Susan Agruso Runs For Manatee County School Board District 2 Seat

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — Manatee County voters will decide on the winner of the Manatee County School Board District 2 seat in the Aug. 23 primary election.

The following three candidates are vying for the position:

• Susan Agruso
• Harold E. Byrd Jr.
• Cindy Spray

Patch has asked all candidates to complete a questionnaire about their campaign and their priorities.

Agruso responded to our survey and her responses are posted below.

Campaign website

https://www.votesusanagruso.com

City or town of residence

Bradenton

Office sought

Manatee County School Board District 2

Education

I have a B.S. in physics. I earned a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology.

Occupation

Retired, 40 years of public education experience

Family

Married to Jim

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Age

70

Previous public office, appointive or elective

No

Why are you seeking this office?

I want to use my knowledge and experience to help our school district offer every student the best education and ensure every child graduates high school with the knowledge, skills and confidence for the jobs of the 21st century.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

40 years of public-school experience, including being a superintendent for eight years. I know how school systems are supposed to work, how to get things done, what questions to ask, and can cut through the jargon to get information. I understand school district budgets and where to find waste. After more than 6 years on the district's Audit Committee, I am very familiar with this school district's budget. I know the difference in roles for the superintendent and the School Board, and I understand what it means to hold a superintendent accountable. I don't need two years to learn what it means to be a Board member. I hit the ground running on day one.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

• Safe schools: Stop the bullying.
• Students: All students must have the same opportunities. Expand programs for vocational and technical areas.
• Follow the money: Ensure the budget is spent wisely and resources are provided to our teachers to do their jobs well. Move the teacher and staff salary supplement out of the referendum and into the regular budget.
• Accountability: Congratulate our superintendent for the good work she does and expect her to take responsibility when things go wrong and fix them.
• Transparency: Answer the community's questions and give them all the information so they know what is happening in our district. Treat parents with respect and tell them what their children are being taught.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I was a teacher for 11 years, a superintendent for eight and had positions with increasing levels of responsibility in between. For the last six-and-a-half years I have served on the Manatee County School District's Audit Committee, two years as the chair. I was superintendent in a district like District 2, where we focused on increasing reading proficiency. By the end of our second year, reading performance improved significantly and so did performance in math, science and social studies. Throughout my career I have advocated for students with elected officials from both major political parties.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Listen.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

We must restore trust. Our teachers must be valued. The staff must know that we appreciate the work they do every day. Our parents must be welcomed in our schools and treated with respect. The board must be responsive to the community when they ask questions and raise concerns.

I believe in doing what is right, treating everyone fairly, being respectful and listening to people even when I disagree with them. And if I make a mistake, I own up to it. For any issue that comes before me, I am very thoughtful and deliberate when I make a decision. I gather all the facts available and ask lots of questions, especially about the potential impact on students. I always try to see all sides of an issue and find common ground.