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.
Seminole County School Board District 5
All school board races are nonpartisan elections, which means all voters can vote in the election, regardless of party affiliation.
There are five school board districts in Seminole County.
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 Oviedo Community News compiled the candidate responses for Seminole County School Board. Below is an excerpt of each candidate’s profile.
To see the full responses, go to the Oviedo Community News candidate page link for each candidate.
You can also see the full Oviedo Community News Voting Guide HERE.
Autumn Garick - Incumbent
WEBSITE: www.garick4schools.com/
Oviedo Community News Candidate page: oviedocommunitynews.org/profile/autumn-garick/
Candidate Q&A: The questions below are based on voter questions and expressed priorities. Each of the candidates within a race was asked the same questions and given the same amount of time to respond. The candidates’ answers were fact-checked, checked for spelling and grammar but otherwise unedited.
If elected, what are the three most pressing problems you want to address, and what do you suggest to solve them?
- Maintaining academic excellence despite funding challenges. As state funding becomes more unpredictable, we must continue prioritizing classroom instruction, early literacy, career pathways and student support services while finding efficiencies outside the classroom to preserve Seminole County’s tradition of excellence. This is serious business, but we have to remember kids learn best when they’re actively engaged in programs and classes that spark curiosity and joy. I will continue to be hands-on with district leadership and the community to showcase and market the SCPS award-winning arts, athletics, academic and real-world learning opportunities that cannot be duplicated with other choice options. This year’s Big Wheels, Bright Future Kindergarten Expo, Student Ambassador-led Middle & High School Magnet Showcases and Career Fair & Internship Expo are great examples. I will continue to lobby our state legislators for full funding individually and with the stakeholders with whom I’ve built trusted relationships — parents, teachers, businesses and community leaders. We will continue to lean on our pro-public education community and appreciate their willingness to help fill the gaps as volunteers and donors. There are more gaps now than ever.
- Teacher recruitment and retention. Great schools depend on great educators. It’s shameful that Florida ranks 50th in teacher pay and that paraprofessionals, many of whom work with our most fragile students, earn the same as fast food workers. My voice will continue to be heard by Tallahassee leaders, calling for competitive salaries, professional development, and the resources teachers need to succeed so Seminole County remains a destination district for outstanding educators. Locally, I remain committed to listening and responding to the needs and priorities of employees. A year ago, there was a request for more robust mental health support. Hearing the request, our board tasked the insurance committee to find options. Today, our employees and anyone in their household is eligible for free telehealth sessions to address mental health concerns.
- Preparing students for the future. Every student should graduate ready for college, a career or service. The work and career landscape is evolving at a fast pace. I will continue to work with district leadership and the community to make sure SCPS remains on the cutting edge. During my tenure as school board member, SCPS has expanded our career and technical offerings to include 52 programs embedded into our high schools with exploratory programs in our middle schools. I met with industry leaders, heads of county and city economic development departments and Chambers of Commerce to learn the needs of the community today and into the future. Our HVAC, Cyber-Security, Welding, Construction, Health Services, Aviation, Space Academy, Hospitality Services are a few of the programs designed because the district learned of a local need for trained employees in these fields. I will always look for ways to say yes [to] future career opportunities and be willing to sunset programs should they become outdated.
How should the district handle teacher shortages? Great teachers are the heart of every successful school. As a school board member, I’ve worked to support our educators because when teachers feel valued and have the resources they need, students thrive. We need to continue advocating for better pay, investing in professional development, reducing unnecessary burdens, and creating a culture where great teachers want to build their careers here in Seminole County.
Since I’ve been in office, we’ve been proactive in growing our next generation of educators. The Early Childhood Education program for high schoolers and our SCPS Paraprofessional Pipeline to full ESE teacher certification opportunities with direct connection to Seminole State College are proven solutions. I look forward to growing these programs, continuing our strong relationships with UCF and Rollins College and sharing the stories of the vast majority of our teachers who, despite the terrible pay, find joy and purpose in shaping the lives of future generations through public education.
Florida ranked last in the nation for academic growth in reading. How would you improve that? Before serving on the school board, I spent nearly two decades helping children discover a love of reading and language through educational theater and, as a board member, I’ve continued making early literacy a priority. To get a first-person look at the challenges in our schools, I volunteered as a RAP (Reading Acceleration Program) mentor and worked directly with two struggling readers. I saw signs of success with my mentees and became a champion for the program. Working with our PTA’s, community groups and the District Volunteer manager, I have seen the program grow from 18 schools to 30 in just a year and a half! My goal is to have the program in all 37 of our elementary schools. I supported the Early Learning Community School in Midway to support an intense focus on early literacy. We need to keep investing in evidence-based reading instruction, support teachers with proven tools like University of Florida Literacy Institute resources, and intervene early when students need extra help. Every child deserves the opportunity to become a confident reader because strong reading skills open the door to success in every subject and every stage of life.SCPS is perennially recognized as the No. 1 STEM district in Florida and a trailblazer in science and math instruction. The same focus we applied to science and math we need to apply to reading. When a child reads on grade level by grade three, that child is set up not just for academic success but for lifelong success. We are No. 5 in third-grade reading in the state. I am aiming for No. 1 in my second term.
