Hillsborough County Schools [Archive]

HARTride 2012

July 22nd, 2007, 10:59 PM

Parents say a walk is a dangerous trek
About 200 pupils will have to walk up to 2 miles in an area not built for pedestrians.
By Saundra Amrhein
Published July 22, 2007

WIMAUMA - The cafeteria, small and hot, was packed with 100 parents and their children squirming on small seats.

The mothers and fathers -- some pushing Dora the Explorer strollers, others freshly changed from work clothes - waited patiently for the school district officials to speak.

Children living within 2 miles of Wimauma Elementary School will no longer have bus service when school starts Aug. 20, Karen Strickland, a bus system manager, told the crowd.

For many, Thursday night's meeting was the first they heard about changing school bus stops.

Strickland described a financial crunch, using words like "best practices" and "state criteria." Grim-faced parents had different issues. Sexual predators along the routes to school. Speeding trucks. Early work hours that conflict with school times. The change affects about 200 children who will now have to walk to school, up from 30 last year, according to school officials. The district deleted 17 bus stops in Wimauma as part of a pilot project for southeastern Hillsborough County that will expand to the rest of the county next school year.

Magnet schools, school choice and a shortage of bus drivers are behind the cuts, Strickland said. The state doesn't reimburse the county for transporting children who live within 2 miles of a school. State standards allow students to walk up to 2 miles to school.

How, parents asked, could school officials expect small children to walk 2 miles in a rural town with few to no sidewalks, across a highway with trucks hauling lumber and produce?

Parents grew agitated when district officials repeated answers.

"Why are we paying taxes? For this?" yelled Felipe Orenday, the father of a 7-year-old boy.

In a town where parents leave for the fields and other jobs by sunrise, children walk straight from the house to the corner bus stop. In the afternoon, many students take the bus to Bethune Park, where parents pick them up after work. That bus stop will be cut.

"There are a lot of [stray] dogs in Wimauma that are going to bite these children, a lot of bad people looking for children," said Juanita Ortiz, mother of girls ages 10 and 8.

The school opens its doors at 7:30 a.m., but parents said early work hours mean they won't be able to drive their children to school. Wimauma's roadsides are overgrown, their shoulders often strewn with broken beer bottles, they said. Cars race through the side streets, and homeless or unemployed men aimlessly roam the neighborhood in the afternoon.

Twenty-two sex offenders -including four sexual predators -- live within 5 miles of Wimauma Elementary School, according to a state law enforcement Web site.

Strickland said the district transportation department can't fix law enforcement and community problems. State Road 674 isn't considered hazardous under state guidelines, she said, and the lack of sidewalks isn't enough to warrant busing as long as shoulders and rights of way exist.

Sheriff's Maj. John Marsicano attended the meeting and told parents he would try to get a second crossing guard for children along State Road 674.

Parents talked of starting a petition, but district officials told them they aren't singling out Wimauma. Families throughout the county will go through similar changes within the next two years.

Wimauma Elementary principal Roy Moral said his families face unique problems. He spent much of Friday trying to find solutions to the busing crisis.

"Many of our parents, because either they are blue collar or migrant farm workers, they have very limited options," he said. "During season they have to be out there at 6 a.m. And if they aren't working in the local area they are being driven down to Myakka City."

The area offers limited day care options, even if the parents could afford them, he said.

"This is not a suburban area. This is a rural area," he said.

Moral is considering opening the school earlier, either 6 a.m. or 6:30 a.m., so parents have a safe place to drop off the children before they leave for work.

Saundra Amrhein can be reached at 813 661-2441 or amrhein@sptimes.com.

[Last modified July 21, 2007, 23:31:19]

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/07/22/Hillsborough/Parents_say_a_walk_is.shtml

Maxim98

July 23rd, 2007, 03:18 AM

That's a bullshit policy. They did the same thing when I was in Elementary School way back when (I'm not THAT young - out of the public school system, heh). Of course, Apollo Beach actually has sidewalks and isn't nearly as dangerous as 674. This is an utterly disgusting move by the county - that area is NOT equipped to handle small children on the side of the road. I'm so appalled by the lack of leadership. Other programs ought to be cut before BUSING is. How will children be educated if they can't get to school without risking their lives? Anyone familiar with the area would be disgusted with this....

HARTride 2012

July 25th, 2007, 05:24 AM

This is another reason why I'm glad to be out of Hillsborough Public Schools and another reason why I HATE Superentendent Elia. In my eyes, she's messing up the system...badly. First she forces secondary school teachers to work their a**es off while being paid mediocre, and now she's cutting the bus system even more than Leonard did. Elia is so insane....I don't understand it.

I-275westcoastfl

July 26th, 2007, 05:36 AM

JBrisco

July 26th, 2007, 05:48 AM

They've been doing this in Pinellas for a while except with the idiots who run pinellas county school its ok to walk 2 miles to a bus stop at 5 am and then go to a school 10 miles away. Pinellas counties choice program is alot worse and at least in Hillsborough you are zoned to a school and you wont be stuffed in a school that is far away and not by choice. Im just glad i have a car and dont rely on a bus or the stupid county. I no longer go 10 miles to a school now luckily i can go to a school 5 miles away even though i have a school less then a mile from me. I doubt hillsborough county schools are as fucked up as pinellas county schools.

You have no clue.
The closest school to me was 7 miles from my house, which took me a total of 45 minutes to go to every morning by car. (Btw, I was forced to go to this school because the closest school was infact East Lake not Sickles, I live in H.C though so I was zoned for a school that takes forever to get to)
Why? A mixture of things. Traffic being the major issue.
Upon this, My school was built cheap!!!
Why? Because the company who does schools in H.C gets paid 20 million dollars to build the schools under a certaint ammount. This is for 2 reasons, one of the super intendents husband is the head of the company that does all the schools in HC. And what do you know, he also does addons, which for my school has had 2 so far.
Atleast Pinellas county schools don't look like Prisons, I mean just look at East Lake.
Take a look at Alonso H.S on Waters and Montague, Sickles on Gunn and Sheldon, Wharton, all the schools look stupid and most of the time were built smaller so the same contracter could get more work.
My mom is a teacher in H.C, for Sickles infact, my alma mater now :) Thank god. But anywho, from what my mom has heard from Pinellas, the pay is better, and the school system is better. H.C is a really bad school county.
Forgot to mention my school was over 120% over crowded. So It was indeed stuffed, as a Senior I was given a portable home room. That doesn't seem right. Oh but we had 18 portables too.

HARTride 2012

July 26th, 2007, 06:26 AM

I drove by my elementary alma-mater (Roosevelt Elementary) the other day, and there are three more new classrooms, right on the Phys Ed field. That's on top of another three recently completed classrooms, and a eight classroom wing that was constructed in the 70s. It is schools like Roosevelt and Plant that have me outraged. While Roosevelt is nearing capacity pretty fast, Plant is bursting at its seams with nowhere else to expand. Roosevelt has now reached this pickle and I have a feeling it will be overcrowded within five years if S. Tampa growth continues to be as it is. Even Coleman, Monroe, etc are begining to near capcity again, despite expansions over the recent years. The only S. Tampa school, south of Kennedy that is under capacity is Robinson. So I wreckon that school will see some major expansion over the next ten years. That and a new elementary school within the next ten years, and another middle school within the next fifteen years.

I-275westcoastfl

July 26th, 2007, 07:32 AM

You have no clue.
The closest school to me was 7 miles from my house, which took me a total of 45 minutes to go to every morning by car. (Btw, I was forced to go to this school because the closest school was infact East Lake not Sickles, I live in H.C though so I was zoned for a school that takes forever to get to)
Why? A mixture of things. Traffic being the major issue.
Upon this, My school was built cheap!!!
Why? Because the company who does schools in H.C gets paid 20 million dollars to build the schools under a certaint ammount. This is for 2 reasons, one of the super intendents husband is the head of the company that does all the schools in HC. And what do you know, he also does addons, which for my school has had 2 so far.
Atleast Pinellas county schools don't look like Prisons, I mean just look at East Lake.
Take a look at Alonso H.S on Waters and Montague, Sickles on Gunn and Sheldon, Wharton, all the schools look stupid and most of the time were built smaller so the same contracter could get more work.
My mom is a teacher in H.C, for Sickles infact, my alma mater now :) Thank god. But anywho, from what my mom has heard from Pinellas, the pay is better, and the school system is better. H.C is a really bad school county.
Forgot to mention my school was over 120% over crowded. So It was indeed stuffed, as a Senior I was given a portable home room. That doesn't seem right. Oh but we had 18 portables too.
OK well that sucks but you were zoned to that school, zoning itself isnt exactly flawless either. But if you live in HC then you wouldnt go to East Lake since its in pinellas county. Also i dont know how you can use East Lake as an average standard of schools in pinellas. East Lake is one of if not the nicest school in pinellas county and is mostly upper middle class and rich people and not to mention the area surrounding it is also wealthy. You need to go look at other schools in the county like largo or clearwater high. Those schools have mold, rats, and just outdated.

But in pinellas county we have a "choice program" which supposedly you can choose a school that meets your educational needs. Well instead most of the time middle class students get screwed over going to a school that they didnt want to go to and thats far away. But damn 45 mins to go 7 miles you must have hit some heavy traffic. Back when i had to go to largo from north clearwater(10 miles) it took me 25-30 mins on average to get there. I guess they both suck but from what i heard from people who do live in hillsborough county is they are close to their schools usually. Maybe you just didnt luck out?

Maxim98

July 26th, 2007, 05:43 PM

I went to TBT, where they've recently spent a rumored $12 million on a "renovation" of existing facilities. Luckily, the school isn't at capacity and the 55 acre campus provides plenty of room to grow. This renovation was the joke, though - the occasional coat of new paint, new (read: cheap) flooring and ceiling panels, and a new air conditioning system (also selected on a budget). Good updates, sure. Lots of the electrical work needed help, and it's important that it be updated. But for that cost? Seriously?

HCO schools are decent - not the best, but decent. But the lack of interest the community has in PAYING for the SERVICES they receive is utterly frustrating. They're undermining the ability of the next generation to have adequate access to a proper education because they're not properly funding the system - not enough cash goes into it, and not enough of it is spent wisely thanks to inadequate management.

It's really quite disappointing, but it could be much, much worse. I do feel that I received a solid education from HCO, but that's more because I chased opportunities to learn outside of the classroom and I have a certain talent for it. For the less motivated student, I can't help but worry.

cwat212

July 26th, 2007, 09:29 PM

^^ You guys under 20 won't remember this but the Lottery was sold to the public as the savior to the public school system in Fla. It didn't take long for the gov't to redirect the $$$ previously used for schools to other things....

It ain't about payin' our fair share....it's about our government's ability to spend the money in a sound and fiscal way - That is the problem. Private schools do a much better job educating for around 1/2 the cost per student. It's not a Dem/Rep or Local/Federal thing, it's a beaurocracy thing!

you nailed it here : "not enough of it is spent wisely thanks to inadequate management."

HARTride 2012

July 27th, 2007, 02:04 AM

That's why I hate most of the politicians in Tampa, let alone Florida, and the United States. They'll argue over major issues but never pass anything good, just b.s. pork and other stupid stuff.

I-275westcoastfl

July 27th, 2007, 03:45 AM

^^Not to mention make things so they end up making money somehow.

HARTride 2012

July 27th, 2007, 04:28 AM

^^Not to mention make things so they end up making money somehow.

That's one of the only thing a lot of politicians care about these days, getting lots of money, making friends with the rich, giving the rich more perks, pork spending, and the list goes on... I am so fed up with this b.s.

Well, enough of this political crap. This thread is focused on the schools of Hillsborough County and I want to keep it that way. Not to be mean to anyone, but Jason starts ranting when threads get off topic.

HARTride 2012

July 28th, 2007, 06:20 PM

School Choice Receives $1.2 Million Grant
By MARILYN BROWN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 28, 2007

TAMPA - Hillsborough County schools will have an extra $1.2 million this year to build the district's choice programs.

The federal grant, announced Friday by the U.S. Department of Education, could mean another $12 million for Hillsborough during the next five years if federal funding continues. This year's money will be used to build more stringent college prep programs in middle and high schools and to add several unique programs to specific schools, Superintendent MaryEllen Elia said Friday.

Programs will be designed to increase participation in the district's own 'controlled choice' plan, offering parents a choice of where to send their children to school, as well as a separate school choice plan under the federal No Child Left Behind law.

Elia said these moves are in the planning stages:

•Adding a health administration academy at Tampa Bay Technical High School tied to programs at the University of South Florida. It could begin during the 2007-08 school year

•Add single-gender classes to James Elementary School in Tampa in cooperation with Academy Prep Center in Tampa

•Implement Bank Street curriculum at Temple Terrace Elementary in partnership with Trinity Charter School. The curriculum, recognized internationally, is used at Trinity. It is less structured, involving students in real-world activities such as setting up mock communities within the school.

•Strengthening math, science and technology programs at McLane and Madison middle schools and Spoto High School.

The competitive grant was part of $25 million this year awarded to 14 states, school districts or partnerships. Miami-Dade public schools and the state Department of Education also were grant recipients, with Hillsborough getting the highest amount in Florida. The district received a similar choice grant in 2002.

The money also may be used to notify parents of choice options and provide student transportation. Hillsborough plans to simplify its choice application process.

Reporter Marilyn Brown can be reached at (813) 259-8069 or mbrown@tampatrib.com.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/jul/28/me-school-choice-receives-12-million-grant/?news-metro

HARTride 2012

July 29th, 2007, 01:20 AM

"Hillsborough County Public Schools...All our schools are great!"

Anyone notice the marquees at many Hillsborough schools over the summer? That wording is such b.s!

JBrisco

July 29th, 2007, 03:18 AM

I laugh everytime I go by a school in H.C.
You know its funny I heard a guidance counsoler saying how H.C was screwing our students out of college because of some of the lame policies they have that make other counties appear better than us.
That could be one of the reasons I got denied from U.F even though I had a 4.0 gpa.
I'm sorry I jumped the gun on PC and made them better then they are, but I did forget how tough the streets are over there compaired to Tampa, who's streets are much weaker than they used to be. But that does not excuse the fact that our schools are built cheap, bad, and undersized on purpose.

Its funny when you see the shitty schools with it too, I'd only believe it if the only schools I saw were Hillsborough, Plant, Woodrow, Gorey, Lee or any of the other historic gorgeous schools. But when you have ulgy bohemiths like Sickles... Its hard to believe it.
You know whats really funny is My dad helps get famous wrestlers (in WWE or just in the world of amateur wrestling) to come down and teach, they always got lost trying to get to Sickles because they thought it was a Prison.
Its hard to have an enviroment indusive to learning when your enviroment appears to be a prison, when you're treated like prsioners and when the school appears to be in the ghetto, even though its clearly not. (Refering to how awful some of the students are at Sickles who helped us become the #1 school for drug users and sellers in Hillsborough County)

Lemonhead II

July 31st, 2007, 03:41 AM

I agree HCO Schools are going down the drain.

I live off Boyette Rd -- technically, in the county's view, walkable distance to Riverveiw High -- but what are they doing this year? Cutting buses to my neighbourhood AND expanding Boyette Rd.

Ive already walked to locations near the school from my house and the walk in a long, hard one, due to traffic and the construction. A lack of safe sidewalks doesnt help.

So i agree that many things are going wrong... and ask many teachers and students -- FCAT is a joke.

The entire state educational system needs a major overhaul.

HARTride 2012

July 31st, 2007, 02:45 PM

HARTride 2012

July 31st, 2007, 06:04 PM

Hillsborough schools lose 4,300 kids
The enrollment skid means the board may cancel new schools.
By MIKE BRASSFIELD, Times Staff Writer
Published July 31, 2007

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TAMPA -- A couple of years ago, Hillsborough school officials were so worried about overcrowded campuses that they talked about double sessions, a year-round school calendar, raising taxes and bringing in more portable classrooms.

But this school year, enrollment will likely drop by nearly 4,300 students -- an extraordinary reversal after nearly a quarter-century of unstopped growth.

The main reason for the change: Families are avoiding Florida because of the rising cost of living here, officials say.

"The last couple of years, with insurance rates and housing costs, we aren't as inexpensive as we used to be," said Jim Hosler, a demographer hired by the school district to examine enrollment trends.

On Monday, the Hillsborough School Board learned that enrollment is expected to fall from 187,205 students last year to 182,910 this year. Board members also heard their demographer's forecast of slower growth over the next several years.

So today, they're expected to vote on a plan to scale back the district's school construction schedule -- canceling a planned high school and two elementary schools, and delaying two middle schools.

"We won't need another high school for 20 years" after two new high schools open in 2009, said Cathy Valdes, the district's chief facilities officer.

School districts all over Florida are losing students. Last year was the third consecutive year that fewer students showed up statewide than were expected.

Building still needed

Pinellas County faces what could be the steepest decline in its 95-year history and may close a handful of schools next year. Its student population has fallen three years in a row.

But Hillsborough, the eighth-largest school district in the country, isn't used to this. The last time it didn't grow was 24 years ago, when enrollment dipped by 525 students in 1983.

Nevertheless, Hillsborough will still be building plenty of new schools and adding wings to existing ones. More construction is needed to meet class size caps and take the pressure off crowded schools in some parts of the county.

Besides opening four new elementary schools in August, the district plans to build six more elementary and two middle schools through 2011, according to the proposal the School Board is to vote on today.

Two high schools are slated to open in 2009 -- one on Lutz-Lake Fern Road in northwest Hillsborough and another at a three-school complex along Interstate 4 in Dover.

All told, the district plans to spend $314-million in tax money to construct those schools, add eight classroom wings to existing ones, and remodel 24 other schools, said Valdes, the district's facilities chief.

However, the district will cancel another high school that it had planned to build by 2011 somewhere in north Hillsborough to relieve pressure from Chamberlain, Freedom, Gaither and Wharton high schools.

Decade from a boom

Officials will likely cancel elementary schools in New Tampa and Thonotosassa that were to open in 2011 and 2012, according to the district's latest forecast.

They'll also postpone middle schools in the southern and eastern reaches of the county -- from a planned opening date in 2010 to sometime between 2012 and 2016.

In another decade, though, expect another boom -- an echo of the original baby boom.

Student enrollments should start to rise dramatically again as baby boomers' grandchildren walk into kindergarten classrooms, predicted Hosler, the district's demographer.

The district's long-range plan calls for adding 20 more elementary schools between 2017 and 2027.

Said Hosler, "There is a large freight train of schoolchildren coming your way."

Mike Brassfield can be reached at brassfield@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3435.

FAST FACTS: Hillsborough County school enrollment
Past years' totals and predictions for the future:

2003-04: 174,021
2004-05: 181,219
2005-06: 186,501
2006-07: 187,205
2007-08: 182,910
2008-09: 184,016
2009-10: 185,878

[Last modified July 31, 2007, 01:19:21]

cwat212

July 31st, 2007, 07:23 PM

No child left behind is a bigger joke! These tests (like the FCAT) don't work and neither does punishing schools that don't do well on these stupid tests. These systems need a serious overhaul. Of course don't expect anything big to happen until President Bush leaves office...he won't change anything on the education system...

What don't you like about it? Are the tests too hard? I've heard many negative and positive veiws about the act.

Why blame Bush though? He didn't write the law - Ted Kennedy (Dem) did. Also, he didn't vote for the law - the House and the Senate did.

The Senate passed it 87 yes, 10 no, 3 not voting. Including a few running for president now and in the past: YES VOTES: Edwards (D-NC) , Clinton (D-NY), Dodd (D-CT), Kerry (D-MA)

Both our Senators voted YES - Graham (D-FL) , Nelson (D-FL)

House was 384 yes to 45 no. Again it wasn't even close.

So if Congress did want to change or overhaul the law they would have. It has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Bush is still in office. The Democrats are the majority in both the House and Senate now. It makes no difference, they all voted yes on the act. If you don't like the act you really are missing half of the problem by just blaming Bush. :)

edit to show link: http://www.nsba.org/site/doc.asp?TRACKID=&VID=2&CID=1845&DID=38600

Quegiebo

August 1st, 2007, 03:26 PM

^^ Really? Sen. Kennedy was the only one who wrote the legislation? I didn't know that. Were there no co-sponsors? Were there no house/senate committee hearings or conferences with Bush administration officials to help construct the bill and work out compromises? I'm just curious...

