Editor’s Note: As the Aug. 26 primary election draws closer, the Plant City Times & Observer will be publishing profiles and Q&As from each of the candidates who will represent Plant City and its constituents.
In this final edition before the primary, we introduce the candidates for the hotly contested Hillsborough County School Board District 6: incumbent April Griffin and her challengers, Asher Edelson, Alison McGillivray Fernandez, Dr. Stacy Hahn, Paula Meckley, Dipa Shah, Lee Sierra and Randy Toler. We also present School Board District 2 candidate Michelle Popp Shimberg. That race also includes candidates Sally Harris and Michael Weston, but neither returned repeated inquires by phone and email seeking comment.
RANDY TOLER
Age: 58
Family: Wife, Alicia; three children: Kellie, 13, Kyle, 7, and Rainer, 6
Hometown: Seffner
Education: Bachelor’s degree in public administration, University of Missouri — Columbia
Experience: Associate partner account manager, CA Technologies
Website: democracy.com/randytoler and randytoler.com
What’s the biggest challenge the School Board faces, and what are your solutions?
The biggest challenge is a gridlocked School Board. I offer fresh, pragmatic leadership focused on common ground to move the district forward with careful analysis of waste in the budget, new policy initiatives such as creation of an ombudsman office for special-needs students and parents, and revamping of superintendent evaluation process.
Are teachers paid adequately? Why or why not?
Key to competing in global economy is a school system in step with the ever-changing education needs. Pay increases might be necessary to attract talent for (example) from the technology sector. Also increased teachers stipends are needed for teachers in the poorer areas. My expertise in software will allow a forensic of the budget to identify waste and implement green IT, ecosoftware, conservation and smart technologies to shift resources where most needed.
What is your position on Common Core and the new Florida Standards curriculum?
I do not support Common Core. In fact, I believe it is an industrial testing complex out of control and wasting taxpayer money and reducing focus on learning.
What skills and experiences make you the best candidate for School Board?
My 6-year-old son is profoundly autistic, and I have seen the challenges up close for special needs parents. The district’s ESE program is in need of revamping, and I propose an ombudsman office. The 26,000 students and parents are treated like second-class citizens, and I am determined to change this. My IT experience will help a tech-challenged school board.
What are some of the issues facing schools in Plant City, and what are your proposed solutions?
Increased pace of digitization of classrooms, after-school youth activities, increased security leveraging federal grants and Common Core are all important issues facing Plant City schools.
Any other thoughts/comments?
I want to be a vote for change. District 6 is countywide, and it is time for a change. I want to plow through the bureaucratic roadblocks holding hostage the efficient, effective education of our students and end the rudderless drift of the current school board. Outlying areas of the county such as Plant City need better representation by the School Board. And, finally, I have an extensive political track record spanning three decades, including extensive national mass media coverage want want to bring that experience of bringing together diverse coalitions on national level to the School Board and bring excellence to the education process.