By Elijah Penn, Editor-in-Chief
With three School Board seats up for election this year in Pasco County, people are faced with a challenging task of deciding who they will vote for on August 18. In two races, Districts 1 and 3, the incumbents are stepping down. This means it is guaranteed that a new School Board member will be elected in August unless there is a runoff in the November general election.
While each elected official represents their respective district, their decisions affect the entire county, and, thus, any registered voter in Pasco County may cast their vote on all School Board elections.
The Lions’ Pride Media Group has interviewed all of the candidates that qualified in this election.
In Florida, school board elections are non-partisan races, meaning candidates may not run with affiliation to a political party. Elections are staggered every four years between even and odd district numbers; not all seats are up for election at the same time.
Pasco County currently has five elected School Board seats. In 2026, the odd-numbered seats—Districts 1, 3, and 5—are up for election.
An elected school board of no less than five members is mandated by the Florida State Constitution Article IX, Section 4. The duties and powers of county school boards are further laid out in Florida Statute Title XLVIII § 1001.60-1001.67.
The powers of the School Board include approving district taxes for schools, creating policies for the operation of schools, engaging in lawsuits on behalf of the district, entering into contracts, holding public meetings, and approving curriculum that aligns with state law.
Decisions made by the board must be approved by a majority vote from the board members.
Pasco School Board District 1 represents the eastern region of Pasco, including Dade City, Zephyrhills, Saint Leo, San Antonio, and Trilby. The seat is currently held by Al Hernandez, who is not seeking reelection.
There are four candidates who qualified in District 1 vying for Hernandez’s empty seat. Gino Collura has a security technology background. Kimberly Coward is a former JAG (Judge Advocate General) veteran who holds five degrees. Christopher King is the executive director of United for Human Rights Florida, and the founder of the local nonprofit, The Gentleman’s Course. Brian Perras was a Pasco County substitute teacher and a veteran who has played minor roles in several movies and TV shows.
Dr. Gino Collura
Dr. Collura grew up in the Pasco County school system. He has worked as an adjunct professor for Saint Leo University and stood on the university’s Advisory Board of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Collura is a security analysis consultant for one of the country’s largest school districts, and the founder of the Tampa-based tactical protection education firm GRIT Ready.
Collura’s top three priorities are school safety, teacher retention, and reducing distractions for students in the classroom.
Collura recognizes that being a School Board member requires a lot of time and dedication.
“It’s not just showing up to two board meetings a month,” said Collura, “You should be going to every school in your district and county-wide as well as spending time with everybody: spending time with the family, spending time with the teachers, and the supporting community members as well.”
Collura sees the office opening as a good way for him to give back to the community he grew up in, and the community his two children are now growing up in themselves.
Dr. Kimberly Coward
Dr. Kimberly Coward was born in Dade City and attended school there. She then went to the University of Florida, where she received a Specialist in Education (EdS). As a guidance counselor, Coward saw firsthand the issues students faced and became passionate about policy. This led her to pursue a juris doctorate and become a policy attorney for the Broward County school district until 2025. She recently finished her PhD in education management.
“For me, it’s about coming home to serve, bringing that college home,” said Coward. “So, I returned back to Pasco to do what I had intended since 1997. So, I honestly believe I prepared myself for such a time as this.”
Coward’s top three priorities are student success, safe and supportive schools for students, and supporting teachers.
“I’m not here because I like politics,” said Coward. “I never needed to be in front. My goal has always been to serve, and it’s what motivates me.”
Dr. Christopher King
Dr. Christopher King is a U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran and grandson of Blues legend B.B. King. He has spent over a decade mentoring kids in Pasco and surrounding schools through his nonprofit, The Gentleman’s Course Inc. King has put on events with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office to promote safety awareness.
King focuses on educating the youth on human trafficking prevention and how to stay safe against traffickers. He also helps to re-establish human trafficking survivors in society.
King’s top priorities are school safety and well-being, teacher support and retention, and increasing options for workforce readiness and life skills.
“I decided to run because I’ve seen firsthand both the potential of our students as well as the gaps that still exist, especially in mentorship, workforce readiness, student support systems,” said King.
King highlights his established connections with local law enforcement agencies and Pasco Schools leaders as well as his commitment to improving the lives of local kids.
“I’m a servant leader who’s been in the schools, in the community and in the trenches doing the work, and I want to just keep doing the work,” said King.
Brian Perras
Brian Perras is a third-generation military veteran who graduated from Pasco’s Ridgewood High School. Perras served as substitute teacher in Pasco Schools and coached baseball and basketball, winning the 2013 basketball state championship.
Working as a substitute allowed Perras to see behind the scenes of Pasco Schools. He felt led by God to pursue change in Pasco School by bringing back American founding principles to the classroom.
“We need to teach kids what it means to be an American citizen, know that what their God-given rights are through the Constitution,” said Perras. “It’s just sad that today the patriotism of our country is down, but it’s slowly coming back.”
Perras’ top priorities include removing indoctrination and promoting critical thinking, educating students in agriculture and trade, and supporting teachers.
Although Perras doesn’t believe that Pasco School’s budget should be increased, he wants to create a living wage for teachers by cutting wasteful spending.
“I won’t be bought and paid for. I won’t be a rubber stamp for the establishment, for the good old boy network. I’m going to be me. I’m going to be authentic, transparent,” said Perras. “I’m a spiritual man. So, I’ll have integrity. I will listen to the people.”
