Leon County Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna and challengers Joe Burgess and Star Swain Tuesday addressed issues affecting the school district during a candidate forum hosted by the Network of Entrepreneurs and Business Advocates.
The forum was attended by local taxpayers, candidate supporters and NEBA members, all looking for answers to some of the most pressing questions about the future of public schools, which equip students for the workforce in the business community.
NEBA originally started in 1991 as the Northeast Business Association and has grown over the last 30 years to a membership of 200 patrons and a goal to keep business owners informed of what is happening in the community so they can best advocate for their livelihood.
“The superintendent race is important to our membership because we need our community to have a strong public school system to truly thrive. Hearing the candidates’ positions on key issues and vision for the next four years helps each member make a more informed decision on Aug. 20,” said Dave Fiore, NEBA communications director.
“A healthy relationship between the schools and local businesses provides a way for business owners to help students through financial support, volunteering and mentorship. Education and business success are obviously tied closely together in creating a community that is good for everyone.”
What does the $100,000 marketing campaign look like?
The school district rolled out a $100,000 marketing campaign with research groups, community surveys and a vibrant new logo to help compete against private schools and charter schools for student enrollment and state dollars.
Hanna was proud of the project that took three years to be launched, though some community outcry was sparked against its six-figure expense.
"It is incumbent upon us to market our schools in a way that will convince parents of why they should choose Leon County Schools," Hanna said. "It's a great story to tell about all the successes we have in Leon County Schools and how we are preparing kids for whatever their next step is in life."
Swain said the focus should have been on improving the quality of education to attract parents, and Burgess said the campaign should have been free.
"I appreciate the marketing campaign," Burgess said. "But we need to market our individual schools. The story needs to come from other parents and that's free marketing. Our product needs to be better."
'How can the community support the school district?'
During the Tuesday forum, one NEBA member wanted to know how the business community can best support local public schools. All three candidates said they can "partner and mentor."
Swain, who is currently the elementary principal of Florida A&M University's Developmental Research School, said the need for mentors over young people is great, and especially from an esteemed group of business owners, like herself.
Swain is CEO of Swain MAED Leadership Solutions, a company that manages professional development for teams and leaders.
"I own a small business, and I do know sometimes funds are tight, but that is such a huge help even if it's just $25 because it goes towards those students and teachers," Swain said of one way that business owners can help.
"One of the great ways that you can partner is to mentor our students in the schools as well as partnering with those principals at your nearest school that's closest to your school."
Hanna expressed the same sentiment citing the importance of mentorship for young children.
"You can partner with us and volunteer," Hanna said. "We have a lot of kids that need an adult positive role model in their life. They need help and we are doing as much as we can internally in our school district, but we could use each and every one of you."
Burgess said, as the principal of Chiles High School, he sees the greatest need for volunteering in the school's clubs and activities.
"At my school we have 28 sports, and we have clubs, and they need support all the time and they actually need your wisdom," Burgess said. "The conversations that you have out in the community also helps, just saying positive things really helps us out."
Name, image and likeness: Should high school students get offers?
Name, image and likeness (NIL) endorsements were approved for Florida high school sports last month, allowing high school athletes to make money from their name and image rights. Players can gain endorsement deals from local businesses and earn a profit.
Burgess and Hanna both have experience with high school sports as former football coaches and chimed in heavily on the topic.
Burgess said at Chiles, coaches are now sitting with parents and students seeking NIL deals to inform them on the challenges that can come with some contracts.
"We have to advise them because this is a strange territory and a strange world where people can take advantage of you," Burgess said. "We are going to play the best kids and do what's best for our teams, not what's best for a contract."
Hanna said the new ordinance from the Florida High School Athletic Association is concerning for the district and they are still waiting for further guidance from the agency.
"In the time of school choice and kids are bouncing around and playing coaches off each other and parents are now going to be looking for money in high school for 14- and 15-year-olds, that's extremely concerning," Hanna said.
Mock poll results
NEBA also offered its members a mock poll to vote for the candidates. Here are the results:
- Hanna: 58%
- Burgess: 40%
- Swain: 2%
As Democrats, Hanna and Swain will face off in the primary election in August, while Burgess, who is running as a non-party affiliated candidate, will take on the winner in November.
Alaijah Brown covers children & families for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at ABrown1@gannett.com . Follow her on Twitter/X: @AlaijahBrown3
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Local business association forum sheds light on superintendent candidates' views
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