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County To Honor Educator Lennard

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By MIKE SALINERO

msalinero@tampatrib.com

Published: April 5, 2009

TAMPA - Former Hillsborough County schools Superintendent Earl Lennard will receive the Ellsworth G. Simmons Good Government Award at the April 15 county commission meeting.

Lennard retired as school superintendent in 2005 after 41 years with the school district. A Hillsborough native, Lennard has bachelor's and doctoral degrees from the University of South Florida. He spent 15 years as a classroom teacher before moving into administration.

During his nine years as superintendent, graduation rates increased from 69 percent in 1999 to nearly 80 percent in 2004. During the same period, the school system went from the 13th largest in the nation to ninth.

The Florida Association of School Superintendents named Lennard superintendent of the year in 2003. Lennard High School in Ruskin is named for him.

County commissioners created the Ellsworth G. Simmons Award in 1996 to honor individuals or groups who improve government through leadership and vision.

Simmons served seven years on the county school board and 21 years on the county commission. He was involved in initiatives including USF, Tampa International Airport and University Community Hospital.

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