Joanne Lentino and Matt Stewart emerged from the primary as the top finishers in a four-candidate field and will face off in the Nov. 8 general election. Lentino, a retired teacher, touts her classroom experience and says she would treat her service on the board as a full-time job. Stewart notes that he came up through Pinellas schools, has a child in the system and the perspective of a working professional.
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.
Joanne Lentino
Profession:
Retired Gulfport Elementary teacher
Retired Gulfport Elementary teacher
About the candidate:
Lentino, 67, knows what it's like inside a Pinellas County classroom. She says her recent experience as a teacher shapes a platform with stakeholders at the forefront: the parents, their children and the professionals who teach them.
Lentino, 67, knows what it's like inside a Pinellas County classroom. She says her recent experience as a teacher shapes a platform with stakeholders at the forefront: the parents, their children and the professionals who teach them.
Education:
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, B.A.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas, B.A.
How would you rate the district's efforts to improve failing schools in south St. Petersburg?
"Overall, we haven't seen huge results but I think (the district is) leaning toward a satisfactory rating in time, based on recent statements that the School Board under Dr. Grego has come out with about engaging parents more, getting people involved, and (home visit trainings)."
"Overall, we haven't seen huge results but I think (the district is) leaning toward a satisfactory rating in time, based on recent statements that the School Board under Dr. Grego has come out with about engaging parents more, getting people involved, and (home visit trainings)."
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 — "Recently, we've been shown that there have been increased improvements in the data, but I don't think there's enough of an improvement. We could still be doing more. This has been going on for a long time, and I think that's what the rub is."
Agree — "Recently, we've been shown that there have been increased improvements in the data, but I don't think there's enough of an improvement. We could still be doing more. This has been going on for a long time, and I think that's what the rub is."
Do you agree or disagree that charter schools are being held accountable?
Disagree — "Charter schools may be acceptable in certain settings. What those settings would be, I don't know. Obviously the state way back when thought it was a good idea. For us in public education, it has continually taken away money from the public school budget and that is critical."
Disagree — "Charter schools may be acceptable in certain settings. What those settings would be, I don't know. Obviously the state way back when thought it was a good idea. For us in public education, it has continually taken away money from the public school budget and that is critical."
Should the district create more magnet schools?
"Yes. I would definitely favor more magnet schools. … I understand there is a waiting list for fundamental schools." Says fundamentals don't seem fair for families without transportation means.
"Yes. I would definitely favor more magnet schools. … I understand there is a waiting list for fundamental schools." Says fundamentals don't seem fair for families without transportation means.
Assets/liabilities/ income:
Assets: $1,027,103 Liabilities: $18,801 Income: $34,126
Assets: $1,027,103 Liabilities: $18,801 Income: $34,126
Personal:
Home: St. Pete Beach Marital status: Single Children: None
Home: St. Pete Beach Marital status: Single Children: None
Campaign fundraising:
Contributions: $25,078 Expenditures: $18,209
Contributions: $25,078 Expenditures: $18,209
On the web:
Website: joanne2016.com Facebook: @voteforjoanne
Website: joanne2016.com Facebook: @voteforjoanne
Matt Stewart
Profession:
Human resources manager over talent management for Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, St. Petersburg College adjunct professor
Human resources manager over talent management for Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, St. Petersburg College adjunct professor
About the candidate:
Stewart, 36, was born and raised in Pinellas, graduating from Largo High. As a parent to a foster child who attends a district school, Stewart says he is dismayed by local education. If elected, he says he would scrutinize data and ask difficult questions.
Stewart, 36, was born and raised in Pinellas, graduating from Largo High. As a parent to a foster child who attends a district school, Stewart says he is dismayed by local education. If elected, he says he would scrutinize data and ask difficult questions.
Education:
St. John Vianney, B.A., St. Vincent de Paul, M.A., University of South Florida, Ph.D.
St. John Vianney, B.A., St. Vincent de Paul, M.A., University of South Florida, Ph.D.
How would you rate the district's efforts to improve failing schools in south St. Petersburg?
"Unsatisfactory." He says the district did not act "with any haste" to the Tampa Bay Times' "Failure Factories series. "We are a year later and have seen marginal improvements." Among the changes he recommends: a longer school day, individual mentors for each child and better tracking of students' progress.
"Unsatisfactory." He says the district did not act "with any haste" to the Tampa Bay Times' "Failure Factories series. "We are a year later and have seen marginal improvements." Among the changes he recommends: a longer school day, individual mentors for each child and better tracking of students' progress.
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. The Pinellas County school district has not directed enough money and resources to ensure that black students are on par with their peers in reading and math. A review of (those test scores) confirms the lack of funding has had an adverse effect on student achievement. Black students are not getting the support they need to perform well."
"Agree. The Pinellas County school district has not directed enough money and resources to ensure that black students are on par with their peers in reading and math. A review of (those test scores) confirms the lack of funding has had an adverse effect on student achievement. Black students are not getting the support they need to perform well."
Do you agree or disagree that charter schools are being held accountable?
"Agree — The Pinellas County School Board has a responsibility to vet, approve and oversee charter schools. The board should take swift action when charter schools are not fiscally sound or meeting educational requirements."
"Agree — The Pinellas County School Board has a responsibility to vet, approve and oversee charter schools. The board should take swift action when charter schools are not fiscally sound or meeting educational requirements."
Should the district create more magnet schools?
"No — At this time, the district has more than enough school options for students and parents. … We should continue to maintain the current choice options while evaluating the viability of them going forward."
"No — At this time, the district has more than enough school options for students and parents. … We should continue to maintain the current choice options while evaluating the viability of them going forward."
Assets/liabilities/ income:
Assets: $196,019 Liabilities: $163,009 Income: $62,513
Assets: $196,019 Liabilities: $163,009 Income: $62,513
Personal:
Home: St. Petersburg Marital status: Married Children: 13-year-old foster son
Home: St. Petersburg Marital status: Married Children: 13-year-old foster son
Campaign fundraising:
Contributions: $28,799 Expenditures: $25,787
Contributions: $28,799 Expenditures: $25,787
On the web:
Website: matt4pinellas.com Facebook: @matt4pinellas
Website: matt4pinellas.com Facebook: @matt4pinellas