Vote 2020: Pinellas County School Board By Laura Mulrooney
As part of the Gabber’s election coverage, we’re reviewing lesserknown races to help voters make a more informed choice in November. In this issue, we take a closer look at Pinellas County School Board candidates for Districts 1 and 7. The Gabber asked each candidate a set of questions from our editorial staff. Answers printed here have been edited for length and style; find each candidates full responses with this article at thegabber.com/vote.
Stephanie G. Meyer Meyer is a local school teacher who believes in redirecting funding into the classroom. Meyer plans to recruit and retain professional teachers, provide them with better pay, more flexibility and autonomy. Meyer intends to expand mental health counseling, advocacy for ESE students and encourages community engagement and parent participation in schools.
Meyer: The school board is the only democratically elected body in what would otherwise be an insulated institution. Its main purpose is to provide oversight of the school district and hold it accountable on behalf of parents, students, teachers and taxpayers. The board is also responsible for managing the district’s $1.6 billion budget efficiently and effectively, as well as directing policy that reflects the values of the community. Lastly, the board is the voice for parents and all members of the community. If elected on November 3, my priority will always be putting our children’s best interests first.
LAURA HINE
School Board Candidates The Pinellas County School Board has seven members: three elected at-large – which means they are voted on by all county residents – and four get elected by the registered voters within each single-member district. Terms are four years. District 1 (At-Large) School Board District 1 is one of three county-wide seats. Laura Hine Hine is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate who spent 10 years in the Navy as a Surface Warfare Officer. Hine believes in adequate teacher pay for recruitment and sustainment and supports teacher autonomy. Hine vows to focus on changing standardized testing, adjusting the school grading system and school safety.
Laura Hine
What does the school board control; what is your interpretation of your responsibilities as a school board member? Hine: The school board is complex and demanding in its duties: school board members are charged with
Leonard Insurance Agency LeonardFamily Family Insurance Agency Home • Condo • Auto • Flood • Commercial
Home • Condo • Auto • Flood • Commercial
We shop many companies to We shop many companies to guarantee guarantee you the best price. you the best price. Call Kathy Leonard today!
Kathy Leonard today! We’re here Call to make sure you’re protected.
Kathy@leonardfamilyinsurance.com Kathy@leonardfamilyinsurance.com 6160 Central Ave,101 Suite • St. Pete, 33707 6160 Central Ave, Suite • St.101 Pete, 33707
727-329-8995•• FAX FAX727-498-8602 727-498-8602 727-329-8995 10
operational, policy and fiduciary oversight of public education in Pinellas County. We work in education, yes, but we also work in mental health, juvenile justice, poverty, exceptional student education, school safety and other areas. The school board hires the lead supervisory roles: the superintendent of schools, district leaders and principals – all of whom then hire our teachers. Ours is a board of seven people charged with overseeing a $1.6 billion budget, about 14,000 employees and 100,000 students in 140 buildings. It is a significant responsibility.
How do you appeal to a voter who doesn’t have school-aged children? Hine: Our public education system educates more than 90% of our students using public tax resources of nearly $1.7 billion. These students are the ones who grow (quickly) to be our families, our communities, our workforce, our economy and our military. It is a family, economic and national security issue that we are excellent at public schooling on a broad scale. Every citizen is impacted by public education; insist on experienced, thoughtful leadership on your school board. Meyer: We all share in the great responsibility of education. Our tax dollars, whether we have children in the system or not, are what sustain our schools. In addition, the quality of our education system has far-reaching effects as each new generation becomes members of our community and of the workforce. The future
theGabber.com | September 17 - September 23, 2020
