Chronicle endorses Virginia ‘Ginger’ Bryant for school board

Nick Bryant, Ginger's Husband, was a Guest Columnist for the Citrus County Chronicle on Friday, Aug 14, 2020 p. A14

SCHOOL BOARD: A HUSBANDS PERSPECTIVE:

I would like to begin by thanking the Chronicle for their endorsement of Ginger Bryant for school board in district 2. All of Ginger Bryant’s, adult life has been dedicated to the

educational excellence of Citrus County’s children. She is a strong advocate for public

education as a student, teacher and school board member. She is the mother of three

children (two of whom are now Citrus educators) and the wife of a retired coach. She

taught at Crystal River Middle School for 25 years and has been serving as a School Board member for 20 years to continue to meet the educational needs of our children. She believes persons running for school board should embrace public schools for their

children and themselves. Faith in public school education should be a prerequisite for

public school board members.

Ginger will always fight for the safety and educational needs of all children. Children are our future. She strongly believes that our future lies in their hands and we must prepare them for tomorrow’s world. Her top three priorities are God, Family, and Children evidenced by the many summers she spent as a counselor and teacher at Florida Bible Camp.

The School Board is not a part-time job for Ginger. She spends many hours volunteering in our schools and helping parents with the needs of their children. Her phone is listed, and she is always available to parents, teachers and anyone with questions about our schools. As a teacher, Ginger was chosen to participate in Blueprint 2000 in 1990. This was the beginning of our school advisory councils. We now have 22 schools with advisory councils in Citrus County. Ginger served as a teacher on Crystal River Middle School's council. Councils are made up of a school board member, teachers, support staff, administration, parents, students, retirees and business personnel. They work all year to come up with a school improvement plan to submit to the State. Ginger has served on 4 to 5 school councils each year as a school board member for 20 years. She has over 760 total hours of service on these councils. In my opinion this is equivalent to a masters degree in the needs of our local schools. 

She also works at the state level and is on the governing board of the Florida School Board Association and is a trustee since 2004 on the Florida School Board Insurance Trust which saves our school district many thousands of dollars each year.

Ginger’s opponents say it is time for a change and proven experience is not as important as their “new” ideas. Is this a redirection from years of proven success to years of experimenting and trials during this pandemic? In the last twenty years, these opponents have never contacted Ginger or the Board about changes they thought would help our schools. We have a great school system and there is an old saying: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Most people prefer experience and success to inexperience and chance. Would you like a heart surgeon of 20 years to perform your operation or one who had never done a cardiac procedure?

Many years ago the school board was made nonpartisan because people decided that

education, not politics, was more important. In fact, it is against the rules for candidates to state a party on their advertisements. The focus should always be the children. I am sure the voters of Citrus County will look at the qualifications of the candidates and choose the person who is best for our children. Ginger has taken care of our children's needs on the School Board for 20 years. 

Continue her success and re-elect Ginger Bryant, a child advocate, to the SCHOOL BOARD ON NOVEMBER 3RD

I am voting for Ginger Bryant for school board. We moved here in 1987 and I was a teacher at Crystal River Middle School, where I got to know Ginger Bryant. When our youngest son entered middle school, I requested Ginger Bryant as his teacher. Requesting a teacher for your child is the highest compliment that one teacher can give another. Many years later, my oldest granddaughter attended CRMS and I again requested Ginger Bryant to be her teacher.

Ginger Bryant taught in Citrus County her entire career. After retiring she was elected to the school board. This shows a life-long commitment to the Citrus County school system and a lifetime of serving the needs of Citrus County in education.

I worked at all four middle schools and was principal of Citrus Springs, Inverness and

Lecanto Middle Schools. My experience allowed me the privilege of working with many

dedicated and talented people. Ginger Bryant is at the top of this list. I saw her as an

excellent classroom teacher, but also as an excellent school board member. One of the most impressive things about Ginger is that when attending SAEC meetings, she arrived early, talked with students and parents, and more importantly listened to their ideas and concerns. School board members are busy people and Ginger found the time to attend every single SAEC meeting. Not only did she attend, but she also contributed in a very thoughtful and supportive way.

