Hillsborough County Democratic Public Education Caucus

Join us on Wednesday, April 15 for our “Equality Social: 2026 School Board Panel” at 1920 Ybor from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm! Co-hosted by the Hillsborough County LGBTQ Democratic Caucus, the Democratic Public Education Caucus of Hillsborough County, the Florida Democratic Party Jewish Caucus of Hillsborough County, the Hillsborough County Veterans Caucus, and the Democratic Disability Caucus of Hillsborough County.

This is how we kick off the 2026 election cycle - and it starts here, with our community in the room! School board races are often decided in the primary election, which will be held on August 18, 2026. That means the conversations happening right now matter. Showing up early matters! If you care about the future of our schools, our students, and our community, you need to be here.

We’re proud to welcome two candidates for Hillsborough County School Board District 2, Daniela Simic and Chris Taylor, and candidate for Hillsborough County School Board District 6, Karen Perez!

Daniela Simic is a lifelong educator who began her career in the classroom and went on to serve in senior leadership roles across Florida, including as Assistant Superintendent in Hillsborough County. She has led large-scale school improvement efforts, overseen curriculum and instruction in major districts like Miami-Dade and Duval, and worked closely with educators to strengthen student outcomes. Today, she serves as Vice President of Advocacy for the Hillsborough County Council PTA and is an active Hillsborough County parent, focused on ensuring every student is supported and every family has a voice. Learn more at: https://danielaforschools.com

Chris Taylor is a former public-school teacher, coach, and community leader who spent over a decade in the classroom teaching courses like AP Government, Economics, and Psychology while mentoring students both academically and athletically. He later served in school leadership roles focused on strengthening connections between schools and families, and has remained deeply involved in education and philanthropy across Hillsborough County. In addition to his professional work in business and community leadership, he is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of South Florida. Learn more at: https://www.electchristaylor.com

Karen Perez is a current Hillsborough County School Board member running for re-election, a licensed clinical social worker, and a longtime advocate for student mental health. A graduate of the University of South Florida, she has spent her career supporting children and families through roles in hospitals, community organizations, and her own private practice. She has worked extensively in trauma and family services, helping connect students and families to critical resources. As a parent and grandparent of students in Hillsborough County schools, she brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her role, advocating for expanded mental health support and stronger outcomes for all students. Learn more at: https://keepkarenperez.com/

Come hear directly from the candidates, ask questions, and be part of the conversation as we head into a critical election year! Hosted by HC LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus President, Kim Dude, and moderated by HC Democratic Public Education Caucus President, Dr. Kell Cameron, this is a night you won’t want to miss!

This is how we kick off the 2026 election cycle - and it starts here, with our community in the room! School board races are often decided in the primary election, which will be held on August 18, 2026. That means the conversations happening right now matter. Showing up early matters! If you care about the future of our schools, our students, and our community, you need to be here.

Let’s fill the room! This a growing, community-wide kickoff you won’t want to miss!

Please RSVP at: https://hillsborough-county-lgbtq-democratic-caucus.solidarity.tech/april-equality-social-school-board-panel

And if you wish to join us by zoom, please use the following link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83733777237?pwd=X43P539LKMrBvnJ18ZigVZbr8zq1Vv.1

Statement on Attacks Against Student Leadership

We are deeply concerned by the recent wave of online attacks targeting a female Muslim student serving as a Student Representative to the Hernando County School Board.

She is not just a student who stepped forward. She earned this role through a rigorous, real-world civic process that mirrors our own democratic system. As a candidate, she submitted campaign materials, developed a platform, and delivered speeches outlining her vision. She met directly with student delegates across grade levels, answered questions, and engaged with her peers as constituents.

On Election Day, she stood alongside other candidates in a formal process overseen by the Supervisor of Elections, presenting her ideas, participating in debate and discussion, and ultimately being chosen through an authentic vote conducted with the same care and integrity we expect in our broader elections.
This is what student leadership looks like. It is thoughtful. It is earned. It is rooted in courage, preparation, and a willingness to serve others.

The rhetoric being circulated is not only false, it reflects harmful bias and Islamophobia. Targeting a young person because of her faith or identity is unacceptable and undermines the values we claim to uphold as a community.

We commend the Hernando County School Board and district leadership for taking a clear and public stand in support of their student representative. Their response reinforces an important truth: our schools must remain safe spaces where every student can learn, lead, and be heard without fear of intimidation.

