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 to present the Voting Central Florida 2026 Voter’s Guide.
Tuesday, Aug. 18 is the Florida Statewide Primary election, a mix of party primaries and nonpartisan local elections, such as school board races, judicial races, and county commission races in some counties.
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[ELECTION 2026: Make sure you’re eligible to vote|How to vote by mail|Election Myths]
Florida has a closed primary system, which means only members of a political party may vote in party primaries. To be eligible, a voter had to identify with that party by July 20.
However, judicial races and local races, for the most part, are open to all registered voters, regardless of political party.
Everything you need to know in order to vote in the Aug. 18 Statewide Primary, including how to vote by mail, vote early, and vote on Election Day, can be found in our Election 2026 section HERE.
Brevard County School Board District 2
The Brevard County School Board has five districts. These are nonpartisan races, so they are open to all voters.
School Board District 2 encompasses voters in parts of Cocoa Beach, Cocoa, Cape Canaveral, and Merritt Island. You can see a map of the area HERE.
Since there are three candidates in the race, the top vote-getter must get more than 50% of the vote (50%+1) in order to win outright. Otherwise, the top two candidates will go to a runoff in November.
The News Collaborative of Central Florida created a list of common questions to ask the candidates. Questionnaires were sent to all candidates.
Not all of the candidates responded. Where candidates did not respond, we have filled out the information to the best of our abilities.
Our News Collaborative partners at Central Florida Public Media compiled the candidate responses for Brevard County School Board District 2.
You can see the full Central Florida Public Media Voting Guide HERE.
Kyle Savage
WEBSITE: www.savage4students.com
TOP ISSUES
What are the three most pressing problems happening in your district, and what do you suggest to solve them? Please put your responses in the sections below.
Problem Number 1 and Solution: Teacher pay and retention. Brevard teachers are paid more than $2,500 below the state average, despite averaging over 12 years of experience. That gap shows up in the numbers: nearly 1 in 3 teachers who were on staff in 2022 are gone today, and turnover has held steady above 13% every year since. Pay is part of the story, but so is trust. Teachers need professional autonomy in their classrooms, not a board micromanaging their work from the dais. I’ll push to prioritize compensation every budget cycle and give teachers back the room to teach.
Problem Number 2 and Solution: Declining enrollment and the risk of more closures. Brevard is losing students, driven in large part by the state’s voucher program pulling kids out of public schools. Cape View Elementary was the first casualty, closed in January after less than four months of public process, over a 2,200-signature petition and objections from the Cape Canaveral City Council. It won’t be the last if nothing changes. McNair Magnet Middle sits at just 37% capacity, lower than Cape View was when it closed, and is already being talked about for consolidation. On this board’s watch, families found out about Cape View too late to be part of the decision. I’ll fight for real notice-and-input before any closure vote, and push redistricting and shared facilities as the first option instead of closure.
Problem Number 3 and Solution: Budget and financial transparency. The district is currently operating without a CFO, on top of a 7% staffing cut and school closures, with no clear picture for families of the decisions driving those cuts. Layoffs and closures should be the last resort, not the first plan. Before cutting further, I want the board to pursue real ideas to grow enrollment and revenue: expanding VPK to every elementary school, building a Vocational Tech Center that gives families a reason to choose BPS, and moving district staff into underused school buildings instead of closing them. I’ll push for a public, plain-language budget breakdown every year, so families aren’t the last to know.
How should the district handle teacher shortages? Teacher shortages in Brevard come down to pay, discipline, and trust. Florida ranks 50th in the nation in teacher pay, and Brevard sits more than $2,500 below even the state average. Nearly 1 in 3 teachers who were on staff in 2022 are gone today. You can’t fix a shortage by cutting the people who are already stretched thin. Teachers also need real support keeping their classrooms under control, not a board leaving them to manage discipline on their own while getting second-guessed from the dais. I’ll push to prioritize teacher compensation every budget cycle, especially for veteran teachers, and back teachers with clear, consistent discipline policies so they can focus on teaching. Pay and respect are how you keep the teachers you have and attract the ones you need.
