Board Members
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District 1:
Nadia CombsBiography:
Nadia Combs was elected to the Hillsborough County School Board, representing District 1, in 2020. She is one of seven members responsible for making policy decisions and overseeing a total budget of $4.2 billion for the 7th largest school district in the nation, which is also the county’s largest employer.
Mrs. Combs earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Studies Education and Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, both from the University of South Florida. She started her teaching career by working for the Japanese Ministry of Education for three years on a remote island in Japan. In Hillsborough County Schools, she worked as a teacher, team leader, department head, district teacher trainer and taught at-risk students in the Dropout Prevention Program. She was awarded Teacher of the Year at Franklin Middle School and Middle School Social Studies Teacher of the Year for Hillsborough County.
Mrs. Combs is an entrepreneur who founded a company to serve the national Supplemental Education Services program. Her company provided free tutoring services to thousands of students in Title I Schools in Hillsborough County and throughout Florida. She currently owns and operates Brighton Learning Consulting, which she founded in 2014. She continues to provide educational support to students in public, private, magnet, and charter schools throughout Hillsborough County. She currently serves on the Glazer Children’s Museum Board and leads the Educational Committee. In addition, she is a member of the USF Dean’s Advisory Council, Career Source Education and Education and Industry Consortium and has spent over a decade on the Children’s Cancer Center Knead for Knowledge Scholarship Committee.
Mrs. Combs has been married for 23 years and has two children who graduated from Hillsborough County Public Schools. She has a passion to make a positive impact in the lives and futures of students in Hillsborough County.
February 2024
District: 1 (Map)
Organizational Assignments:
- Glazer Children’s Museum Board of Directors
- Council of Great City Schools
- Juvenile Justice Board Circuit 13 (Alternate)
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District 2:
Stacy HahnBiography:
Dr. Stacy Hahn was elected to the Hillsborough County School Board, representing District 2, in 2018. She is one of seven members responsible for making policy decisions and overseeing a total budget of $3.3 billion for the 7th largest school district in the nation, which is also the county’s largest employer with more than 24,000 employees.
Dr. Hahn is a graduate of the University of Florida where she earned a PhD in Early Childhood & Special Education. She is a professional educator and her career spans more than two decades with positions at every level of the K-20 spectrum, including: public school teacher, advocate, grant facilitator, professional development director, educational researcher, and university professor.
Throughout her career she has collaborated with parents, students, teachers, school counselors, principals, and community leaders to bring about long-term success. Dr. Hahn knows that quality public education is essential to students and communities reaching their potential.
Dr. Hahn has served on numerous community organizations including Hillsborough Education Foundation, Tampa Museum of Art, and Zoo Tampa. She is also President of Literacy is Key, and a member of the Florida School Board Association and the Junior League of Tampa.
Dr. Hahn and her family are members of Christ the King Catholic Church. She lives in Tampa with her husband Jeff and their three children Ethan, Jackson, and Aidan.
Updated: November 2023
District: 2 (Map)
Organizational Assignments:
- Zoo Tampa Board of Directors
- Hillsborough Education Foundation
- Value Adjustment Board (Alternate)
- Public School Siting Taskforce - Operations Division
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District 3:
Jessica Vaughn, Board Vice ChairBiography:
Jessica Vaughn was elected to the board, representing District 3, in 2020. She is one of seven members responsible for making policy decisions and overseeing a total budget of 3.3 billion for the 7th largest school district in the nation, which is also the county’s largest employer.
Ms. Vaughn is a graduate of the University of South Florida where she earned her B.A in Elementary Education from the College of Education in 2010. She is a certified public educator who has earned additional certifications in both Health and Exceptional Student education. She is also ESOL endorsed.
For the last decade, Mrs. Vaughn has worked inside Hillsborough County classrooms as a full-time classroom teacher, or as a substitute teacher. Both teaching positions have provided her the honor of experiencing an assortment of different classroom settings and a variety of diverse students and schools. These diverse experiences have allowed her to be an extremely effective advocate for students who tend to fall within the margins of our public educational system.
