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Pinellas County School Board | District 5

 
Carol Cook
Carol Cook
Published Oct. 12, 2016

Four-term incumbent Carol Cook narrowly missed winning a fifth term in the primarily election, with 48 percent of the vote. Now she faces political newcomer Eliseo Santana Jr., who is hoping to expand on the 27 percent he received. Cook points to her experience and says the district is making progress in its struggling schools. But Santana sees a history of poor decision-making in the district and calls for a "team effort" to bring change.

About the job: Elected School Board members serve four-year terms and make $42,222 annually. They are expected to attend regular meetings, usually held twice a month, and a workshop once a month. The board oversees a district of 100,000 students and a budget of $1.5 billion. District 5 covers Clearwater, Largo and beach communities from Belleair Beach to Indian Shores. However, board members are expected to serve the interests of the whole county.

Carol Cook

Profession:

Incumbent, former teacher

Incumbent, former teacher

About the candidate:

Cook, 65, has served on the board since 2000 and is seeking a fifth term. Her deep roots in local and educational circles extend beyond her district. She is the legislative committee chair of the Florida School Boards Association, and was recently recognized for more than 25 years of service at the Parent Teacher Association's national convention. Referring to the five low performing St. Petersburg schools in the Tampa Bay Times' "Failure Factories" series, she said the district got "sidetracked," but "our focus is there now. … I won't repeat some of the same mistakes."

Cook, 65, has served on the board since 2000 and is seeking a fifth term. Her deep roots in local and educational circles extend beyond her district. She is the legislative committee chair of the Florida School Boards Association, and was recently recognized for more than 25 years of service at the Parent Teacher Association's national convention. Referring to the five low performing St. Petersburg schools in the Tampa Bay Times' "Failure Factories" series, she said the district got "sidetracked," but "our focus is there now. … I won't repeat some of the same mistakes."

Education:

University of South Florida, B.S.

University of South Florida, B.S.

How would you rate the district's efforts to improve failing schools in south St. Petersburg?

"I think our efforts at this point have shown some results but we are definitely not finished. It is a challenge that has been put ahead of us. I have to admit that we lost focus for awhile while we were focusing on high school graduation rates and have now focused back on the five schools over the past five years."

"I think our efforts at this point have shown some results but we are definitely not finished. It is a challenge that has been put ahead of us. I have to admit that we lost focus for awhile while we were focusing on high school graduation rates and have now focused back on the five schools over the past five years."

Do you agree or disagree with those who say the district isn't doing enough to ensure black children catch up to their peers?

"Disagree. Money alone is not the answer. However, we are currently spending a considerable amount of money and resources in our five south St. Petersburg schools supporting educational opportunities for our African American students. These schools have been staffed with additional personnel."

"Disagree. Money alone is not the answer. However, we are currently spending a considerable amount of money and resources in our five south St. Petersburg schools supporting educational opportunities for our African American students. These schools have been staffed with additional personnel."

Do you agree or disagree that charter schools are being held accountable?

"Disagree. Charters were supposed to be innovative programs that would demonstrate effective instruction to other public schools. That has not always worked out in all cases. … I worked with Florida School Boards Association and our legislative delegation to enact laws that provided more accountability. … The state still limits our ability to oversee charter schools on a daily basis and as a result some problems don't rise to the surface early enough."

"Disagree. Charters were supposed to be innovative programs that would demonstrate effective instruction to other public schools. That has not always worked out in all cases. … I worked with Florida School Boards Association and our legislative delegation to enact laws that provided more accountability. … The state still limits our ability to oversee charter schools on a daily basis and as a result some problems don't rise to the surface early enough."

Should the school district create more magnet schools?

"Yes. The district should consider expanding levels and opportunities of parental choice. When parents and students are excited and happy with their school and the services we provide, we all win. We need to enhance some programs to attract parents back to select neighborhood schools."

"Yes. The district should consider expanding levels and opportunities of parental choice. When parents and students are excited and happy with their school and the services we provide, we all win. We need to enhance some programs to attract parents back to select neighborhood schools."

