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Benito Middle Leader Departs

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By KENNETH KNIGHT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 20, 2008

NEW TAMPA - When Benito Middle School students arrived Monday for the first day of school, a familiar face wasn't there to greet them.

Bobby Smith, who led the school as principal for three years, stepped down this summer to take a job in Pasco County.

Smith accepted a position from Rocky Contreras of Lutz to help launch a KnowledgePoints franchise in Land O' Lakes. KnowledgePoints is a Portland, Ore.-based chain of learning centers offering tutoring in reading, writing, math and study skills for prekindergarten to 12th-grade students, according to the company Web site.

Learning center instructors will assess each client to custom-tailor a tutorial program to fit his needs, Smith said.

The Land O' Lakes center is scheduled to open in September in the Collier Commons Plaza at State Road 54 and Collier Parkway, Smith said. He will serve as franchise director of learning.

"We saw that was an area that lent itself to that kind of venture," Smith said.

He took the job, Smith said, for the opportunity to work for a company with plans to expand to New Tampa, North Tampa and Westchase by the end of 2009. The new job also is closer to Dade City, where he lives.

Smith, who officially left Benito the first week of July, said he departed with a stack of happy memories and accomplishments.

"I certainly enjoyed the opportunity to be the principal of Benito Middle School," he said. "I have tremendous memories."

Smith, 38, started his career in 1997 as a teacher at Mann Middle School on East Jersey Avenue in Brandon.

He took over as principal at Benito Middle School on March 14, 2005. He was no stranger on campus. He had previously served as an administrative resource teacher and assistant principal at Benito for four years.

He won the MetLife Foundation's Ambassador in Education Award in May 2006. He was recognized for creating a culture of caring and community involvement at the school on Cross Creek Boulevard.

Smith was one of 21 principals nationwide to win the award that includes a $5,000 check for the school.

George Gaffney, area director for the Hillsborough County School District, said Smith would be missed.

John Sanders is the new principal at Benito.

Reporter Kenneth Knight can be reached at (813) 865-4842 or kknight@tampatrib.com.

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