I'm in total agreement that the democrats who now control the legislative branch have yet to step up to the plate to amend and improve the legislation; but to be fair, both parties are equally responisible for the benefits and consequences of NCLB. As you correctly point out, the legislation passed by overwhelming majorities. I guess I'm just saying let's all be fair about this... simmer-dan-nah. ;)

Soooo many questions: :bash:

So how does NCLB affect the hills. county school system? Overall, does it benefit our students, or hinder the learning process? What role does accountability play in the learning process? Should teachers be held accountable? Should students be held accountable? Should parents be held accountable? Should we allow students who don't "meet the grade" an automatic free pass to the next school grade just so their school can receive desparately needed federal funding for the next school year? How does that benefit the child who doesn't meet the grade? How does that benefit society?

Should we require four years of civics lessons in our schools, wherein we provide an avenue for students to be able to register to vote before they graduate from high school? If so, would it make a difference? Better yet, would they be more apt to vote and become politically/socially aware? Does it matter whether or not our children know whom their respective senators and representatives are? At a minimum, should they know who's governor; who's president; who's vice president? And since many do not, who's to blame? Teachers? Parents? President Bush? Ted Kennedy? Ted Stevens? Princess Leah?

Should we print out copies of the bill and have our students read through the plan to see if they're able to comprehend what they've read? Better yet, should we demand that our senators and representatives read through the entire plan before they vote on it to see what "vision" or "monster" they've created? :lol:

Just some food for thought they may require its own thread... :)

HARTride 2012

August 1st, 2007, 03:38 PM

What don't you like about it? Are the tests too hard? I've heard many negative and positive veiws about the act.

Why blame Bush though? He didn't write the law - Ted Kennedy (Dem) did. Also, he didn't vote for the law - the House and the Senate did.

The Senate passed it 87 yes, 10 no, 3 not voting. Including a few running for president now and in the past: YES VOTES: Edwards (D-NC) , Clinton (D-NY), Dodd (D-CT), Kerry (D-MA)

Both our Senators voted YES - Graham (D-FL) , Nelson (D-FL)

House was 384 yes to 45 no. Again it wasn't even close.

So if Congress did want to change or overhaul the law they would have. It has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that Bush is still in office. The Democrats are the majority in both the House and Senate now. It makes no difference, they all voted yes on the act. If you don't like the act you really are missing half of the problem by just blaming Bush. :)

edit to show link: http://www.nsba.org/site/doc.asp?TRACKID=&VID=2&CID=1845&DID=38600

The US Congress is another reason why our govt is so f***ed up. When the people want change, many times they don't get it. Just a bunch of b.s. The Republicans did nothing the substatially change no child left behind, and neither will the "bogus" democratic congress. Its stupid.

cwat212

August 1st, 2007, 04:26 PM

Quiegbo - Teddy was the main sponsor but I am sure others were involved and I know the Bush admin was involved....but that was my point. Let's be fair about this and blaming only Bush for the problems is to forget about everyone else who was involved. I am tired of the free passes for the people that actually create laws, vote on them and appropriate spending.

I really do not know if it is good or bad legislation at this point. I know I hear some teachers complaining....is that because it makes their job harder? Should there be accountability, Yes in my opinion. Of course kids don't want to take hard tests or study for them. Everything needs to be tweeked here and there. Let's have an honest discussion and try and fix the problems. But until we all can be honest and stop playing the blame game which is extremely popular in Washington.....nothing will get done.

I think alot of the problems are because our schools decided that everyone is equal....(Not talking race here, talking smarts :) ). Not all students are college material and there is absolutely no shame in learning a trade. Our schools spend more time and resources on the trouble makers than they do on the kids who actually want to learn.

cwat212

August 1st, 2007, 04:29 PM

The US Congress is another reason why our govt is so f***ed up. When the people want change, many times they don't get it. Just a bunch of b.s. The Republicans did nothing the substatially change no child left behind, and neither will the "bogus" democratic congress. Its stupid.

You got it. As soon as they get elected they start working on getting RE-Elected. There is a problem there.

Want to see something interesting? Go to the link in my post a couple back and see the house and senate members who voted YES to the NCLB act and then voted NO on funding the act.

Absolutely unbelievable. :ohno:

HARTride 2012

August 1st, 2007, 11:11 PM

You got it. As soon as they get elected they start working on getting RE-Elected. There is a problem there.

Want to see something interesting? Go to the link in my post a couple back and see the house and senate members who voted YES to the NCLB act and then voted NO on funding the act.

Absolutely unbelievable. :ohno:

Yes, just like they voted YES to the border wall with Mexico and NO to funding it. Two different issues. Same f***ng outcome. It's OUTRAGEOUS!

Yes, you have definite point on the first line. As soon as our politicans are elected. They want to get re-elected so badly so they can win the support of who else??? THE RICH! THE FILTHY F***ING RICH! I am so fed up with our govt catering to nonsense, rich special interest groups, power hungry corporations, budding developers, and other wealthy entities and people, oh and of course protecting their own "reputation". When it comes down to the wire. President Bush is NOT a Republican. He is a OIL MAN who wants nothing but for the US to continue it's dependence on foreign oil, leave our military in a big, f***ing mess in Iraq, and not care one bit about the middle and lower classes. But the US Congress, yes...is even WORSE. They don't pass any legislation that DOESN'T appeal to special interest groups and the rich folks, stuff so much b.s. pork into bills that they are about to blow up, argue amongst each other for silly things, and the list goes on...

Just be thankful our congress is not at the level of certain govts in some countries where their members of congress literally have fist fights when things get out of hand. And hopefully our congress will never reach that point. But things are pretty bad now and they're only expected to get worse in my view. I now HATE Nancy Pelosi and the dems cause they vowed to the American people that they would present "change" to the country and yet they haven't done s***! It infuriates me a lot when the US congress doesn't do anything but cater to their own needs and the needs of the rich. It's so f***ing crazy!

HARTride 2012

August 2nd, 2007, 01:46 AM

BTW I want both Nancy Pelosi and Rhonda Storms to be unseated from their posts! If what's her name wants to run against Pelosi in 08, so be it. I will support her the whole way. As for Storms, I don't see anything good that she has helped legislate in the state senate. I think of her as a dumba** witch who does nothing but complain and rant endlessly about issues and insults good politicians like Kathy Castor. In my view, she should have never been elected to the state senate in the first place and now that she's there anyway. That she should be ousted...along with the other corrupt FL politicians, Pelosi, and the other corrupt politicians in D.C.

Quegiebo

August 2nd, 2007, 04:37 AM

Yes, just like they voted YES to the border wall with Mexico and NO to funding it. Two different issues. Same f***ng outcome. It's OUTRAGEOUS!

Yes, you have definite point on the first line. As soon as our politicans are elected. They want to get re-elected so badly so they can win the support of who else??? THE RICH! THE FILTHY F***ING RICH! I am so fed up with our govt catering to nonsense, rich special interest groups, power hungry corporations, budding developers, and other wealthy entities and people, oh and of course protecting their own "reputation". When it comes down to the wire. President Bush is NOT a Republican. He is a OIL MAN who wants nothing but for the US to continue it's dependence on foreign oil, leave our military in a big, f***ing mess in Iraq, and not care one bit about the middle and lower classes. But the US Congress, yes...is even WORSE. They don't pass any legislation that DOESN'T appeal to special interest groups and the rich folks, stuff so much b.s. pork into bills that they are about to blow up, argue amongst each other for silly things, and the list goes on...

Just be thankful our congress is not at the level of certain govts in some countries where their members of congress literally have fist fights when things get out of hand. And hopefully our congress will never reach that point. But things are pretty bad now and they're only expected to get worse in my view. I now HATE Nancy Pelosi and the dems cause they vowed to the American people that they would present "change" to the country and yet they haven't done s***! It infuriates me a lot when the US congress doesn't do anything but cater to their own needs and the needs of the rich. It's so f***ing crazy!

Damn, wslupecki... can I borrow that broad brush you're using when you're finished? I'm working on a dark and jaded creation of my own... :cheers:

Does anyone know where hills. county schools rank among other districts in the nation? Is it really that bad? :(

HARTride 2012

August 2nd, 2007, 07:12 PM

I love ranting about how bad Hillsborough's public school system is. I never really paid any attention to how bad things were getting until Elia came in. Leonnard wasn't as bad in my opinion. He did a lot of good things for the school system, but also some bad things. One of the bad things was getting rid of courtesy bussing in many areas of the county. Now Elia is messing things up even more. I listed in an earlier post, two ways she is messing things up. I don't even like what Elia is doing with the school websites. Making all the schools use the same boring template for their websites. That in my eyes limits their web design classes' creativity. Frankly, I think the template thing was started when Leonnard was at the helm, but Elia has seemed to make it a priority.

FloridaFuture

August 2nd, 2007, 11:39 PM

Does anyone know where hills. county schools rank among other districts in the nation? Is it really that bad? :(

Actually don't know how accurate it is but according ot this (http://mapsg.edweek.org/edweekv2/default.jsp) interactive map for the '03-'04 school year, Hillsborough county has a 75.1 graduation rate compared to the 69.9 national and 60.5 state graduation percentage.

Now that doesn't mean graduation isn't easier in Hillsborough then other districts. ;)

Now on an opinionated factor, being I'm still in Hillsborung county schools, I would say a lot of the rules and organization methods they're coming up with are BS. That doesn't neccesarily effect how good the schools are at teaching though.

FloridaFuture

August 6th, 2007, 05:35 PM

Hillsborough County Public Schools was recognized by the Tampa Bay Partnership for achieving the highest graduation rate among the Top 25 Metro Areas in the U.S. A “Bigger, Bolder, Better Special Achievement” Award was presented to Superintendent MaryEllen Elia by Tampa Bay Partnership Chair Dr. Judy Genshaft at the Partnership’s Board Meeting held July 27, 2007 at the USF Research Park. Here are the rankings:

Rank
Metro/City
School Distrcit
Graduation Rate
Enrollment

1
Tampa, FL
Hillsborough County
75.1
181,900
2
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Unified
73.1
57,805
3
Seattle, WA
Seattle School District
67.6
47,588
4
San Diego, CA
San Diego Unified
61.6
137,960
5
Phoenix, AZ
Phoenix Union High School District
58.3
23,989
6
Washington, DC
District of Columbia Public Schools
58.2
65,099
7
Boston, MA
Boston School District
57.0
60,150
8
Riverside, CA
Riverside County Unified
56.5
42,012
9
Houston, TX
Houston Independent School District
54.6
211,499
10
Portland, OR
Portland School District 1J
53.6
48,344
11
Chicago, IL
City of Chicago School District 299
51.5
434,419
12
Pittsburgh, PA
Pittsburgh School District
50.7
34,658
13
Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia City School District
49.6
189,779
14
Miami, FL
Dade County School District
49.0
371,785
15
St. Louis, MO
St. Louis City School District
47.7
40,827
16
Denver, CO
Denver County 1
46.3
72,100
17
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta City
46.0
52,103
18
Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles Unified
45.3
747,009
19
New York, NY
New York City Public Schools
45.2
1,023,674
20
Dallas, TX
Dallas Independent School District
44.4
160,584
21
Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis School District
43.7
43,397
22
Cincinnati, OH
Cincinnati City School District
42.0
40,374
23
Baltimore, MD
Baltimore City Public School System
34.6
94,049
24
Cleveland, OH
Cleveland Municipal School District
34.1
69,655
25
Detroit, MI
Detroit City School District
24.9
153,034

Source: EPE Research Center & Education Week's Diplomas

Count 07

http://www.tampasdowntown.com/newsletter.aspx?newid=67

cwat212

August 6th, 2007, 07:00 PM

Wow. Surprised that Hills County is the 7th largest school district in the country. Miami was the 4th.

Pretty sad that 1/2 the cities are below 50%.

HARTride 2012

August 6th, 2007, 07:54 PM

^^
Agreed. But like FLFuture said, this doesn't mean that it is easier for students to graduate in Hillsborough than it is in other districts. Especially now that Elia is messing things up with the secondary teachers having to teach almost all their class periods. Many of the block schools (ie: Robinson) will have to either hold a hybrid block/traditional schedule or convert to traditional altogether. Which means less opportunities for students in those schools to obtain more than just the 24 required credits for graduation.

HARTride 2012

August 11th, 2007, 03:31 AM

August 10, 2007
Hillsborough: School Board v. County
The Hillsborough School Board filed a long-expected lawsuit Friday against Hillsborough County, asking for a judge’s ruling on who has to pay for roads and sidewalks around new campuses.

School and county officials disagree about the burden that can be placed on the school district under state law. The dispute has threatened to delay the planning and the construction of new schools.

In the lawsuit, school officials say they are responsible for “only those improvements which are adjacent to or immediately abutting the school site.” They note that the county recently has attempted to make the district pay for a larger share.

But the School Board is not asking a judge to make the county pay. It merely wants a declaration clarifying the district’s responsibility under law.

School Board attorney Tom Gonzalez said the county has 60 days to respond. He expects it will take the courts several months to resolve the issue. Read the lawsuit here: Download countylawsuit.doc

August 10, 2007 in Hillsborough County | Permalink

http://blogs.tampabay.com/schools/2007/08/hillsborough--1.html

HARTride 2012

September 17th, 2007, 03:48 PM

Consultant: Schools Short On Nurses
By MARILYN BROWN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 17, 2007

TAMPA - The Hillsborough County School District is facing a serious nursing shortage that Superintendent MaryEllen Elia should do more to address, a former top administrator says.

Mary Ellen Gillette, the district's former student services director who retired in 2002, said the shortage - and Elia's dismissive response to complaints by nurses - pose a hazard to the district's 192,000 students.

'Our community will soon recognize that Supt. Elia's actions are detrimental to the health and well-being of our children,' Gillette wrote to The Tampa Tribune. 'This is truly an unfortunate development.'

Gillette, who worked in the district for 27 years, knows what she's talking about, said Sandy Gallogly, the district's supervisor of school health services, one of Gillette's former jobs.

'She is the personification of school health services throughout Florida,' Gallogly said. 'She is an icon.'

In all, 68 nurses and health assistants have quit since August 2006, leaving 248 to cover 222 public schools.

Elia said Friday that there is no shortage, and that complaints from nurses are overblown. She said she has authorized the addition of six licensed practical nurses and will fill the positions of two registered nurses who recently quit.

'I have committed to making sure that we have one health professional at every site,' Elia said, noting some school districts don't have that.

Frustrated by a hiring freeze that depleted the number of nurses and health assistants, nurses met with Elia three weeks ago to express concerns. They said it's not safe for students in public schools who need medical attention.

Elia responded with a letter published Sept. 6 in the Tribune that took issue with the complaints, saying the staffing levels were adequate. She suggested some of the duties handled by nurses such as student height and weight measurements could be handled in the classroom or by hiring retired part-time nurses.

'Our medically fragile children will get the medical supervision they need,' Elia wrote. 'Other children will have a health care provider available for minor medical issues in case of an emergency.'

Nurses Outraged

The letter outraged many of the nurses.

'I think we were all upset with her response,' said Linda Edinger, a registered nurse for 37 years, nine in Hillsborough schools. 'The fragility comes in with the student who walks in with an issue you know nothing about. You can't plan for that.'

In addition to dealing with more students with seizures, diabetes, asthma and allergies, nurses recount helping students who had miscarriages in bathrooms, were victims of sexual abuse or had undiagnosed health needs because the family had no doctor or insurance.

Edinger supervises a health assistant at each of four elementary schools - Collins, Ruskin, Cypress Creek and Summerfield - and a licensed practical nurse at Sessums Elementary. She also splits her time with another nurse at Cimino Elementary.

Edinger said the district's recent claim that there is a nurse or health assistant at every school isn't true. The health assistant assigned to Collins has to work at Sessums two days a week, she said, because there are so many students at Sessums with special needs.

Elia's written response in the newspaper also pushed Gillette to speak out about the loss of two programs she helped develop.

One program made sure there was at least one health care professional in each school under supervision of a registered nurse. The other was the Healthy Student program in high schools and middle schools that allowed parents to sign up to have the district dispense over-the-counter drugs such as Tylenol or Motrin when needed. It ended this school year. Students now need a prescription or physician's note to have over-the-counter drugs dispensed.

'Both programs have been unsystematically dismantled by Supt. Elia,' Gillette wrote. 'Her actions have resulted in resignations, alienation and fear on the parts of those who work to provide student health programs.'

The district also is ignoring the Nurse Practice Act, which requires licensed practical nurses and health assistants be trained and supervised by a registered nurse, nurse practitioner or physician, Gillette said.

Three registered nurses have resigned in the past couple of weeks, although one, Karen Tanski, agreed to stay when offered a reassignment to a high school rather than overseeing three elementaries plus a middle school.

District Can Hire 6 LPNs

Elia approved hiring six additional licensed practical nurses at a cost of $195,000 for the remainder of the school year, said Nelson Luis, who oversees student health services. He said he requested eight but is happy to have six and be able to replace the two registered nurses who left.

As of Friday, the district was updating assignments based on those additions, Luis said.

Gallogly said a few registered nurses will be assigned to just one school, but some will oversee more schools than they do now. She credited Gillette with helping secure the additional licensed practical nurse positions after she volunteered to review the district's current plan in August.

Gillette has been hired as a district consultant several times since her retirement, but she did the recent review at no charge after hearing from nurses in the field.

Her detailed assessment and possible solutions for the district's shrinking health care services were delivered Sept. 4 to Gallogly, Luis and their boss, Gwen Luney, Gillette said. Her report included ways to tap other community and district resources for funding as well as savings from shortening the annual calendar of some nurses during summer months.

'I've heard nothing,' Gillette said late Friday.

Elia said Friday that she knew Gillette had a plan, but she had not seen it.

Luis said the district plans to adopt some of Gillette's suggestions, such as looking for additional funding sources in the community.

Registered nurse Carol Butts said this is the first year she has had to care for the 2,130 students at Riverview High with no assistance. Some 27 students may have seizures at any time. Several require daily procedures such as catheterization, and up to 10 students at a time line up in the portable classroom clinic.

Because she can't leave students alone, Butts said she is being moved near the main office so an adult is nearby to stay with students when she is needed elsewhere.

'In two weeks I'm being taken out of my wonderful portable with four cots and a 10-by-10 privacy square to move to a tiny office in student affairs with two beds and no cabinets,' Butts said. 'I can't do it like this - I can't do it by myself.'

'We've got to figure out a way for this to work,' Butts said. 'I just want it to be OK for the kids.'

Reporter Marilyn Brown can be reached at (813) 259-8069 or mbrown@tampatrib.com.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/sep/17/me-consultant-schools-short-on-nurses1/?news-metro

HARTride 2012

September 17th, 2007, 04:00 PM

^^
This is totally ridiculous! Its bad enough that Hillsborough has the "Healthy Student Program", which I don't mind so much. BUT if a student does not sign up for it, the nurses CAN'T do squat. But having an inefficient amount of school nurses is completely unacceptable. Now I really know why Johnson and Johnson keeps running those ads on TV. The nursing shortage doesn't just hit the hospital realm, it hits hard on public schools too. I hate even the thought of one nurse, running around to four different schools in one day.

This is nonsense!

Of course, I cannot put all the blame on the nurses. Most of the nurses we do have, do a good job at what they do and I do support what a difference they make in people's lives. I must place most of this blame on Elia and the rest of the upper tier of HCPS for not doing enough on their part to monitor the nursing situation and recruit more nurses prior to the whole property tax bonanza. Now thier hands are practically tied because the county has to keep cutting back for all the luxuries they purchased during the condo boom. 6 new LPNs for the rest of this school year ain't going to cut it. HCPS is driving their nurses to the point of exaustion, just like they're doing to the high school teachers with that b.s. clause. This is totally unacceptable on HCPS's part.

This is yet another reason I hate HCPS.

HARTride 2012

September 20th, 2007, 03:02 AM

I was surfing channels earlier this evening and saw on CH 18 that the County Commission is considering cutting funds for the Education Channel. Then I logged on to the channel's website and saw the full story.