Ms. Vaughn has served as an elected member of the Tampa Palms CDD Board from 2016-2020, was the founder and board member of the DPCTB and has been an active community organizer for the last five years. She is passionate about social, economic and environmental justice. She also hosts her own podcast entitled "Reclaiming My Mind".
Ms. Vaughn lives in Tampa Palms with her husband Nilesh, her son Zachariah and their three dogs.
December 2020
District: 3 (Map)
Organizational Assignments:
- Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
- Tampa Theatre Board of Directors
- David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts Board of Trustees
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District 4:
Patricia “Patti” RendonBiography:
Patricia “Patti “Rendon was elected to the Hillsborough County School Board, representing District 4, in 2022. She is one of seven members responsible for making policy decisions and overseeing a budget of $4.3 billion for the 7th largest school district in the nation, which is also the county’s largest employer with more than 24,000 employees.
Mrs. Rendon graduated from the University of South Florida, earning a bachelor’s degree in English. She began her over 30-year career working with individuals with Developmental Disabilities as a direct care provider. Mrs. Rendon was a small business owner in our community for over 17 years, employing 13. As the Executive State Director of the Columbus Organization in Florida, she oversaw 60 employees and served over 2400 individuals statewide. She knows what it means to make payroll. She has dedicated her professional life to serving people with developmental and intellectual disabilities, advocating for their needs and best interests.
Mrs. Rendon has lived in Hillsborough County for over 20 years with her husband. They have three beautiful children, all of whom have attended Hillsborough County Public Schools. Two have graduated from college – 1 Gator and 1 Seminole!! Their youngest is a Senior in high school. Mrs. Rendon has been active in Hillsborough County Schools for years. She has held positions as President of the Bloomingdale High School Academic Foundation, President of Bloomingdale High School Orchestra Boosters and Band Booster Board, Former member of Bloomingdale Advisory Council, PTSA President, Burns Middle School SAC, PSTA Board Member, and Bell Shoals Baptist Academy PTF President and Treasurer. Outside of being an active member of the schools her children attended, she has significantly impacted our community. As an active community member, she was involved in Best Buddies International, Foundation for Youth Development, Fish Hawk Wolfpack Cheer and Football Cheer Coordinator, Active member at Bell Shoals Church, and Department of Education Outstanding School Volunteer of the Year, 2019-2020.
As a board member, Mrs. Rendon strives to serve her community. She currently serves on the Value Adjustment Board, Tampa Planning Organization Board, Women for Economic and Leadership Development Board, Empower Florida Board and Board of the Children’s Network of Hillsborough County.. Mrs. Rendon is a Certified School Board Member through the Florida School Board Association (FSBA) and serves on the FSBA Legislative Liaison Committee, FSBA Policy Committee, and FSBA Equity Committee.
Mrs. Rendon desires to focus on the needs of students, parents, and teachers. Hillsborough County has great teachers and great schools. She believes it is an honor to serve in her role as a leader within her community.
Secretary: Lori Powell (Supervisor)
Secretary Phone: (813) 272-4053
Secretary Email: lori.powell@hcps.net
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District 5:
Henry “Shake” WashingtonBiography:
Henry “Shake” Washington was elected to the Hillsborough County School Board, representing District 5, in 2020 and has been elected as the Board’s Vice-Chair for two consecutive years. He is one of seven members responsible for making policy decisions and overseeing a total budget of $3.3 billion for the 7th largest school district in the nation, which is also the county’s largest employer.
Mr. Washington was born in Tampa and is a product of the Hillsborough County Public Schools. As a student, he began his education at Meacham Elementary School, continued through B.T. Washington Junior High School, and finally graduated from the original Middleton High School.
Mr. Washington attended Kentucky State University on a football scholarship. His college education was interrupted by service in the U.S. Army. However, he later graduated with a degree in education from the University of Southwest Louisiana and a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
Mr. Washington worked for 42 years in Hillsborough County Public Schools as a teacher, assistant principal, principal and an area superintendent. His community involvement is extensive, including many years of service in the church, the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, the NAACP, and the Legends Club.
