Susan Duval
Susan Duval, 79, began teaching in Hernando County schools in 1969 and served 11 years as principal of Springstead High School before retiring. She was first elected to the District 5 school board seat in 2014 and is seeking a fourth term. She trailed challenger Kara Champion by three votes in the August 2026 primary.
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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.
Education & school choice Leans disagree· based on record
On May 26, 2026, Duval cast the lone vote against each of three charter school applications (two You Thrive academies and a Pineapple Cove Classical Academy replication), which the board approved 4-1. She said the state was effectively forcing districts to approve them, while other members said they welcomed charter competition.
"The state is telling not only this district but every school district what they can and can’t do in terms of just about anything anymore,"
Library and classroom materials Leans disagree· stated position
Asked about the book and curriculum controversy, Duval said it reflected 'self promoting politics' and that the board handled every concern under its existing review policies. (In May 2023 she voted with a unanimous board to remove one challenged book while noting the review committee had found it appropriate.)
"My take on the controversy regarding books and curriculum is that it demonstrated a view of self promoting politics."
No public position found on 5 issues
We searched campaign sites, questionnaires, interviews, votes and official actions and did not find a clear stance on: Taxes & spending, Property taxes, Gender identity laws, Teacher and staff pay, School safety approach. 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
- Competing with charter and private schools — Duval says the district needs to do a better job of marketing itself because public schools are 'not the only option in town anymore,' and describes her role as representing every student: 'As a board member, we're looking out for all students, not some of them. All of them.'
Record: votes, actions and documented facts
- May 2023: voted with a unanimous board to remove Rupi Kaur's 'The Sun and Her Flowers' from school libraries, while saying the review committee had found the poetry content appropriate and the complaints concerned the book's images.
- May 2023: voted with the 3-2 majority against a 'no confidence' motion on then-Superintendent John Stratton.
Endorsements (as reported)
- Florida Education Association
- Florida Education Association