IMMEDIATE CALL TO ACTION

The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners are debating the existence of THE EDUCATION CHANNEL and whether or not it should continue to serve the people of our community.
Currently, the County Administrator has recommended eliminating all funding to Tampa Educational Cable Consortium which would cripple the essential services of The Education Channel and The Explorer Channel. The motivation as insinuated by a Tampa Tribune article (Public Access Cuts Set Stage For Slams By ELLEN GEDALIUS The Tampa Tribune July 25, 2007), to save general funds i.e. property tax, serves as a thin disguise for the real underlying intent of appropriating The Education Channel's programming.
The BOCC has flagged our organization for further discussion. While the County gives itself raises, they dismantle important educational and cultural infrastructure cultivated over a period of 20 years.
Please call or email your commissioners today. They will be meeting again on Tuesday July 31 to decide whether to add our organization into the '08 budget or eliminate it entirely.
Calls are very important but emphasize that the BOCC should continue to support the organization, not just the programs, as I said, they are very interested in usurping the programs we've already created and for which we are nationally recognized.

http://www.tecc.tv/frame.html
=======================
I don't know what kind of b.s. this is this time. But the commissioners are certainly neglecting these educational programs to give themselves more luxuries. This is totally ridiculous! OPINIONS ANYONE?

JBrisco

September 20th, 2007, 06:14 AM

randommichael

September 20th, 2007, 07:25 PM

Wow, reading this thread makes me glad I always went to private school! Sheesh!

HARTride 2012

September 20th, 2007, 08:16 PM

BLA! THe nurses at my High School are such bitches, I them. They were biligerant with me, and incredibly rude.

I think HC wants us to get STUPID!!!

Sorry to hear that. The nurse at my elementary school was very sweet and caring. The one at my middle school I didn't see all that much because she ran to other schools sometimes. And the one at my high school was kind of all right.

FloridaFuture

September 21st, 2007, 12:19 AM

BLA! THe nurses at my High School are such bitches, I hate them. They were biligerant with me, and incredibly rude.

Yea and maybe clueless is what I would say too. They are definitley pets of the administration (a way for them to u-turn you back into class even if you're feeling bad) and makes the nurses look uncarring. They'll try to send you back to class no matter how you feel. (unless you're throwing up everywhere) I had a headache and stomach cramps the other day and they gave me a peppermint and told me to go back to class. :hammer:

FloridaFuture

September 21st, 2007, 12:39 AM

Its funny when you see the shitty schools with it too, I'd only believe it if the only schools I saw were Hillsborough, Plant, Woodrow, Gorey, Lee or any of the other historic gorgeous schools. But when you have ulgy bohemiths like Sickles... Its hard to believe it.

You know whats really funny is My dad helps get famous wrestlers (in WWE or just in the world of amateur wrestling) to come down and teach, they always got lost trying to get to Sickles because they thought it was a Prison.

Yea Sickles looks ugly, but the recent paint job has improved it to at least look presentable. Then again people took more pride (and had expnesive taste) in architecture back when those other schools were made.

Its hard to have an enviroment indusive to learning when your enviroment appears to be a prison, when you're treated like prsioners and when the school appears to be in the ghetto, even though its clearly not. (Refering to how awful some of the students are at Sickles who helped us become the #1 school for drug users and sellers in Hillsborough County)

Now drugs are huge at Sickles. And they're everywhere, on the ground, in the restrooms especially in the toilets. Actually I'm not surprised that sickles has more drug usage then inner city schools. Unlike the inner city schools, kids that go to Sickles can afford most any drug with ease.

Its a shame too, because in middle and elemntry school there were so many anti-drug programs that I feel went to waste on a lot of kids. However, there is NO anti-drug talk in high school except maybe in your Health class. Even though my health teacher was even accsused of doing drugs at one point so you never know. I feel drug talk is most needed in the freshmen and sophomore years at high school, with maybe an anti-alcohol program a few years before that.

HARTride 2012

September 21st, 2007, 01:32 AM

Its a shame too, because in middle and elemntry school there were so many anti-drug programs that I feel went to waste on a lot of kids. However, there is NO anti-drug talk in high school except maybe in your Health class. Even though my health teacher was even accsused of doing at one point so you never know. I feel talk is most needed in the freshmen and sophomore years at high school, with maybe an anti-alcohol program a few years before that.

When I was in Robinson, taking my health class, we were fortunate enough to have a representative from Mendez come in every Wednesday and lecture about anti-drug and anti-violence stuff. It is really a waste that only the health classes in high school have this. I don't even know how many Hillsborough high schools even bother to have Mendez staff visit their health classes. It's such a shame.

FloridaFuture

September 21st, 2007, 02:05 AM

^I think I had Mendez in Health, but it was regarded as more of a sleeper day then a serious day, even the teacher left the classroom. The problem was that Health classes were pretty large (~40 kids) and it was 1 volunteer who I felt bad for because they were trying to do a good service. Problem with the program itself was that it really don't show the concequneces of drugs. The lame-o workbook just had a bunch of life planning activities and how drugs may keep you from those goals. Same stuff we had in elementry.

Now, we did have one guy come in and talk to us about STD's and drugs, he was a local Christian rapper, and he didn't hold back at all showing us some of the most graphic overheads and videos I've ever seen and related it to affecting you morally then just financially successful in the future like Mendez. He did an excellent job and had the class the whole way through his 3 or 4 day mini-course.

JBrisco

September 21st, 2007, 06:25 AM

Yea Sickles looks ugly, but the recent paint job has improved it to at least look presentable. Then again people took more pride (and had expnesive taste) in architecture back when those other schools were made.

Now drugs are huge at Sickles. And they're everywhere, on the ground, in the restrooms especially in the toilets. Actually I'm not surprised that sickles has more drug usage then inner city schools. Unlike the inner city schools, kids that go to Sickles can afford most any drug with ease.

Its a shame too, because in middle and elemntry school there were so many anti-drug programs that I feel went to waste on a lot of kids. However, there is NO anti-drug talk in high school except maybe in your Health class. Even though my health teacher was even accsused of doing drugs at one point so you never know. I feel drug talk is most needed in the freshmen and sophomore years at high school, with maybe an anti-alcohol program a few years before that.

MR. J!?!?! hahahaha Ya Mendez came to my health class.
How about the time I went to the nurse and my wrist was broken and they told me I had a "ganglian sist" that was rather funny.
FF, my mom is teaching at Sickles now! She's Honors Economics/Multi Cultural Studies & American Gov Honors. I stop by campus (sneak on really) every now and then to eat lunch with my mom and my girlfriend.
I don't miss it at all, especially being at a school with such impressive architecture as UT.
Also!!! In college I'm noticing the only education were recieving on bad things is alcohol, not drugs, which is ridiculous because I'm sure most of us entering college know more about alcohol than anyone!!!! ANd absolutely nothing about drugs.
The Paint job on sickles, Its ok, my mom says the High School is much cleaner now (I think my class of '07, was part of the problem) but yeah.
I still hate Sickles.

FloridaFuture

September 21st, 2007, 12:15 PM

MR. J!?!?! hahahaha Ya Mendez came to my health class.

Yup Mr. J. Funny guy, just to high-acting to really ever pass as a great health teacher to me. :)

FF, my mom is teaching at Sickles now! She's Honors Economics/Multi Cultural Studies & American Gov Honors. I stop by campus (sneak on really) every now and then to eat lunch with my mom and my girlfriend.

Yea, I've heard a Mrs. Brisco and thought she may be related to you. That's cool. I've heard that administration (or county?) has gotten tougher on teachers at Sickles too making them teach an extra class or something. That sucks.

HARTride 2012

September 21st, 2007, 04:13 PM

MR. J!?!?! hahahaha Ya Mendez came to my health class.
How about the time I went to the nurse and my wrist was broken and they told me I had a "ganglian sist" that was rather funny.
FF, my mom is teaching at Sickles now! She's Honors Economics/Multi Cultural Studies & American Gov Honors. I stop by campus (sneak on really) every now and then to eat lunch with my mom and my friend.
I don't miss it at all, especially being at a school with such impressive architecture as UT.
Also!!! In college I'm noticing the only education were recieving on bad things is alcohol, not , which is ridiculous because I'm sure most of us entering college know more about alcohol than anyone!!!! ANd absolutely nothing about .
The Paint job on sickles, Its ok, my mom says the High School is much cleaner now (I think my class of '07, was part of the problem) but yeah.
I still Sickles.

That's cool. One of the teachers at Robinson taught at Sickles from 2000 to 2002. She teaches special education students and was at Robinson from 2002 until 2008. I think she has since moved to Pasco cause she lives in Carrollwood with her husband and two kids.

^I think I had Mendez in Health, but it was regarded as more of a sleeper day then a serious day, even the teacher left the classroom. The problem was that Health classes were pretty large (~40 kids) and it was 1 volunteer who I felt bad for because they were trying to do a good service. Problem with the program itself was that it really don't show the concequneces of . The lame-o workbook just had a bunch of life planning activities and how may keep you from those goals. Same stuff we had in elementry.

Now, we did have one guy come in and talk to us about STD's and , he was a local Christian rapper, and he didn't hold back at all showing us some of the most graphic overheads and videos I've ever seen and related it to affecting you morally then just financially successful in the future like Mendez. He did an excellent job and had the class the whole way through his 3 or 4 day mini-course.

That sounds interesting. We had the booklets from elementary school through middle school too. In my health class in high school, we actually did some fun activities that didn't invlove a book or worksheet.

I've heard that administration (or county?) has gotten tougher on teachers at Sickles too making them teach an extra class or something. That sucks.

If you saw one of the earlier posts. I heavily criticised HCPS for doing this. They are pushing secondary teachers to the point of exaustion by forcing them to teach 6 out of 7 classes. For Robinson and other HC schools that were on block (4x4) schedule, they had to move back to traditional schedule because of this. So those schools got a double whammy from this ridiculous policy that supposedly has been in teacher contracts since the late 1980s but that Elia and those other _____s decided that NOW is the time to enforce it. The school nurses are being pushed to the limit too and that is even more ridiculous than that dumb healthy student program.

Now the fools at the BOCC are cutting funds for the Education Channel which will mean, no more televised school board meetings, no more listening to Elia talk about whatever she wants to talk about, no more math homework hotline for the middle school students, etc.

JBrisco

September 21st, 2007, 05:34 PM

Why do we have idiots running our education system?

HARTride 2012

September 21st, 2007, 07:41 PM

^^
Who knows. But this another reason why Europe and Japan continue to beat the United States at education.

HARTride 2012

October 3rd, 2007, 01:55 PM

Hillsborough school district's bus woes hurt seven schools
The School Board looks at later start times in south county.
By AMBER MOBLEY, Times Staff Writer
Published October 3, 2007

Kids miss free breakfasts. Roll call gets bumped to midmorning. One parent from A-rated Giunta Middle School worries that academics could suffer.

The culprit? Late buses, some arriving on campuses long after a school day has begun.

Transportation woes have burdened seven south county middle schools so badly that the Hillsborough School Board decided Tuesday night to look into later start times.

"If this was the first week of school, I would understand, but this is October," said board member Candy Olson, who suggested changing times.

Most middle schools in the area start at 9 a.m. and let out at 4:15 p.m.

Parent Michael Lawrence complained that his eighth-grade daughter often misses math class at Giunta because her bus is late. He said teachers have sent word home to parents that something needs to be done.

A change of schedule would require union input, spokesman Stephen Hegarty said after the meeting.

Transportation general manager John Franklin blamed the late buses on a shortage of drivers and a tight schedule. School officials recently launched a pilot program in the region, Area 5, in an effort to improve efficiency.

But that means bus drivers might serve multiple routes in a morning.

Franklin said he doesn't have enough drivers to cover all of the routes.

"In Area 5, the number of vacancies are more glaring ... with tighter routes there's a lack of built-in flexibility," he said.

Districtwide, the school system is 125 drivers short of being fully staffed.

Chronically late buses and staff shortages were two problems listed in a January consultant report that outlined needed changes in the system.

The south county pilot program is scheduled to expand to the rest of the county next school year.

Also Tuesday, the School Board pledged to re-evaluate its school nurse program and a policy that requires a doctor's order for students to take over-the-counter drugs on campus.

Funding cuts cost the district some of its registered nurses and its Healthy Student program, which previously oversaw the dispensing of over-the-counter drugs.

Parents, said School Board members, could end up taking their children out of school to give them something as simple as Tylenol.

"How did we get so far past common sense?" asked board member Jennifer Faliero.

Amber Mobley can be reached at amobley@sptimes.com or (813) 269-5311.

[Last modified October 3, 2007, 00:26:31]

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/10/03/Hillsborough/Hillsborough_school_d.shtml

HARTride 2012

October 3rd, 2007, 01:56 PM

^^
School bus routing crap, school nurse shortage...this is completely UNACCEPTABLE! :soapbox:

We've got incompetent fools running the school board. Why can't they EVER do their job right?
Stupid budget cuts from property taxes, etc drive me nuts also. I'm sooooooooooo glad to be out of HCPS.

HARTride 2012

October 3rd, 2007, 02:31 PM

Here's Tampa Tribune's version of the story

Frazzled Nurses, Tardy Buses Push School Board To Act
By Marilyn Brown of The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 3, 2007

TAMPA - Concerns over student safety and getting children to school on time pushed Hillsborough County School Board members to take control Tuesday, struggling to solve problems usually left to district staff.

The board directed Superintendent MaryEllen Elia to put together a group of nurses and other health care workers in schools to define school health needs after staff cuts and the end of a program that allowed students to get over-the-counter medications in school.

School board member Candy Olson said the district needs to get a grip on student health care.

"There's a difference between getting a grip and - for lack of a better word - a machete method," she said.

She called for the work group to analyze and make suggestions for student health care needs after weeks of complaints from nurses that students are in danger because clinics are staffed so thin.

Olson also proposed giving Elia authority to open some middle schools 15 minutes later if necessary to make up for the lateness of school buses. The board's directive came after a Riverview father told board members his daughter's bus has been at least 20 minutes late every day at Giunta Middle School. John Franklin, the district's transportation chief, said he had no solution.

"If the transportation people can't fix it, we have to fix it by changing the bell times," Olson said.

The changes in school clinics this school year have become a personal issue to several board members. Parents are no longer allowed to give written permission for their children to take over-the-counter medications. A doctors' prescription is required for medicines such as Tylenol and aspirin. Students who bring over-the-counter medications to school violate the no-tolerance drug policy.

Parents Forced To Break Drug Rules

Board Member April Griffin said she was suspended from high school for violating a similar policy and her 16-year-old son could be next.

"The reason I send my son to school with medications is because he inherited sinus problems from me," Griffin said. She said she sends him to school with Sudafed in his backpack, telling him, 'Go to the bathroom and don't let anybody see you taking this.'"

"I have broken the rules," Griffin said. "I'm not satisfied with the policy as it exists."

School board Attorney Tom Gonzales said there is no legal basis for the policy requiring a doctor's prescription for an over-the-counter drug.

"Where's this edict coming from?" board member Jennifer Faliero asked, just one of the questions about the district's staffing of clinics and procedures that were unanswered.

School nurses said they are the only registered nurses for up to seven or eight schools this year compared with three or four in the past. They supervise a licensed practical nurse or health assistant at each school. Some registered nurses have an entire high school alone.

Elia insisted that, "At this time we have a person identified at every school site," and that there are 28 registered nurses with no assigned school themselves to oversee most of the schools where there is a licensed practical nurse or health assistant. Some have not yet started work and the district's assignment list is constantly changing.

Board member Susan Valdes called the 80-hour course assistants must take "a crash course. This is not keeping the safety of our students in mind." She said she also is concerned that a nurse must often deal with crisis at several schools at once.

Board members agreed they never discussed their philosophy of student health services to provide any direction and will do so at a future workshop.

Late Buses, Tardy Students

Another ongoing parent concern - late buses - was brought to the board by Michael Lawrence, who said that when his eighth-grade daughter gets to school 20 minutes late every day, she is one of only four of five in her math class because of so many late buses. It's 45 minutes into class before they are all there, he said.

"This situation is so bad, they moved homeroom to third period to take attendance," Lawrence said. "How do teachers grade children who are not in class?"

The principal rotated first period classes with two later subjects so students don't miss the same class every day, said Lawrence. He also said no one in transportation returned his calls.

The district is trying a pilot program in south Hillsborough County this school year that was supposed to end late buses, save money and require fewer drivers. It requires many students to walk farther to bus stops and changed opening and closing times of more than 100 schools.

Franklin, who started as transportation chief in June, said late buses continue, especially in middle schools which start later than high schools and elementary schools. He called the foundation for the new plan "very solid" but said the district needs another 120 drivers to make it work.

"Vacancies have caused unintended consequences in late buses," he said, although the district has long experienced driver shortage.

Elia said she will begin analyzing schedules of middle schools with chronically late buses today and plans to have a solution "very soon."

The board also:

•Approved the appointment of Ron Dailey to supervisor of assessment. •Heard appeals from four speakers to name a new elementary school in south Hillsborough opening in August in Valencia Lakes for former School board member and retired educator Doris Ross Reddick. The board will name the school at a later meeting.

Reporter Marilyn Brown can be reached at (813) 159-8069 or mbrown@tampatrib.com.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/oct/03/frazzled-nurses-tardy-buses-push-school-board-act/?news-breaking

Jasonhouse

October 3rd, 2007, 04:56 PM

Good Lord. Exactly how long do our children and our community have to held hostage to narcissists more concerned with lining their own pockets, then being cooperative members of a functioning modern society?

HARTride 2012

October 3rd, 2007, 06:04 PM

This whole thing is such crap. The nurses can't be treated this way, the bussing thing is going too far, and for goodness sake...out secondary teachers are working their ____s off and still being paid like __t. This is the whole reason why I continue to rant at HCPS and am infuriated with Elia and the rest of those incompetent school board members. I laugh even louder at the folks in the Pinellas school system who are trying to abolish school choice because it's simply not working. Just wait until Hillsborough tries to do the same. It will happen sooner or later if these fools can't get their act together.

Then you hear constantly about President Bush saying that No Child Left Behind is working. NCLB is a big pathetic joke! Nuff said.

JBrisco

October 3rd, 2007, 08:24 PM

How about this 25 children to a class room law?
My girlfriend who is a senior at Sickles, was in an English IV honors class with less than 20 kids in it, and they switched her into a class with 30 kids in it. Why? Because, schools have been cheating the system!!!!!!!!!
They go by averages, NOT by physical children in the classroom.
When I went to Sickles I did not have a single class that had less than 30 kids in it. Now, in College I don't have any classes with more than 25!
What the F___ is up with this law?

Everytime I go into this thread I'm reminded of how much I HATED HCPS.

HARTride 2012

October 4th, 2007, 12:41 AM

Its another dumb law that people passed but failed to realize the negative effects. Just like the FL Bullet Train...

Its good in the sense that it limits class sizes, but bad because it forces school districts to build more schools and hire more teachers more sooner than later. Frankly, I've never really cared about the law and still don't to this day.

FloridaFuture

October 4th, 2007, 01:10 AM

The principal rotated first period classes with two later subjects so students don't miss the same class every day, said Lawrence. He also said no one in transportation returned his calls.

Shouldn't that be a wakeup call? Unless the school board didn't know about it. The worst part about the school system right now is communication between students, school administration, and the board members.

At Sickles I'm having a dispute with one of my exam grades (they gave me a 'D' and said I skipped 40 problems, yeah right) from last year, and I find out after they had been not responding for more then a month that they lost the exams for the class! I feel like saying "how the hell should I feel confident in getting a good education from a school led by aministration that loose their student's exams?!?"

Also, as far as bussing goes, my bus now picks me up at 6:18 AM. It was bumped earlier 15 minutues earlier because the bus driver said middle school parents were complaining their children lacked "social time." Many people on my bus complained, and the transportation lady said she would fix it "next week" and it has already been nearly 2 and a half weeks and hasn't changed. How do they expect high schoolers to stay awake if the bus picks them up at 6:18?

Sorry for the rant. I just have some crazy stories about the school system....

