Who is running for School Board, District 1 (Countywide) (Alachua County, Florida) in 2026?
Here are the candidates for School Board, District 1 (Countywide) on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in Alachua County.
This office runs county services rather than voting on the quiz issues, so we show each candidate's experience and record instead of an issue match.
Member, Alachua County School Board (District 5, appointed); private school teacher
Janine Plavac, 73, teaches at Saint Francis Catholic Academy and previously taught at Gainesville High School for 17 years23. She was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the District 5 seat on the Alachua County School Board in April 2025, according to the Alligator2. She received roughly 35 percent in the August primary for the open District 1 seat and faces Hunter Miller in November2.
- Teacher, Saint Francis Catholic Academy23
- Taught at Gainesville High School for 17 years23
- Appointed to the Alachua County School Board District 5 seat by Gov. DeSantis in April 2025, per the Alligator2
- Appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the District 5 seat in April 2025, per the Alligator2; running in 2026 for District 1, which is open because incumbent Tina Certain is leaving the seat to run for the Alachua County Commission3. She advanced from the Aug. 18, 2026 primary and is on the Nov. 3 ballot12. The Alachua County sample ballot prints this race with no district qualifier, unlike district-limited legislative races that carry an 'if you live in' note1; Florida law provides for districtwide school board voting4.
Middle school math teacher
Hunter Miller, 27, teaches math at Howard W. Bishop Middle School, where he has taught for four years23. He ran for the open Alachua County School Board District 1 seat and received roughly 45 percent in the August primary, ahead of Janine Plavac with roughly 35 percent2.
- Math teacher, Bishop Middle School (about four years); teaches at a Title 1 school23
- No prior elected office listed2
- Not currently on the board. District 1 is open because incumbent Tina Certain is leaving the seat to run for the Alachua County Commission3. He advanced from the Aug. 18, 2026 primary and is on the Nov. 3 ballot12. The Alachua County sample ballot prints this race with no district qualifier, unlike district-limited legislative races that carry an 'if you live in' note1; Florida law provides for districtwide school board voting4.
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.