Ginger Bryant brings a unique perspective to the Citrus County School Board. She is a

former teacher, a team leader, an experienced school board member, and was born and raised in Citrus County. She has been proven to have a passion and commitment to the students, parents, staff, and the Citrus County school system. In these trying times, we need Ginger Bryant on the Citrus School Board. She understands the issues facing the school system. Her experience as teacher, parent, and school board member give her the background information and perspective that will help guide our school system forward.

Simply put, Ginger Bryant loves Citrus County, Citrus County schools, and will do what is right for the right reason. She is student centered. She has everything that I as a parent, a retired teacher and administrator want. She already has all the attributes a school board member needs. She has my vote and I hope she has yours.

- Bill Farrell, Crystal River

Ginger Bryant has spent her life as steadfast supporter of students, families, and teachers in the Citrus County School System. As a product of our local school system, Ms. Bryant understands the importance of relationship building in a small-town environment where everyone knows and cares for their neighbor.

She spent her decades as a respected teacher and curriculum leader, building these relationships by nurturing and empowering generations of students and teachers.

After retirement from the classroom, Ms. Bryant brought this wealth of experience to the Citrus County School Board as an exceptional leader and has been able to work with students, families, and educational and community leaders to help craft our local school system into one of the best in the state of Florida.

Ms. Bryant’s knowledge of board policy, the school budget, curriculum, and mental health issues over two decades makes her indispensable as a leader on our School Board. Her experience includes service to five school advisory councils for the past 20 years, gaining knowledge that she brings back to School Board Meetings. Ms. Bryant also brings a state level perspective to School Board Meetings being a Board of Directors member of the Florida School Board Association.

An advocate of learning for all children, Ms. Bryant supports programs for our students with exceptionalities as well as our academically gifted students and every child in between. To this end, Ms. Bryant supports our Special Academic Programs and High School Academies as well as our vocational programs both within our schools and at

WTC. She recognizes that we need to prepare our students for a life of learning weather they choose to be a college educated professional or a vocationally educated tradesmen. 

Ms. Bryant attends many student arts events and always supports the Arts in our schools. In addition, Ms. Bryant is a great supporter of student athletics and understands the importance of our students not only receiving a first-rate

education in our classrooms, but also on our fields, in our gymnasiums, and in our auditoriums/cafetorium's. During these unprecedented times we are living through, it is important to have experienced leaders who are steady, reliable, and experienced. When voting in this election, please consider the experience, relationship building, and dedication that Ms. Bryant contributes to our school district. It is my pleasure to endorse Ginger Bryant for continued service on the Citrus County School Board.

-Dave Brown, Hernando

Ginger Bryant for Citrus County School Board. I’ve had the opportunity to work with Ginger for many years, both as classroom teachers as well as school board members. Ginger Bryant has always dedicated herself to the betterment of students in Citrus County. She has many years of experience, is extremely hard working, is child  focused, and would continue to be an asset to our outstanding school system. She has my vote. I hope she has yours!

- Louis Miele, Beverly Hills

I am writing this letter to ask my friends and Citrus County voters to keep Ginger Bryant in the nonpartisan position on our school board for District 2.

Ginger has given her entire adult life to the school system for the safety and educational needs of all of our students. She has 25 years of teaching and 20 years on the school board.

Ginger and her husband Nick and their children have all graduated from Citrus County public schools. Their grandchildren also attended public schools in Citrus County and their great grandchildren are now attending school in the Citrus County public school system.

Ginger has a vast knowledge of what the children of our county need in all of our schools since she has participated with each school in developing their school improvement plan.

Some of her objectives are to help devise a plan to provide a better starting salary for teachers, quick diagnosis for the coronavirus, and ensuring children with mental issues are attended to whether they are from the public school system or sent to them from the private school sector.

Our current school board is a good mixture of professions. It consists of a builder, a sheriff’s deputy, a counselor, a high school teacher and a middle/elementary school teacher. This provides a broad spectrum for ideas and decisions in and out of the school system.

Ginger understands what the children of our county need, not only what they need academically but what they need technology-wise.

