School board reorganizes for 2026
LAND O’ LAKES – Colleen Beaudoin has taken over as chair of the Pasco County School Board.
The board voted unanimously Nov. 18 to appoint Beaudoin to preside over meetings.
“It’s an honor to serve,” Beaudoin said upon receiving the gavel from Superintendent John Legg.
Al Hernandez will take on the role as vice chair.
The school board’s 2026 schedule includes meetings at 9:30 a.m. on the first Tuesday and 6 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month with some exceptions, including January, April, July, August, September and December.
The first meeting of the year will be held at 6 p.m. Jan. 13.
As part of the board’s restructuring, members were assigned to various committees. They are as follows:
- Cynthia Armstrong: Student Progression Plan, Architect Selection, Construction Management Evaluation, District Instructional Materials Challenge Review, Property Value Adjustment Board and Investment Oversight.
- Colleen Beaudoin: Pasco Pathways, Student Progression Plan, Early Childhood Programs – Policy Council, Community Engagement Task Force and Salary Referendum Oversight.
- Meg Harding: Pasco Education Foundation Board, Career Education Board, Charter School Task Force, Pasco Pathways and School Site Selection Advisory.
- Al Hernandez: Government Relations Liaison, Pasco Education Foundation Board, District Insurance and District Instructional Materials Challenge Review.
- Jessica Wright: Health and Wellness Initiatives, Career Education Board, Student Code of Conduct, Wellness Policy Council (students) and Large Capital Project Review Team.
Pasco County Schools recognizes staff
LAND O’ LAKES – Pasco County Schools recognized three staff members Nov. 18 for going above and beyond the call of duty.
- Joann Ortiz, a secretary at Cypress Creek Middle, was nominated for work with the school’s ABC (Assist, Believe and Care) Program, as well as food and clothing drives. She also helps bilingual and non-English-speaking families.
- Robert Leeds, a social studies teacher at Anclote High, was nominated by peers, in part, for serving as a freshman class sponsor, coordinating family nights and school events, and helping as an assistant flag football coach.
- Latoya Jordan, principal of Lacoochee Elementary, was recognized for creating a collaborative school culture where students and teachers are supported.
Date set for district awards
LUTZ – The Pasco County Education Foundation will host the S.T.A.R. Awards on Jan. 23 at Grace Family Church.
The event recognizes Teachers of the Year, School Related Personnel of the Year, Non-Instructional Non-Bargaining Employees of the Year and Administrators of the Year.
“We focus a lot on student achievement, and rightfully so,” Superintendent John Legg said. “The individuals that make a lot of that happen are our teachers. That day is going to be a day of celebration, kind of our best of our best.”
Legg said the community has stepped up to support and celebrate the work of teachers for this year’s program.
Parent calls out school district
LAND O’ LAKES – Tori Tiffany, of New Port Richey, called out Pasco County Schools at the Nov. 18 school board meeting for not following its policy regarding public records.
She asked the board at a previous meeting why corrected minutes were not placed on the agenda of a regular meeting. She didn’t receive an answer, but noted five of the 10 meetings she mentioned in her request showed up on the Nov. 18 agenda.
“The district made corrections to all 10 meetings but for some reason, they won’t be transparent with the public regarding not uploading or adding the Let’s Talk public comments.”
She also mentioned that the school board was not following its policies by not having audio recordings of meetings.
“It’s our elected officials’ duty to be open, transparent and accountable to the citizens they serve,” she said.
