Biography
Dr. Sharry Kimmel is a leader in the Broward community who has served at every level of K-12 education in Broward for almost three decades. Sharry is a former Broward Teacher of the Year who currently serves as an award-winning Professor of Teacher Education at Broward College. Dr. Kimmel has been married for nearly 35 years and is the proud mother of two adult sons, Daniel and Jonathan, both of whom overcame unique medical and learning challenges to achieve success.
Education
Bachelor's Degree University of Florida, Master's Degree in Education University of Miami, Doctor of Education Nova Southeastern University
Occupation
Professor of Teacher Education, Broward College
Civic Experience
City of Parkland Community Advisory Board (former Education Advisory Board), President Parkland Friends of the Library, Faculty Senator Broward College, HOA President Cascata at MiraLago, HOA Treasurer MiraLago Master, Other boards and partnerships: Developed Broward College Education Partnerships with: Take Stock in Children, Junior Achievement World, Autism Speaks, McFatter Technical College, BECON, Harvest Drive
Endorsements
District 4 School Board Member Lori Alhadeff, National Organization of Women, Broward Jewish Democratic Caucus, Florida East Coast ABC, Tamarac Mayor Michelle J. Gomez, Parkland Mayor Rich Walker, Parkland Commissioners Simeon Brier, Dr. Neil Kanterman, Cindy Salamone and Jordan Isrow, Lori Parrish (Fmr. Broward Commissioner, Property Appraiser and Broward School Board Member) Franklyn Sands (Fmr. Florida State Representative), David J. Armstrong (Fmr. President Broward College)
Campaign Phone
9549933350
1. Investing in classroom teachers: Significant pay increase, reduce health benefits cost, more teacher support. Teachers. Listen to the teachers!
2. Fiscal Responsibility. Legal and Financial Experts.
3. Student Safety. Experts. Community Stakeholders.
4. Smart and Transparent Redefining of our Schools. Experts. Community Stakeholders.
1. Become Fiscally Responsible and monetize assets, then: Improve ESE programs, Expand Technical Career Education, More support for the Arts and market, market, market. Improve facilities, programming, nutritional services and transportation. More Community Town Halls for input, collaboration, transparency, and informing the public.
As the mother of children (now adults) with special needs, we need to improve support ESE programs. I have served the entire County for 22 years at Broward College, including all socio-economics, zip codes, and minority groups. I will be a fierce advocate for equity as I have been for over two decades. The quality of a student's education should never be determined by their zip code.
I support the referendum, however the public will not and should not tolerate a lack of transparency or proper use of those funds. There must be accountability. I also believe that school safety, mental health services, and especially increased compensation for teachers must become an embedded part of the permanent BCPS budget.
Many veteran teachers in Broward are leaving. They are our most valuable resource. New and current teachers cannot afford to support themselves or their families on their current salary, especially with the extreme cost of healthcare benefits. Teachers are overdue for a large bonus and a pay increase and healthcare costs must be reduced to provide affordable healthcare for teachers and their families. BCPS must get their fiscal house in order, monetize assets, and pay teachers a livable wage. What has been going on over the past ten years in Broward, which was once the shining star of South Florida school districts, is disgraceful.
Biography
Nicole is a dedicated parent, advocate and community volunteer. As the mother of 3 children who attended Broward Public Schools, including one currently enrolled, she understands the everyday challenges and opportunities facing students, families, and educators. For nearly a decade, Nicole has served in leadership roles at both the school and district levels, including School Advisory Council, School Advisory Forum Chair, District Advisory Council, North Area Advisory Chair, and more.
Education
Interactive College of Technology
Civic Experience
PTSO President of Coral Glades High School, PTSO Vice President and Historian of Coral Glades High School, School Advisory Forum Chair of Coral Glades High School and Sawgrass Springs Middle School, Coral Springs Parent Education Advisory Committee Member, Chair of the North Area Advisory Council for Broward Schools, District Advisory Council member for Broward Schools, Zoning and Enrollment Subcommittee Chair for North Area Advisory Council, Boundary Committee member for Broward Schools, 5th Gr
Endorsements
Broward Teachers Union, Dolphin Democrats, Broward Young Democrats, Democratic Black Caucus of Broward County, Equality Florida, Senator Dr. Rosalind Osgood, Broward Tax Collector Abbey Ajayi, Broward School Board Chair Sarah Leonardi, Broward School Board Vice Chair Dr. Jeff Holness, Broward School Board member Debbi Hixon, Broward School Board member Nora Rupert, and many City Commissioners and Mayors.
1. Student Safety and Well-Being- Ensuring our students are not only physically safe in our schools, but that we are providing adequate mental health resources to help them thrive emotionally and academically.
2. Equitable Educational Opportunities- Ensuring every child in every school has the opportunity to receive a high-quality education in clean, safe facilities, no matter their zip code.
3. Transparency and Accountability- Holding the Superintendent accountable to the stakeholders and demanding transparent communication to the people of Broward County.
I will consult with our parents, students, principals, teachers, and municipal leaders to ensure all stakeholders are given a voice in district decision making.
We must invest in our schools by ensuring every campus is safe, clean, and offers strong academic and extracurricular opportunities. We have aging facilities that in some cases have faces years of deferred maintenance, causing unsafe conditions for students and staff. Parents do not want to send their children to schools with mold, leaky roofs, or other unsafe conditions, no matter how strong the academic programs may be. We also need to ask families who have left our district why, and act on the feedback. When families feel heard, trust district leadership, and see children thriving in safe, clean schools that offer a diverse range of academic programs, they will choose Broward County Public Schools.
This has been the cornerstone of my campaign. Every child deserves access to a high-quality education, regardless of their zip code, background, or abilities. That starts with ensuring equity in funding, so every campus has safe, well-maintained facilities, excellent teachers and support staff, mental health resources, and access to rigorous academic, career, arts, and extracurricular opportunities. We cannot expect students to thrive when they are in schools with dilapidated facilities, staffing shortages, and unequal resources. I will work to ensure all students in all schools are served equitably.
I support renewing the referendum. If it does not pass, our teachers and school-based staff will face a decrease in pay, which they simply cannot afford. If the referendum passes, 90% will go to school-based staff, and 10% will go to safety and mental health.
Every year we lose great teachers because they simply can't afford to stay. That's not sustainable. We are last in the nation for teacher pay, which is unacceptable when our cost of living is among the highest. I support looking at where we can cut unnecessary administrative spending and duplicative programs. We spend too much money at the district level when those dollars could be used to better compensate the people who are in our schools every day teaching our children. We are in the business of teaching kids, and our budget should reflect that by putting classrooms first.
