Campogni challenges Peters for Pinellas school board seat

Curtis Campogni, 41, is running for Pinellas County School Board District 3 (At Large) in the Nov. 3 general election. The nonpartisan race pits Campogni, a first-time candidate, against incumbent Dawn Peters.

Campogni advanced from the Aug. 18 primary with more than 59,000 votes (34.8%), finishing second behind Peters (36.3%) and ahead of Dawn Douglas (28.8%), according to his campaign website.

Asked why he is running, Campogni said in our candidate questionnaire: "I'm a dad who wants to make a difference for the schools my kids attend and the community they'll grow up in. … I'm running because I believe my experience, perspective, and approach to leadership can add something valuable to the School Board."

Candidate information

Age: 41

Hometown: Born and raised in Clearwater, according to his campaign website.

Party: Asked about party affiliation, Campogni said in our questionnaire: "The Pinellas County School Board is a nonpartisan office." He is registered as non-party affiliated, according to WUSF.

Education: "B.A. in Psychology," Campogni said in our questionnaire.

Family: Campogni said in our questionnaire: "My mom is a public school teacher. I'm married to a social worker, and we have two children who are both Pinellas County Schools students. We became a family through Florida's foster care system. We also have a Basset Hound named Hamilton Lafayette, who is pretty convinced he's our third child."

Previous elected office: "None. This is my first campaign for elected office," Campogni said in our questionnaire.

Campogni is the author of C.A.P.E. Conversations: How Superheroes Communicate with Children, according to Florida Politics.

Experience and public service

Asked about his work history, Campogni said in our questionnaire: "I'm a business owner and consultant specializing in training and speaking for organizations serving young people and families. I have more than 15 years of experience across child welfare, juvenile justice, workforce development, and youth services."

He also said he serves as vice chair of the Circuit 6 Juvenile Justice Advisory Board and volunteers as a girls flag football coach at East Lake High School, according to his campaign website.

Asked what accomplishments qualify him, Campogni said in our questionnaire: "I started as a youth care worker in a group home and worked my way into leadership, eventually overseeing a multimillion-dollar state-funded program serving approximately 145 young people each day."

On the issues

At-risk youth and schools: Asked how 15 years working with at-risk youth shaped his thinking, Campogni said in our questionnaire: "A strong support system, a great education, and an opportunity for meaningful employment can completely change the trajectory of a young person's life. That's what I want our schools to provide: high expectations, support when students need it, and a real pathway to a successful future."

Enrollment and teacher retention: Campogni said in our questionnaire: "For enrollment, I want us talking directly with families who chose private, charter, homeschool, or other options and asking: Why did you leave, and what would make you consider coming back? … For teachers, my approach is simple: Hear them. Empower them. Pay them."

Differences from other candidates: Campogni said in our questionnaire: "I've proposed ideas including a Student Impact Test for budget decisions, Perspective Days for Board members and district leaders, clearer guardrails around teacher non-renewals, and regular input from workforce experts on CTE programs."