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Supervisor of Elections

Pasco County faces lean budget year

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Pasco County’s revenues are falling short of projections — in the wake of a flattened economy due to the impacts of COVID-19.

Robert Goehig, budget director for Pasco County, presented an overview of the preliminary budget at the Pasco County Commission’s June 30 meeting.

In essence, the county can afford just 11 of 115 business plan initiatives brought forth by its department heads, Goehig said.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells is pushing for a 3% raise for county employees, instead of the 2% raise recommended by County Administrator Dan Biles. (File)

Among those initiatives is a 2% raise for county employees.

The size of the proposed raise received pushback from County Commissioner Mike Wells.

Wells told County Administrator Dan Biles: “You know the state is giving 3%. I believe almost all of the constitutionals (county constitutional officers) are doing 3%. There is nothing more important on this budget than taking care of our folks. We have to take care of our team. I would like to see that be 3%. I think that’s an extra half-million.”

Biles explained: “The reason we stayed at the 2% is because that basically matches the inflation rate, which was 2.1% last year. We also wanted to be mindful of what is going on in the rest of the community, as well.”

Commission Chairman Mike Moore and Jack Mariano said they’re willing to keep the issue open for further discussion.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, however, backed Biles’ approach.

Starkey said she appreciates the staff’s efforts, but she added: “I am OK with the 2% for this year, and if things get better next year, back up to 3%.”

Pasco’s decreasing revenues reflect what’s happening across the national economy, Goehig said. “When things are going well in the economy, nationwide, they are really going well in Pasco and in the state of Florida, as a whole. But, when things tank, they really tank in Florida.

Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles is recommending a 2% raise for county employees, based on the rate of inflation. (File)

“Our economy is so dependent on tourism,” Goehig said.

The county is expecting a decrease of 25% in its Tourism Development Tax Fund and is decreasing the budget in that category to reflect the reduced revenues, Goehig said.

The budget also reflects a 12% decrease in Fire Rescue.

“We had some plan initiatives that we implemented in fiscal year 2020, but because of the reductions in revenues, won’t be able to move forward with those,” Goehig said.

He also outlined changes in the budgets for the county’s constitutional officers.

The Sheriff’s Office will get about a 5% increase. The property appraiser’s budget is going down  because of savings it has achieved — through improved technologies.

The Clerk & Comptroller’s budget is about even, while the Supervisor of Elections’ is expected to increase by 1.2%.

Goehig noted that the Supervisor of Elections’ budget doesn’t reflect an additional $1.2 million from the CARES fund it will receive to provide for safe elections through social distancing, masks and those types of measures.

Commissioners are expected to sets the county’s Truth in Millage rate at the board’s July 14 meeting. This process lets county residents and businesses know the maximum ad valorem rate that could be adopted in September, when the board adopts its budget. The final rate that’s approved can be lower, but cannot be higher than the rate adopted in July.

Initiatives included in Pasco budget

  • Additional Attorney and Paralegal
  • Starkey Library Opening
  • Starkey District Park Contractual Obligations
  • Recreational Program at Dade City Armory
  • Central Facilities Building Design
  • Paramedic School (at PHSC) for Firefighter/EMTs
  • Prepare for the Opening of Fire Station 42 in fiscal year 2022
  • Pasco Economic Development Council
  • Employee Wage Raise (2%) to Keep Pace with Inflation
  • Procurement Management Software
  • Initiate Comprehensive Plan Update

Published July 08, 2020

Pasco calls for civil campaign behavior

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The Pasco County Commission has amended its Ethical Campaign Practices Act to encourage civility among candidates.

Commissioners voted unanimously on Jan. 21 to support changes suggested by Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley.

Corley said the changes incorporate “language that speaks to civility in the public discourse for candidates running for office within Pasco County.

Pasco Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley asked Pasco County commissioners to update the Ethical Campaign Practices Act, to encourage civility among candidates and to discourage misinformation through social media. (File)

“In essence, this ordinance is a plea for civility, if you will, amongst those running for office in our great county,” Corley said, noting the changes update an ordinance initially adopted in 2006.

