Q&A: Meet Jimmy Glover, Sarasota County School Board District 1 Candidate

SARASOTA COUNTY, FL — Voters in the Nov. 3 general election will decide between Heidi Brandt and Jimmy Glover in the Sarasota County School Board District 1 race.

In the Aug. 18 primary, Glover led the three-candidate race for the seat by winning 43.75 percent of the vote, while Brandt earned 31.56 and Teresa DeWitt earned 24.7 percent.

None of the candidates got enough votes to outright win the seat in the primary, so Glover and Brandt, as the top two vote-getters, moved on to a run-off in the Nov. 3 general election.

Patch sent a questionnaire to both candidates. Below are Glover’s unedited responses.

Name: Jimmy Glover

Office sought: Sarasota County School Board, District 1

Political party affiliation: I am a Democrat. The School Board race is nonpartisan.

Age: 56

City or town of residence: Sarasota, Florida

Education: I earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Miami.

Occupation: I have worked as a flight attendant for United Airlines for 31 years and often serve as a purser. I also serve as the unpaid board president of Star Lab.

Family background: My wife, Mydahlia, is a former Sarasota County teacher. We have four children who attended Sarasota County public schools. Our youngest graduated from Booker High School this spring.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No one in my immediate family works in politics or government.

Previous public office, appointive or elective: I served on the City of Sarasota’s Parks, Recreation and Environmental Protection Advisory Board. The board elected me vice chair. I resigned to run for School Board.

Campaign website and social media:

• Website: electjimmyglover.com
• Facebook: facebook.com/VoteGlover
• Instagram: instagram.com/electjimmyglover

Why are you seeking this office?

My wife taught in Sarasota County schools, and all four of our children attended them. They had a good experience, and I saw how much caring teachers and staff can mean to a child. I want every student to have that same chance. I was also moved when students came to a School Board meeting and spoke about what was happening in their lives. I wanted to do more than listen from the audience. I decided to run so I could help make sure students are heard and the Board keeps its attention on their needs.

What sets you apart from the other candidates seeking this post?

Through Star Lab, I have worked with young children in Newtown who need support with early reading. At Booker High, I have supported students preparing for life after graduation. That experience has given me a view of what students need at different stages, from learning to read to preparing for a career. I also bring the perspective of a father whose four children attended Sarasota County public schools, and 31 years of working with people at United Airlines. I know students do not all start with the same resources. They need adults who listen and help them move forward.

What issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

I want to strengthen early literacy and make sure students who are still struggling after third grade get help. I also want to expand mentorship and career readiness, support teachers and staff, and make the district’s budget and decisions more transparent. Families should be able to take part in School Board meetings. I will push to return regular meetings to 6 p.m. Students come first.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I’m proud to help guide Star Lab’s work with young children in Newtown who need support with reading. I’m also proud of the time I’ve spent supporting Booker High students as they prepare for life after graduation. At United, I have been trusted to serve as a purser and help crews handle problems calmly. These roles have required me to take responsibility, work with people from different backgrounds, and follow through.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

The best advice ever shared with me was to treat people the way I would want to be treated. I was also taught that there is nothing in life worth having that isn’t worth fighting for. I try to live by both: treat people with respect and keep working for what matters.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

If elected, I would be the first person of color to serve on the Sarasota County School Board. I would take that responsibility seriously. Families across Sarasota County deserve to be heard, and every student deserves the support and opportunity to succeed. I will show up, listen, and keep the Board focused on students. Public schools should be about kids. Period.