Mr. Washington has been married to his wife Cheryl for 43 years. They have two children, both successful products of Hillsborough County Public Schools, and five grandchildren.
Updated: November 2023
Secretary: Maria DeJesus Columna
Secretary Phone: (813) 272-4052
Secretary Email: Maria.DeJesusColumna@hcps.net
District: 5 (Map)
Organizational Assignments:
- Hillsborough Education Foundation (Alternate)
- Juvenile Justice Board, Circuit 13
- Hillsborough African American History Task Force
- Henry B. Plant Museum (Board of Trustees)
- Council of the Great City Schools
- 100 Black Men
- American Legion Post 167
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District 6:
Karen Perez, Board ChairBiography:
Karen Perez was elected to the Hillsborough County School Board, representing countywide District 6, in 2018. She is currently the Chair of the School Board. She is one of seven members responsible for making policy decisions and overseeing a total budget of $3.3 billion for the 7th largest school district in the nation, which is also the county’s largest employer with more than 24,000 employees.
Ms. Perez holds a Masters in Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Florida and New York. She currently works with patients and families at the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital and also operates a private practice, Embracing Changes Center for Wellness.
Ms. Perez sits on the Board for the Federation of Families; the Veterans Transportation Service (VTS) Board of Directors; and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning and Straight Allies (LGBTQSA) Committee.
She is a Certified Traumatologist, Certified Compassion Fatigue Specialist, Certified Domestic Violence Counselor III, Registered Clinical Social Worker, Certified Sentence Mitigation Specialist, Clinically Certified Forensic Counselor and Certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapist.
Ms. Perez has three adult children and nine grandchildren.
Updated: June 2024
District: 6 (Map)
Organizational Assignments:
- The Family Healthcare Foundation Board
- FSBA Advocacy/Legislative Liaison (Primary)
- FSBA Board of Directors (Alternate)
- Commission on Human Trafficking
- Safe & Sound Hillsborough
- Salvation Army
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District 7:
Lynn GrayBiography:
Lynn Gray was elected to the Hillsborough County School Board, representing countywide District 7, in 2016. She served as Chair of the School Board in 2021. She is one of seven members responsible for making policy decisions and overseeing a total budget of $3.3 billion for the 7th largest school district in the nation, which is also the county’s largest employer with more than 24,000 employees. She was past SB Chair from 2021-22.
Gray was a teacher and instructional leader for 26 years in Hillsborough County. Her educational highlights include being named Teacher of the Year two times in HCPS and once in Pasco County. She was also Peer Counselor of the Year. She spent 16 years as an instructor and department head in Hillsborough County Public Schools, nine years of instruction and department head at Jesuit High School and three years as a part-time adjunct instructor for JMJ of Tampa Bay Homeschooling. Lynn Gray taught AP U.S. History, Advanced U.S. History, Psychology and Global Studies for 9th-12th grade.
Lynn previously owned her own business called Take...The First Step and was President of a non-profit children fitness advocacy club called: Take...The First Step Club. Lynn enjoys gardening and sewing. She is a long-distance runner with over 100 marathons including 12 Boston marathons.
Lynn Gray has been a strong advocate for diversity and our high-needs students. Her district wide work yielded district wide PBIS to breach the disproportionate black and brown suspensions. Plus, through the Hillsborough Healthy Schools, Hispanic Latinx Forum, and the African American History Task force resulted in district wide support of our student diversity, and importantly, the physical health and mental well-being of all students and staff.
Updated: November 2023
Secretary: Maria DeJesus Columna
Secretary Phone: (813) 272-4052
Secretary Email: Maria.DeJesusColumna@hcps.net
District: 7 (Map)
Organizational Assignments:
- Healthy Start Coalition
- Council of Governments (COG)
- Central Florida Public School Boards Coalition
- Children’s Board
- Hillsborough PBIS Discipline Committee
- 90by20 Gasparilla “Going for the Gold” Committee
- Wellness Policy Committee
- Hillsborough County African American History Task Force
- Human Trafficking Task Force
- Hispanic Needs/ Solutions Forum