He's not the grownup in the room

Sometimes, it just comes down to a hunch.

There’s one race I just can’t figure out even days before early voting starts: Superintendent of Schools.

This should be a no-brainer. There are two candidates. One is clearly more qualified than the other. I mean, not even close. Based on resume, experience, community involvement, and actual work in the trenches — that’s Scott Hebert, hands down. 

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Jason Koon is a high school principal. Hebert is the assistant superintendent of schools. On paper, this isn’t even a contest.
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I attended the Citrus Springs Civic Association meet-the-candidates event Wednesday night. I wandered the room, spoke to most candidates. Didn’t speak with Jason as he always had someone at his table (I avoid interrupting candidates when they’re speaking with voters).

See, that’s the thing with Jason. Popular with voters. Qualified for the job? Questionable.

Let's discuss.

We generally elect people to two different types of jobs: Policy jobs, and what I call “real” jobs. County Commission and School Board are policy jobs. The tax collector is a real job. Same with property appraiser, sheriff, clerk of courts, and supervisor of elections.

Superintendent of Schools is a real job. It’s not a policy job. You need to have the education to do the job.

Because voters choose, there’s always a chance that the least qualified person gets elected because he’s a better campaigner.

Some thoughts:

— My hunch says Koon, if elected, will not be a calming influence to the school district. From what do I base that hunch? For one, he declined a recent Cattle Dog chat with me to go over some concerns I had with his campaign. Said he was too busy. He said to call him.

He answered a voter’s question, regarding a similar subject, on his Facebook page the same way: Call me.

Listen. When a politician refuses to meet someone in public or answer a question on social media, and instead says to call him, that’s a flag. It suggests he needs to be careful what he says. Most people don’t have that problem. Unless, um, they do.

— Koon is a great campaigner because he isn’t saying much. Hebert is the grownup in the room. I mean, let’s be serious for a minute. One of these gentlemen can have a detailed conversation about the state of public education in Citrus County and Florida based on his experience. The other can only guess.

— Koon is going hard for the GOP vote. “The Clear Conservative Choice” is what his mail piece says. This an open primary. My goodness, do we really need another “I’d rather be an American than a Democrat” in office around here?

— Koon’s advertising says he has experience at “all levels.” Pretty sure that isn’t accurate.  His experience is all school based. Hebert has all the school experience Koon has, but also several years helping to oversee academic success for the entire school district. Koon's suggestion that he matches up with Hebert in experience is a stretch at best.

“Currently, he is leading and supervising school operations, instruction and systems, breaking down barriers for students and families.” So says the mail piece. That’s a long sentence to say Koon’s a principal. Lord knows I love educators, but let’s not puff ourselves up.

— Hebert is getting endorsements from everyone and their sister. Former school board members, the Chronicle, teachers’ union, among others. He has strong community connections with YMCA, Blessings, and the Citrus County Education Foundation. He is known as a problem solver and a cool head. 

What does Koon have that Hebert doesn’t? Goofy exuberance. C’mon. Is anyone looking at Jason Koon thinking, that’s the guy we want to lead our school district? Or, are they thinking, “I’m voting for Coach Jason!” My guess is it’s the latter.

(I'm not throwing Koon under the school bus as an educator. I have great respect for all Citrus County teachers, principals, and the like. Koon is well suited for his current job.

Which brings me back full circle. We elect the superintendent. We could get someone suited for the job on day one, or someone who needs directions to the elevator. 

Scott Hebert is FAR ABOVE Jason Koon in experience, education, community involvement, and the general sense that he knows what he’s doing.

Doesn’t matter. It’s an election. All bets are off.

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