New Hernando School Board Chair Promises Focus on Students

Kayce Hawkins was selected as chair of the Hernando County School Board during the Nov. 18 organizational meeting, completing a transition that began when she was sworn into the District 2 seat on Nov. 19, 2024. The nomination by veteran board member Susan Duval and the subsequent vote reflected a close decision, with the motion to elect Hawkins passing 3 to 2.

The vote took an unusual turn when Hawkins initially voted against her own nomination, prompting Superintendent Ray Pinder to ask, “You voted no against your own nomination. So does that mean that you don’t want to be chair?” Hawkins said she felt both honored and cautious about the role. “I want to say thank you to the board for your confidence and the support in nominating me as a chair. I’m honored and nervous,” she said. “I look forward to working collaboratively with all of you to continue what we have started last year. I look forward to working with our superintendent and the staff and this community, and to keep focus where it belongs: on our students and their success and strengthening our schools.”

Hawkins described herself as new to the board, and welcomed support as she learns the position. “I definitely feel like I am new, so there was a little hesitant for that. But I feel like if the other board members feel like I should do it, then I will,” Hawkins said. “I’m hoping that my vice chair and Mr. Pinder will help support me as I’m learning in this.”

Incumbent chair Shannon Rodriguez was nominated by Hawkins during the same meeting and was later elected unanimously as vice chair following a nomination by Michelle Bonczek. Rodriguez offered encouragement, saying “I think you’ll do fine,” and later, “I think cohesively as a board, we all are working in a good way. I think that we’re making big strides for the district and I’m looking forward to continuing that.”

Duval explained her nomination as part of a long standing practice of rotating the chair position. “I want to make it publicly known that I think Shannon has done a good job as chair this past year and my nomination has nothing to do with her ability as a chairperson,” she said. “It has been probably 98% true that we rotate the chair around every year. So that’s where I’m coming from.” Bonczek added that Rodriguez “did a phenomenal job as our board chair. And I do agree that with a sitting board that everybody should get a shot at being board chair at least once. With that being said, that’s why I nominated for her to be at least vice chair. Because I do know that she does a lot for our district.”

Board leadership affects more than internal procedure. For Hernando County residents, the chair sets the tone for priorities that touch student safety, mental health services, school nutrition programs, special education support, and equity in resource allocation. As Hawkins assumes the gavel, community advocates and families will be watching how the board balances continuity with new leadership, and how decisions will impact vulnerable students who rely on schools for health related services and a stable learning environment.

Superintendent Pinder turned the remainder of the meeting over to Hawkins after the votes, marking the start of her yearlong term as chair and the beginning of a new chapter for the district as it navigates academic and social challenges in the coming months.