School Board, District 6

Sharpless: My top three priorities are improving student achievement, supporting our employees and maintaining safe schools. During my time on the board, PCPS has improved from a “C” to a “B” district, and I want us to achieve an “A” rating by 2030. Despite ranking 62nd of 67 districts in per-pupil funding, we continue to prioritize staff compensation. I also support fairer state funding for Polk County and strong partnerships with law enforcement, because safe schools are essential for student success.

Sharpless:  I want to continue serving on the Polk County School Board to ensure my three sons, and every child in Polk County, have access to an excellent education. I am equally committed to supporting the staff who make student success possible. Education is a family calling for us, with multiple family members serving in PCPS and LWCS. Their perspectives keep me grounded in the opportunities and challenges facing our schools, strengthening my commitment to students, families and educators.

Sharpless: I believe technology should enhance learning and support rather than replace great teaching. My goal is to help teachers spend more time working with students and less time on administrative tasks. Technology can streamline responsibilities such as lesson planning and discipline documentation, allowing educators to focus on instruction. It also creates opportunities for personalized support through programs like Varsity Tutors, helping students receive the assistance they need to succeed.

Sharpless: Teacher shortages remain one of the greatest challenges facing public education. Polk County must continue building local talent pipelines while expanding recruitment and retention efforts. By creating flexible opportunities, improving working conditions, supporting professional growth, streamlining hiring, and offering targeted incentives, we can attract and retain high-quality educators. Our goal should be to make Polk County a place where teachers build careers, not just find jobs.

Sharpless: Improving literacy has been one of my priorities as a school board member. I am encouraged that the percentage of Polk County Public Schools students reading on grade level has increased from 41.5% in 2022–23 to 50.1% in 2024–25. This progress reflects the hard work of our students, teachers and families. By using real-time data to monitor student performance, our educators can provide targeted support that meets each child’s individual learning needs and helps them succeed.