Where I Stand on Charter School Co-Location

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

Every challenge in education brings an opportunity to lead better, not later. One of the reasons I am running for the Pinellas County School Board is to bring more transparency to how we handle issues like charter school growth and co-location.

Florida’s charter schools have continued to expand. According to the Florida Department of Education, more than 380,000 students now attend charter schools statewide, about 13% of all public school students. Hillsborough County has one of the largest charter sectors in Florida, while Pinellas has remained more cautious. But that caution is being tested by a new policy allowing charter schools to co-locate on existing public school campuses.

The state’s “Schools of Hope” expansion lets charters move into underused or vacant public school facilities. According to reporting by WUSF News and CBS Miami, the policy requires districts to share unused classroom space with state-approved charters at no cost. While the goal is to provide new options for students in struggling schools, the rollout has caused frustration across Florida. Many school boards have called it a “hostile takeover,” raising concerns that districts could lose both students and funding while still covering maintenance, transportation, and security costs.

I’ve seen what co-location looks like firsthand. In a previous role, I helped run programs that shared facilities. On paper, it was cost-effective and seemed like a chance for collaboration. In reality, competing visions and unclear leadership often turned potential partnerships into competition. The stronger program began to look down on the other, and the weaker one distanced itself, creating hostility. That’s what happens when people share space without shared purpose.

My View and School Board Solutions

I don’t believe co-location is the right long-term model, but now that it’s here, we need to manage it transparently and fairly. If elected, I would advocate for the School Board to:

• Require joint presentations from both school leaders before any co-location begins.

• Establish a Board-approved collaboration agreement and ethics policy prohibiting marketing or recruiting from each other’s families.

• Mandate quarterly joint events so both schools can showcase their work without competition, creating a “best of both worlds” approach.

• Require monthly meetings between the co-located schools to address progress, concerns, and shared needs.

To keep it real, we should not even be in this situation. But since we are, let’s call it what it is. If any other business was losing customers and their competitor asked to set up shop in the same building, there would be concern. If Burger King agreed to let McDonald’s move into half the restaurant, it would not take long before more people were eating Big Macs than Whoppers. That is what co-location feels like for many public schools.

My goal is not to divide, but to lead with transparency, fairness, and collaboration. Whether families choose a charter or traditional public school, every child deserves a positive learning environment built on respect, not rivalry.

This is my current view based on the information I have today. I will always strive to present balanced, fact-based ideas and remain open to learning as new facts emerge. Growth means continuing to listen and improve.

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, agency, or governing body.