Amber Yantz and John Thomas to face off in August for D3 seat on Brevard's school board

Last year's redistricting move by the Brevard County School Board pushed Jennifer Jenkins out of her own district, making her unable to run again in District 3, which covers the southeastern area of Brevard.

Two new candidates for the seat are facing off this August, one with a background in real estate and the other in construction. They have shared goals of bolstering early childhood education in Brevard, although their vision for improving support for teachers varies.

The position, as one of five Brevard School Board members, has a four-year term and a salary of $48,725 a year as of June 2024. The race is nonpartisan, meaning candidates run without their political party affiliation appearing on the ballot. The election will be decided in the Aug. 20 primary, although the winner will not take office until after the November election.

Here's what you need to know about the two candidates.

Candidate goals

Both Yantz and Thomas emphasize the need for early childhood education, as well as making career and technical education programs accessible to all students.

Thomas hopes to provide children with an early childhood program that emphasizes science, technology, engineering, art and math, and wants this education to be inclusive of all kids, regardless of their circumstances, he said.

As for Yantz, she'd like to put statewide initiatives into place in Brevard to make sure all kids have access to voluntary prekindergarten programs and increase funds to expand existing VPK programs to make them accessible to all families.

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Both candidates also want to empower Brevard Public Schools teachers, though their methods are a little different.

Yantz wants to support teachers by expanding services like social work inside schools and giving teachers professional development opportunities, with the goal of "ensuring they have the skills and knowledge to support student success."

Thomas, on the other hand, has a focus on working "hand-in-hand" with local companies, government entities and other groups to develop affordable housing solutions for BPS teachers and staff.

Parental involvement is something Yantz has considered, saying she wants to bolster the district's policies surrounding parental involvement to better allow parents to be a part of discussions and educational decisions impacting their kids.

Thomas didn't address parental involvement directly, but said on his website that he hopes to "implement and uphold ethical standards" across the whole school system for teachers, with the goal of creating "cohesive and effective" classrooms.

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Backgrounds

As a mom of five kids attending Brevard's public schools, Yantz represents two of their schools on a district parents leadership team. She also serves on the School Advisory Council for all three schools, and has 10 years of experience volunteering with BPS schools. She is a member of the Space Coast Association of Realtors, and serves on the Brevard's Children and Families in Need Committee.

Thomas worked as dean of students, high school administrator and head varsity football coach at Holy Trinity from 2000 to 2008. He then worked at Florida Tech, where he worked in positions including director of athletic partnerships, director of football operations, associate athletics director and associate vice president until 2020. He also formerly worked as an officer for the Melbourne Police Department from 1986 to 2000.

Currently, Thomas is employed as chief executive officer at Space Coast Home Builders and Contractors Association.

He also served on the Melbourne City Council from 2006 to 2014.

Endorsements and donations

Both Thomas and Yantz earned donations from candidates seeking election to Congress' 8th District seat.

Mike Haridopolos, former president of the Florida Senate and current Republican candidate for Congress, donated $1,000 to Thomas' campaign. Daniel McDow, a member of the West Melbourne City Council and a Democratic candidate for Congress, donated $100 to Yantz's campaign.

Overall, Yantz has received a total of $3,515 in contributions, including $500 from herself. Among her other contributors were School Board member Jennifer Jenkins, Stop Moms for Liberty founder Liz Mikitarian and Futures PAC.

Yantz has spent $3,055.69 so far on her campaign.

Thomas has received $47,728.47. Among the contributions were from Mercedes Benz of Melbourne, Porche/Audi Melbourne, M&R United Inc., Certified General Contractors, Northboro Builders Inc., the 1900 Building, Local Home Builders PAC, Halco Inc., MH Williams Construction Group, The Viera Co., Florida Heritage PC, BFT Tiger, lobbyist and former Florida House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, and former Brevard County Commissioner Robin Fisher.

Thomas has spent $16,503.30 so far on his campaign, plus an in-kind donation of $900.

Thomas holds a lengthy list of endorsements from local politicians and organizations, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis; Florida Rep. Thad Altman; Florida Sen. Debbie Mayfield; Haridopolos; Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey; Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina and City Council member Kenny Johnson; Melbourne Mayor Paul Alfrey and City Council member Mark LaRusso; West Melbourne Mayor Pat Bentley; Coastal Florida Police Benevolent Association; Space Coast Home Builders and Contractors Association; and Space Coast Association of Realtors.

Brevard Federation of Teachers endorsed Thomas over Yantz, citing his previous experience and connections throughout Brevard.

"Mr. Thomas is a widely respected member of our community," union President Anthony Colucci said in an email sent to BFT members. "He is a former City Council member, (student resource officer), administrator, coach, and is the CEO of the Homebuilders/Contractors Association. He is focused on (career and technical education) programs, early childhood education, and creating affordable housing for BPS teachers. Mr. Thomas will have open lines of communication with BFT, and as a former member of a union understands the concerns of labor."

Yantz does not currently have any endorsements.

John Thomas

Occupation: Chief executive officer at Space Coast Home Builders and Contractors Association

Education: Brevard County Law Enforcement Academy, 1985; United States Drug Enforcement Administration Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs School, 1995

Age on election day: 60

Political/government/civic experience: Melbourne City Council (2006-2014); airport authority at Melbourne Orlando International Airport; board member at Neighbor Up Brevard (2022-2024); board member at Field of Dreams (2022-2024)

Campaign email: [email protected]

Campaign phone number: 321-508-6738

Website: johnthomasforschoolboard.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/johnthomasforschoolboard

Amber Yantz

Occupation: Realtor

Education: Two years of college

Age on election day: 38

Political/government/civic experience: Serves on three School Advisory Councils for Brevard's public schools, BPS Parent Leadership Team and Brevard Children In Need Committee; has 10 years of experience volunteering with BPS schools

Campaign email: [email protected]

Campaign phone number: 321-312-9131

Website: yantzforschools.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/yantzforschools

Finch Walker is the education reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Walker at [email protected]. X: @_finchwalker.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: What to know about the candidates for D3 seat on Brevard's school board