Elect Mary Bolla for Clay County School Board District 4

Mary Bolla, Clay County School Board, District 4

Thank you for visiting my webpage to learn more about Mary Bolla as your District 4 School Board representative!

For the past four years I have represented you on the Clay County School Board. Even though my home is in District 4, I have excelled in representing the entire county. My goal each year has been to visit each of the 44 schools established throughout our county and to attend as many activities as possible in support of our children – which is no easy task! I succeeded in reaching out and learning as much as possible about our curriculum, our innovations, our programs, our needs and our income and expenses. I researched and studied each of the topics that came before the School Board and deliberated with all parties involved before making decisions which would impact our children.

We have succeeded in so many ways! I am asking for your vote to allow me to continue the work which I’ve done to improve the opportunities for our children in the next four years in our Clay County District Schools.

Thank you for your vote on August 18, 2020!

My Family

Wayne and I have lived in Clay County for the past 30 years. Our moving van arrived on December 23, 1989….and yes, it was snowing here in Orange Park!

Our children Katie and Chris both attended Clay County public schools for which we will be forever grateful to the teachers and administrators at Ridgeview Elementary, Orange Park Junior High and Ridgeview High School. Katie received her degree from the University of Central Florida and is the 2019 Teacher of the Year at Lake Brantley High School in Seminole County. She and her husband, Bryan, are the proud parents of our grandchildren John (4) and Alex (2).

Chris, a graduate of the University of North Florida, is mid-career as he waits for Seattle, WA to open following the pandemic.

Wayne worked for CSX Transportation prior to his retirement. He is currently the County Commissioner for our District.

My Career

You will hear it in my voice, I grew up in Wisconsin! Upon graduating from Valparaiso University (Indiana), I was hired by my alma mater in the Office of Admissions. I pursued a Master’s of Arts degree in Psychology, and moved up the ranks to become the Director of Admissions. When we moved to Florida, I accepted a position at the University of North Florida as the Director of Admissions.

In 1996, having worked in college admissions for nearly 20 years, I was ready for a change. On a Friday afternoon I came home from work, told Wayne that I would really like to make a change….I wanted to resign my position and go back to school to become an Elementary School Teacher. His response? “Let me get this right. You want to quit your job, get a second Master’s Degree, and make half as much money as you’re making now?” That was the start of my second career! I attended Jacksonville University and attained the Masters in Teaching while substitute teaching in Clay County schools. It has been a decision that I have cherished!

My teaching experience has been at W. E. Cherry Elementary where I was honored to be Teacher of the Year in 2003 and Argyle Elementary where I was honored to be Teacher of the Year in 2011. At each school I taught fifth grade and was also involved as the Chair of the School Advisory Council. In addition, developing after school opportunities in volunteerism, math achievement, and tutoring were instrumental in working with the children. I maintain my teaching certification and am the only currently certified teacher on the School Board.

Seventeen years later, I was not happy with the direction our school system had taken. We were on a downward curve that I couldn’t accept. In 2016 I ran for the Clay County School Board District 4 position and was fortunate to be elected to represent you – another decision that I have cherished!

Currently as the Vice Chair of the School Board, I have continued my involvement in a number of activities. Within the Clay Education Foundation, I have supported initiatives in “Tools for Schools” which is a program established to distribute needed classroom supplies to Clay County teachers; Teacher of the Year/Support Related Employee of the Year events at the Thrasher- Horne Center, which included establishing our “Star Awards” for those teachers and support employees who were not named in the top 10, but who had given an extra level of initiative, and the very special “Carol Vallencourt Award” established to commemorate Carol’s legacy as a Board member and of her support in our schools; “Grants for Great Ideas” providing $500 grants to teachers who apply for special needs/programs within their classrooms with the opportunity to see the future of teaching and where the newest ideas are originating. Attending Spelling Bees, Tropicana Speech Contests, FFA Judging, Business Partner Tours of the High Schools, Mock Job Interviews, Classroom visits, Poetry Slams, Drama productions, athletic events, concerts in choral and band, talent shows, art exhibits, honors assemblies, and graduations (Pre-K, Kindergarten, Sixth Grade, Junior High and High School) has been the most rewarding experiences as a School Board member!

As a Florida School Board member, continued education is imperative in maintaining the knowledge of regulations, standards, and legislative initiatives. I am a Certified School Board member with the Florida School Boards Association which required classes in leadership, governance, and knowledge. As a Board, we participated with the Superintendent to achieve Master Board Certification. In addition to membership, I am the Chair of the Leadership Services Committee which promotes the education of our Board members throughout the State.

My Platform

Pursue excellence for our children

Clay County Schools improved from being ranked in the State of Florida at #18 in 2016 to #8 in 2019. Our County Grade improved from a “B” in 2016 to an “A” in 2018 and maintained the “A” grade in 2019. Our graduation rate went from 84.7% in 2016 to 91.9% in 2019 and the establishment of Elevation Academy allowed our students who were prone to dropping out continue on a path to success.

In my first year on the Board, Art, Music, Media and Physical Education were incorporated into each of our Elementary Schools as a resource class allowing for children of all skills and interests the opportunity to excel.

The teachers, staff, and administrators are the reasons for our success. We need to continue to work together to keep class sizes to a minimum, provide training for new curriculum and new BEST standards, and provide continued support through climate and culture.

