Name: Kenneth W. Benson
Age: 52
Residence: New Port Richey
Occupation: construction repair/maintenance/real estate investor
Political affiliation: Republican
Political experience: no response given
Office being sought: Pasco County Schools Superintendent
Why are you running for this office?
I’m running for office because I know it will be run better with me than what it’s currently run at. I bring honesty. Honesty is the best policy. I bring strength in decisions and I will save our county millions by contracting out our goods and service; also the goods and services will be at a better caliber than what we have now.
What are your top three priorities?
No response given.
Why should voters choose you?
Bottom line, there is no other choice. They are career politicians, I’m not. I have the heartbeat of the people. I will take the time to listen to them and make an evaluation and head to the right direction on all decisions. I’ve always said just give me the ugly truth; I can’t deal with pretty lies.
What qualifications do you bring to the job?
Again, I know the heartbeat of the people. They do not nor do they want to know. I will stand strong for the weak and protect the meek. Yes, I believe prayer should be in all schools, We The People.
Name: Kurt Browning
Age: 53
Residence: Dade City
Occupation: retired
Political affiliation: Republican
Political experience: Pasco County Supervisor of Elections, Florida Secretary of State
Office being sought: Pasco County Schools Superintendent
Why are you running for this office?
I am running for this office because I believe the District needs new, decisive leadership. For too long, our district has experienced a leadership void and it has shown in district staff morale, student achievement and the “flight” of good teachers and administrators out of our district. Our focus in this district needs to be on student achievement. We have great teachers and administrators, but they need to be allowed to do their job. The District needs to move away from a “top down” model and encourage our schools to be innovative and address the educational needs of each child.
What are your top three priorities?
Student achievement
Our mission should be to provide an excellent educational to every child. I am convinced our unpredictable student testing scores are as a result of using a “cookie cutter” approach. Children learn differently. We need to allow each school to determine the best manner to teach their students.
Discipline
We need to make discipline a top priority. We need to get disruptive students issue under control. Teachers spend a great deal of their time tending to a single student with discipline issues while others go untaught. Parents need to be involved with the education.
Streamlining bureaucracy
We need to eliminate duplicate functions. We need to eliminate unnecessary paperwork and identify and correct budget waste. Organizations experience what is called the “silo effect” where department and divisions within the organization are doing the same thing but not talking to one another. We will identify and minimize these “silos.”
Why should voters choose you?
Voters should choose me to be their superintendent because of my leadership and management skills. I am the only candidate in the race that holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. I am a collaborative leader, while at the same time can make the necessary decisions to move ore district forward.
What qualifications do you bring to the job?
As stated above, my education and management and leadership experience sets me apart from my opponents.
Name: Heather Fiorentino
Age: 54
Residence: New Port Richey
Occupation: Pasco County Schools Superintendent
Political affiliation: Republican
Political experience: Pasco County Schools Superintendent, Florida House of Representatives member, City of New Port Richey Council member
Office being sought: Pasco County Schools Superintendent
Why are you running for this office?
I am proud of what we have accomplished. We are ranked as the top school district in Tampa Bay and our graduation rate of 88.5% is well above the state and national averages. We are making a positive difference in the lives of children and a profound impact on our community. I want to ensure that we continue to build upon the success we have achieved and continue moving our district in the right direction.
What are your top three priorities?
Educators know this is a challenging, yet exciting time in public education. This is our fifth year of multi-million dollar budget shortfalls while facing increased state and federal expectations. Our team of talented educators have risen to the challenge, which is reflecting in our outcomes. A primary concern must be balancing the budget, while continuing to prioritize spending where it is needed most, the classroom.
We must also continue to implement the next phase of the new teacher/administrator evaluation system while ramping up for implementation of new Common Core Standards. Research consistently shows that there is a strong link between teacher quality and student success. Therefore, we will be linking individual professional development plans with the targeted area of need for each educator.
Additionally, we must continue to implement our future plans for success, including strengthening support to schools in the areas of discipline, anti-bullying and student achievement.
Why should voters choose you?
As a lifelong Republican, a veteran classroom teacher and a former state lawmaker responsible for developing education policy, I have a proven track record of conservative leadership. I have demonstrated strong fiscal management during turbulent times, maintaining low administrative costs. We flourished during my tenure, with record high graduation rates, increased access to advanced coursework and an emphasis on career preparation. Our district is thriving because of the hard work of our entire team. We must continue to build upon these accomplishments, and I am the only candidate with the education experience and proven ability to accomplish this goal.
What qualifications do you bring to the job?
I have led this district with pride and distinction for the past eight years. Under my leadership, our students and staff have achieved remarkable results in the face of significant adversity. I am the only educator running for office, and I believe it is essential that we continue to have educators leading our school system. I am passionate about student achievement and I will continue to serve the people of Pasco County with honor and integrity. I would greatly appreciate your vote.
Name: Kathy A. (Kat) Lambert
Age: 61
Residence: Dade City
Occupation: Formerly a substitute teacher and bilingual tutor for Pasco District. Formerly a high school teacher (Hernando-Central High) now on SSI-D which is disability.
Political affiliation: Democrat (write-in for general election)
Political experience: none
Office being sought: Pasco County Schools Superintendent
Why are you running for this office?
When I filed for Superintendent, I was in a rush to beat the deadline. Previously, I had filed for County Commission, District 5. Residency requirements are different for write-ins. As a party affiliate, you have to pay thousands in qualifying fees, but you have until November to actually meet residency requirements. Write-ins must reside there at qualifying. District 5 is a needy district. I felt drawn to it. But Pasco Schools are even needier, thanks to Tallahassee politicians.
What are your top three priorities?
1. To work with the School Board to meet the budget without laying off hundreds of employees. I want to cut operating costs on our 84 campuses. We 17 million per year to utility companies. If we have to mothball, sell off, or trade underused and inefficient buildings. I choose people over buildings.
2. To repair any damage done re: employee relations. Any principal in my administration is to be “a prince of a pal.” If he or she is not they can find work elsewhere. Anyone diminishing a subordinate against labor laws can look forward to a career shining shoes at the train station.
3. Emphasize values education to improve student attitudes. If we teach them community means us all working together, respecting one another, they will develop into adults who won’t be interested in bullying, or being “out to get” their competition.
Why should voters choose you?
I have the life experience having been brought up by two Army vets; I was an Army brat who traveled extensively and met many people of different backgrounds and cultures. I am savvy and know when someone is trying to manipulate me. We need to kick politics out of the public schools once and for all. The best reason to vote for me is that I am independent of party operatives. I look forward to serving as an interim Superintendent until the day arrives when the board opts for appointing a professional Superintendent after a nationwide search.
What qualifications do you bring to the job?
I am a magna cum laude graduate of the History/Social Sciences Dept. of the University of Missouri at Rolla. I hold a Bachelor of Arts and several semesters of post grad hours at University of South Florida, College of Education. Teaching methods courses in secondary English and Social Studies led to a dual certification by State of Florida Dept. of Education. Aside from my education, I have a penchant for seeking solutions to injustices embedded in our culture. It angers me that the Republican primary was closed by a write-in, so I did the same, filed as a write-in to let it be known I am also to be reckoned with.
