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Former District 7 candidate makes endorsement

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Isadora Dean backs Fitzpatrick in School Board runoff

A month ago they were competitors, now they are allies.

Before a group of about 30 supporters at The Plant Street Market in Winter Garden, Isadora Dean endorsed the candidacy of Matthew Fitzpatrick, who edged her in the August 30th General Election for the Orange County Public School Board District 7 seat. Fitzpatrick beat Dean with 4,589 votes (25%), to Dean’s 4,160 (23%). Incumbent Christine Moore received 8,353 and 45% of the votes, but was unable to avoid a runoff. Fitzpatrick and Moore will square-off in the November 8th runoff election.

Fitzpatrick is a first-time candidate, but has been in education for 23 years. He's been a teacher and administrator at Apopka Memorial Middle School, Ocoee High School, Boone High School, Apopka High School, and now Orange Technical College – Westside Campus in Winter Garden. He also served for two years as the District Athletic Director at all Orange County public schools.

"I am pleased to announce that I am proudly endorsing Matthew Fitzpatrick for Orange County School Board District 7," said Dean. "As a parent and an educator with 42 years of experience, I know that we need someone who will put children and teachers first. Like me, Mr. Fitzpatrick has shown a commitment to our community and its students. Mr. Fitzpatrick and I worked together at Ocoee High School, and I know that his firsthand experience as a teacher and administrator is sorely needed downtown. In the runoff for District 7, Mr. Fitzpatrick is the clear choice in representing the issues and values that are most important to me in education: putting our children and teachers before politics. Please join me in support of Mr. Fitzpatrick, as we work together and stand united to restore the voices of our community on the Orange County School Board."

Fitzpatrick featured Dean's experience in accepting her support.

"I want to thank Isadora Dean for her endorsement tonight in this runoff for the District 7 Seat on the Orange County School Board. This endorsement means a lot to me because Isadora spent 42 years in education, so she knows a thing or two about teaching and learning, and she has seen a lot of good things and bad things in education over the past 4 decades. Isadora cares about students first, so she doesn't extend her endorsement lightly. Isadora is also very familiar with politics, as her husband Billie Dean has been an Apopka City Commissioner for the past 24 years. When Isadora says the School Board has become too political, you can take her word for it, we are in need of a change on the School Board. In terms of campaign platform, Isadora and I were very similar... believing that the School Board and the School District need to have an open door and open ear to both parents and community members, and that they both need to work together to support what's best for students and teachers. We have to bring the "Us vs. Them" mentality to an end in our school district. Administrators and teachers are on the same team. We need to end the "era of fear" in our School District. Teachers and administrators should not fear speaking up for students and education. We are fighting for a new day in our School District in which every voice is valued. I welcome Isadora and her team as new members of our campaign...I look forward to working with her as we continue to get the message out that we're bringing common sense back to the classroom."

Election Day for the OCPS Board District 7 seat is 47 days away!

Isadora Dean, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Orange County School Board District 7

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