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Staff Reports
04/17/2025
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Mid Bay News asked all Okaloosa County Commission and School Board Commission candidates to submit more information about themselves ahead of this Summer’s primary election.
All candidates were asked the two questions below:
Mid Bay News did not edit, alter or otherwise change the responses received from the candidates.
This Submission is from Okaloosa County Commission Candidate for District 3, Linda Evanchyk.
Niceville, Valparaiso, Bluewater Bay and Eglin Air Force Base Residents who are registered to vote regardless of party affiliation can vote in this election. This is a universal primary.
I am the current District 3 School Board Member. Prior to my election in 2018 I was an English and journalism teacher for 38 years- 33 at Choctawhatchee High School, my Alma Mater. I have made my position as a School Board member a full-time one. I am actively engaged in schools; I advocate for students and employees in an effort to offer students the best possible they can get. I am asking the voters for a second term to serve them as I continue to ask the tough questions, respond to the needs of the teachers and students and to be a responsible steward of the people’s money. I am the only candidate in my race who has been in Okaloosa County the last four decades, and who has actively been invested in our schools.
I earned a Master’s Degree in Communications from the University of West Florida. I have a current State of Florida Teaching certificate, and I was one of the first teachers in Okaloosa County to become a National Board Certified Teacher, a designation I still hold.
As a teacher I received many accolades including being named the Choctaw High School and Okaloosa County Teacher of the Year, as well as the Florida Journalism Teacher of the Year twice. I was inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame in 2010.
I am active in the community as a member of the Ft. Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Vice President of the Ft. Walton Beach Woman’s Club, a member of Impact 100, the University of West Florida Alumni Association and the Republican Women of Okaloosa Federated. I recently chaired the Ft. Walton Beach Woman’s Club 100th Anniversary celebration, and was named the club’s volunteer of the year. I have been recognized on the Okaloosa County Women’s Wall of Honor and was inducted into the Okaloosa County Women’s Hall of Fame in 2016.
As a School Board member, I have served on the Support Employee of the Year and Teacher of the Year selection committees, I am the Board’s representative to the Okaloosa County Value Adjustment Board, I am a Take Stock in Children mentor, and I serve on the Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation. I am often called upon to read to students, and to participate in other literacy initiatives.
✓ Voted against a mask mandate
✓ Voted for the Guardian Program
✓ Pushed for employee benefits reform
✓ In favor of the ½ cent sales tax, but did not vote to raise any other tax
✓ Supported Career and Technical Education programs
✓Continue to expand Career and Technical Education program options.
✓Continue to phase out portable buildings used as classrooms.
✓Collaborate with the district in efforts to retain and attract quality employees.
✓Increase mental health resources for students and employees.
