St. Johns County School Board District 4: Tammie McClafferty and Jillian Tozer Meet Nov. 3
Two first-time candidates are running for an open, nonpartisan seat. Here is who they are, what they want to do and where they differ.
By St. Johns Standard Staff
Published October 28, 2026
Updated October 28, 2026
3 min read
Voters in St. Johns County will choose a new District 4 School Board member on Nov. 3, with an open seat after incumbent Kelly Barrera chose not to seek reelection. The race is nonpartisan. Because none of the three August primary candidates won more than 50%, the top two advanced: Tammie McClafferty and Jillian Tozer.
Both candidates are first-time candidates.
Tammie McClafferty
McClafferty, 53, is CEO of Lifework Leadership First Coast. She holds a doctorate in organizational leadership and has worked as a teacher, principal, professor and university director, and as the owner and operator of four schools. In the primary she led the field, finishing first with about 46%, according to results reported by News4JAX.
Her priorities include fiscal accountability, including an independent forensic review of district finances; stronger advocacy with state leaders in Tallahassee; and teacher recruitment, retention and professional development. Her answers emphasize faith, conservative values and her family's roots in the county, where they have lived for 18 years.
Jillian Tozer
Tozer, 40, is a small business owner who lives in Nocatee and has two daughters at Valley Ridge Academy. She holds a bachelor's degree in city and regional planning and an associate's degree in culinary arts. She finished second in the primary.
Her priorities include managing growth and rezoning to reduce school overcrowding, arguing that new construction should be planned around under-capacity schools; keeping teachers through competitive pay; and auditing district operations and requiring private schools that receive voucher funds to meet public school accreditation standards. She has pledged to donate 50% of her board salary to local parent-teacher organizations.
Where They Differ
Both candidates call for audits or financial reviews and for better teacher pay and retention. Tozer ties school capacity to local development decisions, a topic that has dominated county politics this fall. McClafferty centers her campaign on financial accountability and advocacy in Tallahassee.
What the Board Does
The School Board sets policy and the budget for St. Johns County schools, hires and oversees the superintendent, and shapes decisions about school capacity as the county grows.
How to Vote
Early voting runs through Saturday, Oct. 31, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., at ten sites. Election Day is Nov. 3, with polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Call the Supervisor of Elections at 904-823-2238 with questions.
St. Johns Standard will continue covering local races through Election Day.