BREAKING: Former Educator and Businessman, Kevin McDonald Files To Run For School Board Seat In District 5
Former chairman of New York City’s classical learning institute, the Geneva School, enters race.
Wednesday afternoon, Vero Beach resident Kevin McDonald filed paperwork launching his campaign for School Board District 5. The current businessman of more than 40 years, philanthropist and educator decided it was time to serve his community from his strengths. In an interview with The Sunshine Journal, McDonald said, “The School District of Indian River County (SDIRC) needs somebody with my background and abilities to assist Dr. Moore in his programs from the board so kids can achieve their best.”
McDonald’s experience includes working for 7 years on the board as Treasurer (at different times), President and Chairman of the Geneva School, a classical education institution in the heart Manhattan, NY. He has been attending school board meetings and other functions for the past months, gathering up information as he prayerfully considered if this was the right time to run for office. “It was confirmed by many instances. For example, I was at the Taxpayer Association meeting by myself, and the host, Mr. Lunceford led me to a table with superintendent, Dr. Moore and Dr. Kyra Schafte. When I brought up that I was Chairman of the Geneva School, Dr. Schafte replied, ‘that was one school I have been studying in preparing our classical education program.’”
At the last superintendent workshop on February 12, Dr. Moore and his team proposed launching a classical school as part of the overall offerings in the public school system. Florida Education has entered the school choice era and Dr. Moore recognizes the reality. Parents are closely considering alternatives to public schools. In his introduction he said, “Things are changing rapidly. And, any organization that would come into our community, who is proffering an opportunity or hope to a family needs to deliver on that hope. As the public school system, I want to be their choice.”
McDonald viewed that workshop with great interest as Dr. Schafte presented the plan of detailed information. According to the plan’s goals, open enrollment is scheduled to begin in November for the 2025-26 school year. “I realized at that moment I was the right person for the school board,” said McDonald.
McDonald and his wife, Ruth have lived in Vero Beach for more than 10 years. As well as developing businesses in the tech world and devoting his time to the Geneva School, the both of them have served in the non-profit world of missions. Around 2005, McDonald was named by the New York Presbytery to lead the board of the Central Presbyterian Church at Park Ave. and 64th St. This church has the distinguished history of being Rockefeller’s church before his family built the Riverside Church Cathedral near Columbia University. He shared about that time of his election by membership. “The congregation was 20 people. The leadership was in disarray and the forgotten church was falling apart,” he remembered. He added, “The team created a plan to restore the facility and build a thriving community. Through hard work and many miracles, the church restoration was completed and over 1000 members were attending weekly in community.”
McDonald’s opponent, David Dyer is the vice chairman of The Learning Alliance (TLA). His status as a “founding member” shows a donation commitment to the organization of $150,000 over the last three years. Furthermore, TLA has been designated as a beneficiary in his estate according to the financial report published on their website. His campaign manager, Jeffrey Andros sits as a voting member on Children’s Services Advisory Committee (CSAC) overseen by the Indian River County Commission. There are other TLA donors who are voting members at CSAC including Hope Woodhouse. CSAC recommends distribution of regular county tax dollars (the school system has its own taxing district) to various non-profits focused on children’s health and well being. That stated, TLA’s work has helped SDIRC achieve an “A plus” rating. “I do not have any conflicts of interest concerning my wanting to serve my community. I obviously believe literacy is important. I realize that my experience and qualifications are school board centric, serving the only interest of this school system, being best by kids.”
McDonald wants to see the District achieve #1 in the state of Florida by setting education goals. He believes Dr. Moore is moving in the right direction. McDonald will advocate for school safety and security options. However, nothing gets done without proper budgeting. “To do all of these things my experience has taught me to maintain a strong financial status which we have in SDIRC,” he said.