Carol J. Cook has served on the Pinellas County School Board since November of 2000. She is a graduate of the University of South Florida, and she previously served as a teacher in Pinellas County.
Prior to her election, Mrs. Cook served on the Florida PTA Board of Directors for nine years. Her service included Vice President for Regions and Councils and Vice President for Leadership. Mrs. Cook is a former President of the Pinellas County Council of PTAs.
Mrs. Cook has served on the Florida School Boards Association (FSBA) Board of Directors in her role as Chairman of the Board Development Committee, Chairman of the Legislative Committee, Vice Chairman of the Advocacy Committee and Chairman of the Functions and Services Committee. In addition to her service to FSBA, Mrs. Cook has served on several task forces for the Florida Department of Education.
As the representative of FSBA, Mrs. Cook has served on the Florida School Music Association (FSMA) Board of Directors. She is a former President of the Greater Florida Consortium of School Boards. Mrs. Cook is Chairperson of the Florida School Labor Relations Services Committee and is a Leadership Development Consultant for Florida School Boards Association working with School Boards and district superintendents across the state.
The Florida School Boards Association has awarded Mrs. Cook the Certified Board Member recognition and the Advanced Boardsmanship Certification (ABC), The ABC is a distinction awarded to a few exceptionally proactive school board members who demonstrate leadership skills, knowledge of boardsmanship and are effective leaders at the local, regional, state, and national level. This distinction is currently held by four board members in the state. Carol was awarded the Maureen M. Flynn Children’s Angel Award by the Pinellas County Council of PTAs for her advocacy work on behalf of children throughout the state. In 2017, the Council of the Great City Schools selected Mrs. Cook as a finalist for the Green-Garner Award, which recognizes district leaders for outstanding leadership. Her leadership was also recognized by the Florida Music Education Association, which named her the 2020-2021 School Board Member of the Year.
In addition to her Board responsibilities, she has served on the Partnerships for a Healthier Pinellas Board of Directors and Clothes To Kids Board of Directors. She has also volunteered as a tutor and a mentor. She represents Pinellas County on the Forward Pinellas School Transportation and Safety Committee and the Value Adjustment Board. Mrs. Cook is on the Board of Directors Pinellas Education Foundation is the chairman of the Grants Committee.
Mrs. Cook has also been active in several leadership positions in her church, from serving on the Finance Committee to Chairman of the Church Council.
Mrs. Cook and her husband, Ed, have lived in Clearwater for more than 40 years. They are proud of their two children and their daughter-in-law, who are all graduates of Pinellas County Schools.Email: Carol J. Cook
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