Elia not applying for state post

JULY 11, 2007

Hillsborough Superintendent MaryEllen Elia is not interested in becoming Florida’s next education commissioner. She was thinking about it, after receiving phone calls urging her to consider the open job.

But Elia has decided to stick around Hillsborough.

“I’m committed to Hillsborough County,” Elia told the Gradebook on Wednesday afternoon. “We’ve got some great work going on with the School Board and all of our schools and all of our employees.”

Elia, 58, was named Hillsborough’s first female superintendent two years ago. She has spent 21 years in the system, starting as a school reading resource specialist.

Now that she's ruled her name out, we have to wonder what dark horse candidates will get in before Friday's application deadline. Check in for the latest twists and turns, or follow the progress yourself through the state's application website.

Posted by Shannon Colavecchio at 4:49:44 pm on July 11, 2007 in

Hillsborough County

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Gradebook features education articles and insights on schools in Florida, focusing on Tampa Bay area schools. What's the latest from the Florida Department of Education? How is the FCAT being used to compare Florida schools? What's going in on in Tampa Bay schools? Get an insider's view from the Times education reporting team.

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Rebecca Catalanello covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail her: rcatalanello@tampabay.com.

Tony Marrero covers Hernando County schools. E-mail him: tmarrero@tampabay.com.

Marlene Sokol covers Hillsborough County schools. E-mail her: sokol@tampabay.com.

Ron Matus covers Pinellas County schools. E-mail him: matus@tampabay.com.

Jeffrey S. Solochek covers Pasco County schools. E-mail him: solochek@tampabay.com.

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