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District 4 Hernando County School Board

TEEN DOUBTS QUALITY: Danny Dunn, a graduate of the county's schools, says there's room to improve education. Jim Malcolm says his 12 years on the board speak for themselves.

School Board member Jim Malcolm appeared to be up against a crowded field early this election season. But when the filing deadline passed, just one - recent Springstead High School graduate Danny Dunn - remained.

Dunn, who was just 2 when Malcolm first became a public official in Hernando County, is taking Malcolm to task as being "out of touch" with students. Dunn was a student until last May. He speaks specifically about Malcolm's push to ban soda sales and suggests that high school students are old enough to make their own decisions.

Malcolm, who is running largely on his record, does not shy from the criticism. He defends his position, stating there is nothing wrong with making healthy choices available to students.

"I'm going to hope that my track record speaks for itself. I think it's a good one," he said. "I don't think my ideas are old-fashioned or out of synch."

During his tenure, Malcolm has supported the move to magnet and specialty schools. He has been a proponent of the two sales tax initiatives to help pay for new construction. He also has been a booster of the district's second-grade reading initiative.

With those ideas moving ahead, he said, he wants to pursue new thoughts.

For instance, Malcolm said he wanted to see the district expand its use of the Lindamood-Bell reading strategies in the elementary schools. He also is promoting improvements for the STAR alternative education center and for students at risk of failure.

"The other side of the coin, too, is we do have to beef up our programs for gifted youngsters," he said.

Politically, Malcolm has been outspoken in his disdain for the state's A-Plus plan and the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Dunn said he decided to run for School Board because he has a vision to better the system for students.

"I don't believe they're getting the best education," Dunn said. The district "can do better."

He recommends expanding advanced placement course offerings, increasing the availability of extracurricular programs after school hours and raising teacher salaries. The money can come from eliminating waste and shifting funds to new programs, he said.

For instance, he said, the board should continue to sell sodas in schools and use the revenue to support programs. Dunn additionally criticized the construction of Nature Coast Technical High School as too costly and filled with too many frills.

The board should closely scrutinize each line of the district budget, rather than rely on staff-generated summaries, to find more places to save, he said.

He said the district has enough magnet schools and suggested the board should treat the public with more respect.

School Board members are elected on a nonpartisan basis to four-year terms. They must live in the district they represent, although all county voters can vote for them. Board members hire the superintendent, revise and approve the district budget, make education policy and award construction contracts. The board sets its own salary each November. The current pay for the position is $29,208 a year.

DANNY DUNN, 18, is a Brooksville native and attended Hernando County schools for the past 13 years. He graduated with honors from Springstead High School in May and plans to study education or political science at Pasco-Hernando Community College. Dunn, a member of Springstead's band for four years, now works as a percussion instructor at Central High School. This is his first run for public office.

ASSETS: none.

LIABILITIES: none.

SOURCES OF INCOME: none.

WEB SITE: www.dunn04.com

JIM MALCOLM, 61, was born in Waterbury, Conn., and moved to Brooksville in 1987 to serve as the city's chief planner. He was elected to the School Board in 1992. In 1993, Malcolm was appointed city manager. He resigned from the city after one year as manager, after residents challenged his right to hold two jobs defined as "public official." Except for a failed attempt to run a travel agency, Malcolm has been a full-time School Board member since 1994. Malcolm is a member of the Florida Planning and Zoning Association and school coordinator for the Hernando County Fair Association. Before moving to Florida, he taught social studies in the North Kingston, R.I., school district for nine years. Malcolm is married and has two adult sons. He has a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Rhode Island and a master's degree in social studies from Eastern Michigan University.

ASSETS: homes, property, investments.

LIABILITIES: mortgage.

SOURCES OF INCOME: School Board salary.