School Choice, Stronger Schools, and a Voicefor Every Family
For Jon Maples, education is personal. His perspective has been shaped by life at home,
conversations across District 87, and a commitment to listening to the families and educators
who experience our school system every day.
PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL | October 12, 2026
A child’s education shapes far more than the grades on a report card. It influences their confidence,
their opportunities, their relationships, and the future they will one day build.
For Florida House District 87 candidate Jon Maples, the conversation about education begins with a
fundamental question: How do we ensure that every child has access to an education that meets
their individual needs?
As the husband of Kristi Maples, an educator with nine years of teaching experience, Jon has
witnessed the dedication, challenges, and personal investment that teaching requires.
That experience has helped shape his views on parental involvement, supporting educators, and the
importance of creating learning environments where students can thrive.
But Jon has also made a point of looking beyond his own household.
Throughout his campaign, he has spent countless hours knocking on doors, meeting residents, and
listening to families throughout District 87. According to Jon, a recurring theme in those
conversations has been the desire for meaningful parental involvement and educational options.
Families have shared their concerns about academic achievement, classroom resources, school
safety, and the ability to find an environment where their children can succeed.
The message Jon says he continues to hear is that parents want to be involved in their children’s
education, and they want their individual circumstances and concerns to matter.
One Child, One Future, Different Needs
No two children learn in exactly the same way.
Some students excel in traditional public schools. Others may benefit from charter schools,
specialized academic programs, private education, or homeschooling.
Florida’s school choice policies provide several of these pathways, including scholarship programs
that can help families access educational opportunities that might otherwise be financially out of
reach.
The scale is significant. According to the Florida Department of Education, more than 530,000
students were using state scholarship programs during the 2025–2026 school year, while more than
408,000 attended public charter schools.
Research has also identified positive outcomes for certain programs.
A 2019 Urban Institute study found that 57% of students participating in Florida’s Tax Credit
Scholarship program enrolled in college, compared with 51% of similar students who did not
participate.
The study also identified higher bachelor’s-degree attainment among some groups of scholarship
students, particularly those who entered the program in later grades.
For Jon, the importance of maintaining educational options is closely connected to a larger
responsibility: ensuring that the quality of a child’s education is not determined solely by a family’s
income, neighborhood, or circumstances.
Supporting Teachers Is Part of Supporting Students
The conversation surrounding school choice often focuses on students and parents. Jon believes
educators must also be central to that discussion.
Through Kristi’s experience in education, he has seen how much teachers invest in the children
entrusted to them, frequently extending their work well beyond the classroom.
Teachers are responsible for helping students learn, recognizing when they struggle, communicating
with parents, and maintaining a positive classroom environment. They also face growing
expectations surrounding student needs, school safety, and academic performance.
Jon’s education priorities include stronger teacher compensation, practical classroom support, and
greater recognition of the value effective educators bring to their communities.
Educational choice may also provide teachers with opportunities to work in schools whose
educational models, classroom structures, and approaches align with their professional strengths.
However, strengthening educational options does not eliminate the need to invest in traditional
public schools. Supporting teacher retention, classroom resources, and the quality of education
across all school settings remains essential.
The well-being of students, the effectiveness of teachers, and the overall strength of a school are
interconnected.
Keeping Schools Safe and Resources Focused
For families, academic achievement is only one part of the educational experience.
Parents also want to know that their children are protected while attending school.
Jon has identified school safety as a priority, including appropriate security measures, emergency
preparedness, communication systems, and resources that allow school personnel to respond
effectively when problems arise.
He also supports evaluating how state education dollars are allocated.
Decisions made in Tallahassee influence teacher compensation, campus safety, student support
programs, school facilities, and the educational opportunities available to Florida families.
Jon’s stated approach emphasizes directing public resources toward measurable needs, supporting
educators, improving safety, and ensuring that educational funding produces meaningful benefits for
students.
These questions also require accountability. Policymakers must evaluate not only how much is spent,
but whether those investments improve student outcomes and create safe, effective learning
environments.
A Perspective Shaped by Listening
Throughout District 87, Jon’s approach to education has been shaped by conversations with parents,
grandparents, teachers, and residents.
He has described these discussions as an important part of understanding how statewide policies
affect everyday life.
Some families are satisfied with their neighborhood schools. Others are seeking different academic
opportunities, additional support for a child with unique learning needs, or an environment that
better reflects their family’s priorities.
Although individual experiences differ, the broader policy questions remain relevant to every Florida
community.
How should Florida measure the success of its educational programs? What resources do teachers
need? How can the state protect students while respecting the role of parents? And how can
lawmakers ensure that public education dollars are managed responsibly?
These are questions Jon says he intends to keep at the center of his work on education policy.
For the Maples family, education is not simply a legislative issue. It is a subject connected to their
own family experience, Kristi’s work as an educator, and the stories Jon continues to hear from
residents.
Their experience reflects a larger reality: behind every discussion about education policy are real
students, committed teachers, and families making important decisions about the future.
The +10 Maples Movement and the 2026 General Election
The Maples campaign’s +10 Movement is part of its broader organizing efforts leading up to the
November 3 general election.
For Palm Beach County voters who wish to participate in the election, in-person early voting provides
an opportunity to cast a ballot before Election Day. Voting early can also help individuals avoid
last-minute scheduling conflicts, severe weather, or other unexpected disruptions.
Early Voting: October 19 – November 1, 2026
Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. daily
Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Palm Beach County residents can find official early-voting locations, identification requirements, and
election information at:
https://www.votepalmbeach.gov/167/Early-Voting
Eligible registered Palm Beach County voters may vote at any open early-voting location in the
county.
For additional information about Jon Maples’ campaign and stated education priorities, visit