Real estate lawyer mounts challenge for School Board

By KELLY RYAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 15, 2000

Michael Guju, a real estate lawyer and owner of two Tampa Bay title companies, is running for the Pinellas School Board.

Guju, who has never held political office, has filed paperwork to challenge incumbent Lee Benjamin for the District 1 seat. District 1 includes the area of the county generally north of 102nd Avenue N and east of U.S. 19.

Guju, 40, who lives in East Lake, said he will advocate for neighborhood schools, safer campuses, charter and magnet programs and less paperwork for teachers. Guju distinguished himself from Benjamin, who has served on the School Board for 10 years, by saying that he is not "beholden to the entrenched administration of Superintendent Howard Hinesley."

Guju, whose campaign motto is "Children first," said he will encourage input from teachers and parents, who should feel that the School Board listens to them.

"I am a person who gets to the bottom of the matter," Guju said. "I'm independent in the sense that I will make my decisions on the board for what's best for the children."

Guju grew up in Ohio, where he attended public schools. He and his family moved to Pinellas County in 1996. Guju is active in several local civic and political groups, including the Lansbrook homeowners association, Boy Scouts, Palm Harbor Rotary and the North Pinellas Republican Club.

Guju said he is an independent thinker who would bring a business and finance perspective to the School Board. Guju practices law, owns the Trustee Co., and owns and manages two title companies -- Florida Title & Guaranty and American Realty Title Agency -- with offices in Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties.

He is married and has two children. His 8-year-old son is a student at Trinity Christian School in Dunedin, and his 4-year-old son is enrolled in a prekindergarten program at Cypress Woods Elementary School in Palm Harbor.

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