Maxim98

October 4th, 2007, 07:13 AM

^Magnet buses would pick up students in South County (when I was, yknow, of bussing age) around 5 AM.

I was fortunate to have parents that drove me.

HARTride 2012

October 4th, 2007, 03:47 PM

My parents took me to and from school each day when I was in elementary and middle school. 90% of the time, I was at least 5 minutes late because my brother was too lazy to get ready on time. Commuting to high school was a breeze though. I live a few blocks away from Robinson so all I did was walk or bike to and from school. :)

JBrisco

October 4th, 2007, 03:59 PM

HARTride 2012

October 4th, 2007, 06:05 PM

Lets see:
*Elementary School (Roosevelt) - Woke up @ 6:30am, got to school around 8:00am.
*Middle School (Coleman) - Woke up at 7:00am, got to school around 8:45 - 9:00am.
*High School (Robinson) - Woke up at 6:00am, WALKED to school at 6:40am (ate breakfast in the cafeteria too).

I still wake up at 6:00am on Mondays and Wednesdays because my first class at HCC Dale Mabry starts at 8:00am. So I have to be there no later than 7:45am, but end up arriving around 7:30-7:40am. I don't go home until 7:00pm.

FloridaFuture

October 4th, 2007, 09:54 PM

When I went to Schwarzkopf I had to wake up at 5:45 to catch my bus and ride it for 2 hours t oget to school, I was not special assigned.
at Sickles I had to wake up at 6:00 and leave by 6:30 or else I would be late. Traffic was one of my major issues, except in elementary school. My mom could get me to school in 15 mins, I don't know why I had to wake up at 5:45 to get to school.

I went to Schwarzkopf too for 4 years, and althoguh I didn't take the bus, I'm shocked it took your bus 2 hours on the bus to get to school there!

Back then my parents took me and I think we left at around 7:45 for when school started at 8:15.

jonknee

October 4th, 2007, 10:59 PM

Back when I went to Sickles it was on double sessions so school started before 7 (I think 6:45 or so, but not sure). That was cruel, but getting out early was nice enough to even it out.

HARTride 2012

October 4th, 2007, 11:21 PM

Oh lord, I'm sure Sickles had a nightmare when they were on double sessions. I'm glad that is a thing of the past, but of course...it doesn't mean it won't happen again. :ohno:

FloridaFuture

October 4th, 2007, 11:26 PM

Oh lord, I'm sure Sickles had a nightmare when they were on double sessions. I'm glad that is a thing of the past, but of course...it doesn't mean it won't happen again. :ohno:

It has been considered, though not seriously, at times. There are now nearly 30 portables including 5 on the bus ramp, and construction hasn't started on the new Lutz High School.

jonknee

October 5th, 2007, 12:26 AM

HARTride 2012

October 5th, 2007, 02:44 AM

School officials seeking transportation fix
Thursday, October 4, 2007

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2007/10/4/292559.html?title=School+officials+seeking+transportation+fix

TAMPA (Bay News 9) -- The Hillsborough County School District's transportation system has been of fire this school year for late busses and no-show busses.

Problems with routes and changing times also have affected students and parents.

Because of a shortage of about 100 bus drivers, several drivers are handling two or three routes a day, bogging down an already strained system.

"At the very beginning of the year, we had trouble with the bus not even showing up," said parent Pamela Weiss. "This stress of not knowing if every morning if the bus is going to be early, or late, or show up at all, has played itself out in our lives."

Now, school transportation officials are proposing solutions, some of which could come from unlikely places.

Most of school transportation problems stem from a shortage of bus drivers. And while administrators stress that recruiting new drivers is a priority, alternatives are being looked at.

"What we are looking at are some different avenues,' said Karen Strickland, the school system's transportation operations manager. "Possibly using some college students that can work in between their classes, make some money, and who can also assist us with getting our kids to school on time."

The school district is working with the University of South Florida and the University of Tampa to find new drivers.

A student with at least five years of driving experience and a clean driving history would be eligible.

The potential driver would also have to pass a training course offered by the district.

The district also is recruiting real estate professionals who may have downtime to assist with part time driving.

JBrisco

October 5th, 2007, 06:23 AM

Honestly I liked double sessions more, as a freshman you got to sleep in and then after that you had a whole day after school. The teachers didn't dig it so much, but the administrators especially hated it (since they stayed all day).

Teachers really dig Block Schedule, which really prepares kids for college more so then the current style.

Where did baynews 9 get their info from? If HC was working with UT, I would know about it... PLUS they would have a display set up in the Vaughn Center or even in Plant Hall, of which I have not seen.

HARTride 2012

October 11th, 2007, 06:42 PM

^^
I would have no clue about the article JBrisco. I can say this however, I loved the block schedule at Robinson. It allows students to recieve as much as 32 credits rather than just the required 24. Though the classes are longer, 1 1/2 hours, the passing times between classes is 7 minutes as opposed to 6 or 5 at the traditional schools. The block schedule also allows students to take certain classes during certain semesters and allows the teachers to tie in concepts better.

Sadly, I checked Robinson's website a few weeks ago and they are now on traditional schedule thanks to Elia's crap plan. She is pushing these secondary teachers to the limit when they still get paid like crap. It's very, very pitiful.

JBrisco

October 11th, 2007, 08:24 PM

Schools aren't aloud to be on block. That bitch said its not condusive to learning.
Block scheduals are the way to go.

HARTride 2012

October 11th, 2007, 09:49 PM

Exactly! But Elia wants to think otherwise.

JBrisco

October 12th, 2007, 08:02 AM

I love how I graduated from High School and now am attending U.T. and my college transcript isn't enough for me to get into H.C.C. Apparently I have to have my High School transcript sent in to.
Aswell as HCC found that I am apparently not a Florida resident, even with my voter card, registration, drivers liscence, list of secondary school, my college transcript that has me listed as a FL resident, the fact that I have FL prepaid, and that I said I established FL resdidency the day I was born.
WTF?

HARTride 2012

October 12th, 2007, 01:28 PM

That's how HCC is with admissions. Pretty bad. I spoke to one person who was trying to apply and she came from Maine or something. She told me that HCC kept losing her H.S. transcripts after sending them in like five times. Don't ever try calling student services by telephone either, it's even worse than standing line over there.

JBrisco

October 12th, 2007, 03:13 PM

No shit, I'm on hold atm.

HARTride 2012

October 12th, 2007, 03:25 PM

The automated system is junk. Then you're on hold for an hour or two at least. One day, when I went there to get my brother registered. There were 5 out of 6 windows open in the admissions dept. Which was good so the line went faster. But as my brother approached the windows, three staff members just left...didn't even close their windows. Just left. And then you wonder why they're only open til noon on Fridays. Bottom line the staff at HCC student services are not necessarily there to help the students. They are there when its most convenient for themselves. And there is no doubt in my mind that they can't wait to leave the building each day to go home.

JBrisco

October 12th, 2007, 03:42 PM

The same goes for H.S Guidance counsolers.
I reached them, there was a lack of information on their website, apparently you have to make copies of your claimant info and send it in. This whole thing is retarded.

HARTride 2012

October 12th, 2007, 03:55 PM

Yes it is. It was fortunate for me and my brother that we've been FL residents since 1991. And they didn't give us any crap about the whole claimant thing. But yes, when HCC wants proof of residency, THEY WANT PROOF.

JBrisco

October 12th, 2007, 03:59 PM

HARTride 2012

October 12th, 2007, 04:01 PM

Exactly, I don't understand why they let me and my brother slide in and yet they're giving you this junk. Makes no sense whatsoever!

HARTride 2012

October 13th, 2007, 12:19 AM

Back to HCPS...

Housing slowdown could affect school expansion
Friday, October 12, 2007

PLANT CITY (Bay News 9) -- A severe slowdown in the building of new homes in Plant City could affect future school construction projects.

Last year, Plant City issued a record number of home building permits. During September of this year, the city issued only one.

Meanwhile, the school district revealed plans for more than $300 million in new construction projects during the next five years. But a prolonged housing slump could affect some projects.

"We monitor growth. We monitor housing starts,'' said Linda Cobbe with Hillsborough County schools. "And if it does stay flat, we may scale back."

However, with overcrowding already a problem at some Plant City schools, plans for a new high, middle and elementary schools appear certain to move forward.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2007/10/12/294710.html?title=Housing+slowdown+could+affect+school+expansion

TampaMike

October 13th, 2007, 04:14 AM

OK well that sucks but you were zoned to that school, zoning itself isnt exactly flawless either. But if you live in HC then you wouldnt go to East Lake since its in pinellas county. Also i dont know how you can use East Lake as an average standard of schools in pinellas. East Lake is one of if not the nicest school in pinellas county and is mostly upper middle class and rich people and not to mention the area surrounding it is also wealthy. You need to go look at other schools in the county like largo or clearwater high. Those schools have mold, rats, and just outdated.

But in pinellas county we have a "choice program" which supposedly you can choose a school that meets your educational needs. Well instead most of the time middle class students get screwed over going to a school that they didnt want to go to and thats far away. But damn 45 mins to go 7 miles you must have hit some heavy traffic. Back when i had to go to largo from north clearwater(10 miles) it took me 25-30 mins on average to get there. I guess they both suck but from what i heard from people who do live in hillsborough county is they are close to their schools usually. Maybe you just didnt luck out?
Little late on this, but I'm in the same boat. Although it would probably take me 10 minutes to get to Mitchell High here in Pasco, I'm forced to go to River Ridge High that takes me about 45 minutes. It wouldn't be bad if Pasco was smart enough to make the main road that people use a 4-Lane than a 2-Lane, but they're not smart. Traffic always backed up a mile or so every morning. And if you're not past this one stop light by 7:10, consider yourself late for class.

TampaMike

October 13th, 2007, 04:16 AM

HARTride 2012

October 13th, 2007, 03:51 PM

TampaMike

October 13th, 2007, 04:03 PM

^^
The problem is, the housing market is crap. Not very many people (with kids) are moving to Hillsborough b/c property taxes are too high. And the school board would rather not keep building new schools and waste all that money doing so if this is going to be the trend over the next couple years. If things in the housing market get better, the property tax hoohah is resolved, and people start moving to Hillsborough in increased #s again, then we may see HCPS start building more new schools again.
But my point is, that we have seen this in the past. The HCPS, aswell as other counties, waiting until the market is bursting, wait for 2-3 years when schools have 30 portable classrooms, and then think maybe they need to build a school or two. If they just built a school right now, they would be ready for new students. I don't know, I just think it's a stupid idea to just wait when the market is hotter again.

HARTride 2012

October 13th, 2007, 05:49 PM

That is true...but I guess those incompetent fools can't conjure up anything. I just hope Hillsborough doesn't try to abolish school choice like Pinellas is doing right now.

JBrisco

October 13th, 2007, 07:55 PM

Sickles has 28 Portables, and they still haven't started construction on Lutz HS or pushed for it or anything. The whole thing is just the county trying to make a buck at everyone elses expense. Its not fair and that type of corruption needs to be removed asap. Its too bad no one pays attention to these types of things, or knows who the school board people are. THEY SHOULD NOT BE IN POWER. They have demonstrated to us they don't give a flying F__K about kids.

HARTride 2012

October 16th, 2007, 09:57 PM

I was reading the online version of the school newspaper for Robinson High School and boy is there lots of outrage about what Elia has brought upon the school district this year.

Here's the link if you want to see the newspaper yourself: http://robinsonhs.mysdhc.org/rhs33616oct.pdf

The paper first headlines the concern surrounding the school nurse shortage and how students can't get over the counter medicines from the clinic anymore due to policy changes.

Second, Robinson H.S. can't even ring bells in between classes anymore due to the descrepancy between magnet classes (which follow a blocked type schedule) and the traditional classes (which now follow the traditional schedule). In addition, Magnet students have a lunch period devoted to them, while traditional students are forced into one of two crowded lunch periods.

Yes, this is outrageous. Especially for schools like Robinson that used to enjoy the block schedule. Thank goodness my brother and I graduated from Robinson prior to all these stupid changes.

HARTride 2012

November 4th, 2007, 02:07 PM

Let's be proud of parking problem

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published November 2, 2007
ADVERTISEMENT
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We are surrounded by narrow streets in Palma Ceia, and it has always been that way. But come on, it's hard to get through the neighborhood, whether there's something going on at Plant or not.

Twenty to 30 years ago the neighbors complained about the band at Plant being too loud. Now we're back on the parking issue.Maybe if they knew more about what really goes on there, parking would be more understood.

I have lived here all my life; I know the neighborhood, and my son goes to Plant. I have a new profound respect for any sport now. Watching these kids, teachers and coaches work so hard, they all are incredible people, who get up around and before 6 a.m. every day.

School starts at 7:25 a.m. and lets out at 2:45 p.m. Some practices start about 15 to 30 minutes after school lets out. They practice for several hours, sometimes into the dark, then they head home anywhere from 5 to 8 p.m., depending on the sport.

Homework and dinner get done in between the daily shifting of schedules. They do this every day. The coaches, well, they're teachers, too, and they have the same schedule.

Don't forget, students have to keep their grades up. They put all this effort in looking so forward to the next game, match, etc. Finally, it's game night.

If the game is away, neighbors won't see or hear them playing, just working - there's a lot of equipment and supplies that need to go. Buses and bus drivers to take the teams, bands, volunteers and equipment.

Games let out around 10 to 10:30 p.m., and no matter whether you win or lose, everything you took with you needs to go back. They pull into Plant around 11 to 11:30 p.m., depending on the driving distance. The students, coaches, bus drivers, volunteers and parents are not going home before midnight, and all of them don't mind.

Please, go watch this process, go watch the practices, go watch the games and observe what takes place, and just imagine the ethics these kids and others have. These are our neighbors. These are the people next door who are instilling these great values into these kids, guiding them in the right direction and keeping them focused.

Parking? Well, I am glad we have a parking problem. When I go to different games, most of the time the schools we go to have NO PARKING PROBLEM.

Which is really sad, because that means no support. So not having a parking problem is a sign of something much worse than someone parking in front of your house, in a space that would not be used at all, for three or four hours.

Please, I ask the surrounding property owners of Palma Ceia, don't view this as a nuisance to our neighborhood.

Be proud of what a great school we have here.

Be proud that these kids have so much support, because they work hard, they look forward, they look for different ways to run a play, so let's work on a different play for the parking problem. It's not every week this takes place.

What makes this neighborhood what it is, is family, support and empathy.

Palma Ceia has really grown. Everyone wants in, and why? Because this is a great place to be. We created that atmosphere. Great things are taking place at Plant High School, and we as a community need to support that, understanding that it is so much more than a parking problem.

The school does send out fliers regularly about where to park. The school is understanding and is not overlooking any issue. But the school has always been there, and it has grown as well. If we don't all grow together, then what will happen to the neighborhood?

Christine Posada, Palma Ceia.

[Last modified November 1, 2007, 07:21:26]

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/11/02/Citytimes/Let_s_be_proud_of_par.shtml

HARTride 2012

November 4th, 2007, 02:08 PM

District buys new school site

UNIVERSITY AREA It could ease overcrowding at three schools.

By Amber Mobley Times Staff Writer
Published November 2, 2007

The Hillsborough County School District has finalized the purchase of a property in the University Area for a new school site to ease crowding at three nearby schools.

The district finalized the purchase of Temple Heights Christian School, 8406 N 46th St. on Tuesday.

"It's going to be a stretch, but we hope to open in August 2008," said Cathy Valdes, the district's chief facilities officer.

The campus would hold up to 600 students and ease crowding in at least two nearby elementary schools - Shaw and Witter.

Two appraisals have valued the property at $7-million or more, but the district has negotiated a purchase price of $4-million, which the School Board approved on Aug. 21.

The campus, which includes a gym, kitchen and auditorium, will need extensive work to be brought up to state codes. Administrators are in the process of determining what work needs to be done and which children from surrounding schools will attend there.

Students at as many as four elementary schools could be affected, said Steve Ayers, director of pupil administrative services for the district.

Shaw and Pizzo, at 120 and 121 percent capacity respectively, are sure to have students moved. At 106 percent capacity, Witter may see crowding relief, too.

Officials, said Ayers, are thinking about "dominoing boundaries," which, for example, would mean shifting a group of students from school A to school B and then moving students from school B into school C.

That domino effect also may affect nearby Cahoon Magnet School, which is at 66 percent capacity.

Ayers said all plans are preliminary.

The district's reassignment of nearly 300 students from Shaw to a school site at the Museum of Science and Industry this school year originally took Shaw from 152 percent capacity to 115 percent. A new school year has pushed capacity to 120 percent, according to the most recent data.

The MOSI Partnership School, another quick turnaround for the district, took only a few weeks to complete.

The School Board is scheduled to rename the MOSI Partnership School, as well as a new middle school slated to open in North Tampa in 2008, at a meeting Tuesday at 3 p.m. at 901 E Kennedy Blvd.

Amber Mobley can be reached at amobley@sptimes.com or 813 269-5311.

Note: An earlier version of this story had an incorrect time for the School Board meeting.

[Last modified November 2, 2007, 11:16:54]

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/11/02/Northoftampa/District_buys_new_sch.shtml

HARTride 2012

November 5th, 2007, 02:50 PM

Unfortunately for Plant, the campus is gridlocked in surrounding development with little to no room to expand. So it is no surprise that parking is a problem there. The admins gotten stricter on students who don't live in the Plant district over the years and Plant is not an option for school choice. If S. Tampa population continues to grow over the next several years, I believe the burden will be shifted to Robinson, if it has not already. Robinson is still the smallest high school in all of Hillsborough County and has plenty of room to build additional classrooms as they become needed.

HARTride 2012

November 13th, 2007, 04:09 PM

School name sparks battle

Personal and political considerations complicate the renaming of the MOSI school.

By LETITIA STEIN, Times Staff Writer
Published November 13, 2007

Students at the new school at the Museum of Science and Industry chose the name they wanted it to be called: MOSI Partnership. That name will likely change.

TAMPA - In uneven, oversized letters, the children wrote the name they want for the new school at the Museum of Science and Industry.

MOSI Partnership, with a bubble over the "i."

They've been using that name since the school opened in August. Principal Cheryl Dafeldecker pleaded the case at the last School Board meeting, before the vote on the official school name.

"Keep us our MOSI Magic," she said, invoking their mascot.

If only it were so easy. The kids were up against organized petition drives for local African-American leaders and a pitch for recently deceased John J. Iorio, a longtime University of South Florida professor and the father of Tampa's mayor.

After deadlocking, the board put off a decision between the MOSI Partnership and Iorio names until all members were present.

In this case, Hillsborough finds itself in the unusual position of naming a school that's already up and running. But drama over school names is nothing new.

Lobbying can be intense over the opportunity to name a school for a favorite civic leader. Geography is always fair game - think Westchase Elementary. Some think there's a sweet spot for prominent educators.

There's no magic formula.

Just ask Hector Vila, one of seven brothers whose collective military service spans World War II to Operation Desert Storm. He sought to place the name "Vila Brothers" on a middle school opening in Citrus Park.

Sen. Bill Nelson wrote a letter of support, along with a who's who of local politicians, from Public Defender Julianne Holt to County Commissioners Rose Ferlita and Brian Blair.

Alas for the Vilas, it wasn't enough. After two votes at the board meeting last week, applause rang out for Sgt. Paul R. Smith Middle School, recognizing a former Hillsborough student posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in Iraq.

While Vila was pleased to see a soldier honored, he wonders what it will take to see a Vila Brothers school. In a previous attempt, he collected signatures for a petition drive, at the suggestion of a school official. Two thousand names later, it didn't do the trick.

"I learned in the Marine Corps, if you go take this route and you're not successful, you try another one," the 76-year-old veteran said, proudly touting his USMC Korea service on a polo shirt.

He pondered his next move at the kitchen table. "You just keep trying until your mission is complete."

For Fran Costantino, that may involve compromise.

She is leading the Iorio push on behalf of the East Ybor Historic and Civic Association. After the board's tie vote, she proposed as a compromise the Dr. John J. Iorio Elementary School at MOSI.

"I think it's just a waste when we name schools after geographic references and subdivisions," Costantino said.

Others, though, have lobbied for geographic names as a way to foster a sense of community.