Corley noted: “It’s not solely my request, but more importantly, rather something the voters not only want but deserve, and have asked for many times to me, personally.

“Many  voters have relayed that they tire of the toxicity and lack of decorum among campaigns and candidates. So, that’s what’s the driving force is behind this.”

Agreeing to abide by the Pasco Ethical Campaign Practices Act is voluntary, but Corley said over the years hundreds of candidates have signed it. He’s not aware of any who refused.

The changes approved by commissioners ask candidates to:

  • Conduct campaigns openly, publicly discuss issues and avoid criticisms of a personal nature against opponents
  • Prohibit unethical practices which undermine the system of fair elections
  • Listen respectfully to those with opposing viewpoints and avoid language that is insulting or inappropriate
  • Abide by any ordinance or property restriction relating to the placement or posting of campaign signage
  • Run a positive campaign, emphasizing qualifications and positions on issues of public concerns and limit criticism of opponent to legitimate challenges to that person’s record, qualifications and positions
  • Refrain from the use of campaign material either in print or by electronic means through social media that falsifies, distorts or misrepresents facts

Also, there’s a new provision aimed at ensuring that amplified devices are not used to attempt to solicit votes, as voters enter polling places.

The restriction on amplified devices, Corley said, “stems from 2016, where we had voters complain they had to endure a certain campaign using a bullhorn. It was rather disruptive. They were annoyed at it, and nothing could be done.”

The reference to social media is a needed update, too, Corley said. “Remember, there was no Twitter or Facebook in 2006.”

Earlier in the meeting, Randy Evans, state committeeman for the Republican Party of Pasco County, voiced opposition to the changes proposed by Corley.

“This ordinance contradicts the Republican Party’s platform, and it is unenforceable,” Evans said. “It is a waste of time and not worth the paper it is written on.

“Every candidate for public office should be civil towards everyone, not just an opposing candidate. If a candidate feels another candidate is being uncivil, they can walk away, they can call the Sheriff’s Office, or, if necessary, exercise their Second Amendment and stand their ground,” he said.

He cited a portion of the Republican Party Platform, which says: “We oppose any restrictions or conditions that would discourage citizens from participating in the public square or limit their ability to promote their ideas, such as requiring private organizations to publicly disclose their donors to the government. Limits on political speech serve only to protect the powerful and insulate incumbent office holders.”

Evans posed this question to commissioners: “Instead of wasting time on this unenforceable ordinance, and restricting free speech, why not pass an ordinance making Pasco a sanctuary county for the First Amendment and the Second Amendment?”

Commissioner Jack Mariano asked for Corley to react to Evans’ remarks.

Corley responded: “Mr. Evans didn’t reach out to me, so I didn’t have any discussions with him. I kind of wish I had, to be honest with you.

“You’re either for civility or you’re not for civility with this ordinance. It can’t be one or the other.

“The ordinance is asking all candidates to be civil. This is above partisanship, clearly,” Corley said.

Corley continued:  “While it does not prevent a candidate from being less than truthful, or being nasty during their campaign, it is my hope that each candidate going forward would spend their energy and resources running a positive campaign, and join us in the goal of restoring and maintaining civility in the public discourse.”

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey offered this reaction: “I would just say I have no objections to sign anything that says civility and good behavior should be in order.”

She also said she’s glad the amended ordinance addresses the issue of amplified devices because that was a problem before and could not be addressed.

Starkey added: “It doesn’t inhibit anyone’s free speech. I wouldn’t want to do that.”

Corley: “It’s a plea. Voters are tired of negativity.”

Christine Bright, chair of the Pasco Unit of the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County, backed the changes recommended by Corley.

“I just wanted to stand here today and say that the members of the Leagues strongly support ordinances which promote civility in our political campaigns.

“We’re very concerned about the erosion of civility,” Bright said.

Published January 29, 2020

Political Agenda 01/29/2020

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Corley issues warning
Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley has issued a warning that The Voter Participation Center (VPC) again has launched a voter registration mail campaign targeting Pasco County voters, according to a news release from Corley’s office.

The mail campaign contains “inaccurate information that is often alarming and confusing,” the release says.

