Hebert bursts from the shadows

Some very good news for your Tuesday:

Citrus County’s newest Superintendent of Schools is a goofball.

Scott Hebert is also brilliant, funny, an educator in the true sense, and as we’re about to find out, ready to move our school district forward in exciting ways.

---

He has a formidable task: Following a beloved leader who everyone wanted to hang around another four years. Welcome to the job, Scott.

Starting Tuesday, he takes on one of the two most vital elected roles in Citrus County, buoyed by a voter’s mandate that what’s worked the last 20 years is a good start.

Scott and new School Board member Ken Frink take their oaths for office at 4 p.m. Tuesday. Family and well-wishers will be on hand. Expect more than a few tears.

I plan to be there. It’s a thrill watching new people sworn into office as they take on this momentous challenge and responsibility. I always feel the weight in the room.

And no one will feel that more than Scott Hebert.

We’ve known one another for quite a number of years. I recall Scott being named the 1999 Florida Teacher of the Year while at Inverness Primary School. He then slowly worked his way up the Citrus County education ladder, always focusing on the classroom.

I've known hundreds of Scott Heberts across Citrus County, high-level workers in public or private who really get things done. They’re what make this county tick.

When these folks enter the political realm, they’re walking into my living room. I’m watching their moves much, much differently.

So, I kept a close eye on Scott during the campaign. He clearly had the credentials for the job, but did he have the moxie to not only mingle with citizens, but also solicit their opinions?

The answer to that was no, then yes. Hebert dropped his initial game plan, then surrounded himself with people who knew their stuff and had his back, and embarked on a get-to-know-me tour disguised as a political campaign.

For a guy who enjoyed posting silly selfies with kids, he clearly was uncomfortable with the stale textbook politics of running for local office in Citrus County. Once he tossed that aside and started talking like a superintendent, by golly, he had people’s attention.

And now he REALLY has their attention. Some in the school district are no doubt wondering if they’ll have jobs after Tuesday. After all, it’s perfectly normal for the new superintendent to come in and shake up the administrative team.

Scott promises that won’t happen. He plans on a “listening tour” of the schools the first 100 days. He truly wants to hear from principals, teachers, bus drivers, parents, kids, and K-9 Sammy.

After those 100 days, he’ll have a plan. I haven’t a clue what that will look like, but I’m fairly confident it'll make sense for Citrus County. Scott isn’t looking to make change just to place his stamp on something.

(Bank on this: Scott Hebert will NOT be a “look at me” politician. His focus will always be kids and public service.)
​
He’s eager and I’m happy for him. Scott truly, truly wants to do well for kids, parents, and this community. Citrus County, you hit the jackpot with this pick. 

— I’m not going to harp (well, maybe a little), but it’s ridiculous that both the County Commission and School Board meet on the same day.

These are our largest tax guzzlers. They each vote on policies that affect thousands of people. And we could use better public coordination between the two boards.

(That the County Commission meets at 1 and the School Board at 4 p.m. is immaterial. Commission meetings rarely conclude in three hours.)

It’s too late for this year, since both boards are setting their respective schedules Tuesday during organizational meetings. 

Next year, though, let’s fix this. One picks the first and third Tuesday, the other the second and fourth Tuesday.

Harp concluded. Have a terrific Tuesday, friends.

Join the discussion on our Facebook page.

Enjoying the blog? Please consider supporting it at Venmo, PayPal, or Patreon.