{"id":429832,"date":"2026-10-16T20:40:08","date_gmt":"2026-10-16T20:40:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/429832\/"},"modified":"2026-10-16T20:40:08","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T20:40:08","slug":"2026-voters-guide-orange-county-school-board-district-3-runoff","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/429832\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Voter\u2019s Guide – Orange County School Board District 3 runoff"},"content":{"rendered":"

As part of our commitment to providing you with what you need to make an informed decision in the 2026 elections, News 6 joined with the News Collaborative of Central Florida<\/a> to present the Voting Central Florida 2026 Voter\u2019s Guide. <\/p>\n

Tuesday, Nov. 3 is the general election, where all registered voters will choose Florida\u2019s next governor, along with a U.S. Senator, statewide cabinet members, U.S. House representatives, Florida state legislators, and various county and city officials. Voters will also decide on three statewide constitutional amendments.<\/p>\n

[ELECTION 2026: Make sure you\u2019re eligible to vote<\/a>|How to vote by mail<\/a>|Election Myths<\/a>]<\/p>\n

Everything you need to know in order to vote in the November election, including how to vote by mail, vote early, and vote on Election Day, can be found in our Election 2026 section HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n

Orange County School Board District 3<\/p>\n

All school board races are nonpartisan elections.<\/p>\n

Since none of the candidates in the August election got more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters \u2014Diana Moore and Susanne Pe\u00f1a \u2014 moved onto the November election with a runoff.<\/p>\n

There are seven school board districts in Orange County, with a board member representing each one. District 3 in Orange County covers much of South Central Orange County, including Hunter\u2019s Creek, Meadow Woods, Conway and Belle Isle. A map of the school districts is available HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n

The News Collaborative of Central Florida created a list of common questions to ask the candidates. Questionnaires were sent to all candidates. <\/p>\n

Not all of the candidates responded. Where candidates did not respond, we have filled out the information to the best of our abilities. <\/p>\n

Our partners at the Orlando Sentinel compiled the candidate responses for the Orange County school board races, emailing and calling the candidates over several weeks. <\/p>\n

You can see the full Orlando Sentinel Voting Guide HERE.<\/a><\/p>\n

Diana Moore<\/p>\n

WEBSITE: votefordianamoore.com\/<\/a> <\/p>\n

Top issues in your race <\/p>\n

If elected, what are the THREE most pressing problems you want to address, and what do you suggest to solve them? In the boxes below, please list each issue and how you will address them: <\/p>\n

YOUR NUMBER 1 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Parental Choice-Parents should have the right to choose the best learning environment for their child. For example, virtual education works for many students but others need the social interaction and structure of the traditional model. We have research on school start times but the buses dictate the school schedules, so a parent may want the flexibility of virtual courses for their child based on research. Magnet schools encourage specific areas of study like STEM, or Financial studies and allow students college credit while in high school. So why are parents choosing the vouchers? Can we do better in specific areas? Let\u2019s find out by doing an exit survey for the families that leave. Let\u2019s ask the teachers who are fleeing as well. Let\u2019s look inward instead of making excuses for low birth rate, immigration laws, stagnant housing turnover, or the vouchers. We had 208,000 students and are looking at 180,000 in the coming year. What accounts for that loss beyond the usual excuses? I believe we can do better. <\/p>\n

YOUR NUMBER 2 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Teacher compensation has been a huge concern. We need professional pay for professional work and year after year, we see Orange County getting an A but we hear more excuses on why we can\u2019t pay them a living wage. Florida is 50th in teacher pay in the US. OCPS has taxpayer money from the extra one mil property tax that was sold to the public to attract and retain quality teachers. They do neither. They do not have a citizen oversight committee to watch how the money is spent, unlike the 1\/2 penny sales tax. The COVE committee watches that money. OCPS Board members had a chance to change the language to specify a portion of the extra one mil be designated for teacher pay raises and only 3 board members voted in favor of the language change so it failed. The budget shows $129 million in an unassigned fund. The health insurance should have had a Stop Loss policy to protect it from higher claims, but instead the increases are being passed along to all employees. The board offers a less-than-cost-of-inflation increase so employees make less than last year. We are not attracting and retaining quality teachers and I vow to be a voice that reviews the budget to find savings. For example, why are there 20 OCPS District Police officers to be liaisons with local jurisdictions? Could we move staff from the downtown building to the closed schools and rent that building for recurring income to pay for raises? Let\u2019s find more solutions and make less excuses to employees. Our taxpayers want us to be better stewards of their money. <\/p>\n

