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Robin Cato
As part of its coverage of the 2022 elections, the Franklin County Citizen Leader submitted the same list of questions to each candidate running for a seat on the Franklin County Board of Education.
The questions were:
1. Please provide information about your background, education, past service in government or with community organizations, church and family.
2. What qualities and/or qualifications do you feel will serve you best in the position you seek?
3. What are your plans if you are elected to the position?
4. What role should the board of education have in economic development, if any?
5. If you had a chance to speak one-on-one with each registered voter in Franklin County, what would say to secure his or her vote?
The answers submitted by the candidates were used to write the story below.
By Samantha Sinclair
Staff Writer
Robin Cato welcomes the opportunity to continue serving on the Franklin County Board of Education.
She appreciates the support she has received as a board member, and would like to continue to be a voice for the citizens in the school system.
She was first elected to the Post 5 seat in 2010, and has served as the board’s chair since 2017.
“I enjoy the work and enjoy working with the board as a whole,” Cato said. “The Franklin County School System has several exciting things planned for the next few years.”
She wants to make as many resources as possible available to students, and pointed out the board’s plans to start a JROTC and Pre-K, as well as providing competitive teacher pay.
“To lose a teacher to a neighboring county because of pay is difficult,” Cato said. “We, as a board, have addressed this with the superintendent and are making this a priority.”
Cato is an attorney and former high school teacher.
She graduated from Franklin County High School, Emmanuel College and Stetson University.
She thinks her three terms on the board and her background in education brings a skill set that complements the work of a board of education member.
“I strive to be a steady voice of reason and provide leadership for the educational needs of all students, the oversight of responsible fiscal management and the safety and well-being of our students and staff.”
She said that the county’s economic development has a direct effect on the school system.
“It is imperative that the school system and the county collaborate with the stakeholders to make the best informed decisions for the future of this county,” Cato said. “The growth is here now in this county and the decisions made today are critical.”
She explained that they need to know each other’s strategic plans and have answers for sustainable growth, as well as know if the school system has the infrastructure and personnel to meet the growth needs.
“Our role as a school system is clear,” Cato said. “We do not make policy on the growth. That is for the county to address. The school system must respond in the most fiscally sound and responsible way we can to address the myriad of issues caused by growth. Unfettered growth will have a profound effect on this county on every level.”
She wants voters to know that they can be proud of the direction of the school system.
Test scores are greatly improving, the system has a bright financial future, and the superintendent’s COVID strategy allowed students to continue progressing with learning, she said.
“I want what is best for the students in the Franklin County School System,” Cato said. “We have amazing, talented students who deserve the best education we can provide for each of them. We have wonderful teachers who also deserve the best educational setting and support we can provide for each of them.”