Common Core, Libertarian candidate, textbooks, and more - An opinion

An opinion

Submitted by Robin Lentz

August 24, 2016 10:00 a.m.

I am writing to respond to several claims I have heard Janet Adkins, current State Representative and candidate for Nassau County Superintendent of Schools, make regarding curriculum and text books. She claims she will do away with “Common Core” curriculum. An experienced and seasoned educator knows that curriculum and standards must align.

The State of Florida adopted Florida State Standards which are the same standards as Common Core with very minor changes. She’s been very quick to negatively attack tests scores, but I want to ask: What will happen to our test scores if we are not teaching the curriculum that matches and aligns with the standards?

Furthermore, she says she will adopt textbooks “locally.” We do adopt our textbooks locally. I have worked for the Nassau County School Board since August 2003, and we adopt textbooks by assembling a review panel of teachers. They meet multiple times to discuss the pros and cons of several vendors’ textbooks. Parents have been a part of this adoption process and the books are typically presented at our School Advisory Council meetings for approval.

If Mrs. Adkins actually worked in a school, visited one of our schools, or engaged with our administrators, she might actually know this information. Instead, she chooses to visit other schools around the state and launch negative attacks on our district. I have been following this campaign from the beginning, and I have yet to find where Mrs. Adkins has said one positive thing about our schools.

Finally, I want to close with what frustrates me the most about this campaign, and that is the fact that Mrs. Adkins continues to skirt the question of her relationship with Libertarian candidate, Cheryl Reynolds James. I wrote a letter to the NewsLeader in June, and Mrs. Adkins responded to my claims but did not answer the questions regarding James. She was asked the same question at the debate hosted by the NewsLeader on July 18. She responded by saying a lot of other things as a diversion and quickly stated she did not know James. She may not have spoken to James directly, but her people have orchestrated this third candidate at her direction.

Upon examination of the financial statements, James’ most expensive expenditure was to a man named Raymond Johnson from Jacksonville for getting petitions signed. Interesting enough, the same address listed for Raymond Johnson is also listed on Adkins' expenditures six times for a business called “Grassroots Campaign Management." There are Facebook posts where James has claimed retirement and offered ways for folks to get their Janet Adkins signs. James is more of an Adkins proponent than opponent. Janet has not been honest with the voters about her political ploys.

People have been sending many flyers “Thanking Janet” in one way or another. I would like to take this opportunity to urge the remaining Democrats and No-Party Affiliation folks (nearly half of our county) to thank Janet for not being able to vote in one of the most important races this year. For someone who touts herself as a patriot, she has certainly taken away what Americans treasure the most: the right to vote. Her claims prove she has NO experience in education and her actions prove she IS an experienced politician.

Editor's Note:  Robin Lentz who holds a masters degree in education is a guidance counselor at Fernandina Beach Middle School, and serves as Vice-Mayor on the Fernandina Beach City Commissioner.  Lentz is involved in the campaign to elect Dr. Kathy Burns for Nassau County School Superintendent.