Mark Johnson is running for the District 1 seat on the Hernando County School Board.
1. Why are you running for this office?
I am running for the School Board because there is a great to the need for change with respect to the current approaches to the major problems facing the school district.
Our school district has fallen from an A-rated district to a C district over the past eight years. The district has a 26 percent non-graduation rate after five years of high school according to DOE. Roughly 40 percent of graduating students in Hernando County do not go on to further their education and half of this group cannot find jobs according to DOE.
There is an obvious disconnect between what is being taught and the needed employable skills for students not furthering their education. Hernando County already has the 4th largest unemployment rate in the state.
I propose a new focus and working more directly with County government regarding job creation and skills required.
Further the district is 57th out of 67 counties in per student funding from Federal and State sources. I propose cooperative lobbying with other small low income districts for change.
Over the past five years the school district has had deficiencies in revenue for operational expenses and has used capital reserve monies for operational expenses. This is a major financial and accounting mistake leading to endangering students and a degrading of district physical assets.
There is a great need in the school district for new ideas, new approaches, and fiscal responsibility. That is what I will bring to the school district, and that is why I am running for the School Board.
2. Why do you think you are the best qualified candidate for the office?
I am ethical, honest and have integrity. I have no hidden agenda. My sole interest is to turn the school district around by taking politics out of the school board, accessing long range needs in terms of vocational and technical skills, working more directly with the County, and bringing more fiscal responsibility to the district.
I am a prior member of the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of Hernando County, former member of the Hernando County Anti-Drug Coalition, and the current Chairman of the Board of Communities in Schools of Hernando County, a national drop-out prevention program currently operating in Hernando and Central high schools, and have started a new program in Springstead High School to begin this fall.
My skills, dedication, and ability to work well with administrators, teachers, parents, students, and elected officials indicates I am the best candidate for the school board.
I have been endorsed by:
- Hernando Classroom Teachers Association
- Tampa Bay Times
- Hernando 9.12 Groups
3. If you are elected, what will be your top priorities?
Fiscal responsibility, long range planning, viable new vocational and technical programs, and working with the County regarding revenue, job and skills generation are top priorities.
The School District needs to work with the County to ensure a reasonable revenue stream, and needs to work with the County to ensure that skills taught match new and evolving technology and employment opportunities. Curriculum development and job creation must match. This will greatly help increase the graduation rate and lower the unemployment rate.
The School District needs to be at the forefront for new technology. 3D Printing is the manufacturing future. The School District and the County need to work together. The Hernando County School District can actually establish the Florida State’s curriculum for 3D manufacturing.
Fiscal responsibility, working with the County and preparing new programs to meet vocational and technical skill needs are top priorities.