YOUR NUMBER 3 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Discipline is a recurring issue. Parents are given a digital copy to sign off on at orientation to save paper. When students disrupt the learning environment, teachers take the time to write a referral and the student comes back to class with a lollipop. When children are witnesses to an allegation, they are interviewed without a parent present because you must opt in for that right. I believe parents should know when their child is questioned and the reason. While they are getting stricter about sexual harassment, I\u2019ve witnessed a principal interview a student and not require a referral be written for documenting the incident, so a discussion or call to parents follow-up is not given to teachers like a referral. Another example is vaping on campus. We need stricter policies to put students in PASS or suspend them for first violations. We passed a policy on restricting cell phone use that reduced distractions, so let\u2019s do the same for bullying, vaping and other classroom distractions to support letting teachers teach and students have the learning environment they deserve. <\/p>\n

How should the district handle teacher shortages? Pay them professional salaries for professional work. We are an A district because of the hard work of our students, teachers, principals, classified staff and our parents. Let\u2019s be the district that truly attracts and retains their highly qualified and successful teachers. Let them teach, treat them like the professionals they are, and let them choose the professional development they need versus putting everyone in the same training. Survey teachers before making changes to their classroom curriculum, software, and other resources. There is a toxic culture of retaliation that means fear is pervasive, so teachers do not speak up. I\u2019ve personally seen this culture ruin teaching careers and it falls on the Superintendent who implements the Board policies. Get rid of principals or middle management who have high turnover at specific schools. Retrain them instead of a lateral move. Review the Office of Professional Standards and their practices. If you don\u2019t take a hard look inward, we will continue to bleed our workforces to other careers. <\/p>\n

Florida ranked last for academic growth in reading. How would you improve that? We are an A district. Where is the information supporting this claim? How large was the study? Did it include private, charter and home-schooled students? I\u2019ve talked to parents who homeschool their children and there is very little accountability compared to students in traditional schools. The charter and public schools receive the same taxpayer money but have different levels of accountability in Florida so I would need more information to truly answer this question. <\/p>\n

What changes, if any, would you make to school safety policies? First, I support a School Resource Officer on each campus. I also think they need training to develop appropriate relationships with the students at their school, so students can come to them when they see something and say something. Checking doors is very important, but some officers lack the personality to get the trust needed to have students share info to prevent bigger problems on campus. Maybe it\u2019s something to look for when recruiting resource officers. I also think we could ask our students in a survey, where they see vulnerable security issues. Thankfully, we have been safe but we can\u2019t let our guard down. Parents want to know they drop their child off and we will keep them safe. Let\u2019s always make this a priority and area to improve. <\/p>\n

How should book challenges and library removals be handled? The committee established should continue to review requests but I suggest giving parents the right to review and decide for their children what books they can read. Students can get books from the public library or Amazon if they want to read it, so decisions to ban books for all students takes away each parents\u2019 choice to decide what is appropriate for their children. <\/p>\n

What outside organizations or endorsements are supporting your campaign? I have not sought endorsements. I believe each voter decides who will best represent them as this is a non-partisan race. I believe we can work on solutions instead of making excuses. If we as elected officials don\u2019t do something well, we can own it and improve it. I don\u2019t want anyone to think I am beholden to one group or party based on their financial contributions. I stand on my experience, my integrity, my previous leadership, my successes as well as mistakes, and my passion in this work for all stakeholders who have an interest in a star public school system that can always do better, especially when you know better. Thank you for your vote on August 18, for Diana Moore for District 3 School Board member. <\/p>\n

If elected, what policy would you try to pass in your first year? Improving the Office of Professional Standards practices and procedures. <\/p>\n

Susanne Pe\u00f1a<\/p>\n

WEBSITE: www.vote4pena.com\/<\/a> <\/p>\n

OUR NUMBER 1 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Strengthening Academic Excellence.<\/p>\n