Please vote for Ginger Bryant for seat number 2 for the Citrus County School Board. She is indispensable.

- Dee Atkins, Crystal River

What are the most significant traits you value in others? Dependability, trustworthy, honesty, caring, intelligence and kindness towards others — these are the traits I value in people making important decisions about the future of our children. The national stage and even local candidates are sometimes challenged to uphold these traits.

However, there is one candidate who shines in this district and has always done so in her 20 years as a school board member, 25 years as a teacher and as well in community organizations and churches. Virginia “Ginger” Bryant is what most of us strive to be — dependable, effective, honest, caring and, above all, a good example of what a good person and good public servant should be.

Please return a person of decency, caring and success to the school board as you vote for Ginger in the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020.

- Dawn Harris, Crystal River

There is a saying that probably makes most teachers cringe with the improper use of the English language, but here goes. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

With the reputations of our school board members held in the highest esteem by most throughout the county and state, why would anyone possibly think of replacing Ginger Bryant with an individual who has no background in education or experience in management. Let’s keep our kids education in the hands of of a proven individual. Twenty years of experience as a board member cannot be replaced, in addition to her first hand knowledge of being a teacher for 25 years. I am endorsing Ginger Bryant for the Citrus County School Board because experience counts.

- Mike Dragoun, Lecanto

After serving my country in the Marine Corps, I moved to Citrus county 42 years ago.

During that time many things have changed. One thing that has remained constant is that Citrus County schools have continued to improve year after year. Many folks are

responsible for these wonderful improvements, included among them Ginger Bryant. Both as an educator in the classroom and a school board member Ginger Bryant has dedicated all her efforts to Citrus county students. She has demonstrated that she is never satisfied with the status quo and keeps moving towards improving Citrus County schools to the benefit of all students. It is with honor and great enthusiasm that I recommend and endorse Ginger Bryant for another term on the Citrus County School Board. She has earned it without a doubt.

- Patrick Shipman, Beverly Hills

I am writing to express my strong support for Ginger Bryant. As a member of the Citrus County School Board for many years, Ginger has been a strong and stable leader. She has worked tirelessly for the enhancement of our schools for all the children. Her belief in the public school system has been proven by her classroom teaching for 25 years in Crystal River before becoming a school board member. Her children always attended Citrus County Schools and she now has grandchildren attending public school here. What better sign of engagement and commitment than to have dedicated her life to calm, honest leadership. Ginger sits on multiple school advisory councils which keeps her in touch with the dynamics of individual local schools, as well as working on statewide school board committees.

Ginger always comes to CCSB meetings, having studied in advance and prepared to engage in discussion. She is devoted to giving our children a quality education and vocational training so that they are fully prepared for whatever they choose after high school graduation. Ginger is working to support advances in caring for the mental health of our children as well as their physical safety in this stressful time. Please vote for Ginger Bryant and keep a devoted student advocate on our Citrus County School Board.

- Winifred Schreiber, Floral City

It is my pleasure to recommend Virginia “Ginger” Bryant for re-election as a Citrus County school board member. Ginger and I began our professional teaching careers together fifty years ago as members of the Citrus County School System.

We have been delighted and amazed at the myriad of changes that have taken place during this time. Like the children of our classrooms, we learned, adapted, grew, and developed as individuals.

We came to appreciate the guidance of our elders who lead us into becoming responsible teachers who guide students toward becoming the best they can be.

As seasoned teachers, these elders emphasized the use of intelligence, experience, and insight to guide our problem solving strategies.

Ginger practices this kind of thinking as she seeks the most wise choices among the new and old options that bombard our decision makers. Ginger practices in-depth research and analysis to filter through to the best ways to serve all children, all students, of our school system. She understands her role is to move beyond her personal ideology and work with her colleagues to find or create solutions that hold the greatest good for all children, all students. Ginger has the elder wisdom of courage and restraint that honors the diversity of our population with a consistent and caring dedication for their welfare. Please vote for Ginger Bryant to help us hold the reins of change for Citrus County Schools.