What changes, if any, would you make to school safety policies? As both a school board member and the parent of three Seminole County graduates, nothing is more important to me than keeping our students safe. We must continue strengthening campus security while also supporting students’ mental health, building strong partnerships with law enforcement, and ensuring every child feels seen, supported, and connected. School safety isn’t a one-time effort; it’s something we should always be working to improve. I will work to foster clear channels of communication in partnership with our schools and parents to proactively address safety concerns.
How should book challenges and library removals be handled? Recognized with a state Ambassador of Storytelling award for my decades of work helping children develop a love of language and learning, I know the importance of providing students with high-quality literature. I also believe parents deserve transparency and confidence in the materials available in our schools. That’s why I’ve supported a consistent, transparent review process that follows Florida law, respects parents, values educators’ expertise and keeps the focus on educational value rather than politics. I will continue to listen to parent concerns and encourage open communication.
What outside organizations or endorsements are supporting your campaign? I am proud to have earned support from educators, community leaders, and organizations that value strong public schools, including the Seminole Education Association and other local community supporters like the Orlando Regional REALTOR Association (ORRA).
If elected, what policy would you try to pass in your first year? As a board, we continually review policies to make sure they reflect the mission and vision of the district. My focus has been and always will be on the things that have the greatest impact on students. I want to build on the progress we’ve made by expanding evidence-based literacy initiatives, strengthening career and technical education, and making sure families can easily access the resources they need to help their children succeed. Every decision I make starts with one question: How does this help students?
Brian T. Newsome
WEBSITE: www.electbriannewsome.com/
Oviedo Community News Candidate page: oviedocommunitynews.org/profile/brian-t-newsome/
Candidate Q&A: The questions below are based on voter questions and expressed priorities. Each of the candidates within a race was asked the same questions and given the same amount of time to respond. The candidates’ answers were fact-checked, checked for spelling and grammar but otherwise unedited.
If elected, what are the three most pressing problems you want to address, and what do you suggest to solve them?
- Florida ranks near the bottom of the nation in teacher pay. This year, 187 Seminole County teachers received non-renewal notices while the district ran a career fair to replace them. My solutions include fighting for experience-based compensation that rewards mastery, not just hire date; seeking administrative workload relief that allows teachers to focus more on teaching and less on admin; and working to create a school culture where educators feel genuinely valued every day and are treated as the experts they are, not managed as a replaceable resource. As the son of a career teacher, this is personal for me.
- A $16.7 million deficit. 300+ eliminated positions. 2,000 more students projected to leave next year. I would first suggest cuts at the administrative level, not the classrooms. Every administrative position should justify its direct impact on student outcomes before one teacher is touched. Furthermore, leadership should lead by example with reductions in their own salaries. Simultaneously, I will pursue an aggressive enrollment recovery based on eliminating concerns that hinder academic excellence. The best financial strategy is being focused on the school’s core mission of educating students, thereby mitigating the desire of families to leave Seminole Schools.
- Parents waited nine days to learn their child was at risk at Sabal Point Elementary. The Florida Commissioner of Education publicly rebuked the district. My recommendation is a mandatory parent notification within an agreed-upon short timeframe of any credible safety threat. No exceptions. Second, I would recommend clear written protocols developed with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. Last, I will advocate for an annual public transparency report measuring the district’s communication performance against specific, published standards — so families always have an honest accounting of how their schools are serving them.
How should the district handle teacher shortages? Teachers are leaving because Florida underpays them, overloads them and undervalues them. I will fight for experience-based pay, workload relief and a culture of genuine professional respect. I will also expand teacher pipelines by investing in teacher aides who already want to become certified educators.
Florida ranked last in the nation for academic growth in reading. How would you improve that? Last in the nation is unacceptable. I will advocate for universal literacy screening at kindergarten entry, so we identify struggling readers early on. I will support mandatory evidence-based reading intervention for every student below grade level. Also, I would suggest ongoing professional development in the science of reading for every K-3 teacher. Additionally, I would pursue high-dosage, small-group tutoring for students who are behind. And stronger school library programs would be considered to promote a culture that values books.
What changes, if any, would you make to school safety policies? Parental notification within an agreed-upon and short timeframe of any credible threat. Clear written safety protocols developed with law enforcement and published publicly so every parent knows exactly what to expect. And a mental health early warning system that identifies students in crisis before behavior becomes a safety incident.
How should book challenges and library removals be handled? Parents have the right to guide their own child’s reading. What I cannot support is a process so paralyzed by volume and politics that books sit in review limbo for years while students lose access to materials that genuinely serve their education. The standard must be clear criteria based on age-appropriateness, qualified reviewers, fast timelines, and meaningful parental involvement. Our libraries should be places of learning and intellectual growth, not casualties of culture wars.
What outside organizations or endorsements are supporting your campaign? The only endorsement to date is from the Seminole County Republican Executive Committee.
If elected, what policy would you try to pass in your first year? A mandatory parental safety notification protocol along with a public annual compliance report. I choose this first because everything else I want to accomplish depends on a foundation of trust. Right now that trust is fractured. Fix the trust. Everything else follows.