Every student deserves access to a high-quality education that prepares them for college, careers, and civic life. I will support evidence-based instruction, expand access to bilingual education, STEAM, and career pathways, and ensure students have the academic and support services they need to succeed.<\/p>\n

YOUR NUMBER 2 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Recruiting and Retaining Outstanding Educators.<\/p>\n

Strong schools begin with great teachers. I will advocate for competitive salaries, meaningful professional development, leadership opportunities, and supportive working conditions that help recruit and retain highly qualified teachers and staff while reducing turnover.<\/p>\n

YOUR NUMBER 3 ISSUE and how you plan to address it: Protecting and Strengthening Public Schools.<\/p>\n

Our public schools must remain the cornerstone of our community. I will advocate for responsible funding, greater accountability for schools receiving public dollars, proactive planning to address enrollment challenges, and transparent decision-making that keeps students and families at the center.<\/p>\n

How should the district handle teacher shortages? Addressing teacher shortages requires a comprehensive approach to both recruitment and retention. While competitive compensation is essential, educators also need meaningful professional development, mentorship, opportunities for career growth, and supportive working conditions that allow them to focus on teaching and learning. Districts that invest in their educators are better positioned to retain experienced teachers, reduce turnover, and provide students with the continuity and high-quality instruction they deserve.<\/p>\n

Florida ranked last for academic growth in reading. How would you improve that? Improving reading achievement requires a sustained commitment to evidence-based literacy instruction, early intervention, and supporting educators. We must ensure teachers have access to high-quality professional development grounded in the science of reading, identify struggling students early, and provide targeted interventions before learning gaps widen. We should also strengthen family engagement and ensure schools have the instructional resources necessary to support literacy development. Reading proficiency is the foundation for success across every subject, and improving outcomes must remain one of the district\u2019s highest academic priorities.<\/p>\n

What changes, if any, would you make to school safety policies? School safety requires continuous evaluation, not a one-time solution. I support regularly reviewing and strengthening safety protocols based on best practices and the evolving needs of our schools. While physical security is important, we must continue investing in threat assessment, mental health services, bullying prevention, and strong partnerships among schools, families, and law enforcement. The most effective school safety strategies combine prevention, early intervention, and a positive school climate so every student feels safe, supported, and able to learn.<\/p>\n

How should book challenges and library removals be handled? Book challenges should be addressed through a transparent, consistent review process that follows state law and district policy. Decisions should involve qualified educators, librarians, and appropriate review committees, with meaningful opportunities for parent input. Individual concerns deserve thoughtful consideration, but instructional materials should be evaluated based on educational value, age appropriateness, and established academic standards\u2014not political pressure. Our goal should be to provide students with access to high-quality learning materials while maintaining transparency and respecting the role of families in their children\u2019s education.<\/p>\n

What outside organizations or endorsements are supporting your campaign? U.S. Congressman Maxwell Frost; Florida State Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith; Florida State Representative Anna Eskamani; Orange County Classroom Teachers Association (Teachers\u2019 Union); Former Assistant Deputy Secretary and Director at the U.S. Department of Education Montserrat Garibay; Florida State Representative Rita Harris; Florida State Representative Johanna Lopez; Florida State Senator Victor Torres; Orange County School Board Member Angie Gallo; Orange County School Board Member Maria Salamanca; Orange County School Board Member Anne Douglas; Orange County School Board Member Stephanie Vanos; Orange County Property Appraiser Amy Mercado; Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph; Orange-Osceola Public Defender Melissa Vickers; Orange County Commissioner Kelly Semrad; Equality Florida Action PAC; Network for Public Education Action; Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) Action Fund; Ruth\u2019s List Florida; Emgage Action; Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Florida; Rainbow Democrats; Hispanic Chamber of Florida.<\/p>\n

If elected, what policy would you try to pass in your first year? I would work to establish a districtwide strategic plan for multilingual learner success, expanding access to dual language programs, strengthening support services for English learners, and increasing professional development for educators. Orange County is home to a diverse student population, and every student should have access to programs that build academic success while preparing them to thrive in a multilingual, global workforce.<\/p>\n

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