Previously, these mailings “have been sent to family members who are deceased, their pets and underage children, and adult children who no longer reside or never resided in the household or the state of Florida,” the release adds.

“The mailings that reach eligible voters often arouse suspicion because they are already registered and feel that their registration has somehow been compromised,” the release continues.

Corley also noted that “VPC has also begun text messaging voters in advance of the mailing using an outdated list of phone numbers. We have already received reports that the messages are addressed to people who no longer have the phone number.”

The supervisor of elections also observed: “Our experience has been that VPC tactics further erode voter confidence at a time when the security of our elections is in the forefront. Please know that these organizations are in no way affiliated with my office.”

Pasco voters can register online at https://registertovoteflorida.gov/en/Registration/Index. They also can update their status there, too.

They can check their voter registration status online at https://registration.elections.myflorida.com/CheckVoterStatus
For additional information or assistance, call (800) 851-8754.

Wesley Chapel Republican Club
The Wesley Chapel Republican Club meets at Wesley Chapel Toyota, 5300 Eagleston Blvd, Wesley Chapel, on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The meeting features speakers, networking, coffee and dessert. New members and guests are welcome. For more information, contact Peter Cracchiolo (813) 360-9813.

More candidates vying for Pasco County offices
Alison Crumbley has pre-filed in the race of Pasco County School Board, District 4. The school board is a nonpartisan race. No one has filed so far to challenge the incumbent.

Mike Fasano has pre-filed for the office of tax collector. So far, the Republican incumbent does not face any challengers.

 

Increased Pasco property values trigger higher tax bills

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Pasco County property owners, on average, are expected to pay more in property taxes, but not because of a higher tax rate, Robert Goehig, the county’s budget director said last week.

Instead, it will be increasing property values that will create the higher tax bills, Goehig said, during a June 25 Pasco County Commission budget workshop.

Value increases for homesteaded properties will be capped at 2.7 percent because of Florida’s Save Our Homes, which limits the annual increase in value for any property owner’s principal residence to 3 percent or the consumer price index, whichever is less.

Pasco County’s taxable values are expected to increase by 9 percent based on base taxable value, new construction and reevaluations, according to Robert Goehig, the county’s budget director. (Christine Holtzman)

This year’s CPI is 2.7 percent, Goehig said.

Thus, the owner of a homesteaded $150,000 single-family home would see a $2,700 increase in value. ($150,000 minus the $50,000 standard exemption = $100,000. $100,000 x 2.7 = $2,700).

Based on that value increase, the tax bill would go up $20.54.

The taxable value of a non-homesteaded single-family home is expected to increase an average of $13,500, resulting in an additional $102.70 in property taxes — again, due to increased property values.

The proposed tax rate was just one of myriad topics that Goehig, County Administrator Dan Biles and commissioners discussed during the workshop.

Goehig told commissioners that the county is anticipating a 9 percent increase in assessed values, including the base taxable value, new construction and reevaluations.

The county is anticipating a total of  $29.43 billion in taxable values, up from $27.01 billion last year.

The expected 9 percent increase is lower than the county’s original projection of 9.5 percent. The final taxable value was not yet available when the workshop was held.

In putting together the proposed budget, County Administrator Biles has proposed increasing the county’s general fund reserves from 9.6 percent to a proposed 11.1 percent, which represents an additional $4.3 million held in reserve.

The Government Finance Officers Association recommends local governments have a minimum of two months of operating expenses (16.7 percent of budgeted expenditures) set aside in emergency reserve, according to the county’s budget presentation.

The increase in the general fund reserve is in response to direction by board members at a previous session, when commissioners told Biles they’d like to see the county to begin putting aside more money in the reserve fund, to avoid significant cuts in the future when the economy slows.

Goehig also went over the budget requests from the county’s constitutional officers:

  • Sheriff’s Office: Requested amount, $141.64 million; increase of $8.74 million, or 6.6 percent
  • Property Appraiser: Requested amount, $5.72 million; increase of $109,067, or 2 percent
  • Clerk & Comptroller: Requested amount, $4.29 million increase of $183,839, or 4 percent
  • Supervisor of Elections; $4.32 million; increase of $623,645, or 16.9 percent

The tax collector’s budget is not due until Aug. 1.

