SPACE COAST, FLORIDA.The Space Coast Rocket invited candidates for the Brevard School Board to answer a questionnaire in their own words. Below are the responses from Tammy Dennis, candidate for Brevard School Board, District 5. Her answers are published verbatim.
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About the Candidate
Name on ballot
Tammy Dennis
Office
School Board, District 5
Race
Nonpartisan
Incumbent
No
Held elected office before
No — this is my first run for office
Plans to seek higher office
No
Residence
Indialantic
Years in Brevard
6 to 10 years
Occupation / employer
Home Manager
Military veteran
No
Education
Bachelor of Science in Music Education with piano proficiency, Bob Jones University
Political, Civic, or Community Experience
Today, I’ve been serving on the Independent Citizen Oversight Committee in support of the Brevard County School Board for over four years overseeing the annual surtax. I’m also a member of the Audit Committee supporting the Brevard School District overseeing audits of operations, processes and finances across the district.
Previously, I promoted, developed and executed many arts programs in churches for their communities through musical theater. The last productions included leading, developing and managing over 120 volunteers with talents in music, drama, dance, set building, lighting, and sound. Multiple nights of showings were presented free to over 2000 people in the community.
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For children, I developed a team of volunteers who grew the children’s choir program from 3 choirs to 7 choirs, expanded its teaching to include drama, dance, rhythm and art, and transform it into “KIDS UNLIMITED … Arts for a new Millennium.” The children performed their own productions, displayed their art and made holiday appearances at the Ellipse in Washington, DC. The teen choir took their performance international to Nova Scotia, Canada.
I’ve held a wide range of positions for large community events. I organized programming, worked directly with local businesses and raised funds for 4th of July Celebrations for over 20,000 people in the community. Later I was a church representative mobilizing volunteers for a large regional event, “Food Fight,” packing 5 million meals for hungry children around the world.
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As a military member’s spouse, I was Programs Chair and later the President of the Hanscom Air Force Base Spouses’ Club (HSC), a philanthropic club that raises money and gives to the needs of military families, community activities, and local school efforts. They also hold an annual event raising money for scholarships for military dependents distributing over $48,000. I also co-coordinated the annual silent & live auction event for the Fisher Houses at Wright Patterson AFB raising over $200,000 for their annual expenses. Fisher House is to a military hospital like Ronald McDonald House would be to a civilian hospital.
Most importantly, I raised 4 children in 6 different public-school systems across the country. I communicated freely with teachers and principals and supported excellence in academics, sports, music and the arts in every community we lived.
1. Why are you running?
I’m running because I want our kids to be educated not indoctrinated. I’m a woman of faith and believe in traditional family values. I don’t want to go back to political agendas infiltrating the classroom; boys using girls’ bathrooms; inappropriate literature in school libraries; and discipline so lacking Brevard could not keep bus drivers. Not on my watch! On my watch we will not go back. We will move forward with common sense choices supporting decisions that strengthen academic excellence and opportunity for every student to succeed.
2. What are your top three priorities if elected?
1. Student Readiness for Life:
Focus on the basics – reading, writing, math, civics
– Support the district-wide literacy plan, Mighty Moves, that includes phonics
– Advocate for every student knowing the Constitution and Bill of Rights
Champion the expansion of Trades & Skills Programs
– Connect students with apprenticeships, internships & employment
2. Parental Voice:
– Will take a firm stand on the side of parents’ right to make decisions
– Never stop fighting for parents’ rights to be fully informed & involved
3. Fiscal Responsibility:
– Be the fiscally responsible voice on the board
– Put our 70,000+ students first
– Streamline processes & make the hard decisions
3. What is the single biggest problem facing the people this office serves, and how would you address it?
I believe there are actually two big problems.
1. Safety. We must protect our kids from both outside predators and inside conflict including the dangers of AI. I will work with School Security, the Sheriff and facilities team to ensure we are taking appropriate steps to provide measured layers of protection. I will rally the new discipline plan that enforces consequences for bad behavior and supports respect for teachers, staff and their piers. Sadly, kids are only one click away from very dangerous material on AI. It is happening right now and needs to stop. I will relentlessly push efforts to get internet protections on AI as soon as possible.
2. We are entering a new era of school choice, less children in our population, declining enrollment and increased budget restraints. I will help make the hard choices, streamline processes and tighten finances so that we can move forward smartly providing the best, possible education for students and help make Brevard Public Schools not only a viable choice but “the choice.”
4. How will you keep constituents informed and involved in your decisions?
Keep communication lines open through online access, public meetings and presence at local events, all while complying with Florida’s sunshine law.
5. Why are you a better choice than your opponents?
A School Board Member is not a single lane job but multi-dimensional! I bring the diverse breadth of proven experience crucial for strategic level planning and oversight required of a school board member. I bring the perspective of a parent who has sat on the other side of the desk; a military spouse who has navigated public school systems across this country; a community member who has supported local veterans and non-profit organizations helping Brevard students; a leader who has built teams and elevated programs to the next level. Today I serve the Brevard Public Schools with oversight and action. I’m already doing it.
