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E-Mail Broke Law, Complaint Alleges

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 23, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - A real estate broker has filed a complaint with the Florida Elections Commission against schools Superintendent Heather Fiorentino, claiming she violated state law by using the school district's e-mail system for political purposes.

The complaint, filed Tuesday by Greg Armstrong, president of the West Pasco Board of Realtors, alleges Fiorentino sent an e-mail to district employees asking them to vote against the property tax amendment next week.

That is a "clear violation" of a section of Chapter 106 that prohibits using public schools for political advocacy, said Armstrong, a vocal supporter of Amendment 1.

"They're using government e-mail to persuade school employees that they should vote no or risk losing jobs," he said Tuesday night. "They're not allowed to do that."

Fiorentino could not be reached.

The e-mail doesn't explicitly ask school officials to vote against the amendment. Attached to the message is a nine-page PowerPoint presentation that "provides information regarding the proposed amendment and its potential impact on educational funding."

The Florida Department of Education estimates Pasco County schools would lose more than $67.5 million during the next five years.

"If passed, the property tax amendment will have a significant impact on the services offered to students in Pasco County," the PowerPoint presentation stated. "While the school district is not advocating an official position on this initiative, it does want to ensure that all education stakeholders are able to make well-informed decisions."

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (727) 815-1082 or cwade@tampatrib.com.

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