Pinellas County School Board swears in new members

Two weeks after election day, the Pinellas County School Board welcomed its two newest members at an organizational meeting Tuesday.

They are: 

• Caprice Edmond, a Fairmount Elementary science coach and lab teacher who focused her campaign around issues of educational equity, school safety and community engagement. She defeated Karl Nurse in the race and will represent District 7, which was previously served by Rene Flowers. Flowers was sworn in as a Pinellas county commissioner at a ceremony Monday evening. 
• Laura Hine, the executive director of the James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art, a Navy veteran and public education advocate. Her campaign platforms included educational equity, educator support and the optimization of financial resources. After defeating Stephanie Meyer in the election, Hine will represent District 1, a seat previously held by Joanne Lentino. Lentino opted not to seek another term on the board.

After Edmond and Hine – both newcomers to the political arena – took their oaths of office, school board veterans Carol Cook and Eileen Long were sworn in. Cook, who has served on the board since 2000, was elected chairperson. Long, a board member since 2016, will be vice chairperson. 

Mike Grego, superintendent of Pinellas County Schools, expressed gratitude for everyone serving on the school board and their commitment to public education. 

“It’s one of the most important and highest services because you help shape the future of our community,” he said. “I’m looking forward to working with you as a team.”

Pinellas County Schools serves more than 104,000 students, making it the seventh-largest school district in Florida and the 26th largest in the nation.