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I’ve been asked where I stand on education issues in Pinellas County. Instead of long explanations, here are 20 clear positions with a little context behind each. From school safety and teacher pay to student behavior and mental health, this is how I approach decisions that impact students, families, and educators.

Everyone says “support teachers,” but we don’t all mean the same thing. The real issue isn’t just pay, it’s sustainability. When the effort no longer feels connected to the impact, burnout follows. If we want stronger schools, we need to build a system where teachers can stay, grow, and continue making a difference.

Students can speak at school board meetings, but too often there’s little real dialogue. This proposal outlines a structured Youth Update model that brings in diverse student perspectives, from classrooms to foster care and workforce programs, and creates meaningful conversations with the board. It’s a practical way to improve decisions, build trust with families, and prepare future leaders.

I’m running for Pinellas County School Board as an independent thinker focused on what actually matters: safe schools, supported teachers, clear communication, and real outcomes for students. Not politics. Not labels. Just decisions grounded in clear principles that put kids and families first.

As Pinellas County Schools pilot a new weapon detection system, the conversation has largely centered around cost. But when it comes to student safety, the first question shouldn’t be about dollars, it should be about reducing risk. As a parent and professional, I believe we need to evaluate what actually improves safety, how it’s implemented, and whether it’s something we can stand behind.

One story becomes a pattern. A pattern becomes fear. And fear drives decisions. But after looking at Pinellas County Schools over the past several years, I couldn’t find the pattern people keep talking about. So why are we acting like it’s there?

When people ask candidates for their “platform,” they usually want a quick slogan or a few talking points. I understand that. But leadership is more than a slogan. In this blog, I outline three principles that guide my work and my campaign for Pinellas County School Board: supporting teachers, leading with logical consistency and empathy, and making decisions that strengthen our schools for the long term.

Last night, I stayed for the Cross Bayou vote. I watched a young student stand up for his school, and I watched his head drop when the decision was made. Strategic decisions may be necessary, but they are never without consequence. Cross Bayou was more than a building. If we are going to close schools, we must preserve identity, honor legacy, and lead with intentional remembrance.

Curtis Campogni on Pinellas County athletics fees, NIL rules, and protecting opportunity in public school sports.

This piece explains how I approach school board leadership and education policy decision-making when emotions run high and assumptions come fast. It is not about political sides, but about applying consistent logic in public education, especially in a county-wide role like Pinellas County School Board. Thoughtful leadership, transparency, and intellectual honesty are the standard students, families, and educators deserve.

As a candidate for Pinellas County School Board District 3 (At-Large), I believe it’s important to be clear about how we support students with the greatest needs. Too often, systems work in isolation instead of coordination. The BRIDGE Council is a practical, nonpartisan approach to connect resources early, strengthen communication, and keep at-risk students connected to education.

Last night I attended the Cross Bayou Elementary school closure meeting in Pinellas County. Parents weren’t focused on cost or logistics, they were focused on stability, safety, and what this change means for their children. School closures are more than numbers. Trust, communication, and empathy must lead the process.

K-8 schools can create stability for kids and rebuild trust in public education, but implementation matters. After attending today’s school board work session, here’s where I stand on K-8 schools, what concerns me most about the rollout, and the steps Pinellas County Schools should take to get it right.

Pinellas County Schools now requires Level 2 background checks for all volunteers. I support stronger safety measures, but implementation matters. If the process is confusing or costly, good mentors may stop showing up. As Curtis Campogni, candidate for Pinellas County School Board, I believe we can protect students while reducing barriers, improving communication, and strengthening the volunteer village.

Four months into this campaign, one thing matters more to me than winning: consistency. What I say publicly about schools, education, and leadership reflects what I say in private as well. Over these months of listening, I’ve learned that real leadership doesn’t require agreement on everything. Listening means taking people seriously, respecting different perspectives, and staying focused on outcomes that truly matter for students, families, and educators

The Listen and Learn sessions are giving Pinellas County a chance to rethink how we use school space. Instead of closing campuses or giving unused rooms to charter operators, we can repurpose them into childcare centers, workforce labs, mental health hubs, and community spaces that strengthen our public schools rather than divide them.

Public schools are not just buildings. They are stability and belonging. Instead of closing under-enrolled schools, we can reimagine them. We can use unused space to offer on-site childcare for educators, and partner with donors to fund career training centers in partnership with Pinellas Technical College and CareerSource Tampa Bay. This is how we strengthen schools and community together.

As enrollment shifts across Pinellas County Schools, the district is considering possible school closures. Before any decisions are made, we need a transparent, community-driven process that prioritizes student stability, neighborhood identity, and the voices of families and educators.

Artificial intelligence can open doors for creativity and career readiness, but it also raises serious questions about connection, safety, and critical thinking. As AI becomes part of everyday learning, we must ensure it strengthens human problem solving instead of replacing it — and that our schools stay focused on protecting students, not just promoting innovation.

Teachers and administrators do not lose their right to free speech because they work in public education. I believe in fairness, empathy, and clear process, not politics or public outrage, when reviewing social media posts or public comments by school employees.