Florida ranked last for academic growth in reading. How would you improve that? Florida ranked last in the nation in reading growth, and that should alarm every parent in Brevard. The research is clear: the states improving are the ones committed to real phonics-based, science-of-reading instruction, especially in kindergarten through second grade, when the foundation gets built. I want Brevard to lead on this, not follow, with a real focus on early literacy before kids fall behind instead of costly interventions after they do. That starts with expanding VPK to every elementary school, so kids build pre-literacy skills before kindergarten even starts. It also means giving teachers the autonomy and trust to actually teach reading, not just teach to a test, and making sure classrooms are calm enough that lost instructional time from discipline issues isn’t part of the problem.
What changes, if any, would you make to school safety policies? School safety in Brevard starts with making sure every school has a School Resource Officer, full stop, and that larger schools have two. I served as a Military Police Officer in the Army, including protective security work for senior commanders overseas, so I understand what real security looks like: trained people, clear protocols, and no gaps. That’s the standard I want in our schools. It also means clear, consistent discipline policies so teachers aren’t left to handle serious problems alone, and a real focus on bullying, catching it early, taking it seriously when it’s reported, and holding the line so kids feel safe walking into their own school. I want mental health resources in place before a crisis, not after one. Safety isn’t a slogan; it’s showing up every day for the basics: enough adults in the building, consistent expectations, and a board that listens to teachers and staff about what they’re actually seeing in their schools.
How should book challenges and library removals be handled? Book challenges need a real process, not chaos. This board attempted to remove all 298 books on a state review list in a single motion, then restructured the review committee to cut out public input, and the whole process ground to a halt for months when committee members resigned. That’s not policy; that’s dysfunction. I want a clear, consistent process: individual challenges reviewed on their own merits by a real committee with parent and educator input, decisions made in a reasonable timeframe, and no blanket bans that skip the process entirely. Parents deserve a say in what their own kids read. What they don’t deserve is a board using library shelves as a political battleground while the actual business of running schools, budgets, teacher pay, safety gets ignored.
What outside organizations or endorsements are supporting your campaign? My campaign is proud to be endorsed by the Brevard Federation of Teachers and the Space Coast AFL-CIO CLC. These endorsements matter because they come from people who know this district firsthand, teachers and working families who see what’s happening in our schools every day. I’m also building support from parents, veterans, and community members who are tired of politics getting in the way of good decisions for kids. I’m not backed by any political party or machine. My support comes from people who know the classroom and know this community.
If elected, what policy would you try to pass in your first year? My first-year priority is expanding VPK, Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten, to every elementary school in the district. Right now, not every family has access to it close to home, and early childhood education is one of the clearest ways to set kids up for success before they ever fall behind. It’s also a direct answer to our enrollment problem: giving young families a reason to choose Brevard schools from day one, instead of losing them before they even start. This is a policy that helps kids, helps teachers, and helps stabilize enrollment all at once.
Gene Trent - Incumbent
WEBSITE: votegenetrent.com
NOTE: This candidate did not respond to our request to fill out this voter guide. To best serve you, we searched candidate websites, social media and interviews they’ve done to provide answers to the following questions.
TOP ISSUES
What are the three most pressing problems happening in your district, and what do you suggest to solve them? Please put your responses in the sections below. The candidate did not respond to the questionnaire, but according to his campaign website, he plans to build upon the promises he made last time around.
His number one priority, according to his website, is elevating academic excellence. He said the following: Build on our record A ratings and 92.7% graduation rate. Expand STEM, CTE, and college/career readiness so every student graduates prepared for the real world.
Trent, on his website, said his second priority is safe and focused learning environments. He said the following: Maintain best-in-class safety infrastructure. Strong discipline policies mean teachers can teach and students can learn without unnecessary disruptions.
