Leon County School Principals Forum Highlights Business Interests

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Leon County Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna and his challengers Joe Burgess and Star Swain discussed issues important to the school district Tuesday during a candidates forum hosted by the Network of Entrepreneurs and Business Advocates.

The forum was attended by local taxpayers, prospective supporters and NEBA members, all seeking answers to some of the most pressing questions about the future of public schools as they prepare students for the corporate workforce.

NEBA originally started in 1991 as the Northeast Business Association and has grown to a membership of 200 over the past 30 years. Its purpose is to keep business owners informed of what is happening in their community so they can best protect their livelihoods.

“The superintendent race is important to our members because we need a strong public school system in our community to truly thrive. Hearing the candidates’ perspectives on key issues and vision for the next four years will help each member make a more informed decision on August 20,” said Dave Fiore, NEBA’s director of communications.

“A healthy relationship between schools and local businesses provides entrepreneurs with a way to help students through financial support, volunteerism, and mentorship. Education and business success are, of course, closely linked in creating a community that benefits everyone.”

What does the $100,000 marketing campaign look like?

The school district launched a $100,000 marketing campaign that included research groups, community surveys and a striking new logo to compete with private and charter schools for enrollment and state support.

Hanna was proud of the project, which took three years to get started, but there was some outrage in the community over the enormous costs.

“It’s our duty to promote our schools in a way that convinces parents why they should choose Leon County Schools,” Hanna said. “It’s a great story to tell about all the successes we’ve had at Leon County Schools and how we’re preparing kids for whatever their next step in life is.”

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 have to market our individual schools. The story has to come from other parents and that’s free marketing. Our product has to get better.”

“How can the community support the school district?”

During Tuesday’s 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, currently director of the Developmental Research School at Florida A&M University Elementary School, said the need for mentors for young people is great, especially from a respected group of entrepreneurs like herself.

Swain is CEO of Swain MAED Leadership Solutions, a company that manages the professional development of teams and leaders.

“I have a small business and I know sometimes it’s tight, but it’s a huge help, even if it’s only $25, because the money is going to those students and teachers,” Swain said of one way entrepreneurs can help.

“One of the great ways you can collaborate is by mentoring our students in the schools and working with the principals of the school closest to yours.”

Hanna expressed the same sentiment, emphasizing the importance of mentoring 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 lives. They need help and we do as much as we can in our school district, but we can use every one of you.”

Burgess said that as principal of Chiles High School, he sees the greatest need for volunteerism in the school’s clubs and activities.

“At my school, we have 28 sports, and we have clubs, and they always need support and they really need your wisdom,” Burgess said. “The conversations that you have in the community help too, just saying positive things really helps us.”

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 earn money from their name and image rights. Players can get endorsement deals from local companies and earn a profit.

Burgess and Hanna both have experience with high school sports as former football coaches and have spoken out extensively on the topic.

Burgess said coaches at Chiles are now meeting with parents and students to explore NIL deals and are eager to educate them on the challenges that some contracts may present.

“We have to advise them because this is a strange area and a strange world where people can take advantage of you,” Burgess said. “We’re going to let the best guys play and do what’s best for our teams, not what’s best for a contract.”

Hanna said the Florida High School Athletic Association’s new regulation is concerning for the district and they are still awaiting further guidance from the agency.

“In this day and age where kids can choose which school they want, and where they play coaches off against each other and parents are now looking for money to pay for secondary school for 14 and 15 year olds, this is extremely worrying,” said Hanna.

Results of the mock poll

NEBA also offered its members a mock poll to vote on the candidates. Here are the results:

  • Hanna: 58%
  • Burgess: 40%
  • Swain: 2%

Hanna and Swain will face each other in the August primary as Democrats, while Burgess, who is running as an independent, will face the winner in November.

Alaijah Brown is a children and family writer for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at [email protected]Follow her on Twitter/X: @AlaijahBrown3

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