TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hernando Today

School Board Candidates Face Off

ADVERTISEMENT

By LINNEA BROWN

Hernando Today

Published: October 15, 2008

community involved," he said.

Meanwhile, Magrini, 43, a self-employed human resources consultant who lives in Spring Hill, said that good spending practices would still allow the district to give teachers a 4.1 percent raise. He stressed the importance of retaining qualified teachers.

"The money is there. We've just got to look a little harder for it now," he said. "One of our main motivations should be to attract the most qualified teachers we can. We need to make sure we have a good, stable workforce."

Both said they could not support the concept of a unified dress code in the current economic climate, with so many local parents out of work and struggling to pay bills.

"There's nothing wrong with a unified dress code, but the timing is wrong," Yant said. "Also, I would want to see it started when students are in kindergarten, to avoid additional (undue financial strain)."

Magrini said he could support policies being tailored to individual schools, but said he would first like to see existing dress policies enforced. He would not support uniforms for teachers, he said.

While Yant said he supports the concept of Mavericks High, the proposed charter school for dropouts currently in discussion stages, Magrini said he'd like to see the applicant's newest proposal before taking a stance.

"My only concern is that they have this group that has not operated a school anywhere, and we don't have a track record to look at for this for-profit corporation," Magrini said. "It's a concern for me as a board member and a taxpayer, and I want to make sure our taxes stay within the county."

He said he'd also like to see more of a focus placed on an issue the board has not yet discussed at length: overcrowding at Explorer K-8 in Spring Hill.

"I think the board needs to form a plan by January for how we are going to ensure the school is successful in the future," Magrini said.

Both said they support the concept of magnet schools and a centralized gifted program, but would also like to make sure there are equal opportunities for growth offered at zoned schools.

"I think there are a lot of students who should be in the gifted program that aren't, and I think a survey should have gone out to all parents before they decided to (place the program) at Explorer," Yant said.

Magrini said he understands that a later phase of the gifted program aims to place gifted services back in other schools, and that the district just hasn't reached that point yet.

Yant said he likes the concept of magnet schools - as long as the acceptance process provides equal opportunities for all students - because they encourage parental involvement, something that has always been an integral part of his platform.

"I think a lot of problems we have now would not be there if parents were more involved in their child's education," he said.

Both also agreed that Superintendent Wayne Alexander needs to change his overall approach, a sentiment that Neuhausen focused on during the primary.

Yant said he disagrees with some of the staffing changes made by Alexander in which some administrators and teachers have been switched between schools.

"There's nothing wrong with fixing something when it needs to be fixed, but I don't think something should be dismantled if it's working perfectly," he said. "If a principal is doing well, it's because they've built a team where they are. It can destroy camaraderie and self-confidence to move that person."

Magrini said he also believes Alexander's leadership style has not met the needs of the district and alienated employees, but said he looks forward to being Alexander's boss and holding him accountable for his actions.

"I really believe I bring a unique perspective," he said. "In my line of work, I've had to discipline and hold accountable high-level management employees for years. I hope to be able to turn (Alexander) around and serve as a coach in conjunction with the board in an open forum."

Yant said he believes his experience serving on educational boards, including the trustee board of Pasco Hernando Community College for eight years, sets him apart from his opponent. His business experience and license in securities and banking will help as well, he said.

"There are 23,000 students in the system, and every one of them is important. I'm running for this seat because I want to help as many kids as I can," he said.

Magrini focused on his past experience in human resources, including being in charge of 40,000 employees and having more than 3,000 people reporting to him.

He said he'd bring many ideas to the dais. He'd like to see each board member adopt four district schools and then meet every other month in workshop format to discuss what's going on at their respective schools.

"I don't just want to sit back and approve purchase orders," Magrini said. "I want to lead, get involved and really talk about the issues that are out there. I want (teachers and students) to know that we, as school board members, are a part of their school."

Reporter Linnea Brown can be reached at 352-544-5289 or lbrown@hernandotoday.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT