Pasco school superintendent says investigation is 'dirty politics'

PASCO COUNTY, Fla. - Barbra Munz is the former Pasco Elementary principal who brought up accusations against Pasco County school superintendent Heather Fiorentino at a recent school board meeting.
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"I think I was just the one that had to, she said.

Munz ran Pasco Elementary for 23 years before retiring last year. She says she spoke out on behalf of school district employees who feel intimated, and fear repercussions if they go against their boss.

"I'm thinking that people are feeling it's not a real safe environment for innovation, creativity. Expressing themselves, said Munz.

Some of the anonymous accusers Munz spoke for also claim pressure to support Fiorentino in her reelection campaign.

"Be it campaign contributions or campaign walking, whatever kind of participation has been a little more intense then is necessary and makes people uncomfortable," said Munz.

Fiorentino, trying to win a third term as superintendent says she has done nothing wrong.

"What I have is a financial supporter of my opponent that is making heresy accusations about me that the attorney says that is nothing to substantiate it," said Fiorentino.

Munz admits she is long time friends with Fioretinio's opponent in the superintendent race, Kurt Browning, but says that has nothing to do with why she spoke out.

It will be up to an independent investigator to look into the alleged misconduct. Pasco's school board hired an outside attorney to investigate. But Fiorentino says two of the board members are also Browning supporters.

"It should not be about dirty politics, now, what they are doing. Making bogus claims that are purely political," said Fiorentino.

No word on how long the investigation will take, but Fiorentino says it likely won't be over until after the primary election.

She says that is a negative for her campaign because it keeps the accusations on people's minds when they are going to vote.