The Madison County School District has faced several challenges lately.
The 2,200-student district had to cut more than $600,000 from its budget this year. That's after recent years brought school closures due to a declining student population driven in part by school choice expansion. The district also experienced a scandal where two teachers used racial slurs in front of students. Amid it all, the district has maintained a "C" school grade.
Those issues are central to the race for the Madison County School Board's District 1 seat.
Incumbent Katie Knight is seeking another term against challenger Byron Poore. During a candidate forum on July 30th hosted by Green Publishing, both candidates agreed declining enrollment is one of the district's biggest challenges.
Seeking a second term, Knight said she wants to continue the work she began during her first four years on the board. Attracting and retaining families is a priority for her.
“Simply put, when families choose to leave, we lose students in the funding that supports our schools. We need to have a solution to that, and it isn't just cutting cost. It's creating a school district that families are excited to be a part of,” she said.
Poore is a financial advisor and former Madison city commissioner who stepped down in 2025 after taking a job as a pension monitor for the firefighters and police officers retirement system.
He said the district is losing about 100 students each year and argued the district needs to create more value for families. He added that public disagreements in the district over the past year, "especially among race, racial divide," is hurting trust.
“I am pro school choice. I'm not afraid of people choosing alternatives. But what it means for us is that we've got to create value in our system, and I believe that we can do that when we restore trust, create opportunities, and it will solve the enrollment problem,” he said.
Knight, who is also a small business owner and co-founder of the nonprofit Madison County Strong Long Term Recovery Group, says her experience around the community has given her the perspective for the job.
“I care deeply about our students, our teachers, our staff, and our families. I've learned that leadership isn't about having all the answers. It's about listening, treating people with respect, bringing people together, and making decisions that leave our community stronger than we found it,” she said.
Poore said his business background and previous elected experience have prepared him for the position.
“What I bring to the table is my greatest asset are the are the relationships, the people that I've developed connections with. It is going to be those people that we work together with to help identify what it is that is keeping our students from receiving the education that they need to have success in life,” he said.
Both candidates said expanding partnerships outside the school district will be key to improving educational opportunities for students.
Knight said the district has already begun working to strengthen those partnerships.
“We already have an incredible foundation to build on by continuing and strengthening our partnerships with NFC, River Oak, Big Bend, and Wiregrass. We can continue to offer more college credits, workforce certifications, skill trades, and career pathways. Every student deserves a clear path to success, whether that's college, military, technical education, or entering the workforce,” she said.
Poore says he wants the district to bring in new ideas, like the University of Central Florida’s Community Partnership Schools model.
“This model is being used over in Jefferson County, and it's helped that county go from a failing school system to within two points of scoring an A over the last four to five years. North Florida College is partnered with them. Our homegrown local college is partnered with our neighbors next door. If it's a model that works for them, why can't it be a model that works for us?” he said.
Both campaigns are largely self-funded, with both Poore and Knight putting about $1,000 to fund their race. Most of Knight’s spending has gone to sign materials, while Poore has also spent most of his money on marketing materials.
Both candidates will be on the ballot during the Aug. 18th primary election.
This story was produced in partnership with nonpartisan news organizations and universities across the state working to provide information about the 2026 elections. Learn more about the Florida Elections Reporting Partnership at floridaelections.org.