Costantino shied away from a petition drive, given Iorio's high-profile daughter. If she had made the decision political, she thinks the effort could have seen a better chance of succeeding on the first try.

"The system is fundamentally flawed, and it needs to be revisited," she said, suggesting a points system to vet candidates. "It should be on merit."

Carol Kurdell, Hillsborough's longest-serving board member, has named well in excess of 60 schools. She finds few decisions more emotional.

"It's never easy," Kurdell said. "People need to understand that we take it very seriously."

Petitions and letter-writing campaigns don't sway her, although she appreciates the input. She says a conversation sometimes makes the difference.

Nothing is set in stone. She initially voted for the MOSI Partnership name, but might reconsider on the tiebreaker.

The museum's president hopes she'll wait until the next school.

"There will always be a new elementary school in town, and there will always be opportunities to name them after famous people," MOSI president Wit Ostrenko said. "But there will only be one school at MOSI."

Letitia Stein can be reached at lstein@sptimes.com or 813 226-3400. For more education news, visit the Gradebook at blogs.tampabay.com/schools.

[Last modified November 12, 2007, 23:55:12]

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/11/13/Hillsborough/School_name_sparks_ba.shtml

HARTride 2012

December 1st, 2007, 06:05 PM

Hillsborough Graduate Rate Rises; Or Did It?

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 1, 2007

Hillsborough County schools' graduation rate increased nearly 2 percentage points in 2006-07 over the previous school year with a slight improvement in the dropout rate, the state reported Friday.

The numbers - showing improvement both statewide and in Hillsborough - were mixed for two other districts in the Tampa Bay area. Pasco and Pinellas counties' graduation rates were down, and the Pinellas dropout rate also increased slightly compared with the previous year.

Just how good is that news?

Both state officials and a Hillsborough news release lauded the improvements, but the vexing problem of nailing down graduation and dropout rates continues.

States figure their own graduation and dropout rates differently and national studies vary, depending on which government agency or outside group is compiling the figures.

According to the state, Florida's high school graduation rates improved this year while the number of dropouts decreased. That's by the state's count - one that doesn't line up with national figures.

State education officials and Gov. Charlie Crist announced Friday that Florida's rate bumped up by 1.4 percentage points in 2006-07 to 72.4 percent of students graduating within four years.

The report also claimed a dropout rate of 3.3 percent, which is vastly different than national figures showing that nearly half of Florida's high schools fail to graduate more than 60 percent of their students.

"Nothing I've heard before was anything like 3 percent or 4 percent," said Mark Pudlow, spokesman for the Florida Education Association, the statewide teachers union. "I don't know how they measure that."

In June, Education Week magazine reported that Florida's graduation rate was 60.5 percent in 2003-04, which ranked 45th among the 50 states and District of Columbia.

The state Department of Education is unique among the states in basing the graduation rate on data that follows every student from ninth grade to graduation. Florida also counts General Education Development and other special diplomas not included in the national statistics.

A recent analysis conducted by Johns Hopkins University for The Associated Press revealed that more than half of Florida's high schools sampled had a dropout rate of 40 percent. That assessment would have no more than 60 percent of students who start as freshmen make it to their senior year.

"Apparently the only group that thinks we are making excellent gains is our own Department of Education," said Rep. Dan Gelber, D-Miami Beach, the House minority leader. "We are not going to solve this true crisis by trying to simply redefine it."

In defense of their system, state officials cited a 2005 report by the National Governors Association that called Florida a national leader and model for calculating graduation rates.

"This year's graduation rate is a clear indication that Florida is on the right track in its education efforts," said Education Commissioner Jeanine Blomberg, who retired Friday.

FEA's Pudlow said neither the state nor national figures are anything to brag about.

"Whether you calculate them one way or another, it really doesn't make any difference," he said. "There just too many kids who aren't completing high school."

Hillsborough's highest graduation rate was in 2004-05 at 79.5, dropping in 2005-06 to 77.3. Its dropout rate was lower in 2003-04 than in the next two years.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. Tribune reporter Marilyn Brown also contributed.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/dec/01/me-hillsborough-graduate-rate-rises-or-did-it/?news-metro

HARTride 2012

December 6th, 2007, 05:48 PM

Schools, County Face Fund Problem

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By ANTHONY McCARTNEY and MARILYN BROWN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 6, 2007

TAMPA - A day after state leaders tried to repair a state investment fund decimated by uncertainty and massive withdrawals, its shareholders were still sorting out the results.

Hillsborough County and Hillsborough schools combined hold more than $1.4 billion in the pool, administered by the State Board of Administration. Although they are two of the largest shareholders remaining in the $14 billion pool, Hillsborough officials are not alone in their angst and anger.

School superintendents, board members and other district officials from across the state gathered in Tampa at a semiannual meeting on Wednesday, and the fund's rapid decline in credibility and assets was a key topic.

The fund's woes are "as huge an issue affecting every single one of you as I've seen in 32 years," Florida School Boards Association executive director Wayne Blanton told those at the conference.

For 25 years, the SBA fund has been a place where local governments sent large pools of their money and got even more in return. Recently, concerns about mortgage-backed securities led many governments to withdraw their shares from the fund. The governments removed $10 billion within two weeks, prompting state officials to halt withdrawals Nov. 29.

Transactions will be allowed again today, although state leaders on Tuesday placed a cap on how much governments can remove.

While 86 percent of the $14 billion in investments is considered safe, neither state nor local leaders yet can say how much, if anything, they will lose from the remaining, tainted 14 percent of investments.

Hillsborough's school district, with $573 million invested - the largest amount of any school district in the pool - is concerned it could lose money after so much was pulled out, said Connie Milito, the district's lobbyist. The district is investing its new influx of property tax money elsewhere and can meet payrolls until late February, she said.

Commission, Others Not Reassured

Hillsborough County commissioners, who have nearly $872 million still locked up in the pool, voted 6-0 on Wednesday to re-examine their investment policy, which allows up to 100 percent of its investments to be placed in funds like the troubled state investment pool.

The county has nearly half of its $1.8 billion in overall investments in the SBA-run fund, Chief Deputy Clerk Dan Klein told commissioners.

Until recently, the fund was lucrative for local governments, which prompted Hillsborough to remain in the pool. While treasury investments would have returned about 3.8 percent, the state investments returned 5.2 percent, clerk officials said.

Clerk of Court Pat Frank reassured commissioners about the fund's stability. "Nobody's ever lost money in it," she said. But about $114 million of Hillsborough's share is now in a separate part of the state investment pool that is considered questionable.

Lingering questions about how state officials handled the account, and how it will recover, left many officials doubting whether they would invest more taxpayer money.

"I haven't talked to one superintendent who's going to put money back in the pool," Blanton said.

One key reason: The state still hasn't guaranteed school districts won't lose money because of recent budget problems. Another is that districts would be charged a fee if they withdrew more of their money than the cap imposed on Tuesday allowed.

Frank and Blanton said they also were concerned that state officials weren't forthcoming about investments or that there was a problem, even though governments were making a "run on the bank," withdrawing billions.

"The state board staff were telling us and your financial officers, 'everything's fine,'" Blanton said. "They told them, 'There's no run.'"

Hillsborough County officials said had they participated in the massive withdrawals the state fund could have collapsed entirely.

Sink To Address School Officials

Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink, who along with Gov. Charlie Crist and Attorney General Bill McCollum oversee the SBA, plans to address school officials in Tampa on Friday.

She has established an advisory committee of officials from across the state, including Frank and Blanton, to discuss problems and fixes.

Until then, many local governments are debating what to do with millions of dollars in property tax collections. Both Hillsborough County and Hillsborough schools are keeping the money in local bank accounts.

Other approaches, however, were suggested Wednesday.

"We'll put it under a mattress," County Administrator Pat Bean joked.

Reporter Marilyn Brown can be reached at (813) 259-8069 or mbrown@tampatrib.com. Reporter Anthony McCartney can be reached at (813) 259-7616 or amccartney@tampatrib.com.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/dec/06/me-schools-county-face-fund-problem/?news-metro

HARTride 2012

December 26th, 2007, 12:48 AM

Hillsborough schools draw line between rewards, ads

A panel makes sure that rewards for students come with no strings.

By LETITIA STEIN, Times Staff Writer
Published December 25, 2007

TAMPA - Rummi looks enough in the brochure submitted to Hillsborough schools to pitch a reward program for students.

The booklet features facts from his Internet-based TV show, where the fuzzy blue and yellow parrot promotes the environment and animals. Sample coupons include a free McDonald's Happy Meal. The fine print notes, "Dine-in only."

Alas for Rummi, that's the kiss of -at least where gaining access to Hillsborough classrooms is concerned. Other concerns about the proposal sealed his fate.

"We're advertising a show on the Internet for them," says Tammy Cummings, president of the Hillsborough County Council PTA/PTSA, who serves on a little-known panel charged with vetting such promotions.

A long list of no-no's stands between Hillsborough's 193,000 public school students and the businesses, individuals and organizations drooling over an attractive captive market. The enforcers sit on a panel called the District Review Committee.

Each month, it screens a varied mix of 15 to 30 proposals. Along with Rummi, this month's array included track club coaching, a coffee sale fundraiser and a introductory gym offer through a local Kiwanis club.

A set of guidelines steers decisions. When the prize is access to the students who make up the nation's eighth-largest school district, good intentions simply aren't enough.

"It's a consistent way to be able to approve initiatives," said Velia Pedrero, the school administrator who oversees the review committee. "I perceive it as providing a service to schools and the community."

The first rule may seem obvious, but many proposals fail to meet it: There can't be a cost to participate.

That includes a cost to parents. A coupon to an attraction where the child gets in free for the price of an admission isn't really a freebie. Ditto for restaurants offering free food only when a family dines inside. In these cases, the district requires a takeout option.

"It's an indirect cost, but it is a cost," Pedrero explains. "If the intent is to acknowledge the child's efforts, I would think that the establishment doesn't want to deny that child."

School officials also look to see whether the program serves educational priorities. It can't consume the time of school administrators, or distract students from learning.

When fundraisers are involved, the district expects a significant portion of the money raised to be returned to the school.

Consider the discussion at the committee's monthly meeting in December.

A restaurant in the North Tampa area wanted to distribute information about a Tuesday night special, where kids get a free entree with every paid meal.

"What's the school getting?" asked panel member Pansy Houghton, who supervises the district's school choice program. "They can do this in the newspaper."

"It's complete advertising," Pedrero concurred.

The proposal was denied after less than two minutes of discussion.

The only pitch approved at this meeting came from Crispers restaurants. It included a fundraiser offering schools $3 back on sales of a $10 gift card.

Several other concepts are pending, as more information was requested. A safety door stop and other proposals not directly related to student participation were referred to other departments within the district.

The committee doesn't see every Chick-fil-A coupon that reaches a campus. At individual schools, principals and parents are free to reach out to local businesses directly and bring in their own proposals.

Pitches that aren't approved for mass distribution still can find a home. Each school has a community resource handbook, where groups can place information about services ranging from child care to dance lessons.

But first, they have to go to the review committee.

"Denial of a proposal doesn't in any way reflect on the group or proposal," Pedrero said. "They're well intended. We want to be supportive."

Letitia Stein can be reached at lstein@sptimes.com or 813 226-3400. For more education news, visit the Gradebook at blogs.tampabay.com/schools.

[Last modified December 24, 2007, 21:57:10]

http://www.sptimes.com/2007/12/25/Hillsborough/Hillsborough_schools_.shtml

HARTride 2012

January 15th, 2008, 03:15 PM

District slows bus reforms

Restructured school transportation will debut in August and will then be phased in.

By LETITIA STEIN, Times Staff Writer
Published January 15, 2008

TAMPA - After problems with a pilot project in south Hillsborough this fall, school officials are scaling back plans for overhauling the way they transport about 91,000 students daily.

The schedule originally called for rolling out reforms countywide in August. But John Franklin, the district's general transportation manager, now concedes the timeline was too ambitious.

"You just can't compact that much work into nine months," he said. "That's the short, down and dirty answer."

Instead of rushing into a sweeping overhaul next school year, Franklin expects to phase in changes over the next few years.

The plan, still tentative, would see restructured bus runs debut in August in neighborhoods that span much of South Tampa, northwest Hillsborough, parts of the central city and the northern suburbs.

The rest of the county should experience similar changes in 2009-10.

"You want to take your time and make sure the job is done correctly," Franklin said.

Some new practices will be enacted more quickly, he said. These include how the district transports children whose parents are divorced and have split custody, who is eligible for after-school rides to parks, and when to allow a child to ride a different bus home.

Franklin is preparing an update to share with the School Board in coming weeks. He called the time line a working proposal and noted that his department seeks to move as quickly as possible.

Officials want to heed lessons learned from the first transportation changes piloted in south Hillsborough. The school year began with parents complaining about problems including bus stops moved to busy streets and the dangers that children in rural Wimauma faced on longer walks.

And buses persistently were getting children to schools late. Franklin said transportation planners eventually reshuffled runs to get students to class on time.

He noted that the transportation division, which also is undergoing an internal restructuring, now has better staffing than during the planning for the south county pilot.

"I think we learned our lessons pretty well," said Franklin, who assumed leadership of the department during the summer. "We also think we're getting better at this."

The transportation reforms began with an independent audit, submitted to the School Board in March 2006, that highlighted problems in the long-ailing division. The district subsequently hired outside consultants to lay the groundwork and set the timetable for changes.

A proposal to purchase GPS technology for school buses to aid the reforms is off the table for now. Franklin said it remains a priority, but the cost is prohibitive at this time.

Since wrapping up work on the south county pilot in mid fall, transportation planners have begun working on changes in other areas. Next school year, the district plans to retool bus runs in three of seven geographic areas that district officials have created to oversee school operations in a county as large as Hillsborough.

Those expected to see changes next school year include Area 1, which encompasses much of South Tampa and parts of the central city. Also affected are Area 2 schools in northwest Hillsborough and those in Area 4, spanning north Tampa and its suburbs.

The south county pilot focused on Area 5. The rest would be addressed the following school year. To view the list of schools within each area, visit the district's Web site at www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/AreaDirectors.

Letitia Stein can be reached at lstein@sptimes.com or 813 226-3400. For more education news, visit the Gradebook at blogs.tampabay.com/schools.

[Last modified January 15, 2008, 00:27:51]

http://www.sptimes.com/2008/01/15/Hillsborough/District_slows_bus_re.shtml

JBrisco

January 16th, 2008, 02:08 PM

HARTride 2012

January 16th, 2008, 02:42 PM

True, they could build a parking garage. If it is architecturally sufficient. It's tough for the school district to expand older schools because they have to match the new buildings to the surrounding existing buildings. Restoring Hillsborough High School I assume was the largest of such challenges for HCPS.

HARTride 2012

March 3rd, 2008, 05:15 PM

Two crowded schools may resort to busing
The inner-city schools may have to send 338 students to New Tampa.
By Amber Mobley, Times Staff Writer
Published March 3, 2008

TAMPA - The ghosts of desegregation are haunting North Tampa.

Two crowded schools in the University of South Florida area need to shed students quickly if the Hillsborough County School District is to meet state-mandated class size requirements.

With no room to build out, the district could move 338 students next year from that largely minority area into schools in predominantly white New Tampa: 156 Shaw students to Hunter's Green Elementary and 182 Witter students to Clark Elementary.

The prospect, aired last week at a School Board committee meeting, has reopened discussions about the merits and drawbacks of busing for desegregation.

Under a federal court order, the district bused children from the inner city to remote suburbs for more than 30 years. The court order was lifted in 2004, cheering critics who said forced desegregation dismantled community schools and made it harder for lower-income parents to be involved in their children's education.

Now, because of class size requirements, the school district finds itself having to ask children once more to leave their neighborhoods.

Officials are using two tools: magnet schools, which offer specialized instruction, and choice, which allows students to attend any school that has room within a large, designated territory.

But fliers sent to parents, booths at fairs and special meetings have not generated much interest in these options, said Steve Ayers, director of pupil administrative services. Shaw and Witter are at 120 percent and 119 percent of capacity, respectively.

At a workshop last week, most board members indicated they wanted the transfers to remain voluntary. The New Tampa schools are about 10 miles away from the university neighborhoods. Two closer schools, Tampa Palms Elementary and Chiles Elementary, are too close to capacity, Ayers said.

Board members generally are concerned about the stark differences in the demographics.

Only 12 percent of Clark students are black. That number dips to 10 percent at Hunter's Green. Just about 20 percent of students at both schools receive free or reduced-price lunch.

In the university area, Shaw and Witter are nearly 60 percent black and about 30 percent Hispanic. More than 90 percent of Witter students and Shaw students receive lunch subsidies.

The transfers would, in effect, produce effects similar to the old desegregation system.

Of the 156 Shaw students who could move to Hunter's Green, 88 are black. The shift would more than double the number of black students attending Hunter's Green, which had 82 black children enrolled as of September.

It's a similar story at Clark where, as of September, 80 of more than 600 students are black. Moving Witter students there would add another 101 black students.

"There are two very distinct cultures existing there," said School Board Chairwoman Jennifer Faliero. "Students tend not to feel accepted because they come in from the bus."

Concerned parents at Freedom High School, for example, have sent e-mails recently blaming university-area students for that school's spate of violent incidents. "It is very disturbing to hear that attitude," said Faliero, who says the students aren't to blame.

Many educators dismiss the notion that inner-city children can't thrive in a suburban setting.

Witter principal Anna Brown was the principal of Clark when students there were bused in from the university area.

"They did fit in," Brown said. "They did achieve and they did become a part of the school."

The School Board's lone black member, Doretha Edgecomb, agrees that children can adapt and benefit from new surroundings.

"If we can't make it work neighborhood-to-neighborhood, how are we going to expect them to work with people in the global market?," she asked at the board workshop. "Every opportunity where we can diversify and demonstrate that we support and value diversity in the school district, we ought to make an effort to do that."

Board member Candy Olson wants the school district to expand capacity in the university area, perhaps by opening smaller schools such as the new MOSI Partnership School.

That might be a more permanent solution, Ayers said. But the school district has been unsuccessful in finding local property "and we need to do something now."

Amber Mobley can be reached at amobley@sptimes.com or 813 269-5311.

School profiles

School Clark* Hunter's Green* Shaw Witter Grade A A C D Ethnic makeup 52% white15% Hispanic12% black 61% white16% Hispanic10% black 56% black31% Hispanic7% white 59% black26% Hispanic8% white Capacity without the change 71 percent 81 percent 120 percent 119 percent Capacity withthe change 93 percent 96 percent 99 percent 91 percent Before and after school programs Yes, after school programs, but none before school Yes Yes n/a Percent ofeconomicallydisadvantagedstudents 20 percent 22 percent 95 percent 94 percent

* Scheduled to receive a new wing

Source: Hillsborough County School District's enrollment counts and ethnic percentages from December 2007; Steve Ayers, director of pupil administrative services; and Florida Department of Education

[Last modified March 2, 2008, 23:12:38]

http://www.sptimes.com/2008/03/03/Hillsborough/Two_crowded_schools_m.shtml

JBrisco

March 3rd, 2008, 06:43 PM

Are you serious? Did they really say "The ghosts of desegregation are haunting North Tampa."
That's absolutley ridiculous. WOW Big problem intigrating blacks with whties. OMG RUN FOR THE HILLS.
Absolutely ridiculous.

HARTride 2012

March 3rd, 2008, 07:24 PM

Desegregation is a good thing though. I don't know why they're making such a big fuss over this. :ohno:

HARTride 2012

March 5th, 2008, 03:21 PM

Hillsborough schools consider tighter limits on cell phones
The phones cause problems despite a ban during school hours.
By Letitia Stein, Times Staff Writer
Published March 5, 2008

TAMPA - With cell phones increasingly causing problems on Hillsborough campuses, School Board members said Tuesday they want to look into tightening policies.

Hillsborough's rules prohibit students from using cell phones during school hours, but that didn't stop students from using text messages to spread the word about upcoming fights recently at Freedom High School. A St. Petersburg Times storyon the situation caught the attention of district officials.

Even confiscating cell phones can become an issue for teachers and administrators. Parents aren't happy when expensive phones and other electronic devices disappear at school.

