- December 20, 2024
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The Volusia County School Board bid farewell to two of its members at their final meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
Board members Carl Persis and Anita Burnette were recognized for their years of service at the meeting. Persis, who represents District 4, has been on the School Board for the past eight years. Burnette, who represents District 2, was elected in 2020. She will be succeeded by businesswoman Krista Goodrich.
Burnette chose not to seek reelection this term, as she wanted to focus on her job at Halifax Health. Still, she said her last meeting on the board was bittersweet.
"My role changed at work about a year and a half ago, and I had been looking for that for a while," Burnette said. "I just couldn't do everything 100% and so I recognize that, and I didn't want to shortchange anybody."
She ran for School Board to improve the school system, and while she said she's been involved in great changes, she also served in a time of great difficulty — one that involved the COVID-19 pandemic, teacher shortages and "culture wars"
"I've left my personal feelings out in all the decisions that I've made," she said. "I've always followed the law, and I do believe that we can't be good leaders if we're not going to follow the law."
She thanked her supporters, which she said came from diverse backgrounds and opinions and hoped she would run for reelection — that meant a lot to her, Burnette said. She's proud of the decisions she made, and said running for office is not an easy task.
"For those of you that have ideas of improving our district, that's wonderful, and I would suggest you put forth the energy to present these ideas in a professional, productive manner," Burnette said. "For those of you that have so many comments on the board and how to make decisions, I suggest next time, maybe you run for this seat."
Persis lost his race to continue to represent District 4 on the School Board to former lobbyist Donna Brosemer in the recent election. In reflecting of his decades of service — Persis has been serving the community since the late 1990s as an elected official, first on the Ormond Beach City Commission and later on the Volusia County Council — Persis agreed with Burnette and said it's tough putting yourself in the public eye, and only getting harder.
He's a product of Volusia County Schools, having graduated from Seabreeze High School. He never dreamed of becoming a teacher, and then he realized that's what he wanted to do. That path led him to become a principal for 27 years.
"After I retired, then being able to serve on the board again, it didn't even seem like a different job," Persis said. "It just seemed like a continuation of what I had been doing all of my life. I was in a different lane, but it was still being involved with, I thought, helping children become the best they can be, and I think that's what our goal is all the time."
The Volusia County School Board has a high ethical standard, he said, and are always professional with each other even when they disagree.
"Elections come, elections go," Persis said. "School Board members come and School Board members go. Superintendents come and superintendents go, but I want you all to know that I will always be here."
Persis, growing emotional, vowed to always do his part to cheer the district on.
"I know in your heart that you want what's best for Volusia County public schools and I do too," he said.
Superintendent Carmen Balgobin said the board has been through a lot together, and they've gotten to truly know each other. It's sad to lose two members who have dedicated themselves to public schools, she said.
Balgobin described Burnette as a "class act."
"People from all walks of life highly respect you and care about you — from all walks of life, and that shows that you're a genuine individual," Balgobin said.
She thanked Persis for his lifetime of service to education.
"Yes, people come and go, but some people leave an imprint that will last a lifetime, and you certainly have done so here in Volusia County," Balgobin said. "... You have the keys to Volusia County. You will always be a partner and friend in the work that we do, and we wish you just a lifetime of success with the next chapter that you're about to embark upon."
