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Pasco School Superintendent Kurt Browning Won’t Seek Reelection in 2024

Information and image from The Suncoast News According to The Suncoast News, one of Pasco County’s longestserving public officials has announced his plans to call it a career at the end of his current term. Browning, who will be 66 at the end of his term, said he made his decision now rather than waiting for the 2024 election cycle to give the system and the community ample time to prepare for his departure. The average superintendent’s tenure nationwide is five to six years — shorter for the biggest districts. Pasco is one of the nation’s 50 largest school systems. A likely candidate is former state senator John Legg, who co-founded and operates the county’s oldest and most successful charter school, Dayspring Academy. Legg holds a doctorate in education, and helped fashion state education policy for several years as a lawmaker. He toyed with running against Browning in 2020, but decided against it. On Thursday he declined to say whether he will seek the job in 2024, explaining that he wanted to discuss the idea with his family. “My wife and I are seriously, seriously examining it,” said Legg, who has a healthy campaign account remaining from his state senate campaigns. “I’m going to make a decision tonight and make a public statement tomorrow. I love this community.” He praised Browning for his efforts leading the district through difficult times including the pandemic, responses to the Parkland school shooting, rapid growth and other situations as they emerged. Browning has faced criticism over the years for his handling of many issues, including student masks, attendance zone changes and the district’s LGBTQ student services. Soon after his announcement became public, one of the parents who frequents board meetings posted on social media that it would be better if he leaves now. Browning said he knows that some people will never be happy, regardless of what he does. They won’t sidetrack him in his work, he said, adding that he did not make his decision because of those parents. “The political environment today is very vitriolic. It is very meanspirited,” he said. “I just don’t have the gas in my tank to go through (a campaign) again.” He said he hoped that as people reflect on his time in office, they will see the strides the district has made in areas such as providing more school choices, and recognize that “I deeply care about each of the kids that we have the opportunity to educate.”

Celebrate Parks and Recreation Month

July is National Parks and Recreation Month, so whether you’re looking for a place to have a pickleball match or want to walk a few natural trails, below is a list of parks in your area that can help you do just that.

Tampa Bay Area

• Upper Tampa Bay Park at 8001 Double Branch Road, Tampa. Minimally developed and perfect for kayaking/canoeing, nature walks and picnics. • Cypress Point Park at 5620 W Cypress Street, Tampa. Oceanfront with a boardwalk, trails, dunes, picnic shelters and canoe dock. • Julian B Lane Riverfront Park at 1001 North Boulevard, Tampa. Scenic, 25-acre riverside park featuring a boat house, huge lawn, splash pad, plus areas for dogs.

Lake/Marion

• Hickory Point Recreation Park at 27341 FL-19, Tavares. Waterfront park experience with fishing, a nature boardwalk and trail, outdoor picnic areas with barbecue grills, playground, sand volleyball court, swimming beach and open-field play areas • Twin Lakes Park at 35303 County Road 473, Leesburg. This park features a boardwalk, playground, pavilions, picnic tables and open play areas. • Pine Forest Park at 32520 FL-44, Eustis. Noted as peaceful for kids, pets and an afternoon stroll, this park has shade, baseball diamonds, basketball courts and a hiking trail.

Sarasota/Manatee

• Creekwood Park at 7025 44th Avenue East, Bradenton. Community area providing an offleash dog park, playground, picnic pavilion and open green space. • Manatee Beach Park at 4000 State Road, Gulf Drive, FL-64, Holmes Beach. Plan a beach day here with the bar and grill, live music and stunning sunsets. • Bayfront Park at 5 Bayfront Dr, Sarasota. This destination offers waterfront green space with a promenade, playground, tiki bar and dramatic views of the bay and city.

Southwest Region

• Gilchrist Park at 400 W Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. Waterfront green space with picnic & play areas, tennis courts, a fishing pier and community events. • Ponce De Leon Park at 3400 Ponce de Leon Parkway, Punta Gorda. Park offering a beach, playground, mangrove boardwalk, boat launch & wildlife center. • Laishley Park at 120 Laishley Court, Punta Gorda. Shoreline park with a fishing pier, marina, memorial garden, harbor walk and seafood restaurant.

Suncoast Region

• Moccasin Lake Nature Park at 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater. Tranquil, oak-lined paths, educational walking tours, natural exhibits and educational kids’ camps. • Fred Howard Park at 1700 Sunset Drive, Tarpon Springs. Located on the Gulf of Mexico that draws a bustling crowd for the beach and swim area. • E.G. Simmons Regional Park at 2401 19th Avenue NW, Ruskin. This waterfront wildlife sanctuary & campground offers swimming, kayak rentals and picnic facilities.