Retired chiropractor and education activist Ken Peluso announced today four groups are endorsing him in his bid for Pinellas County School board.
The groups are the Pinellas Classroom Teachers Association, the Pinellas Educational Support Professionals Association (PCTA-PESPA), the Pinellas Realtor Organization (PRO) and the Palm Harbor/Oldsmar Professional Firefighters.
The Palm Harbor resident seeks to fill the District Four seat being vacated by Robin Wikle, who is not running for re-election.
According to the Tampa Bay Times, Peluso’s priority is boosting community engagement. He’s also not a fan of the new standardized testing standards known as Common Core.
Peluso has never worked in a school district or as a teacher, but he does have a long list of other education-related accomplishments. He served as chair of Pinellas County’s Early Learning Coalition, was a member of the statewide Early Learning Advisory Council and spent three years as a board member at Calvary Christian High School. Peluso was also active in parent groups at East Lake High School, Carwise Middle and Highland Lakes Elementary.
Locally, Peluso has chaired an education committee within the Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce and has organized the Palm Harbor Teacher’s Appreciation breakfast.
Peluso faces two challengers – former Tarpon Springs Mayor and teacher Beverly Billiris and retired math teacher John Nygren.
Wikle has endorsed Billirus to fill her seat.
The election is Nov. 4.
