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Politics

Board vows to educate on ballot item

By MARY SPICUZZA
Published September 13, 2006

LAND O'LAKES - One hundred Pasco residents were asked this question as part of a random survey:

Do you know that in November, you will be asked to vote on whether the Pasco County school superintendent should be elected or appointed?

Only four of them said yes, Amye Cox of Pasco Parents for Quality Schools and Community told the School Board on Tuesday night.

After Cox urged the board to ensure that "100 percent are educated," the board voted to assemble a committee to produce a neutral, one-page educational flier explaining the issue to voters.

The committee will include a union representative, a teacher, a principal, superintendent Heather Fiorentino, a School Board member, a district administrator, a PTA member, another parent and a representative from the business community.

Cox agreed to firm up plans for specific committee members.

The School Board has a Sept. 26 workshop to hear more on the elected vs. appointed issue from Bill Montford, chief executive officer of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents. At Cox's request, the board will consider moving the workshop from 1 to 6 p.m. - if Montford can come at the later time - to make it easier for working people to attend.

Pasco County is the largest school district in the country to have an elected superintendent.

Advocates of an appointed superintendent say it would take the politics out of Pasco's top education job. But Pasco voters have twice rejected that idea, opting in 1986 and in 1994 to keep the post elected.

The School Board asked to put the issue on the ballot again last year, after the contentious 2004 superintendent's race. Many school officials preferred school finance chief Chuck Rushe for the job, but voters picked Fiorentino.

In other business, the School Board:

- Adopted its final budget of nearly $1.4-billion. The millage for this year is 7.409 mills.

- Adopted its five-year plan, including five new schools scheduled to open during the 2007-08 school year. Those include: High School DDD, 1 mile west of Oakstead Elementary in Concord Station; Middle School EE in Concord Station; Double Branch Elementary in Meadow Pointe; Elementary School M in New River; and Elementary School N on Gulf Trace Boulevard. (Elementary schools M and N might require a midyear opening because of delays).

- Representatives from the Cinderella Project, which provides new and gently used prom dresses to girls who otherwise can't afford them, said they might add a Prince Charming aspect for boys' wear.

- United School Employees of Pasco addressed the School Board about two feedback sessions scheduled to discuss the Special Teachers Are Rewarded plan. The west Pasco meeting is scheduled from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sept. 20 at the River Ridge High School Media Center. The east Pasco session is scheduled from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Centennial Middle School Media Center.

[Last modified September 13, 2006, 08:03:30]