Campbell, Curry take oaths for School Board, County Commission

Craig Curry is sworn in as a County Commissioner for District 1 by Judge Sarah Ritterhoff Williams, right, as Curry’s wife, Carol, second from right, holds the Bible as members of his family look on at the start of the Marion County Commission meeting in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2020.

Craig Curry is sworn in as a County Commissioner for District 1 by Judge Sarah Ritterhoff Williams, right, as Curry’s wife, Carol, second from right, holds the Bible as members of his family look on at the start of the Marion County Commission meeting in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2020.

Two newly elected officials took their oaths of office this week in Marion County.

Craig Curry, who served as mayor of Ocala more than three decades ago, returned to public office when he was elected to the Marion County Commission in the August Republican primary, narrowly defeating Mike Behar and Michael J. Saxe for the District 1 commission seat that had been held by David Moore. District 1 encompasses the southeast portion of Marion County.

Curry was sworn in Tuesday morning at the start of the Marion County Commission meeting at the McPherson Government Complex.

Also taking the oath of office on Tuesday was Allison B. Campbell, who was sworn in as the newest member of the Marion County School Board.

Campbell beat Lori Conrad for the District 1 seat during the general election earlier this month.

Improving attendance was a point of agreement between Campbell and Conrad.

Campbell said that “80 percent of success is showing up” and, after visiting every school in the district, those schools with the worst attendance records also have the worst academic performance.

Allison Campbell is sworn for the Marion County School Board District 1 seat by her husband, Andy, left, as her sons, Cade, 12, Cole, 13, and Connor, 10, left to right, look on at the Marion County Public School Board office in Ocala, Fla. on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020. Campbell defeated Lori Conrad for the School Board seat on Election Day. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2020.

And Campbell, a public relations professional, made better communications at all levels of the school system, from students on up, a cornerstone of her campaign. She believes improved communications between those running the school district can improve the operation of our schools, but also that teaching effective communications to our children will enhance their futures as well.