Public education works best when students are empowered to engage, not silenced by attacks. Every student deserves dignity, respect, and the opportunity to participate fully in their school community.

We stand with this student and with all young people who choose to lead. We also call on our community to reject misinformation and treat one another with the respect our students deserve to see modeled.

Our students are watching. Let’s show them what leadership looks like.

Hillsborough County Democratic Public Education Caucus Pasco Democratic Public Education Caucus Miami Dade Democratic Public Education Caucus The LGBTQ+ Democratic Caucus of the Nature Coast Region

Exciting news—our Summer Camp registration is now open!

Head over to our website for full details and how to get started.

https://www.hillsboroughschools.org/o/naturesclassroom

Please be sure to read ALL instructions carefully to ensure you register your camper for the correct camps and complete all required paperwork.
We can’t wait for an amazing summer! ☀️

The recent op-ed published in Florida Politics by the Foundation for Florida’s Future reads less like objective analysis and more like what it is: advocacy from a lobbying organization with deep ties to the expansion of Florida’s school choice system, including Jeb Bush, Jeb Bush Jr., and leadership connected to Charter Schools USA.

That context matters.

Because when you look past the rhetoric, the claims don’t hold up.

Much of the research cited predates universal vouchers under HB1 and reflects a very different program. Even then, the results were modest and mixed. More recent national studies have found significant academic losses for students participating in voucher programs, raising serious concerns that can’t be brushed aside.

And the central issue remains unanswered: accountability.
Voucher students typically take norm-referenced tests, which are designed so most students appear to be performing at grade level. Public school students take criterion-referenced assessments tied to state standards. Those are fundamentally different measures. You cannot claim equivalent outcomes when you are using entirely different yardsticks.

Then there’s who these programs are actually serving.

A large share of voucher recipients were already in private schools or being homeschooled before expansion, often from more affluent families. Decades of research show that family income is one of the strongest predictors of academic success. At the same time, many private schools accepting vouchers are not required to serve students with disabilities, English language learners, or students with significant behavioral needs, nor are they required to provide transportation or meals.

That’s not creating success. That’s selecting for it.

Meanwhile, public schools are left serving a higher concentration of high-need students with fewer resources as funding is diverted away.

Families deserve options. But options funded by taxpayers must come with transparency, meaningful accountability, and honest comparisons.

Right now, Florida’s voucher system falls short on all three.

If we’re serious about student outcomes, we should be investing in the system that serves the overwhelming majority of Florida’s children and holding every school that receives public dollars to the same standards.

That’s not protecting a system.
That’s protecting students.

Florida Democratic Party Miami Dade Democratic Public Education Caucus Hillsborough County Democratic Public Education Caucus Pasco Democratic Public Education Caucus

Thank you to everyone who came out last night to the first ever in-person Hillsborough County DPEC Social! We’re kicking off the election year right!

Thank you to our amazing guest speaker, Brian Nathan, Democratic Candidate for Senate District 14! It was great to hear is views on public education and the importance of teachers’ unions! And this is exactly why we and the Democratic Public Education Caucus of Florida have endorsed Brian Nathan! Please everyone needs to get out and vote - the special election is on Tuesday 24 March! For my information please visit www.brianforfl.com

In addition, at every meeting both in-person and virtual, we welcome any and all Democratic Candidates who have a belief in public education, and last night we heard from:

Luis Salazar, Candidate for House District 64
Kell Cameron, Candidate for House District 65

We encourage all democratic candidates and all advocates for public education to drop by our meeting and, of course, join our caucus! More information is at dpecf.org!

Our February Equality Social is going to be all about . Come learn what you might be able to do locally with a greater reach in your surrounding community.

See you next Wednesday, February 18, 6-8PM 🏳️‍🌈🤩🏳️‍🌈

Register via Mobilize here:
https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/901190/

Congrats Kell Cameron and Marlene B Rubin ! Let’s get to work!

Second House committee backs Michael Owen's Hillsborough Superintendent election bill If HB 4027 ultimately clears the Legislature, Hillsborough County voters would decide the issue.

The HCDPEC sends our condolences to the East Hillsborough County Democratic Club on the loss of your longtime member and Treasurer Walt Seely. He loves St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital so if you feel so inclined, please make a donation in his honor.

Our friend and Treasurer Passed away - https://mailchi.mp/89d4f863dc18/junegeneralmeeting2025-06-11042578