MILTON — Hugh Winkles recently took the time to reflect on his 24 years of public service with the Santa Rosa County School District.
Winkles, a longtime pharmacist, opted to not seek re-election in representing District 2. His last official school board meeting is in October, and Clifton ‘Buddy’ Hinote and Joseph Pool are pursuing the soon-to-be vacant seat, according to the Santa Rosa County Supervisor of Elections website.
As for Winkles, he “has played a large role in assisting three superintendents through some difficult financial times, and has helped craft our employees’ health care in some very diverse times,” Superintendent of Schools Tim Wyrosdick said. “I trust his judgment because of his lengthy tenure and his sharp mind. His role as the senior board member has assisted other board members in understanding the job they do.”
Here, Winkles shares more about his decision and his time with the school board.
Why did you not seek re-election to the school board?
“I felt like it was time, you just know.”
Looking back, what went into your decision towards serving on the school board?
“I just thought it was a way to give back to the community, and I thought education was important in my life. I thought if I could get elected to the school board, I would just ensure that the children in Santa Rosa County have the best public education possible. No personal agenda, I didn’t want to turn the world upside down. We had a good school system even when I was first elected in to the school system.”
What were you pleased to see accomplished for the school system?
Making sure children are insured
“I wasn’t in this for personal accomplishments … when I was first elected, there was a pilot program for healthy kids. We are talking back in the 1990s, if you didn’t qualify for Medicaid, you really didn’t have insurance. So, there was a pilot program for families who were in that gap; they could at least purchase health insurance for their children as long as they were in public school. They could not cover themselves, but they could cover their children. It was very popular program, and now the state has taken it over.
Wellness program for employees
“We started a wellness program back when the economy started to lapse. It was a structure program for employees that were insured who more or less ate healthy. It was an eat-right-and-exercise program; employees could earn awards, even monetary awards.
“It incentivized them to get healthy, because with an employer they can only control their claims … everything else is set for you. You can’t do anything about your premium. If you get a healthier workforce, then eventually your claims will get better.”
Approach toward standardized testing
“I am proud of the way our instructional and non-instructional staff, administrators have met the challenges of standardized testing. I know it was first implemented back in the 90s with FCAT. I was on the board when FCAT was originated. I remember when Benny Russell was our superintendant, he said ‘We may not like it, but Santa Rosa County is going to take the bull by the horns and we are going to be successful’ — that has been the attitude we have always taken, and that has always impressed me. With the history of standardized testing, we’ve always ended in the top five or at least in first or second (in state).”
You worked with the local school system in educating young adults in pharmacy. How did that process start?
“I guess I just approached them to see if they would be interested in starting a curriculum, because pharmacy has changed with the technicians. They have to be certified now. When I first started practicing pharmacy, you could just walk off the street and interview someone and you got trained on the job. Now they got a structured certification process they have to go through.”
Did you work with Locklin Tech on implementing a pharmacy program?
“I was on an advisory committee and helped them get some information that they needed for their certification program.”
I understand your youngest daughter, Lindsey, is in pharmacy, too…
“She has been practicing now for three years. She is a product of the Santa Rosa County school system, she was salutatorian at Milton High School when she graduated.”
Although you will continue to work as a pharmacist, what will you do with a little more free time on your hands?
“Me and my wife got back into showing and (training) horses. That has been a passion, and we have been more than fascinated with that lifestyle. It’s the cowboy way of life. We will do that until we can’t do it no more. We got four horses that we show, and we got 20 total.”
What advice would you share for whoever is elected to fill your seat in representing District 2?
“I would tell them to trust the staff that we have, the administration that we have. There is a lot of good people. The one thing that I have learned is that we have an excellent school system. It’s not broke, so you don’t have to try and fix it. If you can develop that trust with the staff and the administration, it goes a long away.
“There is always two sides to story, and you just need to look at both sides and, based on what you know and based on policies, just make the right decision and get as much information before you make a decision. Don’t go in blind.
Wyrosdick said Winkles’ “contribution can be summed up in just a few words:
“Courage — Mr. Winkles makes his decisions in the best interest of students.
“Character — he is a man of high values, morals and principles, and he exudes respect from those he serves.
“Commitment — he has dedicated himself to this district because he understands the values our community places on education.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Retiring school board member reflects on past 24 years