School board race for District 7 seat heads to runoff
The Lee County School Board’s District 7 race provided all voters countywide with the opportunity to cast a ballot in the Aug. 20 Primary Election in the three-way race featuring Vanessa Chaviano, Sheridan Chester and Joshua Molandes.
Chaviano and Chester received the two highest percentages for at-large non-partisan seat.
There is a run-off in the General Election if there is no majority winner with 50% plus one vote.
Chaviano received 47.11% or 45,631 votes, Chester had 31.42% or 30,432 votes, and Molandes received 21.48% or 20,807 votes, with all the precincts reporting.
Chaviano holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and criminal forensics from Florida Gulf Coast University, master’s degree in criminal forensics and behavioral analysis from Florida Gulf Coast University and master’s degree in business administration from Ashford University.
A 25-year resident in Lee County, she works at LIV Digital Marketing in marketing operations. She is a former teacher, school administrator, and coach and currently has two children in the district.
“I am very excited, proud and happy for everyone that has supported me,” Chaviano said of those that came out for the primary. “We did everything as far as marketing, door knocking — grassroots efforts. We will continue those grassroots efforts here in the community — keep doing what we have been doing.”
She said obviously it continues into November.
“Hopefully, everyone comes out in November. Every voice matters — making sure every voice is heard, and everyone is accounted for. I’m looking forward to serving them on the school board,” Chaviano said.
Chester received an AA degree from CUNY, Borough of Manhattan Community College, bachelor’s from John Jay College of criminal justice, as well as certified recovery peer specialist.
Also, a 25-year resident of Lee County, she has been a substitute teacher for the School District of Lee County. Chester’s top three issues include salaries, hire and retention of qualified teachers and safety.
She could not be reached for comment as of press time.
OTHER SCHOOL BOARD RACES
The District 2 and 3 races were decided by voters registered in the respective districts.
District 2 incumbent Melissa Giovannelli will serve another four years. A real estate agent, she had the most votes with 12,660 or 56.71%, beating opponent Carol Frantz, a retired radiologic technologist, who received 9,665 votes or 43.29%.
Giovannelli was first elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2020. A native of Lee County, she is a graduate of Riverdale High School. Giovannelli has a Florida real estate license from Ed Klopfer of Real Estate and a paralegal certification from Barry University.
Bill Ribble, who worked as a vice president of corporate operational development with UPS, won the District 3 race with 12,307 votes or 50.38% against opponent Kaityln Schoeffel, a car dealership and mother, who received 12,120 votes or 49.62%.
Election results are unofficial until certified.