What Advocacy Looks Like!
-
Hillsborough County Council PTA/PTSA Advocacy 2026
Elected Superintendent Referendum
Hillsborough County Council PTA/PTSA Position Statement: Vote No on the
Hillsborough County Council PTA/PTSA
Position Statement: Vote No on the
Elected Superintendent Referendum
Official position adopted by the Hillsborough County Council PTA/PTSA
Our Recommendation
Vote NO — November 3, 2026
The Hillsborough County Council PTA/PTSA is a non-partisan organization dedicated to supporting students and families at every school in Hillsborough County. Our mission is to keep the focus on children, not political agendas. As a non-partisan organization, we do not endorse political parties or candidates.
After careful consideration, the Hillsborough County Council PTA/PTSA opposes the Local Referendum that would convert the Hillsborough County Superintendent of Schools from a professionally appointed position to a partisan elected office.
What the Referendum Asks
The ballot will read:
“Shall Chapter 2026-___, Laws of Florida, which provides that the Superintendent of Schools for Hillsborough County Public Schools shall no longer be appointed by the School Board, but shall be elected in a partisan election for a term of 4 years, beginning with the 2028 general election, become effective?”
( ) Yes ( ) No
This language is complex and easy to misunderstand. That is why voter education is essential. A “Yes” vote ends the current appointment system. A “No” vote keeps it. We urge you to vote No.
Why We Oppose This Referendum
It politicizes professional leadership
Since the 1960s, Hillsborough County has selected its superintendent through a rigorous, non-partisan process overseen by an elected school board. Requiring candidates to declare a political party — and raise money from lobbyists for textbook and software companies — shifts the focus away from students and toward political agendas.
It removes the school board’s power to act
Under the current system, the school board can hire, evaluate, and remove the superintendent at any time. If this referendum passes, the school board loses that authority. A problematic superintendent would be guaranteed a four-year term — longer than the national average — with no easy path to removal.
It weakens accountability
Hillsborough County schools serve over 200,000 students and employ more than 25,000 staff. This role requires deep expertise in education, finance, and management. The current appointed model provides a clear, direct line of accountability. An elected model creates competing authorities and makes it far harder to respond when change is needed.
It goes against proven, effective models
Nearly every large, high-performing Florida school district — including Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Duval, Orange, and Pinellas — uses an appointed superintendent. This model supports stability, professionalism, and student-focused governance.
Decisions that impact our children should be guided by expertise and a commitment to student success, not by campaign fundraising or partisan politics.
The Hillsborough County Council PTA/PTSA urges every voter to share this information with neighbors, friends, and family, and to vote No on the Superintendent Election Referendum on November 3, 2026.
Advocacy in Action: Supporting the Millage Referendum
Advocacy for Presidents
- Advocacy for Presidents.pdf (16.4 MBs)
Advocacy Information
What comes to mind when you hear the word advocacy?
Did you know that PTA is the largest and oldest advocacy group for children? We are 50,000+ strong in Hillsborough County. With over 4 million members nationally we are a strong voice.
If YOU have a passion and a voice! This passion gives you the power and courage to speak up on behalf of your child, family and school. Every Child. One Voice.
How do you start advocating? Be a voice, get active. If you see an issue be it a safe walking route, bullying, any issue you see that needs to be addressed, speak up and Join your PTA.
How do I know what issues my school may need to address? Your Principal and PTA are your resources. PTA’s are an active partner with our schools and know what is happening on your campus. Remember advocacy knows no time. You jump in and get it done. That's what PTA does. Remember like minds and many hands make light work. Chances are if you see a need so do others. Bring them together and decide on a plan of action.
What does a plan of action look like? It identifies the issue, what needs to be changed, how it might be changed and who can make those changes happen. Always be prepared with the facts and ideas for what might help. If you need to move up the chain, gather support along the way.
Think team. Parents, educators and others in the community all want what is best for our children.
Your PTA President, County Council PTA, Florida PTA and National PTA are there to support and help you anyway we can. We do not stand alone when advocating for our children we stand PTA Strong.
HCCPTA Calendar of Advocacy Activities
- HCCPTAAdvocacy-Calendar.pdf (814.7 KBs)