Former legislative aide to seek School Board seat

By KELLY RYAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 8, 2000

Ronald Ogden, former legislative assistant to Senate Majority Leader Jack Latvala, announced Wednesday that he is seeking a seat on the Pinellas County School Board.

Ogden, a Palm Harbor resident vying for his first public office, filed paperwork to challenge 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.

"Right now, it's the most important job on the ballot," said Ogden, 47. "I believe it is the best place to make the biggest difference for the future."

Ogden, who said he opposes school vouchers, said the school district must come up with a new way to recruit and retain teachers that includes more than just increasing salary. He also said that charter schools should continue to be allowed as a choice for students and that the district should do a better job of letting the public know about school successes.

As the district develops its plan for the end of court-ordered busing for desegregation, Ogden said it will be imperative that schools stay integrated.

Ogden is president of Contemporary Housing Alternatives of Florida, vice president of the board of directors at the Palm Harbor Senior Activities Center and director of the North Pinellas Republican Club.

Ogden's wife, Karen, works for the Pinellas School District in the community involvement department. Ogden resigned last month from Latvala's office to run for the School Board; he is setting up a company that will do public relations, fundraising and grant writing for non-profit groups.

The Ogdens' daughter will be an eighth-grader at Carwise Middle School this fall. Their son graduated from East Lake High School.

Ronald Ogden has a bachelor's degree in English from Elmira College in New York and took postgraduate courses in public administration at the University of South Florida.

Benjamin has served on the School Board for 10 years. In addition to Benjamin, one other candidate has emerged in the race, Michael Guju, a real estate lawyer and owner of two Tampa Bay title companies.

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