Mike Mills
Mills is a U.S. Navy veteran who served as a nuclear machinist mate on submarines from 2010 to 2017. He owns Symmetry Coffee Company in Ocala, works as chief storyteller for a large restaurant franchisee and teaches as an adjunct professor at the College of Central Florida. A Take Stock in Children alumnus and mentor, he led the Aug. 18, 2026 District 4 primary without a majority and faces Brigitte Smith in the Nov. 3 runoff for the seat being vacated by Nancy Thrower.
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Positions on the major issues
Compare with opponents →Each entry describes what the candidate has said or done, and what they say they will do, in neutral terms with sources. The chip shows how that relates to the statement voters rate in the matching tool.
Taxes & spending Mixed / neutral· stated position
Mills campaigns on business experience with budgets and appropriate spending and says fiscal responsibility is how the district equips and supports teachers; he has not proposed cutting taxes or the school millage.
"I understand budgets, appropriate spending, strategic thinking and I have signed the front of checks."
Library and classroom materials Mixed / neutral· stated position
In a Keep Florida Reading questionnaire, Mills said he balances parental rights by consistently auditing the library and telling families where else they can find certain books, such as the public library, and that he trusts certified media specialists to make collection decisions subject to benchmarks and performance auditing. He also said book-removal attempts should be fully explained publicly.
"Consistently auditing the library and providing families information on where else they might find certain books - such as the public library."
Teacher and staff pay Leans agree· stated position
Asked which of teacher pay, employee insurance or class size he would refuse to cut, Mills said he would refuse to cut any of them and that teachers are the last place to take money from.
"The last thing we need to take money away from are the teachers."
School safety approach Mixed / neutral· stated position
Mills supports zero tolerance for weapons, fighting and drugs and favors removing a repeatedly disruptive student from class sooner, but calls discipline a community problem and pairs removal with mentoring and more help for parents.
"I am a fan of removing the kid from the classroom sooner rather than later, based on the teacher’s experience. Having said that, that’s not where it stops."
No public position found on 3 issues
We searched campaign sites, questionnaires, interviews, votes and official actions and did not find a clear stance on: Property taxes, Education & school choice, Gender identity laws. This is reported as unknown rather than guessed from party affiliation; these issues are excluded from this candidate's match score.
Other issues this candidate has raised
- Career and technical education — Mills strongly backs expanding career and technical education and trade programs so students graduate with certifications and skills, and describes military enlistment as an honorable pathway.
- Did not answer local questionnaire — News 6's 2026 voter's guide notes that Mills did not respond to its requests to complete the candidate questionnaire.
- District budget management — In his Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey Mills says the board needs a business-savvy voice to manage a roughly $1.3 billion budget, citing his experience with logistics, construction, accounting, labor, insurance, vendor relations and city contracts. His campaign website lists board efficiency and fiscal responsibility as a goal.
- Career and post-secondary pathways — Mills says he would grow post-high school programs including career and technical education, trade schools, college and military service, and that he teaches students leaving the district at the college level.
- Policy areas of interest — Asked what areas of public policy he is passionate about, Mills listed policies affecting funding, growth management, labor, transportation, curriculum and nutrition.