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BRIDGET HALL GRUMETA state lawmaker criticizes "the sky is falling" comments of a fellow Republican and possible rival for schools superintendent.
NEW PORT RICHEY - State Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, called her the leading fighter for education in Tallahassee.
State Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, went a step further: "You have the finest public education advocate in the state of Florida in Heather Fiorentino," Bilirakis told the West Pasco Republican Club on Tuesday.
One might get the idea Fiorentino, the teacher-turned-state representative from New Port Richey, has her eye on the Pasco County schools superintendent seat opening in 2004.
Is she going to run?
Many supporters have asked her to, Fiorentino admitted after the GOP luncheon at Spartan Manor. She hasn't decided yet, saying her "plate is full" with medical malpractice reform and other legislative issues.
But, she added with her characteristic smile, "I wouldn't take it off the table."
In the meantime, Fiorentino isn't shy about airing her differences with the only declared candidate in the race, Chuck Rushe, the school district's chief financial officer.
Speaking to the Republican club Tuesday, Fiorentino criticized Rushe's public hand-wringing last week over the latest school budget curveball. In order to provide state-mandated "recognition money" for 34 Pasco schools that improved their test scores over last year, the district will have to carve $500,000 out of its already tight budget.
Fiorentino called it "a fabulous problem," because the higher test scores mean students are excelling.
"If the school district is going to cry "the sky is falling' over one-tenth of 1 percent of their budget, I think they're missing the point," Fiorentino said. "Children are learning in Pasco County. That's the point."
Rushe told the Pasco Times on Tuesday he is "tickled pink" over the improvement in Pasco schools but said it creates a budget problem. The schools are due $3.2-million in award money, but the state set aside only $2.7-million in recognition dollars for Pasco County. That means the school district must pull the balance from its dwindling pot of lottery money, Rushe said.
"That (lottery) money has been used to purchase teachers and keep class sizes smaller," Rushe said. "How do you continue to buy teachers if you no longer have the funds to do that?"
Rushe, a Republican, declined to comment on the possibility that he could face Fiorentino in the superintendent's race.
Fiorentino said she would not seek another term in the Legislature because she wants to stay closer to her family. She opened a campaign account Feb. 14 for the District 5 County Commission seat, held by Democrat Peter Altman, but has not been actively campaigning for it.
She expects to announce her political intentions this fall.
- Bridget Hall Grumet can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6244 or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6244. Her e-mail address is bhall@sptimes.com