A Local Leader Steps Up to Shape Florida’s Schools

Laura Hine, a Pinellas County School Board member, has spent over a decade trying to understand why some schools in her area struggle while others don’t. Her journey started when her child was about to start kindergarten at a nearby school with a "D" grade and a Title I label—a term she didn’t even know meant most students there came from low-income families. Curious and frustrated, she dug deeper, eventually helping turn that school into an "A" performer by working with teachers, parents, and leaders. After seeing firsthand how local efforts could make a difference, Hine decided to take her advocacy statewide. She launched a nonprofit called Educating Florida’s Future to push for better education policies, clearer funding rules, and stronger accountability. On April 30, she’ll host a town hall at the Obama Library in St. Petersburg to discuss big-picture challenges like early reading skills, how tax dollars fund schools, and whether charter schools help or hurt traditional public education. The goal isn’t just to talk—it’s to make sure Florida’s policymakers prioritize practical fixes over flashy trends.Hine knows education policy isn’t simple. With a background in aerospace engineering and finance, she believes in using data to back up decisions. But she’s also seen how even well-intentioned reforms can backfire when they ignore the schools that need the most support. She worries Florida has lost focus on improving the system as a whole, chasing trendy ideas instead of investing in what works for most students. Her new nonprofit aims to change that by bringing attention to funding gaps, transparency issues, and outdated policies. She points to successful large-scale systems—like the military, where she worked—as proof that excellence isn’t just possible but expected when leaders truly commit. The question now is whether Florida’s decision-makers will follow suit or keep chasing quick fixes that leave too many students behind.