"Cell phones do not belong in schools," said board member Candy Olson, suggesting that parents and students should sign a form acknowledging the policies. "There are too many opportunities for misuse and cheating."

Her colleagues agreed the problem needs more discussion, requesting input from students and parents.

In other business, the board clarified that speakers at their meetings do have the right to mention people by name, an issue that became explosive at last week's meeting. Board Chairman Jennifer Faliero said she misspoke in stating that no names could be used.

"I'm grateful that I live in a country where people can get up and say whatever hurtful, untruthful things they can, and we just have to take it," she said. "I also think it's a shame that some people abuse it."

At the last meeting, she ordered security to oust Lee Drury De Cesare, a political gadfly and relentless critic of the district. De Cesare had violated the no-name rule, and also spoke over the time limit.

De Cesare was back Tuesday, making charges about cronyism within the district, among other things. Also in attendance was the regional director of the American Civil Liberties Union, Rebecca Steele, who had concerns about the district's proposed civility rules.

Some of the concerns were alleviated when board members decided to request, rather than require, that speakers refrain from comments "abusive, harassing or threatening" and "racially, ethnically or religiously offensive."

"It's hard to keep people from being obnoxious," Steele said, noting that the board's guidelines remain somewhat vague.

[Last modified March 5, 2008, 01:55:55]

http://www.sptimes.com/2008/03/05/Hillsborough/Hillsborough_schools_.shtml

HARTride 2012

March 5th, 2008, 03:24 PM

School to sue beekeepers
By Times Staff Writer
Published March 5, 2008

The Hillsborough County School Board voted Tuesday to sue two beekeepers after complaints from nearby Limona Elementary School. Principal Karen Pierson said bees belonging to Michael and Steve Grande have stung children and left corrosive dropping on cars at the school.

The brothers, who sell honey from their home on Telfair Road, say the board is trying to force them out of business. They blame wasps that nest under the school roof.

[Last modified March 5, 2008, 07:07:43]

http://www.sptimes.com/2008/03/05/Hillsborough/School_to_sue_beekeep.shtml
================================
Classrooms ventilated after smoke, small fire at East Bay High School
GIBSONTON -- A kiln oven is the culprit in a small fire that clouded hallways and several classrooms with smoke at East Bay High School this morning, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue officials said.

The affected classrooms, about 20 total, were ventilated this morning. No serious damage was reported. Despite the possibility of a slight, lingering smoke odor, school officials say classes will continue as scheduled.

A fire alarm triggered around 4 a.m. drew about 15 firefighters to the high school, located at 7710 Old Big Bend Road. Fire officials pinpointed a kiln, an oven typically used to heat ceramics, left on inside a classroom as the cause of the smoke. The kiln had burned through a wooden base, Fire Rescue spokesman Capt. Bruce Delk said in a statement.

No injuries were reported.

-- Casey Cora, Times staff writer

Posted by tampabaycom at 5:51:45 AM on March 5, 2008 in Hillsborough

http://blogs.tampabay.com/breakingnews/

FloridaFuture

March 13th, 2008, 12:14 PM

Senate May Crack Down On Droopy Pants

By RUSSELL RAY and CLOE CABRERA, The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 13, 2008

TALLAHASSEE - Sen. Charlie Justice and other lawmakers couldn't help but poke fun at the bill that bans droopy pants.

Justice, D-St. Petersburg, urged lawmakers Wednesday to do their homework before considering Senate Bill 302, which would bar public school students from wearing saggy pants.

"None of us want to see a senator caught with his pants down on the floor," Justice quipped.

Sen. Dave Aronberg, R-Green- acres, offered an amendment that would exclude students studying refrigerator repair or plumbing from punishment under the bill.

"I will be brief," Aronberg said. "This only opens the door just a little crack."

The amendment was quickly withdrawn.

Joking aside, the bill drew serious support and criticism from Senate lawmakers. The Senate discussed the bill for more than a half-hour.

The legislation's author, Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, said the saggy-pants look is a fad among youths that hurts their chances of getting a job.

"We want to be able to teach our kids how to dress appropriately," Siplin said. "We want to train our kids how they should be as an adult."

But Sen. Al Lawson, D-Tallahassee, said the droopy pants bill would punish students whose parents are poor and can't afford clothes that fit.

"Those kids just go to school with no intention to let their pants hang," Lawson said. "There's a difference between those who plan to do it and those who really can't help it."

Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, said getting teenagers to pull their pants up "is up to the parent and not the Legislature."

The bill would mean students could not expose "below-waist" underwear at school or a school activity in a way that exposes a student's "covered or uncovered sexual organs in a vulgar and indecent manner."

Legislators weren't the only ones opposed to the bill.

Howard Lawson, a 17-year-old freshman at Middleton High School in Tampa, said the bill wouldn't stop him from wearing saggy pants.

"Politicians don't buy my clothes," said Lawson as he was walking home from school Wednesday. "Unless they spend money on my clothes, they shouldn't be telling me what to wear."

Lawson, who was sporting saggy jeans and no shirt, said he wears saggy pants over "baller" (basketball) shorts.

"I do wear them low, but I usually have on a T-shirt long enough to cover my shorts," he said. "That's how I sport it. I'll keep dressin' how I dress."

Hillsborough County schools' dress code already includes a ban on clothing exposing the torso or midriff - front, back or sides - and requires all pants and shorts be secured at the waist.

Tony Timmons, 24, has worn saggy jeans since he was 16. He calls the style "smoldering" hot.

"It's sad people judge you and stereotype you by what you wear," said Timmons, a prep worker at the Columbia Restaurant who was wearing saggy pants while riding his bicycle home on 22nd Street Wednesday afternoon. "People think you're a drug dealer or you're doing something illegal because your pants are low. That's wrong. What about people who wear really tight, tight pants? That should be against the law, too."

Jose Paneto, 14, disagrees with a ban on saggy pants but said he will abide by it if it passes. Paneto, whose T-shirt went down to midthigh over saggy shorts, said he rarely allows his underpants to show.

"I have no choice" but to buy more pants, said the Middleton High School sophomore who was walking to his Belmont Heights Estates home. "I don't want to get into trouble. But all of my pants are big. It makes me nervous to think it could happen."

Siplin has introduced similar legislation the past three years. Each time, lawmakers killed the proposal. This year, however, the bill does not call for jail time and reached the floor of the Senate for the first time after clearing a Senate education committee in January. A similar bill in the House passed a House education committee in February and was referred to the House Schools and Learning Council.

Richedean Hills-Ackbar hopes the bill passes.

"I'm tired of seeing all these boys' underwear," said the 42-year-old grandmother. "Maybe this will put a stop to it once and for all."

The Senate will continue debate on Siplin's bill today.

Reporter Marilyn Brown contributed to this report. Russell Ray can be reached at (850) 222-8382. Cloe Cabrera can be reached at (813) 259-7656.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/mar/13/me-senate-may-crack-down-on-droopy-pants/

HARTride 2012

March 13th, 2008, 02:19 PM

I hate it when teens wear their darn pants below their waist. It is so ridiculous even though it is the "style" of the present fashion day. When I was at Robinson, the policy was only "half-enforced". There would be many days that I'd walk to class and saw one of the administrators walk right past a student that was in clear violation of the dress code without doing anything about it. I really hope the county starts "really" enforcing their dress code.

HARTride 2012

March 14th, 2008, 03:37 PM

Hillsborough to put squeeze on bus transportation to save money

By Letitia Stein, Times Staff Writer
Published Wednesday, March 12, 2008 6:32 AM

TAMPA — In a gloomy economic environment, Hillsborough School Board members Tuesday discussed transportation changes likely to inconvenience many parents and students.

School officials are reviewing a wide range of services — including school nurses, guidance programs, athletics and media specialists — for cost-saving cuts. Superintendent MaryEllen Elia said she expects difficult budget decisions for the coming school year and into the future.

"The students and teachers in the classroom are going to be held sacred," she said. "But we have to look at other things, and we have to look at efficiencies."

The main target Tuesday was bus operations, where the district is in the middle of a major overhaul. To increase efficiencies, school officials are recommending ending school bus service to private daycare centers. General transportation manager John Franklin estimated that 150 daycare programs and about 2,000 students take advantage of the free rides.

School officials are making plans for the nearly two-dozen schools that would feel the greatest impact, most of them in the northwestern suburbs. They plan to offer parents an option to enroll in fee-based daycare programs on the campuses.

In another change, parents would no longer be able to send notes authorizing their child to ride home on a different bus, such as to a friend's house. The district would make exceptions in emergencies.

Franklin has heard anecdotal reports of high schools where as many as 60 students can change buses on a daily basis, making it a nightmare to keep track of students. He said the district has piloted the changes in eastern Hillsborough without a major outcry from parents.

Board Chairwoman Jennifer Faliero worried about parents who have to work late unexpectedly being denied transportation for their children.

"That's half the population," she said, asking what would happen if she had to stay late for a Board meeting and wanted her daughter to go home with a friend. "These situations occur."

Hillsborough also is looking at making permanent changes tried out this school year for students whose parents are divorced and split custody. Under the new rules, only middle and high school students are allowed to take different buses during the week, and only if both parents live within the school boundary and qualify for transportation.

School officials also want to down on offering bus rides on a space-available basis to students who aren't eligible for transportation. Most parents already know they can't do this any longer, Franklin said.

He plans to bring the recommended transportation changes, which could go into effect next year, to the Board for approval as soon as next week.

They include the possibility of longer bus rides for students attending schools out of their attendance boundaries. And teachers no longer could have their children ride buses from their school to the teacher's workplace.

Letitia Stein can be reached at lstein@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3400. For more education news, visit The Gradebook at blogs.tampabay.com/schools.

[Last modified Thursday, March 13, 2008 8:57 PM]

http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/article414717.ece

HARTride 2012

March 15th, 2008, 02:42 PM

Schools Prepare Summer Courses

By MARILYN BROWN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 15, 2008

Updated: 12:17 am

TAMPA - Spring break is still three weeks away, but summer is on the minds of Hillsborough County school administrators.

They've got plans for kids who just don't get algebra, those who can't read very well and for those whose parents would rather they do science experiments or learn Spanish than watch TV or play video games.

Thousands of students will return to school shortly after classes end June 4, with some staying until early August. The 2008-09 school year begins Aug. 18.

New this summer are computer labs at all high schools for students struggling with Algebra I. Expanded is a program for fifth-graders who don't read well to become acclimated to middle schools, and more schools will offer the state voluntary prekindergarten program.

That is all in addition to reading and enrichment camps for thousands of elementary school students.

Those are free for parents. The Hillsborough school district budgeted $12.3 million for this year's expanding summer programs, most of it state money that must be used to remediate students throughout the year.

"I value play," said Mike Grego, Hillsborough schools' assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, noting that most programs are a half day. "I also value this summer program; it can be balanced."

Most classes end around noon, "so they can play for the rest of the day," Grego said.

The district also encourages individual schools to offer fee-based programs such as technology or music camps.

As long as the fees cover costs - mainly paying teachers - schools can offer enrichment camps in nearly any subject, Grego said. Schools are forming those classes now, he said, based on parent and teacher interest.

Fees, hours and classes are up to the school. Last year, for example, Westchase, Deer Park and Bryant Elementary School teachers taught a variety of three-week summer classes, all at Westchase. The fee was $300 for each three-week session lasting from 8 a.m. to noon.

A junior chef class featuring pancakes, brownies and frozen bananas dipped in chocolate was very popular, said Alison Myers, Deer Park's vice principal. Spanish classes were full, and hands-on science classes also were popular.

This year's additions include drama, scrapbooking, sewing and fitness, Myers said. Classes will be at Deer Park this summer and are open to any family, including those from private schools.

Old-Time Summer School Is Gone

Summer used to be the time when mostly older students returned to retake failed courses and some worked ahead to earn more credits or take driver's education.

Now that the state requires remediation classes throughout the school year, and students can opt for education classes to make up credits, middle and high schools are no longer filled with high school students taking basic classes.

Today, older students still take driver's education, study for tests to earn a diploma or GED, and earn credit through online classes during the summer.

The district offers classes for juniors and seniors to study for the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test if they failed it in 10th grade, as well as the General Educational Development test. Dual enrollment classes for college credit are also available.

A computer course was added last summer at four schools and is expanding to all 25 high schools this year.

The "I CAN Learn" program allows 25 students at each school to either repeat the first semester of Algebra I if they failed it or complete the second semester, said Michael Smith, the district's high school math supervisor. Hundreds of students could qualify, he said. A selling point is getting the graduation requirement done so they can take electives next year. The course is self-paced, with a teacher going over the concepts.

"A student can stop and repeat the instruction," Smith said. "That's really good for our ELL English Language Learner students."

Reading camps for rising sixth-graders and for eighth-graders who have low reading test scores are also being offered in 14 middle schools.

Younger Children Not Forgotten

On the opposite spectrum is the largest group of summer students - elementary school students.

Last year, more than 21,000 kindergartners through fifth-graders qualified for summer reading and enrichment camps, said Marilyn Blackmer, who coordinates the program. The camps run from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and provide breakfast, lunch and transportation.

Of the 10,744 kindergarten through third-grade students districtwide with low reading scores who qualified for reading camp, 70 percent attended, Blackmer said. First-graders, whose average percentile reading score was 19 in the spring, scored an average 29th percentile. Second-graders' average scores increased from 22nd to 28th percentile, and third-graders' scores rose from 18th to 24th percentile, Blackmer said.

The camp is not mandatory, but the district uses letters and phone calls to strongly urge parents to send their children.

The state's voluntary prekindergarten program is available in Hillsborough public schools in the summer. During the past two summers the district topped the state in the number of children attending the free program.

To qualify, a child must have been age 4 on or before Sept, 1, 2007, and not have been enrolled in the state pre-k program at a private or faith-based program during the school year. Pre-k summer registration begins April 1. The 10-hours-per-day classes begin June 23 and run through Aug. 4. Children do not have to attend all day or the entire session.

This summer, 21 schools will offer the program with certified teachers, up from 18 last year. Breakfast, lunch and snack are provided, but not transportation. The district's pre-k hot line is (813) 272-4840.

In addition, schools and community agencies will offer dozens of programs ranging from summer business internships to grant-funded research programs.

Fliers and letters will go out to parents later this month. Schools also have information on summer programs. The school district's Web site, www.sdhc.k12.fl.us, also will continue to update summer information.

Reporter Marilyn Brown can be reached at (813) 259-8069 or mbrown@tampatrib.com.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/mar/15/me-schools-prepare-summer-courses/?news-metro

HARTride 2012

March 19th, 2008, 01:46 PM

Bad day on Good Friday?
Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Some drivers might have to double or triple up their bus routes if too many drivers take Good Friday off.HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Roll call is coming a few days early for Hillsborough County teachers.

Principals are being asked to report to the district by Wednesday how many teachers are planning to take off Good Friday.

"It's going to be interesting to see how it plays out," Yvonne Lyons with the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association said. "We are expecting an awful lot of teachers to be absent."

In the past the district's given Good Friday off. But the school board decided to schedule classes this year as part of a new secular calendar. Teachers earn six personal days a year and requests are piling up to use Good Friday as one of them.

"It's going to vary from school to school," Lyons said.

More Information
Not so Good Friday
E-mail TV reporter Laurie Davison
It appears they might have to combine some classes or call on substitutes. But the teacher's union said subs may be hard to come by.

"They like to take off the same days teachers take off, and if there's a major holiday there's also a lack of substitutes to fill the vacancies," Lyons said.

Transportation is another concern. More than 200 bus drivers requested Friday off, and that means the ones who do show up for work could find themselves doubling or even tripling up.

"It actually causes a lot more strain due to we have a shortage of drivers as it is," said Luis Perez, with the Hillsborough School Employees Federation. "We're already doubling and tripling up, and with Good Friday more drivers will have to pull more weight and they're already getting to the boiling point."

The school district said it may be dealing with fewer students, too. Observing a religious holiday is an excused absence. Administrators hope it will all balance out.

The school board is using this as an experiment. Board members will look at how many employees and students take off for Good Friday this year when planning future school calendars.

Also, they said it won't be a problem next year since Good Friday falls during a week already blocked out as spring break.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2008/3/18/333414.html?title=Bad+day+on+Good+Friday?

HARTride 2012

March 19th, 2008, 01:49 PM

Its stupid that HCPS created their new calendar in a way that no longer provides off days on certain religious holidays. I'm sure they could have thought up another alternative despite all the groups bickering at the school board as to which holidays should be recognized, etc. This is another reason that I am glad to be out of that system. The many decsions that Elia and the school board have made recently are just out right ridiculous. :bash:

jonknee

March 19th, 2008, 06:07 PM

I see a secular calendar as a good thing and it serves the majority well (no need to cancel school because a small percentage of people don't want to go). The school system could easily operate like a company and not let 20% of its staff take the day off for no reason. It's not an official holiday (the Fed stays open) and school gets out early enough to still make liturgy if you're so inclined.

Chum

March 21st, 2008, 03:54 PM

^^^ A secular calendar can be a good thing, but only when the percentage of absenteeism is contained. Trust me, an obscene number of people won't be at school today. Many bus routes aren't running (about 30%). Many of the teachers AND substitutes will be unavailable, meaning classes will have to be pooled together just to have adults watching over the students. Lunch services have been canceled because too many of the lunch employees won't be there, so at many schools the county is providing "bagged lunches." AND on top of that, since its a religious holiday there will be no absence penalty for students missing school - it will count as school business. Kids who aren't even recognizing Good Friday called in for religious reasons just because they could and because it was obvious that no academic progress could be made under such horrible conditions. I can only speak for my school Bloomingdale, but I know that I didn't have a SINGLE class where more than 5or 6 people would show up today. Heck, I even stayed home, since I knew that I could get more work done at home than at school...

Keeping schools open today was a complete waste of millions of taxpayers dollars. When so many people are gone, it begins to affect even those who don't observe the holiday. In theory I'm all for a secular calander, but trying to pretend that you can hold school under such conditions is absurd.

FloridaFuture

March 21st, 2008, 04:35 PM

No buses to any of the schools in my area are running. So, even if some kids were going to school, some of them couldn't anyway. I think for my school about 40 of the 175 teachers or so weren't coming. There of course aren't even 40 subs at my school, much less 40 who aren't taking the day off.

Also, when teachers asked how many kids were coming to each class, only about 5 kids or so per class said they were going.

Chum

March 21st, 2008, 08:08 PM

^^ Exactly!

jonknee

March 21st, 2008, 10:14 PM

I think it's because they announced absences wouldn't count (against exam exemptions and what not). So there was absolutely no motive to go. So they only got it half right--they had school but didn't make anyone go. They should either do it all one or the other.

jonknee

March 21st, 2008, 10:19 PM

Keeping schools open today was a complete waste of millions of taxpayers dollars. When so many people are gone, it begins to affect even those who don't observe the holiday. In theory I'm all for a secular calander, but trying to pretend that you can hold school under such conditions is absurd.

It does not cost millions of dollars extra to have schools open for a day. In fact it costs almost nothing budget wise. Almost everyone is on salary so it costs nothing to have them come in. The cost of the subs is a few thousand dollars and that's the only real cost here. If they had skipped today officially they would have to make it up later in the year which would mean electricity and what not wash out in costs (it's either now or later).

TampaGuy

March 21st, 2008, 11:08 PM

At my school they cancelled all bus routes and 245 people showed up.
I had 4-7 people per class.

HARTride 2012

March 22nd, 2008, 05:21 AM

^^
And those who went just spent all day doing nothing basically.

I visited my middle school (Coleman) today and all the office staff were busy like h**l calling parents to make sure some of the students were being picked up on time.

FloridaFuture

March 22nd, 2008, 05:23 PM

Nearly 60% of Hillsborough County students absent on Good Friday
By Letitia Stein, Times Staff Writer
Published Friday, March 21, 2008 11:13 PM

http://www.tampabay.com/multimedia/archive/00015/a4s_skulfriday_0322_15387c.jpeg
Bloomingdale High has 2,228 students, but just 368 were in the building Friday. Another 160 were on a field trip. In this morning class, only 12 of 24 students showed up. They watched a movie.