Assets/liabilities/ income:

Assets: $700,000 Liabilities: $438,534 Income: $54,000

Assets: $700,000 Liabilities: $438,534 Income: $54,000

Personal:

Home: Clearwater Marital status: Married Children: Two adult children

Home: Clearwater Marital status: Married Children: Two adult children

Campaign fundraising:

Contributions: $17,733 Expenditures: $15,162

Contributions: $17,733 Expenditures: $15,162

On the web:

Website: none Facebook: Carol J. Cook

Website: none Facebook: Carol J. Cook

Eliseo Santana Jr.

Profession:

Retired communication maintenance supervisor at the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office

Retired communication maintenance supervisor at the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office

About the candidate:

When Santana, 58, read the Times' "Failure Factories" series, he said he imagined his 10 school-age grandchildren enduring the strife of the children chronicled in the coverage. Finding the board's actions unacceptable, he set out to make a difference. Santana's campaign hinges on engaging, communicating and involving parents in the educational process. He says he wants to advocate for teachers and create a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere for all.

When Santana, 58, read the Times' "Failure Factories" series, he said he imagined his 10 school-age grandchildren enduring the strife of the children chronicled in the coverage. Finding the board's actions unacceptable, he set out to make a difference. Santana's campaign hinges on engaging, communicating and involving parents in the educational process. He says he wants to advocate for teachers and create a welcoming, inclusive atmosphere for all.

Education:

Schiller International University, MBA; Tampa College, B.S.

Schiller International University, MBA; Tampa College, B.S.

How would you rate the district's efforts to improve failing schools in south St. Petersburg?

Improving — He says district officials seem to be moving aggressively in the right direction. But "I have not been able to find the community support that I thought that they would give. … I want to devote my time to making sure these efforts are successful by bringing in the parents, the teachers and the educators, everyone involved, to make a team effort. I think that's still missing. … I think they're shallow in their implementation without all of the players getting involved."

Improving — He says district officials seem to be moving aggressively in the right direction. But "I have not been able to find the community support that I thought that they would give. … I want to devote my time to making sure these efforts are successful by bringing in the parents, the teachers and the educators, everyone involved, to make a team effort. I think that's still missing. … I think they're shallow in their implementation without all of the players getting involved."

Do you agree or disagree with those who say the district isn't doing enough to ensure black children catch up to their peers?

"Agree. It is also more than just the expenditure of money. There is a history of poor decision making. … We need to bring every one of the individual stakeholders into an effective team with the same mission. We do not have the time to second guess or, as has happened in the past, prematurely change course."

"Agree. It is also more than just the expenditure of money. There is a history of poor decision making. … We need to bring every one of the individual stakeholders into an effective team with the same mission. We do not have the time to second guess or, as has happened in the past, prematurely change course."

Do you agree or disagree that charter schools are being held accountable?

"Disagree. In general, I believe that public money needs to stay in the public schools. Our School Board needs to better articulate the parameters to parents and, along with the state, hold charter schools accountable for substandard performance."

"Disagree. In general, I believe that public money needs to stay in the public schools. Our School Board needs to better articulate the parameters to parents and, along with the state, hold charter schools accountable for substandard performance."

Should the school district create more magnet schools?

"No. I like the concept of magnet schools. Ideally, they attract students of varied social, economic, ethnic and racial backgrounds. … My concerns center on improper or inappropriate creation of a magnet program in a low-performing school. Such action does not address or correct the issues that cause low performance."

"No. I like the concept of magnet schools. Ideally, they attract students of varied social, economic, ethnic and racial backgrounds. … My concerns center on improper or inappropriate creation of a magnet program in a low-performing school. Such action does not address or correct the issues that cause low performance."

Assets/liabilities/ income:

Assets: $236,000 Liabilities: $175,300 Income: $49,981

Assets: $236,000 Liabilities: $175,300 Income: $49,981

Personal:

Home: Clearwater Marital status: Married Children: Four adult children

Home: Clearwater Marital status: Married Children: Four adult children

Campaign fundraising:

Contributions: $16,517 Expenditures: $15,359

Contributions: $16,517 Expenditures: $15,359

On the web:

Website: electSantana.org Facebook: @electSantana

Website: electSantana.org Facebook: @electSantana