Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
Times Staff WriterBuilding better schools: While the three candidates don't have children in the school system, they all say their work experience will benefit the district.
TAMPA - Voters in the School Board's District 5 will choose among a retired educator and two businessmen hoping to replace an incumbent who is stepping down.
Seeking the seat being vacated by 12-year veteran Doris Ross Reddick, the board's first elected black woman, are retired educator Doretha Edgecomb, technology consultant James Randolph and engineer Joe Robinson.
Edgecomb and Randolph are making their first run for public office. Robinson has made three failed bids for City Council and one for supervisor of elections.
None of the candidates have children in Hillsborough schools, but all said their professional experience gives them an edge over their opponents.
Edgecomb, 61, retired from the Hillsborough school system after a 32-year career as a teacher, reading specialist, supervisor and principal of Robles Elementary School. She said her experience in the schools would benefit her as a board member.
"I believe in public education," said Edgecomb.
"That's what I know. I think I can make a difference."
Edgecomb has been endorsed by the teachers union and leads the race in campaign fundraising.
She said one of her top priorities is making sure all students have access to a quality education. She also wants to get more parents and residents involved in the schools and attract and reward committed teachers.
Randolph, 48, also wants to make retaining good teachers a priority. He would like to improve the classroom environment as well.
"I've met several new teachers. Their comments are along the lines of, "I didn't know what I was getting into,"' Randolph said. "The teachers are so busy trying to correct the behaviors (of students) it prevents them from teaching."
Randolph, who was convicted of driving under the influence in 1990 in California, is a self-employed information technology consultant with Carolina Consulting Solutions.
"I have a passion to serve, not just be elected," he said.
Robinson, 50, said his key concerns are listed in the school district's strategic plan - boost the reading achievement of students, improve communication and update technology.
He also hopes to use his knowledge as an engineer to make the school district more accountable and ensure that taxpayer dollars are not being wasted. His company has done engineering work for the school system. "As a businessman, I understand large budgets," he said. "I understand facilities and construction. I have a broad background."
Robinson has been outspoken about whether minorities are given a fair opportunity to get government contracts, including the school district. The district changed its policy after he challenged the selection process of architects and engineers.
A West Tampa resident and engineer, Robinson has served on committees including the Southwest Florida Water Management District's Northwest Hillsborough Basin Board and the West Tampa Community Development Corp.
Robinson also has battled the city over hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of fines and code-enforcement liens on rental property. Robinson said the liens led him to file for bankruptcy in the early 1990s.
Those fights, Robinson said, are irrelevant to his running for the School Board.
"It's about the children," he said. "I want to help children with my professional experience."
THE CANDIDATES
DORETHA WYNN EDGECOMB, 61, a retired principal and trainer with the Educational Testing Service. She received her bachelor's degree in English from Talladega College and a master's from the University of South Florida in reading education. She is the widow of George Edgecomb, the county's first black judge. She has one grown daughter, a teacher. She is a involved in the Tampa metropolitan chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority, NAACP, Rivergrove Civic Association and the East Tampa Revitalization Committee. She has been endorsed by the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association. ASSETS: Life insurance, annuity, home, property. LIABILITIES: Credit union loan. INCOME: Retirement, investments.
JAMES M. RANDOLPH, 48, a self-employed information technology consultant with Carolina Consulting Solutions. A native of Goldsboro, N.C., he received an associate's degree in electronics from City College and attended National University, both in San Diego. He is single. He is active in the Business Professional Roundtable of Tampa Bay, Kids and Canines advisory committee and the Hillsborough Juvenile Justice Board. ASSETS: Property, vehicles, investments. LIABILITIES: Business loan, mortgage, credit card. INCOME: Business . WEB SITE: www.jamesrandolph.org
JOSEPH "JOE" ROBINSON, 50, is president of the engineering firm of RHC and Associates. Born in Lakeland, he graduated from Tampa Catholic and the University of Iowa with a degree in mechanical engineering. He was a mechanical engineer with Tampa Electric Co. from 1979 to 1985. He is divorced and has one daughter, a student at Tampa Preparatory School. He is a member of the Southwest Florida Water Management District's Northwest Hillsborough Basin Board and a board member of the city's Enterprise Community Based Partnership and the West Tampa Community Development Corp. ASSETS: Homes. LIABILITIES: Loans. INCOME: Business. WEB SITE: www.joerobinson.org
THE JOB
School Board races are nonpartisan and the terms are four years. The seven-member board generally meets every other week to set policy for the district. The job pays $37,426 a year. District 5 covers East Tampa.