- Mary M Lyons

When I think of integrity, I think about Virginia “Ginger” Bryant and her steadfast work for the students of Citrus County. Ginger has an educator’s heart and a wealth of experience in the classroom and in the community. She knows how to listen and get to the core of the issue at hand. She keeps the needs of the kids, teachers, staff and families at the forefront, and never lets politics enter her decision-making. 

Ginger Bryant has my strong support for her candidacy for school board.

- Deborah Daniels, Hernando

Bryant’s dedication invaluable to students While school boards across our nation have the challenging task of deciding the policies and procedures that impact the educational development and safety of our students, the decisions that educators now face in the presence of COVID-19 and its related economic impact require maximum clarity and expertise.

Citrus County has one of the finest school boards, with each of the five members

completely dedicated towards maximizing the potential of our student’s educational

experience. The majority of the board members have served multiple terms and their

collective experience combined with the public trust they have engendered resulted in

their ability to function in a high cohesive team for the benefit of all in our district.

Consequently, I am endorsing Virginia “Ginger” Bryant for re-election to the Citrus County School Board. Not only is she a graduate of our school district, she has served as a classroom teacher for 25 years and as a school board member for two decades.

I have interacted with Mrs. Bryant on numerous occasions during my prior roll as a school psychologist and have always been impressed with her caring interpersonal style, willingness to consider input from multiple sources, and the clarity of her decisions. Her wisdom, experience, and dedication would continue to be invaluable to our students, especially during these difficult times.

-Dr. Andy Nott, NCSP School Psychologist

In 2002 when I was new to Citrus County, I met the most wonderful, caring person by the name of Patience Nave. If you remember Ms. Nave, she was a longtime Citrus County School Board member in addition to all the volunteer activities she was involved in. At that time, she was a strong supporter of a new board member, Ginger Bryant. I have followed Ms. Bryant’s contributions to the Citrus County School District/Board over the past 18 years. I find her to be steady, strong, willing to accept other ideas and only wanting the best possible education the children in Citrus

County are entitled to by the public school system. In one word: experience.

In today’s environment, Ms. Bryant will easily work with the other board members, qualified guardians, and the superintendent to make sure the students receive the best education, whether it be academic or vocational. Last, but not least, Ms. Bryant will work to see that all students within Citrus County Schools, from K-12 through vocational or college are safe and free of harassment or bullying.

- Glenna McManigell, Hernando

Ginger Bryant has my vote for school board member and here’s why.

Ginger is a product of our Citrus County School System. She grew up in the county and graduated from Crystal River High School. She then went on to receive her teaching degree and came home to teach. My mother, Betty Rooks Brown, and I had the privilege to teach along with Ginger. She is a dedicated and fantastic teacher. Her husband and two daughters are also educators and all have influenced countless students.

After Ginger retired from teaching, she decided to run for school board and continue to influence and look out for the best interests of our Citrus County students. Ginger has committed to put the welfare of our students first. She has proven this time and time again, especially during this crazy year. 

I urge you to vote for Ginger Bryant for School Board, District 2, on Aug. 18!

- Terry Rooks, Homosassa

Ginger Bryant states in her political advertisement in the Chronicle that she is dedicated to family, church, community and the children of Citrus County. She goes on to say that she has the experience, knowledge and integrity to be a Citrus County School Board member you can trust. I completely agree with all those points and

might add that she is a highly effective and proven leader.

In the over 35 years I have known Ginger, both as a colleague at Crystal River Middle School and as a fellow school board member, she has never wavered from her commitment to put the welfare and advancement of our students as a first priority. There is an old saying that goes, “What you see is what you get.” That, in a nutshell, is Ginger Bryant. She has my vote and the vote of my wife, Charlene. I sincerely hope she has yours.

- Bill Murray, Former teacher and school board member, Homosassa

I want to express my complete appreciation of Ginger Bryant’s commitment to our Citrus County students. My son would not have graduated in 2019 if she didn’t reach out to her team to investigate test results. Also, she guided him through referrals and SRMI to get him back at Crystal River High School to be with his class. Both of my children attended Crystal River schools throughout their academic years. My daughter now has a bachelors degree and my son is a welder. Thanks to Ginger!

- Tina Sauers, Citrus Springs