Goehig noted that the proposed increase in the Supervisor of Elections’ budget “at first blush is a shocking increase.” But, he added that elections are held on a cyclical basis, and the county’s population has increased substantially.

Pasco County’s growth has increased the county’s registered voters by more than 50,000 since the 2016 Presidential Election. The county also needs more precincts to service the additional voters.
Goehig also noted there will be more early voting sites and more early voting days for next year’s election.

Taking the changes into account, Goehig said, “we believe it’s a reasonable request.”

The budget director also noted that the county administration received 115 Business Plan Initiatives, representing a total of $14.5 million from the county’s various divisions.

At Precinct 70, a long line forms during the November 2016 Election. Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley has requested a 16.9 percent budget increase to accommodate Pasco County’s increasing voting population, more precincts and more early voting days for the 2020 election. (File)

“We asked our departments to go out and tell us everything they believed that they needed. In the past, what we found is that our departments were kind of censoring themselves,” Goehig said.

“We’ve ranked about 50 of these projects that we believe are the priority proposals,” he said.

The county’s No. 1 priority is a wage increase for its employees, according to the list. The second-highest priority is the restoration of library hours that were cut after the Great Recession.

Rounding out the top five priorities are: Pasco Kids Medical Exams, Emergency Communications Supervisors and a Generator Replacement Plan.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said she thinks there’s something missing on the county’s list of priorities.

“There is something that is not in our budget that I would like to see back and that is our outside legislative person. I think we do better when we have some help. I’d like to bring that back,” Starkey said.

Commissioner Mike Moore told his colleagues that the county should say no to some of the requests from outside groups for county funding.

“It is time to start putting that money away. We do not know how long this great economy is going to last,” Moore said. “There is a point where we’re going to have to say ‘No’ to some folks. That’s just the way it is.”

The commissioner said he’s not trying to sound brash, but “when you decide to start a not-for-profit, you need to be ready to able raise the money, get the money and fund those services.”

Moore also said there is duplication of services among charitable groups.

“Some of those folks need to get together. Egos get in the way sometimes; it’s a fact,” he said.

He also thinks that the charitable groups that the county helps need to be able to say no to funding requests they receive.

“They’re asking for more money because they don’t want to say no to people,” Moore said.

Commissioners are expected to set their millage rate at their July 9 meeting.

After that, Truth in Millage statements will be sent out, informing property owners of the maximum tax rate that could be adopted in September.

The final rate adopted in September can be lower or equal to the TRIM rate, but cannot be higher.

Highlights of Pasco County’s proposed budget

  • Estimated taxable value: $29.43 billion, up $2.42 billion from last year
  • No change in operating millage rate of 7.6076 mills
  • No change in fire service millage: 1.8036 mills
  • No change in stormwater assessment: $95 per equivalent residential unit (ERU = single family home)
  • $7 increase in solid waste assessment
  • Utility rate increase: 1.5 percent water; 3.5 percent wastewater

Revised July 2, 2019
Published July 03, 2019

Political Agenda 09/12/2018

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Political season is heating up in Pasco County

Wesley Chapel Republican Club
The Wesley Chapel Republican Club will meet Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m., at Lexus of Wesley Chapel, 5350 Eagleston Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. Guest speaker will be Florida State Rep. Danny Burgess, who also is the newly appointed manager for future operations for the Pasco Sheriff’s Office.

Admission is free, and all are welcome. Coffee and homemade desserts will be served.

For more information, contact Peter Cracchiolo at (813) 360-9813 or .

Republican Club of Central Pasco
The Republican Club of Central Pasco will celebrate the party’s primary midterm election victories at its Sept. 24 meeting. Primary winners will be on hand with information on their campaigns and their positions on issues facing Pasco County and the state of Florida. 

The meeting is open to the public.

The club meets at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. The social begins at 6:30 p.m., and business meeting starts at 7 p.m.

For more information, call (813) 996-3011.

Candidate forums set for October
There are three candidate forums scheduled in October, according to the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections’ website.

