St. Pete Mayor Rick Kriseman has opened a director of education and community engagement position. In a statement Monday, Kriseman announced he has appointed attorney and Guardian ad Litem volunteer Leah McRae to the post.
“Leah is uniquely suited for this role. She has deep roots in St. Petersburg, is a product of our public schools, and knows how to mobilize people to work together for the greater good,” Kriseman said. “Her recent service on the Citizen’s Advisory Committee for the South St. Petersburg Community Redevelopment program reinforced our belief that she is the right person at the right time to reconnect our community to our schools.”
McRae’s position includes working with students, families and faculty to advocate on behalf of public schools within the city. Her partnerships will also include community groups and leaders.
McRae will have her work cut out for her in working to improve St. Pete schools, especially those five highly impoverished schools reported on by the Tampa Bay Times in the paper’s Failure Factories expose. Since that report this summer, city leaders have been called on to do something to improve conditions at Melrose, Campbell Park, Maximo, Lakewood and Fairmount Park elementary schools.
While most recognize that the success of schools lies with policies at the district level, there has been a push from the community for the city to find a way to do its part.
While the position accepted by McRae was in the works well before the Times story was published, her role could go a long way in making improvements.
“It will be a pleasure to work closely with Leah to support the needs of our children in schools throughout St. Petersburg, particularly in the five elementary schools and many others in South St. Petersburg that require special attention from the School Board and the community,” said Nikki Gaskin-Capehart, director of urban affairs for the city.
As director of education and community engagement McRae will lead efforts to continue the mayor’s service learning initiative and partner with the administration on issues concerning not just education, but also youth and civic engagement initiatives.
“It is an honor to be called to serve Mayor Kriseman and the Sunshine City. It is a privilege to work for the people of St. Petersburg who only want the very best for their children,” McRae said. “I look forward to working with the mayor, and a great city team. Together, we will create the partnerships to help build a true city of opportunity where the sun shines on all who come to live, work, play, and learn.”
McRae will earn $72,000 a year in her roll. That salary was allocated as part of the 2016 city budget.
McRae has also worked as an assistant state attorney in Miami-Dade County, a court specialist for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, which covers Pinellas County, and has worked with the U.S. Department of Justice.
