Ziegler is currently running unopposed

By Jennifer Nessmith

Staff writer

Incumbent Brevard County School Board member Andy Ziegler, who holds the District 5 seat, has announced plans to run for re-election this November.

Currently, he is running unopposed.

Mr. Ziegler, 50, of West Melbourne, earned a bachelor's degree in computer science from Florida Institute of Technology in 1983.

He and his wife, Patty, have one daughter, Janielle.

In addition to his duties as a school board member, Mr. Ziegler works in business automation consulting and networking.

He is also a 20-year member of the Palm Bay Rotary Club; a member of the board of directors for Space Coast Early Intervention Center; a member of the board of directors for the Melbourne Regional Chamber of Commerce; a member of the board of directors for the Brevard Cultural Alliance; and a member of the board of directors for AMIKids, former known as the Space Coast Marine Institute, which is a six- to nine-month moderate-security residential facility for boys ages 14-18 who have committed crimes.

Mr. Ziegler said if he's re-elected, he would continue to pursue priorities that are "actively being addressed now."

"(My top three priorities include) finding places to save the district money without cutting programs or people; pursuing the implementation of health clinics for our employees; and looking for more business partnerships to help us offer more career and technology education programs."

Mr. Ziegler said he's running for re-election for several reasons.

"I was originally convinced to run for school board by several people who thought I was right for the position," he said. "With the upcoming financial disaster that we will be facing over the next one to three years, I had to seriously consider if I wanted to be part of making some of the most difficult decisions the school board will ever have to make. Being well into my second year on the board, I realize that I have obtained an incredible amount of training for this position since I have taken office. It is clear to me that I have been training so that I can help guide us through the difficult times ahead."

For more information on the November election, visit www.votebrevard.com.