North Florida School Board Race: Veteran Educator and Longtime Coach Face Off in Lafayette County District 3

Last updated: August 16, 2026

NewsWK — As voters across North Florida prepare for upcoming school board elections on Aug. 18, the District 3 contest in Lafayette County offers a clear contrast in leadership styles and professional backgrounds. With Lafayette District Schools currently maintaining an “A” state rating, the race centers on how the district can sustain academic excellence while delivering focused support to students struggling with foundational reading and mathematics.

The Candidates and Their Qualifications

Voters in District 3 will decide between two candidates with extensive ties to public education: retired educator Mary Anne McCray and longtime educator and coach Mark Beach.

Mary Anne McCray, 68, brings 36 years of instructional and administrative experience to the race. A graduate of the University of Florida, where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees, McCray spent decades working inside classrooms and collegiate environments, including service as an English teacher and as an adjunct English professor at North Florida College. Following her retirement in 2016, she served as the primary caregiver for her mother. McCray previously sought the District 3 seat in 2022.

Throughout her career, McCray worked extensively with federal education programs, coordinating initiatives under Title I Part C for migrant education, Title III Part A for English language acquisition, and Title X support for homeless youth. In candidate filings, she noted that her responsibilities required continuous data evaluation to help struggling students succeed, emphasizing the need to “coordinate academic support, and access any medical, social, and community resources necessary to foster an environment where students can be successful.”

Her opponent, Mark Beach, 55, brings a background rooted in athletic leadership, campus culture, and school administration. Beach has served as the head football coach at Lafayette High School for the past 11 years. Prior to his current post, he spent four years serving as athletic director across two high schools in neighboring Jackson County in Northwest Florida.

Beach earned a bachelor’s degree in business management and went on to complete a Master’s in educational leadership through the American College of Education. His work on the field earned him recognition from his peers as the 2019 Region 4 Coach of the Year, awarded by the Florida Athletic Coaches Association.

Why it matters here

For families, taxpayers, and civic leaders across Northwest Florida—from Escambia and Santa Rosa counties to smaller rural communities throughout the region—school board elections represent the most direct form of local educational oversight. School boards are responsible for setting district policies, managing taxpayer-funded operational budgets, and ensuring curriculum standards prioritize academic achievement.

In rural districts across North Florida, retaining top district performance grades requires steady governance that balances classroom instruction with targeted interventions. When school boards prioritize core academic skills—specifically reading literacy and math competency—students are better prepared for higher education, vocational pathways, and workforce entry without inflating administrative overhead.

Background and Context: Preserving Academic Standards

While Lafayette County continues to celebrate its top-tier district rating, local educators face the ongoing challenge of identifying learning gaps early and implementing practical interventions without overburdening classroom teachers. The District 3 election highlights two distinct paths to addressing those demands: one candidate offering extensive background in specialized federal programs and curriculum coordination, and another offering administrative training combined with more than a decade of student mentorship and athletic department leadership.

The outcome of the Aug. 18 election will determine who joins the five-member board to guide district policy, monitor academic assessments, and manage resources heading into the new school year.