TAMPA — A lot more Hillsborough students skipped school Friday than bothered to show up, turning the first day in years with classes on Good Friday into one of the strangest on the books.

More than 100,000 students — almost 60 percent — took a holiday after school officials warned all week about excessive absenteeism among employees.

Scores of bus routes were canceled and regular service was eliminated at almost two dozen schools after about 40 percent of bus drivers took Friday off.

Most of Hillsborough's high schools were nearly empty. Eight in 10 students took advantage of a no-penalty absence policy.

"A lot of kids went to the beach today," said 15-year-old Alonso High sophomore Taylor Peck, lunching with a classmate at the California Pizza Kitchen before an afternoon pedicure. "Like three-fourths of the school."

All week, many students pestered parents with stories about how teachers were blowing the day off, saying Friday was for movies and free time. The parents of one Plant High student called the school to check out the rumors, and were outraged to learn they were true.

"We were just totally blindsided," said Chris Slowey, 44. "They're always complaining they don't have enough time to teach the curriculum, and then they show movies all day."

The South Tampa mother was doubly upset that two of her younger children received a totally different message from the administration at MacFarlane Park Elementary, which managed to hold a normal day.

"How is it there's not consistency across the board that regardless of our numbers, we're teaching?" she asked.

The finger-pointing may have only just begun.

Advocates of the traditional Christian holiday say they predicted this. Others wonder if the mass employee absenteeism, especially among bus drivers, was a protest over a lost day off.

Superintendent MaryEllen Elia denied the notion, along with suggestions that inconsistent communication caused wildly different school attendance rates. She said she'll study the numbers and review the controversial decision to switch to an academic calendar that recognizes no religious holidays.

But School Board Chairwoman Jennifer Faliero says she heard from Elia and another high-ranking district officer that they'll never again recommend school on Good Friday — regardless of the suggestions of a committee of parents, teachers and administrators that's supposed to review the calendar each year.

"This is not up for debate anymore in my opinion, or in the opinion of the administration," said Faliero, who has warned for years that school on Good Friday was a bad idea.

Other board members don't see things that way. But no one can ignore student absenteeism that was seven to eight times higher than on recent Fridays.

"This was a protest," said board member April Griffin. She also blamed alarmist media coverage and parental confusion.

Griffin is not alone in questioning the huge number of bus drivers who took the day off. Luis Perez, president of their union, the Hillsborough School Employees Federation, said about half the drivers who decided to take the day off made up their minds in the last two days. That "doesn't seem like a religious thing to me," he said. There was no organized union effort, he added.

School officials praised the drivers and employees who showed up, including teachers who reported in higher-than-expected numbers at many schools. The district got requests for substitutes from about 2,000 teachers, but did not have a final count on their attendance Friday.

In Pinellas, which has held school on Good Friday for several years, almost 10 percent of teachers were absent — up 40 percent from a typical Friday. The district did not have absentee numbers for students, but also faced thin crowds the first year it held school on Good Friday.

In Hillsborough, the superintendent said students who showed up enjoyed bonding time with teachers and small tutorials. She believed the district sent a clear message all week that learning would take place.

That's not what students and parents across the county said they heard.

Dylan Griswold, a 16-year-old Plant High junior, slept in and played video games before heading to Ashley's Espresso on Dale Mabry Highway. The night before, he considered going to school, but most of his teachers had said they'd be showing movies all day.

"Except for my first-period teacher, who said we'd be reading a book," he said.

Desks may have been empty, but the Brandon mall was not. Dozens of students hung out and shopped.

Kandy Bee spent the day with her school-age daughter and niece, shopping for Easter Sunday outfits. Bee, who grew up in Hillsborough, said she always had Good Friday off, and she was upset about the change.

"This is part of our religion, and we're going to stand our ground," Bee said.

Spending the afternoon with her children at International Plaza was not Sonya Henneke's original plan. The 37-year-old Riverview mother wanted her sons to go to school on Friday and observe Easter on Sunday.

Then she received an automated phone call from the school Thursday night, warning of combined classes and administrators recruited to teach. Oh, and her bus runs were canceled.

"Why would I send my kids to school when basically it's just glorified babysitting?" she said.

Times staff writers Emily Nipps, Robbyn Mitchell, Amber Mobley and Jessica Vander Velde contributed to this report. Letitia Stein can be reached at lstein@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3400.

[Last modified Friday, March 21, 2008 11:21 PM]

http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/article427628.ece

Chum

March 23rd, 2008, 05:22 AM

It does not cost millions of dollars extra to have schools open for a day. In fact it costs almost nothing budget wise. Almost everyone is on salary so it costs nothing to have them come in. The cost of the subs is a few thousand dollars and that's the only real cost here. If they had skipped today officially they would have to make it up later in the year which would mean electricity and what not wash out in costs (it's either now or later).

Well it depends on how you calculate your costs/benefits. Yes, if they had cancelled school on Friday then it would have been made up on another day, but it would have been a productive day in which students actually learned something. Instead, the county chose to spend the same amount of money when only 1/5 (at best) of the students were there...

HARTride 2012

May 9th, 2008, 02:25 AM

Hillsborough Schools Crafting Tougher Cell Phone Rules

By MARILYN BROWN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 8, 2008

TAMPA - Hillsborough County School District officials are shaping new cell phone rules likely to ignite some fiery text messages among students.

Not only would students be required to keep their phones turned off at school - the current rule - they would also have to keep them out of sight.

If a student violator is caught, a sequence of punishments from a warning to suspension is proposed.

"If you can't have a cell phone on, there is no reason to have it out," said Lewis Brinson, the district's assistant superintendent for administration.

Brinson is drafting new cell phone procedures for the 2008-09 school year, to be presented at the May 20 school board meeting. The rules are a consensus from a committee of teachers, students, parents and principals, he said, but still must be vetted by the superintendent before they reach the board for a vote.

Cell phone use has exploded among students at all grade levels. They hide phones in purses or pockets and text friends in class, make calls or text from hallways and bathrooms between classes, or openly answer phones in class, especially when parents call. Test pages and answers can be photographed and shared, and video or pictures posted on the Internet.

Schools and individual teachers vary in how and whether they enforce Hillsborough's rule that cell phones "shall not be activated or used in any manner during school hours," including on silent, vibrate or visual-only mode. Some teachers say they just don't have the time to both police cell phone use and teach.

"We're trying to be more consistent," Brinson said.

Progress Village Middle Magnet School Principal Walt Shaffner can attest to the misuse, despite his school's rule: "If it's on, we take it away."

In his school of 850 students, "We have confiscated 80 to 100 so far this year," he said. "We have 30 or more cells alone from last year that were never picked up."

Shaffner was on the committee that came up with the proposed procedures. He said he agrees because of both the increased misuse and increased capability of phones.

"A phone has become a complicated and sophisticated tool that's kind of being used as a toy," he said. At the same time, "cell phones have gone from a privilege to an entitlement," Shaffner said.

Practicalities need to be worked out, Brinson acknowledged.

One is keeping track of violations. They could be recorded like tardies, he said, with teachers noting it in their computer.

"We don't want the cell phone situation to get into an argument," Brinson said. The intent, he said, is to stop disruptions to teaching, "not to patrol the bathrooms," looking for phones.

Many student government leaders were asked in March for suggestions to change cell phone rules. Many proposed allowing cells to be used during lunch.

Jarrod Barefoot, a senior at Newsome High, had suggested requiring students to leave phones out on their desks. He said the district's proposed changes don't sound much different than the way it is now, except for uniform consequences.

Recently, Newsome tightened its phone policy, Barefoot said. Most teachers send students to detention for a first offense, with in-school suspension the second time. Phones are usually confiscated only if used during a test, Barefoot said, because parents are so upset when they must retrieve them at the office.

"I think it's worked a lot better," he said. "I admit I don't talk often after worrying about getting detention or suspension."

Brinson said tougher rules could be enforced, then relaxed, depending on how students respond.

"If we follow through with what we say we're going to do, they'll realize we're serious about it," he said. "Right now we need to get a grip on letting students understand when we say off, we mean off."

Reporter Marilyn Brown can be reached at (813) 259-8069 or mbrown@tampatrib.com.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/may/08/me-school-bells-wont-be-cells/

FloridaFuture

May 9th, 2008, 02:41 AM

There's a rule at Sickles currently that if a teacher sees a phone they're supposed to take it, but the teachers never seem to care enough to take the phone.

HARTride 2012

May 9th, 2008, 04:14 AM

^^
This was also the case when I was at Robinson. Only the real strict teachers would actually confiscate phones. Most of the other teachers didn't really care.

rhythmnation2004

May 10th, 2008, 05:24 PM

I go to Gaither in North Tampa, and I'll be graduating at the end of this month. Just wanted to chime in with the fact that the cell phone policy has ALWAYS BEEN "off and out of sight". But, unless they check every student as they walk in the building, it is impossible to enforce such a rule. Students are always going to have their phones on silent or vibrate... why? So they can text, of course. Yes, it's a distraction to students and bothers teachers and administrators. But it's just one of those things that nothing can be done about.

Personally, I feel that students SHOULD be allowed to have cell phones on and on vibrate. Many teachers don't even have the courtesy to silence their phone, instead letting it ring loudly and stopping the lesson to address a personal issue. When confronted by the students, the teachers give the dictatorial excuse "I'm the adult and I have a family and adult-related problems to attend to". Well, so do the students.

I work at a law firm as a legal secretary. There are many times when I need to be able to receive texts from the office. Sorry, but that is preparing me more for the real world than "off and out of sight". No career I've ever heard of requires you to keep your cell phones off. My occupation is legal secretary, not student. As far as I'm concerned, the only reason I'm still going is because, quite simply, I have to if I want to get a diploma. My work comes before my school. Not because I'm lazy about school work, but because my job actually contributes to society and affects the lives of the general public, and my attendance in school does not benefit anyone but the Superintendent, who gets a hefty bonus because I did well on the FCAT.

HARTride 2012

May 10th, 2008, 08:36 PM

I go to Gaither in North Tampa, and I'll be graduating at the end of this month. Just wanted to chime in with the fact that the cell phone policy has ALWAYS BEEN "off and out of sight". But, unless they check every student as they walk in the building, it is impossible to enforce such a rule. Students are always going to have their phones on silent or vibrate... why? So they can text, of course. Yes, it's a distraction to students and bothers teachers and administrators. But it's just one of those things that nothing can be done about.

Personally, I feel that students SHOULD be allowed to have cell phones on and on vibrate. Many teachers don't even have the courtesy to silence their phone, instead letting it ring loudly and stopping the lesson to address a personal issue. When confronted by the students, the teachers give the dictatorial excuse "I'm the and I have a family and -related problems to attend to". Well, so do the students.

I work at a law firm as a legal secretary. There are many times when I need to be able to receive texts from the office. Sorry, but that is preparing me more for the real world than "off and out of sight". No career I've ever heard of requires you to keep your cell phones off. My occupation is legal secretary, not student. As far as I'm concerned, the only reason I'm still going is because, quite simply, I have to if I want to get a diploma. My work comes before my school. Not because I'm lazy about school work, but because my job actually contributes to society and affects the lives of the general public, and my attendance in school does not benefit anyone but the Superintendent, who gets a hefty bonus because I did well on the FCAT.

First off, congrats on graduating H.S. I did back in 2006 and was sooooo happy. But I miss my teachers.

I do agree that the cell phone policy that is being proposed will be very difficult to enforce unless teachers actually try to enforce it. Shoot, at Robinson, the APs didn't even properly enforce the dress code. I'd see students who were in clear violation of the dress code and yet the APs would walk right past them as if nothing was going on. What b.s. that is...

And finally, I dislike Superintendent Elia. She has been making HCPS a living h*** since she was given that position. Especially with the whole scheduling snafu that both students and teachers have been forced to adapt.

HARTride 2012

May 21st, 2008, 01:33 PM

Hillsborough School Lunch Cost To Increase 50 Cents

By ADAM EMERSON

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 21, 2008

Updated:

TAMPA - Families paying full price for school lunches in Hillsborough County will pay 50 cents more for each meal, a sign that the escalating costs of food nationwide have crept inside the schoolhouse door.

The Hillsborough County School Board raised the price of elementary school lunches from $1.75 to $2.25. Middle and high school lunches will cost $2.75, up from $2.25.

The board made the move reluctantly - two members voted against the increase - at its Tuesday meeting, during which it also strengthened the disclosure requirements of job applicants.

In light of the school district's recent teacher sex scandals, officials now will reject an application if they learn a prospective employee omitted a criminal background, even one that is sealed. If the transgression is discovered after the job is offered, the employee will be fired.

Stephanie Ragusa, the 29-year-old teacher charged with having sex repeatedly with two underage students, omitted her prior arrest record, which includes charges of driving under the influence and aggravated battery that were later dropped.

The district found out, but hired her anyway.

"We found some gaps in our application process, and we closed them," board member April Griffin said.

The meal price increase occupied much of the board's debate Tuesday. While members understood the need to raise costs - prices for milk, bread and produce are spiking - they worried about the affect such a steep one-year increase would have on families.

"This is one of those things you're darned if you do and darned if you don't," said board member Carol Kurdell, who voted for the increase.

The 50-cent increase applies to next school year. Future increases will be pegged to a consumer price index.

District administrators said the schools spent $1.6 million more on milk this year, a 33 percent increase over last year. The price of bread, which cost the district about $100,000 more this year than last, is expected to quadruple.

The district's push to healthy food also has led to higher costs. Hillsborough schools do not plan to revert to less healthful options, but it has tightened menu offerings.

Fresh fruit servings, for instance, are down to two days a week. Schools used to serve them every day but now serve mostly canned and frozen fruits and vegetables.

School officials also said that government subsidies have not kept pace. The cost of producing a lunch in Hillsborough is nearly $3. The federal government contributes an average 23 cents for each student paying full price for lunch.

Most board members understood these factors, but they urged school officials to soften the spike by ensuring that every child who qualifies also applies for a free or reduced price lunch.

Griffin said some qualified families may be too embarrassed to come forward and say they need help to cover the cost of meals. Schools in the district have had great success discreetly identifying families who need the help, she said.

She wanted the district to build on that success with other schools before raising prices. In a weakening economy, families are paying more for most staples, Griffin said. She voted against the increase. Board member Susan Valdes also voted no.

In other matters, the Osceola County School Board decided to wait two weeks before deciding whether to hire Hillsborough schools Assistant Superintendent Mike Grego as its district's next leader.

The Osceola board picked Grego in a 3-2 vote last week, and a final vote was due Tuesday. With two dissenters pressing for a candidate from Miami-Dade County, the board decided to discuss Grego's candidacy further.

Reporter Adam Emerson can be reached at (813) 259-8285 or aemerson@tampatrib.com.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/may/21/me-school-lunch-cost-rises/

HARTride 2012

May 22nd, 2008, 05:49 PM

District administrators said the schools spent $1.6 million more on milk this year, a 33 percent increase over last year. The price of bread, which cost the district about $100,000 more this year than last, is expected to quadruple.

One word...appalling!

HARTride 2012

May 29th, 2008, 03:24 PM

Parents not pleased about proposed bus changes
Thursday, May 29, 2008

TAMPA (Bay News 9) -- The Hillsborough County School District calls their proposed bus route changes improvements.

But for the 200 or so parents in attendance at a meeting Wednesday night in Tampa, the changes are anything but.

The new bus plans calls for fewer bus stops and could affect students from throughout the county. It also would mean virtually no bus service for some students and farther walks for others.

Students also won't be allowed to ride different buses for social reasons. And there won't be any more service for some day cares or choice students.

The gathering, held Wednesday at Sickles High School, was an informational meeting aimed at gauging responses. The gathering was the fifth of six meetings with the next one scheduled for Tampa's Chamberlain High today at 5:30 p.m.

Several of the parents in attendance became agitated during the meeting, according to Bay News 9's partner newspaper, The St. Petersburg Times.

School officials countered by saying any changes are tentative and only being proposed for financial reasons and increasing efficiency.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2008/5/29/352288.html?title=Parents+not+pleased+about+proposed+bus+changes+

HARTride 2012

May 29th, 2008, 03:26 PM

Thank goodness my sister does not ride the bus. I think the transportation department is crazy by doing this. Thier letter to students claimed that this measure is to "streamline" the transportation process.

Excuse me? But "streamline" isn't the word to use to explain these "nonsense" changes. Doing this to make the system more "efficient" isn't going to help things either.

HARTride 2012

June 7th, 2008, 04:15 PM

Schools Get Stricter On Phones

By MARILYN BROWN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 7, 2008

Updated: 01:11 am

TAMPA - Beginning in August, Hillsborough County school students will have to keep their cell phones and other electronic devices out of sight or have them confiscated, school board members decided Friday.

The plan still needs a formal vote, but school board members said they are ready to crack down.

"If we see 'em, we take 'em," is how school board vice chairwoman Carol Kurdell summed up the board's shift in dealing with an explosion of texting and calling during school. The confiscations would be temporary, as they are now.

"You must enforce it if you put it out there," board chairwoman Jennifer Faliero said. "If you're going to do it, do it big."

Details - including consequences, and the rules for cell phone use by bus riders and teachers - still must be worked out before the change makes it into the student code of conduct for the 2008-09 school year. Friday's workshop meeting included six of seven board members, and they agreed on the tougher rule. April Griffin was absent.

Cell phone use in schools became a safety issue after 9/11, and a state law was passed to allow students to have phones at school. Hillsborough's policy has been that phones must be turned off during school. Students openly carry and use them, however, and enforcement varies by school.

As phone use increases and trickles down to elementary grades, teachers can't police the silent texting or the videos that end up on the Internet.

This year, state law also invalidated test scores of students with cell phones on them during the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.

Friday's workshop included six principals, invited by administrators to offer practical input.

Burns Middle School has required students to leave phones and backpacks in lockers all day, Principal Brenda Nolte told the board. If phones were seen, they were confiscated until the end of the day, parents were called and an in-school suspension was enforced.

Board members liked that idea, but not all students have lockers, and Tampa Bay Technical High Principal Chris Farkas said that would not be practical at high school.

Farkas estimated 99 percent of his students carry cell phones, and it will be extremely difficult to change their habits: "If it's on them, it's going to be used," he said.

"I challenge you," he told the board. "Take eight hours and don't look at your cell phone."

If the board bans phones from sight, he and others said it needs to be clear to students and parents that phones cannot be seen from the first to last bell of the day.

Even elementary students are bringing phones to school, said Lou Cerreta, principal at Deer Park Elementary, and Tracye Brown, principal at Potter Elementary.

"There are cell phones right now in my desk," Brown said, noting that parents who were called to pick them up never did.

Parents will also need to be retrained, principals said.

At Orange Grove Middle Magnet School, "cell phones have become a real problem," Principal Linda Denison said. "A lot of parents call the kids. The kid goes into the bathroom to call the parent back.

"The parent believes it is a right to call their child."

The question was raised about whether teachers should be able to use cell phones if their students can't.

Students have complained that teachers call or text during class. Yvonne Lyons, Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association executive director, said it would not be unreasonable to expect a teacher not to be on a cell phone during instructional time.

Lyons noted that cell phones have been used to call for help in class and saved both students' and teachers' lives.

The board decided to ask teachers for input on their cell phone use before procedures are drawn up.

They also lauded the unusual workshop format of having principals taking part in discussions and said they want to continue that. The principals also offered their ideas and experience about handling discipline matters, another topic of Friday's workshop.

Reporter Marilyn Brown can be reached at (813) 259-8069 or mbrown@tampatrib.com.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/jun/07/me-schools-get-stricter-on-phones/

HARTride 2012

June 7th, 2008, 04:18 PM

^^
Yeah, good luck to HCPS, which never seems to properly enforce many of the rules...such as this one (as I discussed earlier).

HARTride 2012

July 16th, 2008, 03:45 PM

Hillsborough schools crack down on cell phone use
Wednesday, July 16, 2008

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Hillsborough County schools are cracking down on cell phone use.

The school board voted Tuesday to ban cell phone usage in schools.

According to Bay News 9's partner paper, the St. Petersburg Times, starting next school year, if a student is seen using a cell phone for calls or texting, it will be confiscated and given back at the end of the day.