Continue fiscal responsibility

Pursue excellence for our children

In 2016 our Fund Balance was 3.49% and our teachers hadn’t received a significant increase in their salary or in their health benefits for over five years. In 2019 our Fund Balance was 4.64%. Over the past few years, our teachers have received approximately $6.3 million in increases to their salaries, our support personnel $1.2 million, and approximately $4 million has been appropriated for health benefits.

We will strive to continue the trend of building the fund balance so that future goals may be attained with salaries, benefits, bond ratings, and operational needs within the District.

With the vote of the community, we were able to establish a millage that supports the Safety and Security of our Schools as required by Florida Statute.

Ensure open communications with the community, families and educators

There is a direct correlation between a successful school system and the success of the County. We are fortunate to have a strong relationship with all parties involved as we work together – whether it is to survive a storm or a pandemic, if it’s to build and serve new developments as a result of a State Outer Beltway, or if it’s to ensure connectivity throughout the County for our communications needs. Working together is more efficient, more compassionate, and more economically sound.

Our industry certification rates have soared from 1,717 in 2016 to over 2,400 in 2019 preparing our students for the workforce in our community. Working in tandem with our community to determine the needed job skills enables us to prepare for the future.

School Choice has been implemented within our schools to provide parents the option of selecting what they feel is the best learning environment for their child. STEAM, early High School, Coppergate School of the Arts, Montessori, International Baccalaureate and AICE are available, and the list will continue to grow.

Provide a Healthy and Safe environment for our children

Ensure open communications with the community, families and educators

Initiatives ranging from reducing portables to Trauma Informed Training, from Mental Health Services to Drop-in Clinics, Dignity U Wear and food pantries to working in collaboration with the State and County to establish our Community Partnership Schools have all helped to meet the medical, social, and attendance needs of our students.

Guardians in our schools along with the Clay County District Schools Police Department are striving to provide a multitude of services for our students and their families so that their school experience is on the right track. If children don’t feel safe, they won’t be able to learn. School cameras, bus cameras and air conditioning, with continued review of the climate and culture within our schools has enabled us to improve our attendance rates, be more proactive in addressing bad behavior, and providing that safe environment in which our children may learn.

Community Involvement

Registered Republican, Clay County, FL

Member of Advent Lutheran Church, Orange Park, FL

Republican Executive Committee – Committeewoman for Precinct #118

Federated Republican Women of Clay – Member

Republican Men’s Club – Associate Member

South Clay Republican Club – Member

Member of Advent Lutheran Church, Orange Park, FL

Assisting Minister, Lector, Communion Assistant

Congregation Church Council - Secretary

Music Ministry

Member of Elks Lodge 1892, Green Cove Springs, FL

Member of Advent Lutheran Church, Orange Park, FL

Member of Elks Lodge 1892, Green Cove Springs, FL

Education Initiatives

Library Volunteer

Partnership with Charles E. Bennett Elementary

Cyber Assistant

Elect Mary Bolla
District 4
Clay County School Board
Aug 18, 2020

Putting the students, teachers, and community first in educational excellence.

My Family

My Career

My Platform

Pursue excellence for our children

Pursue excellence for our children

Pursue excellence for our children

Continue fiscal responsibility

Pursue excellence for our children

Pursue excellence for our children

Ensure open communications with the community, families and educators

Ensure open communications with the community, families and educators

Ensure open communications with the community, families and educators

Provide a Healthy and Safe environment for our children

Ensure open communications with the community, families and educators

Ensure open communications with the community, families and educators

Community Involvement

Registered Republican, Clay County, FL

Member of Advent Lutheran Church, Orange Park, FL

Member of Advent Lutheran Church, Orange Park, FL

Member of Advent Lutheran Church, Orange Park, FL

Member of Advent Lutheran Church, Orange Park, FL

Member of Advent Lutheran Church, Orange Park, FL

Member of Elks Lodge 1892, Green Cove Springs, FL

Member of Advent Lutheran Church, Orange Park, FL

Member of Elks Lodge 1892, Green Cove Springs, FL

Contact Me

Support Mary!

Elect Mary BollaDistrict 4Clay County School BoardAug 18, 2020

Putting the students, teachers, and community first in educational excellence.

My Family

My Career

My Platform

Pursue excellence for our children

Pursue excellence for our children

Pursue excellence for our children

Continue fiscal responsibility

Pursue excellence for our children

Pursue excellence for our children

Ensure open communications with the community, families and educators

Ensure open communications with the community, families and educators

Ensure open communications with the community, families and educators

Provide a Healthy and Safe environment for our children

Ensure open communications with the community, families and educators

Ensure open communications with the community, families and educators

Community Involvement

Registered Republican, Clay County, FL

Member of Advent Lutheran Church, Orange Park, FL

Member of Advent Lutheran Church, Orange Park, FL

Member of Advent Lutheran Church, Orange Park, FL

Member of Advent Lutheran Church, Orange Park, FL

Member of Advent Lutheran Church, Orange Park, FL

Member of Elks Lodge 1892, Green Cove Springs, FL

Member of Advent Lutheran Church, Orange Park, FL

Member of Elks Lodge 1892, Green Cove Springs, FL

Contact Me

Support Mary!

Elect Mary Bolla
District 4
Clay County School Board
Aug 18, 2020