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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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.
Sumter County School Board District 1
The Sumter County School Board has five districts. These are nonpartisan races, so they are open to all voters.
School Board District 1 encompasses voters in the northeastern part of the county. You can see a map of the area HERE.
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.
News 6 compiled the candidate responses for Sumter County School Board District 1, emailing and calling the candidates over several weeks. Responses were edited for spelling and grammar, but otherwise left intact.
Sally Moss - Incumbent
WEBSITE: www.sallymoss.com
You can also read the Sumter County Supervisor of Elections’ candidate profile HERE.
FOR INCUMBENTS: Why do you deserve to be re-elected in this race? FOR CHALLENGERS AND OPEN SEATS: Why do you deserve to be elected in this race? I was trusted by Gov. Rick Scott, when he appointed me to fill a vacancy on the Sumter School Board in April 2018, that I was the person to help shape the future of the Students in Sumter County. The voters also trusted me in 2018 & 2022 when they re-elected me because I showed them I was making a positive difference for our students and schools. I am proud of everything I have done & what the Sumter School Board has done during these past eight years for our students and our schools. I always have and always will put the student first with every decision I make and will always strive to make sure our students get the best education in the safest environment.
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: Money - making sure we budget well to provide everything we need to give our students a quality education in the safest environment.
Problem Number 2 and Solution: Hiring & retention of high-quality teachers - Reaching out to colleges & universities. Expanding the Sumter ‘Grow-your-own’ Academy known as EPIC. Expanding the Teacher Mentoring Program & Professional Development Department.
How would you handle district budget issues? Discuss where there is unnecessary spending. Making sure the essentials are secured and going from there. Have an excellent and knowledgeable Finance Director & Department.
How should the district handle teacher shortages? Expand ways of attracting new teachers. Expand means to retain new teachers by offering mentors, professional development, and show support from the School Board & Superintendent.
Florida ranked last for academic growth in reading. How would you improve that? Sumter ranks 9th out of 67 school districts in test scores. We take pride in our students & schools accomplishments. When there is a struggle within an area, we find a way to fix it by offering individual tutoring, group sessions, anyway we can to make sure our students are prepared for a successful future.
What changes, if any, would you make to school safety policies? Make sure we keep doing everything we are doing to be one of the safest school districts in the State. Stay up-to-date with new technology for student safety.
How should book challenges and library removals be handled? The way they are being handled now
What outside organizations or endorsements are supporting your campaign? None
If elected, what policy would you try to pass in your first year? I am running for my third and final term because of term limits. Please visit: www.sallymoss.com
Leslie Russell
WEBSITE: N/A
Ms. Russell did not answer our questionnaire. She also did not fill out a profile on the Sumter County Supervisor of Elections’ website.