Pasco Schools Superintendent Announces He Won't Seek Re-Election

PASCO COUNTY, FL — "Well, it's kind of a cliché, but you just know when it's time," said Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning, announcing Thursday that he will not seek re-election to the superintendent's office when his term ends in 2024.

He said many of his reasons are personal. His wife, Kathy, is contemplating retirement, "and we have grandchildren who live out of state and we want to be able to visit them a lot more than we do."

Other reasons for not seeking re-election are professional, Browning said.

"I believe we are nearing the point where we will be accomplishing many of the goals I set when I was first elected," he said. "I am now near the middle of my third term as superintendent."

When he completes his term at the end of 12 years, Browning said he will have served 12 years, much longer than most superintendents remain in the job. He said the usual tenure of superintendents today is around five or six years.

"I understand why so many of my colleagues move on after five years or so," Browning said. "This job has been challenging, and it has been gratifying. I have benefited from a supportive community and a great staff. Without both, I never would have made it this far."

While Browning said he can't predict what's next for the school district, during his tenure he said "our district has been blessed with continuity and stability.

"I'm extremely proud of so many things we've accomplished," Browning said. "We've expanded school choice with innovative programs. We have done an amazing job managing growth. We weathered the pandemic better than most, and, all along, we kept the finances in order."

Browning added that he's determined to spend the rest of his term looking forward.

"We have work to do, and I intend to finish strong," Browning said.

Pasco County is among 41 Florida school districts with elected superintendents. The other 26 school districts have appointed superintendents.

The Pasco County School District is currently the 48th largest school district in the United States and the 10th largest in Florida.

It oversees 47 elementary schools, 15 middle schools, 14 high schools, six combination schools, one technical college and 13 charter schools with a student population from prekindergarten through 12th grade of 81,641 and 9,728 employees, 5,143 of which are teachers.

With graduation ceremonies continuing through June 11, Pasco County will distribute diplomas to 4,896 graduates this year.

Browning said the district's latest achievement was having 53 percent of Pasco County's third-graders pass the state's reading test this year, a passing rate that matched the state average and was higher than all but one Tampa Bay area school district, Hernando County, which had a 54 percent passing rate.

"The statewide trend was a dip in scores this year, and Pasco was no exception," Browning said. "Pasco’s overall passing rate last year was 56 percent."

Browning said state officials attribute this lower rate to interruptions in students' education due to the pandemic.

“This group of third-graders has had a lot to overcome,” said Browning. “I’m proud of them for holding their own and outperforming so many of their peers. We still have a lot of work to do, and I know our students and teachers are up to the challenge.”

Of note, Trinity Elementary School posted an 83 percent passing rate, up from 69 percent last year; Sanders Memorial posted an 82 percent passing rate; Starkey Ranch K-8, which opened this year, posted a 76 percent passing rate; and Connerton Elementary experienced a major improvement, posting a 75 percent passing rate, up from 54 percent last year.