Picolo wins District 8 school board seat, vows focus on finances
Joel Picolo is the new District 8 School Board representative after defeating opponent Daniel Burst in a close race ultimately decided by 121 votes.
Both candidates outlined plans to improve financial oversight, support educators and strengthen communication with parents during the campaign. Picolo won 52 percent of the vote in a race that saw 53.4 percent voter turnout.
“I felt excited and honored that my neighbors trusted me to represent them,” Picolo said of his feelings as election night results became final. “First and foremost, I thanked God for this opportunity and for guiding me throughout this journey. I thought about my wife, our children, and everyone who encouraged me and gave their time throughout this campaign. Along with the excitement came a real sense of responsibility, because now it’s time to get to work for our students, families, and teachers.”
Picolo, a real estate professional whose wife is a teacher, said the district’s financial problems motivated him to run.
“I decided to run because when I heard about the budget deficit,” he said. “I knew (as a husband of a teacher and a father to a student that’s already in the school system and a future student in a few years) that it was my duty to protect teachers and students from being the target of budget cuts that will need to happen.”
During the campaign season, Picolo said he would also prioritize restoring regular comparisons between budgeted and actual spending, ending the use of the General Fund as a cash clearing account and providing monthly public updates on the district’s financial progress. He would make cuts to discretionary spending without touching salaries, benefits and student resources.
Speaking on district finances after this win, Picolo said he wants to closely review spending and work with fellow board members to strengthen the district’s financial footing while protecting classroom needs.
To retain teachers, Picolo emphasized strengthening administrative support and reducing paperwork that takes time away from instruction. He also supports continuing the district’s three-year mentorship program for new teachers.
“I’ve heard from teachers who spend their weekends and holidays catching up on paperwork,” he said. “I want to work with teachers and district leadership to identify duplicate reporting, simplify paperwork where possible, and explore ways to provide more administrative support and protected time during the workday to complete required tasks. Teachers deserve time to focus on their students without routinely sacrificing time with their own families.”
Picolo said when he talks to teachers, pay isn’t the first thing they raise.
“They say they’re stretched thin and that the decisions they make in their own classrooms don’t get backed up,” he said, adding teachers need clearer administrative support and relief from responsibilities that take time away from teaching.
Picolo said he would make himself available to parents through phone calls, individual meetings and school activities while notifying them about upcoming board decisions.
“My career makes it very easy for my schedule to be flexible, allowing me to go to individual schools to speak to teachers and students and make myself available for parents when they have questions,” Picolo said.
He added that he wants families to feel heard and have clear, understandable information about the decisions affecting their schools.
“Thank you for putting your trust in me and giving me the opportunity to serve this community,” he said. “Every conversation at a doorstep, word of encouragement, and offer to help meant something to me, and I won’t forget that support now that the election is over. Galatians 6:9 reminds us not to grow weary in doing good, because in due season we will reap if we don’t give up. I want to carry that encouragement into my service on the board. Whether you voted for me or not, I’m here to listen, be accessible, and work with you for our children and our schools.”