The scheduled forums, as of now, are:

  • The American Association of University Women on Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the New Port Richey Library, 5939 Main St., New Port Richey. The forum will feature all candidates running for U.S. Congress, the Florida Legislature and Pasco County School Board.
  • The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 15, at the East Pasco Adventist Academy, 38434 Centennial Road in Dade City. A meet and greet begins at 6 p.m., with the forum starting at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend the event and will have the opportunity to submit questions to the moderators for consideration.
  • The League of Women Voters-Pasco on Oct. 17 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. The forum will feature all candidates running for U.S. Congress, the Florida State Legislature and Pasco County School Board.

Endorsement
Pasco County Tax Collector has endorsed U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis in Bilirakis’ bid for re-election to Florida’s 12th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, according to Bilirakis’ campaign.

Candidates file for local, state and federal races

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Beginning this week, The Laker/Lutz News will revive Political Agenda — a column that runs only during election years.

It is the newspaper’s goal to give candidates a place where they can announce they are running for office, let voters know of upcoming Meet the Candidate nights or political forums, or update voters on any news that may be pertinent to them in the coming elections.

This column also will announce upcoming meetings of political parties, if they are submitted in a timely manner and there is space available.

This column is not a forum for posting fundraising events.

The column will run periodically, depending on the volume of submissions.

There is never a guarantee of publication, but we do consider each item we receive.

Anyone who would like an item to be considered should email it at least two weeks prior to the desired publication. Our newspaper publishes on Wednesdays. Send your submissions to  .

This week’s column lists the candidates for Pasco County Commission, Pasco County School Board, as well as state and federal races that Pasco voters will vote on, according to websites maintained by the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections and Florida’s Division of Elections.

Future columns will cover other races.

Candidates who have filed for Pasco County Commission seats:
Pasco County Commission, District 2
Mike Moore, Republican
Kelly Smith, Democrat

Pasco County Commission, District 3
Brandi Geoit, Democrat
Mike Wells, Republican

Candidates who have filed for Pasco County School Board:
Pasco School Board, District 1
Allen Altman, No Party Affiliation
Kenneth J. Mathis, No Party Affiliation
Brian Staver, No Party Affiliation

Pasco School Board, District 3
Cynthia Armstrong, No Party Affiliation
Heide R. Janshon, No Party Affiliation

Pasco School Board, District 5
Mike Aday, No Party Affiliation
Megan C. Harding, No Party Affiliation
Kathryn ‘Kassie’ Hutchinson, No Party Affiliation
Tara M. O’ Connor, No Party Affiliation

FEDERAL ELECTIONS
U.S. Rep. District 12
Gus M. Bilirakis, Republican (Incumbent)
Stephen M. Perenich, Democrat
Angelika Purkis, No Party Affiliation
Robert Matthew Tager, Democrat
Sunil Mathew Thomas, Democrat
Kimberly H. Walker, Democrat

STATE RACES
STATE SENATE RACES
District 10
John Legg, Republican
Wilton Simpson, Republican (Incumbent)

District 16
Bernard “Bernie” Fensterwald, Democrat
Ed Hooper, Republican

District 20
John Houman, Republican
Tom Lee, Republican (Incumbent)
Kathy Lynn Lewis, Democrat

STATE HOUSE RACES
District 36
Linda Jack, Democrat
Amber Lynn Mariano, Republican (Incumbent)

District 37
Ryan Patrick Boney, Republican
Tammy Garcia, Democrat
Bill Gunter, Republican
Ellie Rudisill, Republican
Ardian Zika, Republican

District 38
Daniel Wright Burgess Jr., Republican (Incumbent)
John David Hayes, No Party Affiliation

Upcoming meetings and events
Land O’ Lakes Democratic Club : The Land O’ Lakes Democratic Club will have its next meeting on March 7 at 6:30 p.m., at Brick City Eatery, 16540 Pointe Village Drive, Suite 108, in Lutz.

The Wesley Chapel Republican Club will meet March 8 at 6:30 pm at Lexus of Wesley Chapel, 5350 Eagleston Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. The guest speaker will be Baxter Troutman, former state representative from Polk County and candidate for Florida Agriculture Commissioner. For more information, contact Peter Cracchiolo at (813) 360-9813 or .