Trent listed his third priority as empowering parents and community. On his campaign website, he said the following: Parents are the primary decision-makers in their children’s education. Gene will keep the board transparent, community-connected, and parent-driven.
How should the district handle teacher shortages? Trent did not respond to this questionnaire. On his campaign website, he lists as a priority supporting exceptional teachers. The following is how he says he’s been doing so. Competitive pay, professional growth, and a school environment where educators are respected and supported. Strong teachers produce strong students. Trent says that focus has led to Improved teacher retention and stronger classroom and discipline support.
In a Facebook video posted on August 4, 2025, by the Brevard News, Trent was asked about nearly $7 million the Brevard could lose out on depending on what happened with federal funding. He was asked if people should be reaching out to their representatives in Congress to try to get the money released. Trent responded by saying the following: “So here’s the conservative in me, no. Maybe we don’t need that money. Look at the Department of Education, there’s a reason people want that closed down because throwing money at an issue doesn’t solve it.”
Trent went on to say that they were looking at doing away with open positions and moving teachers around where necessary. Including cutting open positions and moving resource teachers back into the classroom.
Florida ranked last for academic growth in reading. How would you improve that? Trent has touted the improvement in FAST scores for 7-10 graders attending Brevard Public Schools. We could not find any statements about how Brevard should continue to improve scores.
What changes, if any, would you make to school safety policies? The candidate did not respond to this questionnaire, but in recent years, Brevard Public Schools began using metal detectors and expanded its Guardian Program, which trains some school staff to respond to threats. Trent has supported these changes.
How should book challenges and library removals be handled? Trent did not respond to this questionnaire; however, in 2023 he criticized the book review policy for being too slow. He proposed, instead of reviewing a list of nearly 300 books to decide on removal, relying on what some other districts had done instead and moving forward with taking them off the shelves. Trent’s proposal failed. Since then, some have raised concerns about books being banned in Brevard without the proper review.
What outside organizations or endorsements are supporting your campaign? Trent has been endorsed by the following:
- U.S. Congressman Mike Haridopolos
- Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey
- Space Coast Young Republicans
- School Board Chair Matt Susin
- Palm Bay Mayor Rob Medina
If elected, what policy would you try to pass in your first year? The candidate did not respond to the questionnaire. He did, however, say on his website that he plans to continue with the platform he put forth during his first run for the Brevard School Board.
Kelly Wentworth
WEBSITE: votekellywentworth.com
TOP ISSUES
What are the three most pressing problems happening in your district, and what do you suggest to solve them? Please put your responses in the sections below.
Problem Number 1 and Solution: Financial Accountability and Long-Term Stability. Brevard Public Schools faces significant financial challenges that require stronger oversight and long-term planning. We should restore a Chief Financial Officer who reports directly to the School Board, with a collaborative reporting relationship to the Superintendent, to strengthen transparency and accountability. The district also needs stronger year-round financial controls so we are not relying on last-minute budget reclassifications to meet required reserve levels. Finally, audit findings--whether identified by independent auditors or state reviews--should be formally tracked, addressed, and reported to the Board to ensure recurring issues are resolved rather than repeated.
Problem Number 2 and Solution: Teacher Recruitment, Retention, and Support. Attracting and retaining outstanding educators is essential to student success. While compensation is an important part of the solution, it cannot be the only focus. We must also reduce unnecessary administrative burdens, give teachers greater professional autonomy, provide meaningful opportunities for growth, and create a culture where educators feel respected and supported. A comprehensive approach will improve retention, reduce vacancies, and help make Brevard a district where great teachers choose to build their careers.
Problem Number 3 and Solution: Trust, Transparency, and Community Partnership. Successful schools depend on strong partnerships between families, educators, and the community. We must rebuild trust by conducting Board business with professionalism, transparency, and respect. Parents should have meaningful opportunities to participate, public comments should remain on the public record except where student privacy requires otherwise, and district information should be easy to access with timely, accurate responses to public requests. By treating parents and teachers as partners rather than adversaries, we can create a more collaborative environment that better serves students.
