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What if listening differently could lead to better leadership? I'm exploring three ideas to bring our School Board closer to the community, from conversations in local parks to experiencing a day in our schools. Here's what residents shared, how their feedback shaped my thinking, and why I believe listening should lead to more than just conversation.

Could Pinellas County Schools benefit from an outside perspective? After following recent school consolidation discussions, I've been thinking about three areas worth exploring: how our district administration operates, how we connect with future PCS families, and how the School Board evaluates its own performance. I'm not suggesting consultants are automatically the answer. But I do think there's value in asking what we might be missing.

Following the October 13 School Board meeting, I'm reflecting on the district's school closure recommendations, the changes made in Tarpon Springs, and the questions that remain. What did we learn from this process, and how can we ensure families across Pinellas County are heard and treated consistently? Here’s where I stand.

I prepared for tonight’s forum expecting tough questions about the issues facing Pinellas County Schools. Unfortunately, an injury kept me from being there, but I still want voters to know where I stand. From school closures and teacher retention to safety, testing, AI, school choice, workforce development, and student behavior, these are the questions I prepared for and the ideas I was ready to discuss.

The enrollment numbers are real, and difficult decisions are coming. But transparency isn’t just a process. It’s a practice in empathy. Here’s where I believe Pinellas County Schools should go from here, what meaningful community engagement should look like, and what I would do as a School Board member before casting a vote.

School closures are difficult decisions, but difficult decisions still deserve scrutiny. The recommendation involving Sexton Elementary raises important questions about how the school was selected, the role of a potential nonprofit partnership, and what families will know before the final vote. This isn’t about opposing the district. It’s about transparency, trust, and how I believe a School Board member should govern.

Pinellas County Schools face big challenges, but two rise to the top: enrollment and consolidation, and teacher engagement and retention. Curtis Campogni shares where he stands, from recruiting families and strengthening communities to hearing, empowering and paying teachers, and the question that should guide every decision: How will this improve student success?

Tomorrow night, you’ll know something I don’t. Maybe I won the race for Pinellas County School Board District 3. Maybe we’re heading to November. Maybe this is where the campaign ends. Tonight, before the results can change how I remember any of it, I wanted to reflect on this campaign, the people who made it possible, and what happens next. Whatever the outcome, I already know one thing: **I’m proud of how we got here.**

Some of the greatest expertise on serving our highest-need students isn't found in a board packet. It's found around kitchen tables where parents navigate complex systems every day. In this edition of Where I Stand, I introduce P.L.A.N.T., a proposal to create a monthly Parent Advisory Roundtable that ensures families with lived experience have a voice in shaping the questions, partnerships, and priorities I bring to the Pinellas County School Board.

My campaign slogan, "Put a Dad on the School Board," has sparked plenty of criticism. This is the story behind it. It was never about biology. It was about how becoming a dad transformed the way I think about children, families, teachers, and schools. These are the experiences that shaped not only my life, but the perspective I hope to bring to every decision affecting Pinellas County's students.

One minute isn't enough to answer the questions that matter most. Before tonight's School Board Candidate Forum even began, I wrote this post knowing there would be ideas, stories, and solutions I simply wouldn't have time to share. If you're interested in going beyond the sound bites, these are my expanded thoughts on the issues facing Pinellas County Schools.

While responding to social media comments this week, I learned that my children are apparently AI generated. 😂 Humor aside, the experience became a deeper reflection on leadership, communication, and what local politics should actually look like. In a world where disagreement often turns into division, I believe how we talk to each other still matters.

Dear Parents, Supporting accountability or asking questions about taxpayer-funded voucher programs does not automatically mean someone is “against school choice.” I believe parents deserve educational options. I also believe taxpayer-funded programs should come with thoughtful public discussion and accountability. Those ideas are not mutually exclusive. Here’s where I stand on school choice, vouchers, and accountability.

Student behavior in schools is one of the biggest concerns I hear from parents, teachers, and community members across Pinellas County. In this blog, I share my perspective on classroom disruptions, fights, bullying, accountability, and why balancing discipline with real behavioral change matters. Drawing from over a decade working with youth, I explore practical approaches schools can use to strengthen school culture, support teachers, and improve long-term student outcomes.

Vaping in schools is not just a nicotine issue anymore, it’s becoming a school culture issue. After hearing repeated concerns from students and parents across Pinellas County, I believe we need honest conversations, clearer expectations, stronger prevention strategies, and real accountability before the next school year begins. Because students deserve learning environments where they can focus on education, not navigate frustration in places as basic as the school restroom.

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.