- April 26, 2024
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A Volusia County Schools teacher is running to represent District 4 on the Volusia County School Board.
Sarah Marzilli, who is the art teacher at Pine Trail Elementary School, filed to run for office on March 11. She's been teaching for 15 years and said she decided to run because she feels her experience and knowledge on how the school system currently operates, and its effect on students, would be beneficial to the School Board.
"The more of us that actually are voicing our concerns and working collaboratively to come up with a plan that's actually going to make sense for our school system would ultimately benefit, not only teachers, but students," Marzilli said.
Testing is one of the top issues she's interested in. Marzilli said that students are not given enough time in between district mandated testing to learn material. Testing, she said, has gotten out of control.
There should be more time for the teachers to have the freedom of going back to something that they noticed that their class really needed more time on, so that they could be more successful," Marzilli said. "That's what we mainly want — is the best for all of our students to be successful, because if they can feel successful, then they're going to have that pride in their education."
She's also interested in examining the budget, particularly after recent emails from the district informed teachers that the federal coronavirus relief dollars previously used for recurring costs — such as staffing — have run out. Cutting programs, Marzilli said, means class sizes will likely increase.
Marzilli said she became a teacher because she was passionate about education. She comes from a family of educators as well.
This is her first time running for office. Marzilli said she's looking forward to speaking with the community.
"I want them to understand that my best interests are the students, the teachers and the parents, all being involved in working together," she said. "I want us to make sure that we have a school system that is very strong, that works together, rather tha separates."
Marzilli is the fourth candidate to run to represent District 4 on the School Board. She's running against incumbent Carl Persis, former lobbyist Donna Brosemer and Daytona State College student Merrick Brunker.