 

David TK Hayes, candidate for the Florida State House District 38, is hosting a meet and greet March 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at The Brass Tap, 37916 Pasco Ave., in Dade City.

 

On March 17, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, The Democratic Progressive Caucus of Pasco will have a Democratic candidates’ forum with Stephen Perenich, Robert Tiger, Kimberly Walker and Kathy Lewis. The public is invited but due to limited space, please RSVP at tinyurl.com/ybsx6cvv.

Published February 28, 2018

Updated March 7, 2018

Guiding Pasco County Schools is a big job

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As Kurt Browning begins his second term as superintendent of Pasco County Schools, he knows he’s got his work cut out for him.

He found that out during his first term.

The superintendent of Pasco County Schools poses in the livestock barn at the Pasco County Fair. (Photos courtesy of Pasco County Schools)
The superintendent of Pasco County Schools poses in the livestock barn at the Pasco County Fair.
(Photos courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

“I tell people, I have not worked as hard in my adult life as I have this past four years,” said Browning, who directs the daily operations of Florida’s 11th-largest school district.

The 58-year-old quickly added: “Although I’ve never worked this hard, I’ve probably never done anything as fulfilling.”

Elected without opposition, Browning oversees an organization with 88 schools, 73,340 students and 9,954 employees.

When he came on board, he said he assumed he’d be able to accomplish change faster.

“I’ve always been able to effectuate change pretty quickly,” said Browning, who previously served as Florida’s Secretary of State and Pasco’s Supervisor of Elections.

In Pasco County Schools, though, he found that change has been incremental, rather than sweeping.

He likens it to turning a big ship.

And, he acknowledges, it hasn’t been entirely smooth sailing.

Kurt Browning, superintendent of Pasco County Schools, bends his 6-foot-2 frame to get down to eye level with these children at Fox Hollow Elementary School.
Kurt Browning, superintendent of Pasco County Schools, bends his 6-foot-2 frame to get down to eye level with these children at Fox Hollow Elementary School.

For one thing, Browning said he also had to learn to work alongside the elected Pasco County School Board.

“That was a tough adjustment for me,” Browning said, adding that he hasn’t always been perfect on that score.

“I think there has been a board member or two who has pulled me aside and said, ‘You really need to communicate better. You need to keep us more informed,’” the superintendent said.

It’s a lesson he’s taken to heart: “I still make decisions, but I’ve got to remember that I’ve got a school board out there, and they’ve got a role,” he said.

When issues arise now, Browning aims to keep school board members in the loop.

For instance, the school board met in executive session on Nov. 15, so the staff could brief them on the impasse declared on Nov. 11 by the United School Employees of Pasco.

A learning curve of his own
The superintendent also had to develop a deeper knowledge of education issues.

“The first year and a half, it was a challenge,” Browning said.

Browning takes a Selfie during a graduation ceremony for Fivay High School. He never tires of ceremonies that honor students who have completed the necessary requirements to graduate.
Browning takes a Selfie during a graduation ceremony for Fivay High School. He never tires of ceremonies that honor students who have completed the necessary requirements to graduate.

Now, he can discuss educational issues facing the district and potential impacts on students, but said he’s no expert on education.

So, he said, he surrounds himself with “highly qualified, competent people — passionate people” he can turn to for the information he needs to make decisions.

The district faces big challenges.

“July 8th was not a good day for me. That was the day that the school grades came out. School grades dropped,” Browning said.

The district’s rank also dropped, from 33rd in the state to 39th.

“We’ve got to see some improvement,” Browning said. “We cannot continue to teach kids the same way we did 25 years ago, because it’s just not working.”

At the same time, it’s important to remember that good things are happening around the district, Browning said.

“You can go into kindergarten classrooms and see kids doing things independently that are just mind blowing,” he said.

He’s also impressed by the number of graduates receiving scholarships every year, and the schools the students plan to attend and their planned areas of study.

Browning understands that people judge schools by their school grade, but he said, it doesn’t tell the whole story.

Kurt Browning tours Quail Hollow Elementary, which was converted from an ‘open’ school to one with traditional windows, walls and doors.
Kurt Browning tours Quail Hollow Elementary, which was converted from an ‘open’ school to one with traditional windows, walls and doors.

