Incumbent Allen Altman is running unopposed for the School Board Member District 1 seat. His district covers all of East Pasco including Dade City, Zephyrhills, San Antonio, Lacoochee and parts of Wesley Chapel. He spoke with Laker staff writer Suzanne Schmidt. For more information, visit www.pascovotes.com. 
Q. How has the first term been going?
A. It is very challenging but also very rewarding. I like seeing the results of what goes on in our schools everyday when I go to the Turnaround Awards banquet and the Take Stock in children signings. It is great to listen to the students at graduation when they talk about how they have overcome adversity because of some teacher connecting with them and encouraging them. It is inspiring to hear success stories of the students whose lives have changed.
Q. How do you feel about running unopposed?
A. I am humbled and so appreciative for the many encouraging words I have heard. To know my efforts are appreciated by the community is very heartwarming. I am hopeful that people have recognized that I have poured my heart and soul into this.
Q. What are some of the accomplishments you have achieved since taking office?
A. Through the board working together we have accomplished a lot. We have been using our resources to build new buildings just to keep up with the growth in Pasco County. During that time, many of the older schools were neglected. We have been working on bringing our facilities up to standards.
Additionally we have been working on creating our career academies in all of our high schools. We are seeking to partner with businesses in the community to make sure when the students graduate they leave with the proper skills. We want them to be able to find employment and become productive citizens with good paying steady jobs. It is a work in progress though. We will continue to explore other opportunities and communicate with business leaders to ensure we are providing outstanding training and skills they will need.
Q. What do you plan to do about the budget?
A. It is a tremendous concern and one I deal with on a daily basis. Unfortunately the news continues to get worse. We have some very difficult choices that will have to be made as we go forward. Saying that, I also believe very strongly that we will survive this. We will make it through the difficult times. It is a challenge, but the community has to not lose sight of the reason we exist, which is to educate the children. We need to make sure they have the skills they need to be proud citizens. While we grapple with out financial challenges, these students will still be showing up in the fall and they deserve nothing but the best.
The budget projections we are working with from the state of Florida do not take into account the recent projected decline of state revenue due to the oil spill. There are some in Tallahassee who are anticipating a reduction in sales tax revenue which will cause additional funding cuts by mid-year. So we are treading cautiously now to try to make decisions that are sustainable for two to three years.
Q. Why did you become a board member?
A. I have been a volunteer in the Pasco school system for 25 years. I served on the school advisory board at my daughters’ school and since then I have been very active in the community. When the previous board member left, she told me I should consider serving. Within 48 hours, I had 15 people contact me and tell me I should run. I talked with my family and prayed and talked with people throughout the county. I decided to do it because I thought I could make a positive difference. I never envisioned myself running for office.
Q. What do you consider to be the biggest issue facing voters?
A. I want parents and citizens to read up and understand the class-size amendment on the ballot this year. We must comply with class-size amendment in the school. If the class size is not amended this year then next year we will be forced to comply with the class size on a class by class basis instead of as a school average. What that means is that if you have a class that is already full, then if a new child moves into the neighborhood, the child will have to be bussed to another school miles away.
There are many ramifications from the class-size amendment that will impact the students and their families. I just want people to read and fully understand the amendment so they can see the amendment we are proposing will allow common sense and flexibility in the school.
Q. What are your future plans?
A. I want to expand our opportunities at all grade levels for our advanced students. We want to make sure we have course work that is rigorous and allows the students to reach their goals. We are exploring starting an IB (International Baccalaureate) program in East Pasco. It is a goal we have already been working on.
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Pasco School Board races
Candidates had until Friday to qualify for local races. While Altman is running unopposed, three other board members drew multiple candidates.
–Cynthia Armstrong, Mike Ryan, Sallie Skipper and Anthony Terranova are running for School Board Member District 3.
–Alison G. Crumbley, Billie Ann Stamatis Kaleel, Steven Kanakis, Karen King and John Tracy are running for School Board Member District 4.
–George Brazier, Steve Luikart, and Mark Swartsel are running for School Board Member District 5.
