacity need to be considered in the process. I also emphasized that the process
must be equitable and community driven. In addition, we will need to simultaneously put in
place a plan to compete to gradually regain students over time. Competing involves doing
better at customer service, focusing on the aesthetic appeal of our schools, doing better at
marketing the good things about Broward Public Schools, evaluating and implementing
educational programs and initiatives that work, attract leadership staff that understand and
embrace the vision, and so on.

2. How to become an A District - We need to look at the areas where we are weak or lacking
and address them. We need to examine our student data across the District as well as school
specific and determine what targeted programs and instructional support to put in place. We
need ensure that resources are distributed in an equitable manner based on where there is
greater need. We need to provide adequate staff development to meet the needs of all
students including our ESE and ESOL students. In addition to having the goal of being A
rated from the state, we need to be A rated in our customer service and A rated in our
aesthetic appeal. We are working diligently to improve in those areas as well and I am
confident that we can get there and we will.

3. How to complete the SMART bond projects by 2025 - Hold all involved accountable, have
constant monitoring, get regular progress updates, ensure the local and minority firms are
receiving timely payments for work done so they are positioned to provide effective service,
make changes to leadership and staff when necessary, and ensure there is communication
and input with the community.

Ensuring community engagement and transparency is crucial in government. If you were elected, how would you go about involving residents in decision-making processes and ensuring accountability?
I have been a strong advocate of community involvement. I have either conducted or
participated in numerous community events and town halls. Involving the community
includes visits to all schools in your district to understand school base issues, visiting a
significant number of community groups (HOAs, Kiwanis Clubs, civic groups, city
commissions and community events to get a comprehensive understanding of our issues
and how the community and district can work together to resolve them. I have been doing
so and have made significant strides on many issues putting us on a great path to success.

Broward Schools has faced turmoil over the years. How will you ensure that the district stays on track?

‍We are also in the middle of major concerns and changes in our school district. The district is
in the middle of redefining schools including possibility of closing some schools. The district
is also in the middle of completing major construction projects with a deadline of 2025. The
district is also looking at how to efficiently provide services and compensate staff while
maintaining a reasonable fund balance that aligns with state requirements. Further, the
District also has safety measures currently pending such as the implementation of metal
detectors in all high schools starting over the summer with Flanagan and Taravella High
Schools and into the first quarter of next school year for all high schools and the list goes on.
The District has endured so many major changes and is facing so many challenges going
forward that electing a proven experienced leader matters. I am confident that I am able to
continue to provide that. I am proud of my achievements in my first term as school board
member for District 5. Some highlights include expanding opportunities for minority
businesses to work with our school system, pushing for the prioritization of Exceptional
Student Education, working to ensure equitable resources to help all our schools, adding
benefits to help attract and retain teachers, bringing measures to enhance school safety,
creating partnerships with schools and businesses to help foster future jobs, working closely
with the local PTA/PTSA to involve parents and families and so much more.

In what ways are you similar of different from your opponent?

‍My wide scope of experience in education from teaching and learning to educational
leadership! My in-depth understanding of school base as well as district base issues! My
passion for education and learning! My many years of community service! My dedication to
student learning outcome! I have been an educator for the past 25 years. I have served in
several capacity as an educator in Broward County Public Schools and currently as a small
business owner of a math and reading center. My experience on the School Board along with
my extensive experience as a past BCPS educator/school leader and my experience running
a successful small education business position me as the best qualified candidate to
represent our school District.

I have spent my entire career dedicated to the education and wellbeing of our children. In
the past, I have taken on numerous school-based leadership roles and continued to grow
year after year receiving numerous recognitions for students’ success including department
Teacher of the Year for two middle schools and Broward County Department Teacher of the
Year Finalists. In addition, I have always been very involved in serving my community and
have held several roles serving on many boards in Broward County. I have demonstrated
throughout my career my passion and commitment to children and my community. I strongly
believe that I am the most qualified and best candidate for this seat at this time.

Recently, Broward schools have been in the headlines for plans to close some of its schools and educational facilities. What are your thoughts on the proposal? Are there any schools in particular you think should close? Why or why not?

‍I agree that we need to close some schools due to significant decline in enrollment across the
District. Schools are funded by the state based on actual student enrolment using a measure
call FTE or full time equivalent. When schools are significantly under-enrolled, the District
encounters challenges to function effectively. There are approximately 43000 empty seats in
Broward County Schools. We will not be able to continue to function efficiently unless the
District either fills or reduces the number of empty seats. With increasing number of charter
schools, educational options such as virtual learning and incentives provided for parent
choices, filling the empty seats in our traditional public schools is more challenging and will
require a long-term action plan to regain students. Consequently, the immediate and
responsible option to resolve the problem so we can effectively meet the needs of our
students and maximize the weight of the FTE dollar is to reduce the number of empty seats
which will involve closing some schools as part of our redefining process.

Therefore, I agree that we need to close some schools due to significant decline in
enrolment. I do not believe that the most effective approach to doing so is to come up with
an arbitrary number. We need to determine how many empty seats we can eliminate to
function effectively as a district without losing important programs or having negative
learning impact on students. Subsequently, we can use this data to help guide the school
closing process and determine what and how many schools to close. Factors such as current
enrolment versus capacity and adjacent capacity need to be considered in the process. I also
emphasized that the process must be equitable and community driven.

Broward County's school district is often in the headlines due to its reluctance to go along with much of the Governor's social agenda, namely on cultural issue such as LGBTQ+ visibility, and so called "wokeness" in public education. What are your thoughts on this, and do you believe that the district should follow these measures?

‍While we as a district will continue to function within the confines of the law, our focus will
always be addressing the needs of our students in the most effective way possible
regardless of politics.

Do you believe that transgender students in Broward County's schools should be allowed to use bathrooms that correlate with their gender identity, be referred to by their chosen names, using the pronouns associated with their gender identity, and play sports that correlate with their gender identity?

‍Yes! I believe all students should be treated with dignity and respect. I believe that we must
embrace diversity, equity, and positive school climate. I will continue to embrace these
beliefs within the boundaries of current laws and challenge these for change when
necessary.