It is imperative that we develop a positive, supportive working relationship between the district office, school board, parents and teachers.   I do not believe the current administration has done enough to establish a spirit of cooperation.   In my administration, unilateral decision making will be the exception not the rule when implementing programs and establishing policies.  Every effort will be made to seek alternative solutions and “out of the box” thinkers when tackling tough issues.   The district must work as a team of professionals who embrace, respect, and consider differing viewpoints.  Through my past experience as a military officer, morale is critical and vital to the success of any mission, whether it’s in the Middle East or the middle of Pasco County.  Pasco County’s front line is the teacher and parents, and they need support from their leadership in order to complete their mission - educating and supporting our children. 

Learning Focused Strategies (LFS) will be reevaluated in its entirety.  LFS was unilaterally and hastily implemented and has added another layer of paperwork and increased workload on already heavily burdened personnel.   Through the district’s own admission, the program was poorly implemented.  We continue to expend significant tax dollars by paying substitutes so that teachers can leave the classroom to attend LFS training.  I believe the return on this investment will certainly be disappointing and at the expense of other programs which are more relevant to the needs of Pasco County students.

The current hiring process for Assistant Principals is cumbersome and prohibits highly qualified candidates from entering the school’s administrative system.  The red-tape and bureaucracy in this process needs to be restructured to allow some of our finest candidates to enter the administrative pools.  In addition, under my administration, attracting and hiring veterans will be a top priority for Pasco County schools.  I can personally attest to the difficulty accessing the very limited information available to veterans from our district.  I will implement a program that will streamline the hiring processes for both the assistant principal candidates and veterans.  

Under my administration, charter schools will receive fair and equitable treatment by the Pasco County School District.  I feel the choice in school selection belongs to parents and charter schools should stop being the focus of negative district policies.  Parents have the right to choose which school they feel is best suited for their children.  As long as charter schools perform and meet county and state educational standards, they should be allowed to operate in a positive environment.

My next goal will be to improve the overall morale in our schools and repair District relations with the school board and USEP.  Currently, we are a “House Divided”.  A positive working relationship between the District, school board and teachers based on mutual cooperation and respect is imperative.  The school board’s voice must not only be heard but taken into consideration.  We cannot risk marginalizing the community or the teachers by way of their representatives.  All viewpoints, including opposing ones, must be taken into consideration to ensure that Pasco’s vision grows rather than stagnates.   A positive, progressive school atmosphere is essential to a positive learning environment for our students. 

I believe that, in any organization, a highly motivated, energized workforce unified by a common goal is the key to its success.  As a former business owner, I believe that employees who feel they are valued, respected, and treated with dignity and as professionals are most productive.  I also know that employee turnover costs money and that we need to attract and retain top-notch personnel.  A “top down” management style is not only outdated but does not foster productivity.  I believe in consensus building and in the collaborative process.  Unilateral decision-making is a thing of the past.   

My Technology Vision

I intend to implement a realistic, standardized county wide technology plan that has depth.  It will include high tech opportunities for students and teachers as well as an emphasis on security in schools.  I will seek the advice of community leaders, educators, local law enforcement and the “buy-in” of the school board and USEP while creating my technology plan.  Resources must be wisely utilized on technology so that Pasco County is better prepared for the future of education. With budget constraints, this will be no easy task but one worth the effort in order to move our schools from an analog world to a digital one.  A shortsighted approach to implementing technology must be a thing of the past.  Our tax dollars need to be spent with a long range technology vision in mind.  

With regard to school security, off-the-shelf items such as cameras and security systems are a small price to pay for student and teacher safety.  I believe that Pasco County is long overdue regarding standardized security systems.  It is my goal to outfit new schools and retrofit existing schools with security equipment that will protect not only school property, but our most precious resources, our students, faculty, and staff.