EDUCATION:
B.S. Degree – Business Administration/Economics - Marymount College
Certified Board Member of the Florida School Board Association

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Caroline has served ten years on the Sarasota County School Board (1992-2000 & 2006-2008); chair in 1996 & 2000 and is currently Vice Chair.  Caroline was twice elected to represent Charlotte & Sarasota Counties on the Florida School Board Association’s Board of Directors.

Caroline managed a nation-wide communications program for an international chemical company; produced a video with Dr. Michael DeBakey of the Houston Baylor Medical Center, on how to prevent heart attacks; edited a children’s magazine for Waldenbooks. Caroline knows the local social service resources available to students, parents and schools through her work as Director of Business Development at FCC and Director of Marketing, Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator at JFCS.

LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE:
Caroline has served as the Chair of the Florida School Board’s Juvenile Justice Committee; Chair ~ Support, Technical Assistance & Resource Services for the Florida School Board Association; Vice Chair – District 8 Juvenile Justice District Board; Chair of the Sarasota County Juvenile Justice Council, as well as the Legislative Chair; Legislative Chair of the Sarasota-Manatee National Council of Jewish Women; Chair of the Family Violence Task Force; Community Service/Education Chair – American Association of University Women; Chair of Sarasota County’s Children’s Education Coalition; and President of “Do The Right Thing (a youth recognition program).

Also a member of the Florida School Board Association Board of Directors representing Sarasota and Charlotte Counties; The Education Committee – Venice Chamber of Commerce; Education Liaison – Englewood Chamber of Commerce; District 8 Health & Human Services; YMCA Children, Youth & Families; Sarasota Arts Council; Venice Arts & Culture Council; Gulf Coast Marine Institute Board; League of Women Voters; The Business & Economic Development Advisory Board of North Port and serves on the Transition Oversight Team for Foster Care; The Education Foundation’s “Evening of Excellence”; St. Patrick’s Church.

PERSONAL:
Married to Michael – 30 years; three children and seven grandchildren; Lector and Eucharistic Minister St. Patrick’s Church.

AWARDS:
ACE LEADERSHIP AWARD
Special recognition for outstanding service to arts education in Florida from the Florida Alliance for Arts Education

WOMEN IN POWER AWARD
National Council Jewish Women Awarded for community service

SHE KNOWS WHERE SHE’S GOING AWARD
Girl’s Incorporated

EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION FELLOWSHIP RECOGNITION
from the American Association of University Women

SCHOOL BOARD:
While serving as an elected Sarasota County School Board Member, Caroline supported these district initiatives:

• Built the first Technical High School in north county with a south county Technical High School to open in 2009
• Authorized the renovation & expansion of the Sarasota County Technical Institute
• Developed a comprehensive assessment tool for evaluating the performance of the Superintendent of Schools with measurable goals
• Developed master plans for Booker High and Venice High Schools
• Stabilized the school system
• Founded the MAST (Math And Science Technology) Program at Sarasota High School and established the International Baccalaureate Program at Riverview High School
• In response to a growing student population in south county, built North Port High School, the first new high school in over 40 years and created career pathways at the North Port High School
• Implemented School-to-Work initiatives in K-12 education
• Strengthened art and music programs district wide
• Established the Environmental Academy at Booker High School
• In partnership with community agencies, implemented alternative education programs for students who are expelled or suspended
• Developed a comprehensive technology plan that provided schools, students and teachers the necessary tools to strengthen the learning environment
• Adopted a zero tolerance discipline program
• Implemented and expanded public school choice and charter schools.