How should the district handle teacher shortages? Teacher shortages cannot be solved by a single initiative. The district needs a comprehensive strategy focused on both recruitment and retention.
First, we must retain the excellent teachers we already have by reducing unnecessary administrative burdens, minimizing micromanagement, and giving educators the professional trust and support they deserve.
Second, we must make Brevard Public Schools a place where educators want to build their careers. Competitive salaries are essential; we should also look beyond salary by exploring creative ways to improve benefits, professional development, career advancement, workplace flexibility where appropriate, and other incentives that help recruit and retain outstanding educators.
Finally, we should regularly seek feedback from teachers about why they stay or why they leave and use that information to guide policy decisions. The people closest to the classroom are often best positioned to identify practical solutions. Every unfilled classroom or long-term substitute represents a disruption to student learning, so investing in teachers is ultimately an investment in student success.
It is also important to state here the importance of renewing the local millage referendum because it has been an important tool for improving teacher pay, particularly in addressing salary compression that has left many experienced teachers earning only modestly more than those entering the profession.
Florida ranked last for academic growth in reading. How would you improve that? Improving reading outcomes begins long before third grade. Research consistently shows that early childhood education has a lasting impact on literacy, so we should work with community partners to increase participation in high-quality VPK, particularly in areas where enrollment is low. Our focus should be on ensuring every child enters kindergarten ready to learn.
Once students are in school, we need to trust our teachers. Educators should have the professional flexibility to spend more time where students are struggling rather than following rigid pacing requirements that move every classroom at the same speed. Every group of students is different, and instruction should reflect those differences.
Finally, we must use student data to identify reading difficulties early and provide targeted interventions before students fall further behind. Early intervention, strong teachers, and a solid foundation in early childhood education are the keys to improving reading achievement.
What changes, if any, would you make to school safety policies? School safety should be approached through prevention, preparation, and accountability. I support maintaining School Resource Officers, the Guardian Program for highly trained non-instructional staff, appropriate school hardening, and our current emergency preparedness practices.
Safety is about more than physical security. We must continue investing in school counselors, mental health resources, and early intervention programs to identify concerns before they become crises.
As a School Board member, I also believe we have a responsibility to ensure every dollar invested in safety is producing meaningful results. We should regularly review our safety policies, procedures, and investments with input from law enforcement and security professionals to ensure they are evidence-based, effective, and making our schools safer.
How should book challenges and library removals be handled? Book challenges should be handled through a fair, transparent process that respects both professional expertise and parental involvement. Teachers and library media specialists are trained to select age-appropriate instructional and library materials, and concerns about specific books should be reviewed through an established process that includes educators, library professionals, administrators, and parents.
Parents have the right to make decisions about what their own children read, and schools should provide appropriate options for families. However, decisions that affect every student in the district should be based on a thoughtful review process and educational standards rather than the preferences of a single individual or small group. The goal should be to respect parental rights while preserving access to diverse, age-appropriate educational materials for all students.
What outside organizations or endorsements are supporting your campaign? At this time, I have not received any organizational endorsements. My campaign is a grassroots effort supported by parents, educators, community members, and residents from across the political spectrum who want strong public schools, fiscal accountability, and transparent leadership. I welcome support from organizations that share those values while remaining committed to making independent decisions based on what is best for students and Brevard Public Schools.
If elected, what policy would you try to pass in your first year? Rather than rushing to create new policies, my first priority would be reviewing existing policies to ensure they reflect the Board’s expectations and are being implemented effectively. Good governance begins with making sure our policies are clear, current, and consistently followed.
If I were to prioritize one area, it would be strengthening financial oversight. I believe the School Board should receive regular financial updates throughout the year, formally review audit findings and corrective actions, and ensure strong internal controls are in place so potential issues are identified early rather than at year-end. Better financial oversight helps protect taxpayer dollars and allows more resources to be directed toward supporting students and teachers.