BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — A local State Representative is looking to change how the Hernando County School Superintendent is chosen.

It's been an appointed position since 1992, but Representative Blaise Ingoglia's proposed bill will let voters elect a superintendent instead.

During Tuesday night's school board meeting, members voiced concerns about the bill and how it originated.

What You Need To Know

  • State Rep. Blaise Ingoglia proposing Hernando Superintendent position be elected

  • Move comes after article about Superintendent John Stratton classroom efforts 

  • Hernando County School Board

Spectrum Bay News 9 asked School Board Chairperson Linda Prescott, “In your opinion, what led to this filing of this bill?”

Prescott responded, “Unfortunately it was one teacher, on one day, in one class and one topic of instruction.”

According to a Tampa Bay Times article published on February 16, Ingoglia said via email, “Last year, Superintendent (John) Stratton ‘greenlighted’ the teaching of ‘Black Lives Matter’ Marxist principles in the classroom despite overwhelming community uproar."

School administrators reviewed the claim and provided coaching notes to the teacher to avoid confusion about the focus of a lesson. 

School Board member Kay Hatch added, “Mr. Stratton has been a very effective superintendent. He has led the district in its accomplishments, its achievements. He has helped us look forward to new programming.” 

Board members also said his background in education has led him to his success, something they may not get with an elected person. 

Prescott mentioned, “We’re kind of stepping back and now going a different direction. Our legislative delegation has always been extremely supportive of our school district so this caught us all off guard.” 

Those in favor of the measure argue that by electing a superintendent, teachers and parents will get a say in how a student is taught.

Ingoglia has until March 2 to file to bill to the House of Representative.

If approved, voters will be able to cast a vote on the 2022 general election ballot and if successful, the first election for superintendent of schools will happen in 2026. 

Superintendent Stratton has a contract until 2026.

The board will issue a letter to state leaders in hopes to convince them to not move forward.

Spectrum Bay News 9 did reach out to Ingoglia for comment but haven’t received a response.