MEDIA RELEASE
Brooksville - The Hernando County School Board welcomed its newest Board Members Michelle Bonczek and Kayce Hawkins at the board meeting held on Tuesday. Hawkins represents District 2 and replaces Linda Prescott, who did not seek reelection. Hawkins was named board member in August, after running unopposed. District 2 includes Westside Elementary and Fox Chapel Middle schools. Bonczek represents District 4, previously represented by Gus Guadagnino, who also did not seek reelection. Bonczek won the seat after securing 54.99% of the vote in the general election on Nov. 5. District 4 schools include Chocachatti Elementary, J.D. Floyd Elementary, Suncoast Elementary, Challenger K-8, Powell Middle and Nature Coast Technical High School.
Bonczek was born in New Port Richey, but has lived in Hernando County for 43 years. She has been involved with the Hernando School District for more than 30 years as a student, parent and substitute teacher. She most recently worked as a permanent substitute teacher at Deltona Elementary and Explorer K-8. She has been married for 28 years, has seven children and two grandchildren. Bonczek holds a Bachelor’s Degree in psychology from Grand Canyon University and a Master’s Degree in education law from Nova Southeastern University. “I look forward to working with everybody,” Bonczek said at the organizational meeting. “I look forward to working with the school board, teachers and all staff. Thank you.”
Hawkins, who is married with three children, has been living in Hernando County for the past 18 years. She has been a teacher in Hernando County Schools, working in various low-performing, high-performing and Title I schools. She holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in early education from Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Ga. In addition to her career as an educator, Hawkins is an entrepreneur and co-owns two businesses with her husband. “I look forward to the next four years of working as a team together with common goals to help our schools excel and be the best they can be,” she said. “As a former teacher I am passionate about education. I do love Hernando County Schools and I want them to be the best in the state of Florida. And, I'm ready to serve and advocate for our parents, our teachers and our students.”
Veteran School Board Member Susan Duval, who has worked in Hernando County Schools for more than 40 years and was first elected to the board in 2014, said: “I look forward to working with you both. I admire your tenacity and looking to serve our students and our staff in this district.”