Where I Stand on 20 Education Issues in Pinellas County Schools

By Curtis Campogni, Candidate for Pinellas County School Board (District 3 – At-Large)

I’ve had people ask me:

“Where do you stand on the issues?”

That’s a fair question.

And while short videos are helpful, I wanted to take a moment to put all of this in one place, clearly and simply.

This isn’t meant to be a policy paper. It’s meant to give you a real sense of how I think, what I prioritize, and how I approach decisions that impact students, families, and educators in Pinellas County.

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1. School Safety

Top priority. Not just locked doors, but students feeling safe enough to actually learn.

2. Teacher Pay

Let’s raise it. If we don’t take care of teachers, everything else falls apart.

3. Parent Communication

Transparent and two-way. Parents shouldn’t have to chase information.

4. Artificial Intelligence in Schools

Smart tools, not replacements. Technology should support teachers, not replace them.

5. School Sports

Let’s expand opportunities like girls' flag football.

6. Budget Transparency

Non-negotiable. If people can’t understand the budget, we’ve already lost trust.

7. School Closures

Thoughtful transitions to the K-8 model. These decisions impact families deeply, so they can’t be rushed.

8. Staff Support

Real feedback and real support. Not just expectations without resources.

9. Equity

No child is overlooked, especially foster youth and DJJ-involved students who are often invisible in the system.

10. Career Pathways

College, trades, and GED options. Success doesn’t look the same for every student.

11. Vouchers

Tax dollars should stay in public schools. We can’t weaken the system most families rely on.

12. School Board Meetings

Let’s elevate them. These should be conversations the community actually wants to engage in.

13. Weapon Detection

One part of safety. Not the whole solution, but it needs to work if we’re going to use it.

14. Student Behavior

Accountability and intervention. We can’t ignore behavior, and we can’t ignore the root causes either.

15. Empathy in Schools

I’ll teach it. Understanding different perspectives is a skill, not a political issue.

16. Co-Location

Only with aligned programs. Otherwise, it becomes competition, and students feel that.

17. Book Removals

Take a breath. This is a process for restricting access in your household.

18. Parent Involvement

I’m one, of course. Parents should feel like partners, not outsiders.

19. Teacher Retention

Listen to them and pay them. If we’re losing good teachers, we need to ask why.

20. Student Mental Health

More social workers and counselors. If students aren’t okay, nothing else works.

Closing

That’s where I stand.

Not based on talking points, but on experience, conversations, and what I’ve seen actually work.

If you’ve got a question, a disagreement, or something you want me to go deeper on, I’m open to it.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of Curtis Campogni, Candidate for Pinellas County School Board, District 3 (At-Large), and do not represent the official position of any organization or governing body.