The landscape of local education leadership is taking shape as the 2026 election cycle heats up. The field of candidates for the Indian River County School Board has expanded, with two prominent incumbents officially filing paperwork to seek re-election. As the community looks toward the future of its public schools, both familiar faces and new challengers are stepping forward to make their case to voters.
Teri Barenborg, a longtime educator and the current representative for District 4, is seeking to retain her seat. Representing the southeastern corner of Indian River County, Barenborg has established herself as a central figure on the board since 2018, having served multiple terms as both chair and vice-chair. With a career deeply rooted in local education—including tenure as a teacher at Dodgertown Elementary and an assistant principal at Indian River Academy—Barenborg emphasizes the importance of continuity.
Her platform focuses on maintaining the district’s recent academic successes. Under the leadership of Superintendent David Moore, who was recently named Florida’s Superintendent of the Year, the district and the majority of its schools achieved “A” grades in 2025. Barenborg, whose grandchildren currently attend district schools, argues that stability on the board is crucial to sustaining this momentum.
We want to maintain the upward spiral that we’ve got going. We’ve got a lot of changes on the horizon and keeping some stability on the board is a good idea with so much going on. We want to make sure that public schools offer great options for students so that everyone has an opportunity to have a wonderful education.
Barenborg is currently navigating significant changes within the district, including the expansion of certain campuses into K-8 academies. Addressing parental concerns regarding transportation during this revamp, the district has implemented new before- and after-school programs at the former Rosewood Magnet School campus and adjusted bus transport logistics. Additionally, she is actively working at the state level to address mandates regarding charter school facility usage, advocating for fairness in how public school spaces are utilized. As of mid-January, Barenborg remains unopposed for the District 4 seat.
The race in District 2, however, is already contested. Incumbent Jacqueline Rosario has filed for re-election to represent the area spanning the southern half of Sebastian down to the city of Vero Beach and the northern tip of the barrier island. Now entering her eighth year on the board, Rosario is a homeschool parent but maintains that her choice of education for her son does not hinder her ability to govern public schools effectively.
Challenging Rosario for the District 2 seat is Tom Lange, a well-known figure in the local sports and education community. Lange, 43, is a former English teacher and department head at Sebastian River High School, where he taught from 2006 to 2018. He also served as a district Career and Technical Education specialist until 2023.
Beyond the classroom, Lange is recognized as the founder and director of Sebastian River Rowing, a program that has secured 24 Scholastic State Championships. With two children currently enrolled in the district, Lange is campaigning on his hands-on experience within the school system.
I want to make sure our kids—not just mine, but all the kids who go to our public schools—are in good hands. I’ve seen and learned a lot during my years in the classroom and as a department head, and it’s time for me to try to help lead the district in the right direction.
Lange has expressed excitement about building upon the district’s recent achievements, stating that his goal is to make a positive impact where “the kids are what matter most.”
Residents of Indian River County should mark their calendars for the primary election scheduled for August 18, which will likely decide the outcome of the District 2 race unless additional candidates enter the fray. regarding these pivotal school board seats.
