Election 2026 | Lee County School Board: District 6 – At large
The primary race for Lee County School Board District 6 includes two candidates. This is an at-large seat meaning voters countywide may cast a ballot in this race no matter where they live in the city or their party of record.
Candidate name: Jada Langford-Fleming (incumbent)
Seat sought/district: Lee County School Board District 6
Age: 49
Education/Degrees: Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education, Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), 1999.
Occupation and Place of Employment: Lee County School Board Member.
Time in the District/Years of Residency: 14 years in district; 49 years as a resident; seventh generation Floridian
Business Experience Applicable to the Office sought:
20 years as a classroom teacher
30 years of coaching youth athletics
4 years of corporate America experience
6 years as a small business owner
Political Experience/Offices Held:
Lee County School Board Member.
Civic/Community Involvement:
Recreational basketball, volleyball, and softball coach in Southwest Florida; Trains and mentors young athletes; Lee County School Board Member; Member of ISSOC; Liaison to the Health Committee
Family: Husband, Matt Fleming; children Luke, Lance, and Baylee.
Military Experience: None.
Website: votejada.com
1) Why are you running?
I am running for re-election because the progress we’ve made in our schools is worth protecting. Every decision I make begins with one simple belief: our children matter. They are the future of our community, our county, and our state. I want to continue building on the improvements we’ve achieved while ensuring every student has access to a safe, high-quality education. As a longtime educator and current School Board member, I understand the challenges our schools face and remain committed to making decisions that put students first, support families, and strengthen public education for generations to come.
2) Planks of your platform?
My platform is built on protecting parental rights, increasing student safety, being a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars, and ensuring our teachers earn fair and competitive wages. As a former teacher, there is nothing more rewarding than watching students grow, achieve, and soar. I am committed to continuing the work that leads to student success by striving for a 100% graduation rate and making Lee County the No. 1 school district in the State of Florida for student achievement. Every decision I make is focused on helping students reach their fullest potential while strengthening our schools for future generations.
3) Top three issues?
My top three priorities are student safety, preparing students for life after high school, and responsible financial stewardship. Every student deserves to learn in a secure environment. We must also ensure graduates are ready for whatever path they choose, whether that means attending college, entering a skilled trade, serving in the military, starting a business, or joining the workforce. Finally, I will continue protecting taxpayer dollars by making thoughtful financial decisions that provide students with the resources, programs, and opportunities they need to succeed both in the classroom and beyond.
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Candidate name: India Palencia
Seat sought/district: Lee County School Board District 6
Age: 42
Education/degrees: University of the Ozarks, Clarksville, Arkansas
Occupation and place of employment: Kelly Services, Substitute Teacher
Time in the district in which you are running/years of residency: Fort Myers since 2018.
Business experience applicable to the office you are seeking: I’m a substitute teacher, a mom of three students in Lee County public schools, and I spent about a decade managing multimillion-dollar operations and large teams in retail telecommunications. My job was solving problems, managing budgets, and making people accountable for results — all in a bargained for environment. I know what it’s like to make real world budget decisions and I know what it’s like to manage a large budget.
Political Experience/offices held: None
Civic/Community involvement: Daughters of the American Revolution, Estero Island Chapter; PTO at my children’s school; community advocate attending School Board Meetings for the past several years.
Family: I met my husband in college in 2002 and we have been together ever since. We have three elementary age kids.
Military Experience: None
Website: palenciaforus.com
1) Why are you running?
I’m running because I have three children in our public schools, I substitute teach in our classrooms, and I believe our schools deserve leadership that solves problems instead of creating headlines. A budget is a reflection of our values, and right now our priorities are out of alignment. We don’t need more politics. We need common sense, honest communication, and leaders willing to ask tough questions before families and teachers are asked to sacrifice. We need leaders who actually listen to the community.
2) Planks of your platform?
My platform is built on three simple ideas: Put students first, spend taxpayer dollars wisely, and earn the public’s trust back. That means fixing the budget with transparency and accountability, supporting teachers and staff so we can keep great people in our classrooms, and focusing on what actually matters: reading, math, career readiness, and safe schools. I don’t think parents care about political theater. They want schools that work, teachers who stay, and leaders who answer questions honestly. That’s not a radical agenda. It’s common sense-and frankly, it’s about time we got back to it.
3) Top three issues?
First, fix the budget with full transparency and independent oversight through a forensic audit so taxpayers know where every dollar goes. Make sure its easily accessible and understandable for the public. Second, recruit and retain great teachers and staff by making compensation and working conditions a real priority. Third, improve student outcomes by focusing on reading, math, career education, and services for students with disabilities. Every decision should answer one question: Does this help students learn? If not, why are we spending time and money on it?