“It doesn’t show all of the caring teachers, the caring administration. It doesn’t show all of the activities and the support that those folks give to the kids in those schools,” he said.

Still, it’s problematic when the district is drawing new school boundaries, Browning said.

At public meetings on proposed boundaries, it’s common for parent to resist sending their child to a school that has a lower grade.

That issue is likely to surface more often, as the district grapples to accommodate Pasco County’s burgeoning growth.

Work is now underway to recommend school boundaries for Bexley Elementary and Cypress Creek Middle/High School, which are set to open next fall.

As new subdivisions pop up across the landscape, the district will need more schools.

“We can’t build schools fast enough,” Browning said, pointing to the residential growth along the State Road 54 corridor, from Meadow Pointe Boulevard to Little Road.

But, the district doesn’t have the money to build more schools, Browning said.

A potential solution would be to raise school impact fees, which the superintendent favors.

That issue is expected to heat up in the coming year.

The Pasco County Commission sets the fees, which apply to new residential construction.

Social media is double-edged sword
Aside from its facility needs, another challenge facing the district is the pervasive misuse of social media.

Social media can be a great tool for sharing information, but its use can quickly spin out of control, Browning said. “It’s like a fire. You just can’t put it out.”

The consequences for misusing social media can be serious, and parents need to be vigilant about how their kids are using technology, Browning said.

“I have done everything but knocked on the doors of houses and said, ‘Know what your kids are doing.’ The last thing you want to have happen is for your kid to go and post something on Twitter about shooting up a school, blowing up a school.

“It’s going to be on the record for the rest of their life,” Browning said.

In reflecting on his first term, Browning said one area where the district has made considerable progress involves the expansion of educational options.

Four years ago, the district essentially had the International Baccalaureate program at Land O ‘Lakes and Gulf high schools, he said.

Now, it has an elementary magnet school at Sanders Memorial Elementary.

Pine View Middle School is an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme Candidate School.

The district has the Cambridge Program at Pasco Middle School and Pasco High School, and it has converted Centennial Middle and Bayonet Middle to S.T.E.M. magnet schools.

It also has added an Aviation Academy at Sunlake, Hudson and Zephyrhills high schools.

The district also is eyeing the possibility of bringing Cambridge to Paul R. Smith Middle, and Anclote High School and San Antonio Elementary. And, it is considering an IB elementary program at Pine View Elementary.

Browning’s days are busy. At any given time, he may be visiting a district school, discussing a budget priority at a school board meeting, or joining the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office at a news conference. He’s also been known to pose for a photo in the livestock barn at the Pasco County Fair.

Perhaps his favorite thing, though, is sitting on the stage during district high school graduations.

It never gets old, Browning said.

He looks out on the sea of “hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of graduates” and thinks about their accomplishments.

“These are all kids who have met their requirements,” the superintendent said.

“I’m sitting there saying, ‘Wow, really, this is good stuff.’”

Published November 23, 2016

Gearing up for primary elections

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Even though the primary election isn’t until Aug. 30, Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley is reminding voters to be sure they are ready to vote.

Florida has a closed primary system, so voters must be sure they are registered in the party in which they wish to vote, Corley said.

It’s also essential to be sure you are registered and that your registration has the proper address, Corley said.

Many voters who have been inactive for years may not realize that their names are removed from the list, when they have not been active, Corley said. Your registration also must reflect your current address to avoid running into paperwork problems or the possibility of not being able to get to your proper polling place on time to vote, he said.

Voters should remember there are three ways to vote, Corley said. They can request a vote by mail ballot, they can vote early or they can vote on election day.

Also, the list of acceptable forms of identification was expanded during the most recent session of the Legislature, Corley said. The House and Senate unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Danny Burgess, of Zephyrhills, and State Sen. John Legg, of Lutz, that expanded the acceptable forms of ID to include a Florida concealed weapon or firearm license, a Veteran Health Identification Card issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and an employee identification card issued by any part of the federal, state, county or municipal government.

If you wish to vote by mail, contact your local supervisor of elections office.

Published April 27, 2016