In the case of an emergency, students will have to use the school office phone.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2008/7/16/365572.html?title=Hillsborough+schools+crack+down+on+cell+phone+use

HARTride 2012

July 16th, 2008, 03:47 PM

Hillsborough School Board Halts Travel As It Studies Costs

By MARILYN BROWN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 16, 2008

TAMPA - The Hillsborough County School Board imposed a travel moratorium on itself Tuesday until it can set up both guidelines and a travel budget.

The board has neither, with its seven members collectively spending about $40,000 a year on travel for each of the past two years.

"We have people who are spending more than their fair share," Chairwoman Jennifer Faliero told fellow board members in pushing for the moratorium. Later she confirmed she was referring to member Susan Valdes' expenses.

Valdes spent $13,513 in 2006-07 and $10,503 in 2007-08 on travel, school district records show. Other board members spent about $1,500 to $7,500 each during those years.

Faliero said she saw the disparity in the travel records and thought board members should share some of the pain of budget cuts.

"We're either in a crisis or we're not," Faliero told the board, noting that school lunch prices are going up and employees are being asked to do more.

Some of expenses are incurred when board members travel to national conferences for education organizations.

"We provide a lot of leadership to the state, and in some cases the nation," said member Jack Lamb, who serves on a number of professional boards. But he added, "I share your passion" to cut back."

As the board for the nation's eighth-largest school district, Hillsborough could set an example by saying, "We can no longer afford to be at your table," Faliero said.

She bristled when members balked at voting for a policy, saying they could just agree to curb travel spending, as they had done in the past.

"I no longer believe we can do anything on gentlemen's agreement with this particular board," she said.

In the end, the six board members present voted for the moratorium and gave Lamb and board member Candy Olson instructions to draft guidelines within the next two weeks. April Griffin was absent.

Only tickets or hotel rooms already purchased will be allowed, board members agreed. Lamb said he has trips to Naples, Fla., and New Orleans within the week; Olson has a trip to Pittsburgh.

Valdes said after the meeting that she has plane tickets for a September trip to a conference in Las Vegas but did not know whether the hotel has been reserved.

Valdes said she has cut back her spending after earlier criticism. As a rookie board member, she said, she had been encouraged by other members to travel to gain experience.

"We have board members who have no clue what is going on in education because they don't go anywhere," she said. "I've been able to bring programs to the district." An example she gave is her involvement in bringing a dual-language program to Alexander Elementary.

In other action, the board approved requiring students to keep cell phones and other electronic devices turned off and out of sight or they will be confiscated. The change, which starts with the school year on Aug. 18, will be imposed from the first to the last bell. Each school will determine punishment and procedures to return phones.

New administrative appointments approved as of July 27 are: Shana Tirado, assistant principal at Cahoon Elementary, becomes supervisor of elementary science; Mellissa Alonso, assistant principal at Burney Elementary, becomes supervisor of elementary reading, Reading First; Fredda Johnson, assistant principal at Randall Middle becomes principal; Dave Burgess, principal at Poinciana Elementary in Naples, becomes principal at Roland Park K-8 School; and James Rich, community school administrator at Brandon Adult and Community School, becomes principal at Erwin Technical Center.

Reporter Marilyn Brown can be reached at (813) 259-8069 or mbrown@tampatrib.com.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/jul/16/me-school-board-halts-travel/?news-metro

HARTride 2012

July 30th, 2008, 02:01 PM

3 Bay Area Schools Targeted For Closing

By MARILYN BROWN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 30, 2008

TAMPA - Three Hillsborough schools are among 13 targeted statewide for possible closing a year from now because their students have been the lowest performing in the state.

Middleton High, Franklin Middle and Sulphur Springs Elementary are the only schools in the Tampa Bay area on the state's list to face being closed. It reflects federal sanctions that are catching up to school districts nationwide and particularly squeezing Florida, which has never chosen to go that far before.

"Now the rubber's going to meet the road," said Sam Whitten, the Hillsborough school district's supervisor of assessment. "We're talking about closing a school."

Superintendents in seven counties have been given five options with a year to prepare for them, state Education Commissioner Eric Smith said Tuesday.

The options for superintendents in Hillsborough, Broward, Miami-Dade, Escambia, Leon, Orange and Palm Beach Counties are to close the school and:

•To reassign students to other schools

•To reopen under district management with dramatic changes

•To reorganize as a charter school with a performance contract

•To reopen with an outside management company with a performance contract

If the school improves enough with new strategies over the coming school year, closing could be avoided.

Dade had four schools on the list, Hillsborough had three and Palm Beach had two. The other counties had one each.

Hillsborough Superintendent MaryEllen Elia said Tuesday that she will step up efforts already under way at those schools and has no plans to close the schools or turn them over to a charter or outside contractor.

"It is a year for the program to improve and we're going to do that," Elia said. She said she had been aware of the possibility for several weeks.

The state issued a 130-page report and held a media phone conference Tuesday on its new way of sanctioning schools.

Federal Progress Mark Not Met

The complex rules divide more than 1,000 schools that have not met the federal Adequate Yearly Progress mark into five groups, ranging from the top category of 270 schools that made A, B or C grades and were close to meeting the federal mark to 13 at the bottom facing possible closure.

More time and state and federal money will go to schools that need more help, Smith said: "It is an increase in the focus."

Florida is one of six states given permission from the federal Department of Education to change the way it sanctions schools that repeatedly fail the federal mark. The federal No Child Left Behind law and its escalating consequences were supposed to lead to state takeover or closing of schools.

Florida has been in a bind. While its own state grades have shot up, most of its schools failed the federal mark. This year, less than a quarter passed - 24 percent compared with 34 percent a year before. Many are graded A or B by the state, but miss the federal mark because every subgroup, such as ethnic and socioeconomic groups, must hit required marks.

"This snowball has grown to enormity," said Hillsborough's Whitten. "The state has decided to focus on the most troubled schools. ... Can we stop this trend?"

To make the list of the most troubled, schools had to be among the state's lowest performers since 2003.

Middleton has been graded D for the past five years; Franklin was D for the past two years and also in 2005, with C grades in 2003, 2004 and 2006. Sulphur Springs has been an F school for the past two years, preceded by C in the past four years.

Many Low-Income Students

All three have high percentages of students from low-income families, qualifying them to receive extra federal money under the federal Title I program. Sulphur Springs has 97 percent qualifying for free and reduced price meals, Franklin 90 percent and Middleton, 67 percent.

Only schools that get Title I money have had sanctions when they repeatedly fail the federal mark. They must divert part of that money to transport students to higher performing schools or provide some with private tutoring.

The three schools on the state list have numerous district tutoring programs and plenty of extra help as well as the private tutoring option. Last year, 81 students at Sulphur Springs, 61 at Franklin and 25 at Middleton took advantage of the private tutors, said Jeff Eakins, the district's director of federal programs.

Franklin did improve its percentage of students reading at proficiency, but it was still just 31 percent.

Franklin and Middleton also had a special class for some students that helps students through tutoring, note taking, organizational skills and college preparedness. Middleton also was a pilot school for a new English and math curriculum last year. That curriculum is expanding to all middle and high school schools in August. The curriculum is designed to prepare more students for advanced placement classes and college work.

"It takes time," Elia said of the effort, noting that both schools did better than many other schools in the state not at the bottom of the state list.

What else schools can do that they have not already done under years of more district resources and supervision is a question.

"The timing of this is probably not perfect," Eakins said. "The school year is upon us. We're already working with schools to see what other support we can give them. We don't want to undermine what is already in place." Classes start Aug. 18.

Christine Worley, program director for University Community Ministries, works with Sulphur Springs students and their parents in a program called Parents and Children Advancing Together. It offers computer labs and an after-school tutoring program at a local church.

There have been rumors about the school's fate, but Worley is hopeful the situation can be turned around. The school has a new principal with a reputation for being "no-nonsense," she said.

Sulphur Springs Elementary PTA President Mary Stewart said the school suffers from lack of parental involvement. A true neighborhood school, Stewart wondered where students would go if it closes.

"A lot of those parents just don't have transportation in that neighborhood," Stewart said. "If this school shuts down, it's going to be bad."

Just mentioning the possibility of Middleton High closing brought dismay to Fred Hearns, a 1966 graduate and past president of the alumni association.

"It means everything to East Tampa," Hearns said of the school that opened in 1934 and closed in 1971 during desegregation. A new Middleton High reopened in 2002 a few blocks from the original campus. "The high school is more than a place to get a diploma. It gives hope to East Tampa.

"This is very bad news," Hearns said, "but maybe this is what it takes to get people to rally behind the school."

Reporters Ellen Gedalius and Kathy Steele contributed to this report. Reporter Marilyn Brown can be reached at (813) 259-8069 or mbrown@tampatrib.com.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/jul/30/na-3-bay-area-schools-targeted-for-closing/

JBrisco

July 30th, 2008, 07:49 PM

Closing schools is not the answer.... I went to a school that's capacity was 2,100 and the student population was 3,100. Thus it did not follow the 25 students per class. Infact my college classes were smaller than my HS classes.
I hate hillsborough freaking idiots.

HARTride 2012

July 31st, 2008, 04:28 PM

Its nothing about the class sizes, but school performance. Nevertheless, this is a dumb move by the state to give an ultimatum like that. I can understand a school getting three F's in a row, but did Franklin really do THAT bad? Robinson had a D grade two years in a row and I never heard of such an ultimatum for that school. Why the three schools and why now?

HARTride 2012

August 14th, 2008, 12:27 PM

County school officials scrambling with bus issues
Thursday, August 14, 2008

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- The Hillsborough County School District revamped several bus routes this summer in an attempt to increase efficiency and reduce the number of late buses.

But with school start Monday, the district's transportation department is dealing with hundreds of confused parents who say they have received no details regarding their child's bus route for the school year.

School leaders said letters have been sent out about bus routes but according to Bay News 9's partner newspaper, the St. Petersburg Times, some parents are saying the letters never arrived.

Parents in south Tampa, central Tampa and northwest Hillsborough County have all reported not receiving bus route information from the district. Adding to the problem, the district's transportation line isn't working properly after being hit by lightning last week.

Right now, the district is scrambling to return messages and contact all parents who have called Hillsborough's transportation center regarding the route changes.

Schools have been unable to help parents because they haven't received detailed bus route information - and that may not happen until late today or tomorrow.

District officials said parents can keep calling the transportation line at 813-982-5500, call the individual school their child attends or contact the district's transportation department using an online form.

Administrators said they are hopeful to have the route information out by the end of this week.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2008/8/14/373420.html?title=County+school+officials+scrambling+with+bus+issues

HARTride 2012

August 14th, 2008, 12:33 PM

This is an outrage. The school system is screwing things up yet again with the bus system. I don't believe a word they say when it is "to increase efficiency"...yeah...total b.s.! And with only days before the school year starts again, would the school board at least notify parents about changes in their child's bus transportation? NO! The morons at the school system want to continue being morons and not do anything about sending notifications on time. I bet they have a thousand excuses up their sleeves to say to angry parents; "Oh, we're sorry. It's not our fault that you didn't receive the notification letter, we did send them out on a timely manner. The letters must have simply gotten lost with the mail carriers. Thank you so much for calling and we appologize for the inconvenience. We'll try to send another letter to you as soon as possible...hoping that it doesn't get lost in the system again. Goodbye."

Unless these issues are resolved...things are going to get ugly...

FloridaFuture

August 15th, 2008, 07:39 PM

lol

Unfortunatley it looks as I will have to take the bus for the first half of the school year at least. This bus thing is in shambles. The bus pass thing is such a joke and "organized" at such the last second that the school couldn't even figure out how to work it so they abandoned it. The new 1 stop per communtiy thing is going to make it pretty tough for kids to get to the stop due to it being farther away so parents are going to have to drive them. Elia is an idiot.

BTW my bus now is scheduled to pick me up at 6:13 A.M, a full 10 minutes earlier then last year. I was getting to school a good 10 minutes before they even lets kids on campus last year. I was just wasting time (sleeping!) on the bus. This new move is to increase efficiency but if that's so then shouldn't the bus be able to pick me up later?

HARTride 2012

August 15th, 2008, 09:06 PM

^^
The efficiency reasonin is such b.s.
I feel sorry for you and other students who still have to deal with it.

FloridaFuture

August 15th, 2008, 09:34 PM

^The students in secondary grades with good grades and behaivor should have a vote for supperintendent and other school positions. Adult population and votes would still outnumber student votes but at least students would have a voice. :lol:

JBrisco

August 16th, 2008, 01:01 AM

Lol I think that they should allow the teachers to vote only.

HARTride 2012

August 28th, 2008, 04:48 PM

Hillsborough School Bus Administrator Retiring

By MARILYN BROWN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 28, 2008

Updated: 12:22 am

TAMPA - Jack Davis, the 57-year-old administrator in charge of Hillsborough County schools' embattled transportation department, is retiring Sept. 5.

Davis signed his retirement papers Tuesday, a little more than a week since the start of school brought scores of problems, from inability of parents to reach the transportation department's hot line to complaints about bus routes and rules.

School board members said Wednesday that Davis' resignation is because of his health and not the result of a transportation department expansion that school board members are calling a "fiasco" and "crisis."

"He chose to retire because he wasn't up to his full capacity," said board Vice Chairwoman Carol Kurdell. "Physically he just couldn't keep going."

Kurdell said schools Superintendent MaryEllen Elia called her Monday to tell her of Davis' retirement.

As chief information and technology officer, Davis also supervises the district's communications, assessment and accountability, information services, staff development, supplier diversity, and customer service and support.

Davis signed papers Tuesday indicating his last day will be Sept. 5, according to Steve Hegarty, who heads the communications department under Davis. Davis enrolled in the state's Deferred Retirement Option Program in January, according to Hegarty.

That program allows employees to work for up to five more years while also earning retirement pay that draws interest.

School board member April Griffin said Elia called her Tuesday afternoon to tell her about Davis. "I was told it was because of his back and his health problems," Griffin said. "I think that's their story and they're sticking to it."

Although the school district is making progress in handling the transportation issues, Griffin said that because Davis was also dealing with health issues, he "hasn't been paying as much attention as he could have been" to transportation.

Board member Susan Valdes said she was called by Elia on Tuesday about Davis' retirement. "I was shocked," Valdes said. "I've noticed a trend when they retire all of a sudden."

Valdes called the transportation problems "a fiasco" and blamed lack of planning.

"In my opinion, it's MaryEllen and her staff and with Jack," Valdes said. "Blaming it on transportation department head John Franklin would be so unfair. He was given the tools he was given and the staff he had."

Davis has worked for the district for 34 years as a teacher, principal and administrator, but was given supervision of transportation by Elia about two years ago when the district started overhauling the ailing system fraught with late buses and unruly students.

Neither Davis nor Elia could be reached for comment Wednesday.

Hegarty said that as of Wednesday, parents were getting through to the transportation call center, where 19 lines were open and 1,663 calls answered. Retired Freedom High Principal Richard Bartels was sent to the call center this week as principal liaison to schools, Hegarty said.

"They seem to have a handle on it, and people are getting through - I heard that today for the first time," Kurdell said. "There has to be accountability for what happened. We just can't have this. It's just been nightmarish for everybody concerned."

Some parents who were frustrated last week said they received return calls over the weekend or this week. For some, bus stops were changed.

The new plan that totally revamped the system - requiring many students to walk farther to stops, and cuts to after-school buses to for-profit programs and some nonprofit programs - has a long way to go, say many parents and bus drivers.

"It's a mess," said Luis Perez, president of the Hillsborough School Employees Federation. "Has it gotten any better? No, no, not yet."

The district has finally given bus driver supervisors authority to change routes that have led to crowded buses, Perez said. Field supervisors who assist on routing issues are getting district cell phones, he said.

Some parents, however, were taking drastic measures to get answers:

•A south Hillsborough mother hired an attorney this week to help get her 10-year-old son with autism picked up an hour later so he doesn't have to spend nearly two hours on a school bus each morning. "All I'm asking for is someone to respond and call me back," Laurie Eckley said. "He has a hard enough time with school without being on the bus for two hours."

•Sherri Southwell of Carrollwood sent Elia an invoice Tuesday for $105.99 for driving 36 miles and spending 41/2 hours of vacation pay to get information on her 16-year-old daughter's bus stop.

Although Southwell had a bus stop by the second day of school, she said she sent the invoice to make a point with Elia. "She needs to know how much parents have had to spend," Southwell said. "It's the frustration of it all. You can't really put a price on frustration. It's put a hardship on a lot of people."

Some parents were still waiting for responses Wednesday and taking care of transportation themselves.

Shana Rivera said her 5-year-old son, Lazaro Marin, walked home alone the first day from busy West Waters Avenue in front of her apartment complex instead of from inside her complex. Kindergarten students are not supposed to be dropped off without an adult to meet them

Rivera said she eventually got a call back from Davis saying someone would call her, but no one ever did.

In the morning the bus is supposed to arrive before 7:30, but Tuesday it came at 8:30, half an hour after school starts. Rivera took her son to school Wednesday and says, "I don't have a choice unless it's fixed."

Reporter Marilyn Brown can be reached at (813) 259-8069 or mbrown@tampatrib.com.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/aug/28/na-embattled-bus-administrator-retiring/

HARTride 2012

August 28th, 2008, 04:50 PM

^^
Yet another problem spot with HCPS's bus system... :ohno:

I don't know how good this man did with trying to manage the system, but all these problems likely pushed him to the breaking point.

HARTride 2012

September 5th, 2008, 10:15 PM

Hillsborough Schools Address Bus Stop Concerns

By MARILYN BROWN

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 5, 2008

Updated: 12:14 am

TAMPA - Parents have persuaded officials to change 85 bus stops, with 103 more under review, Hillsborough schools' transportation chief told school board members Thursday in a brief report on this year's bus chaos.

The board wants full "dissection" soon of what went wrong when the district expanded a new transportation plan to three more areas this year after it struggled when tried in just one area last year.

"Just hang in there - we're going to get your problems solved," board Chairwoman Jennifer Faliero told parents at back-to-back board meetings Thursday.

She said she has asked Superintendent MaryEllen Elia, who again took full responsibility for the failure, for a full review and time frame of the problems "so parents will gain their trust back."

Bus stops are still being reviewed and changed, said transportation chief John Franklin. Of 335 requests already reviewed, 85 were changed, he said, with 103 more to go.

"We've fallen short on high expectations," Franklin said. He is short 166 bus drivers, yet still has some drivers with just one school. Other buses remain crowded with drivers making extra runs.

Board members expressed strong support for Franklin and for the bus drivers whose routes were changed with little or no time to make practice runs. They also lauded Jack Davis, Franklin's boss, who suddenly retired effective today after 34 years working his way up from teacher to chief information and technology officer. He recently broke two vertebrae.

Davis will be replaced by David Steele, who takes over the job Monday. He also will keep his current job as general director of secondary education for up to 90 days, Elia said.

Steele holds a bachelor's degree in secondary education from the University of Florida, a Masters in Educational Administration from Harvard University and a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of South Florida. He started as a math teacher for the district in 1978 and worked his way up to principal of Plant City High and King High schools before being named to his current position in 2006.

Board members spent about 90 minutes hashing over bus problems and listening to six parents and union leaders on the subject.

"This bus system has put me in a quandary," Renee Olson, a teacher at Mann Middle School, said after the district stopped after-school bus service to many county parks and recreation centers. She can either pay $48 a week for her 10-year-old daughter to attend an after-school program at Maniscalco Elementary, pay $60 a month for private bus service if enough parents join her or send her daughter home where "she would be a latchkey child."

Board members made no decisions on new rules that cut bus service to many after-school programs, but said they will continue to talk about the issue. They were given a chart showing at least 25 more buses would be needed to serve 20 park programs cut from transportation this year.

Besides lack of drivers, the state pays only 65 to 68 percent of the cost of transportation, leaving at least $17 million the district had to pay.

The board agreed to add a request to their legislative priorities to consider laws to possibly provide bus transportation to families within a mile of school instead of two miles. They said they had little hope because of the economy and agree it could take years.

The effect from the district's late notification of new bus schedules and stops to parents, schools and bus drivers is still being felt.

Eliminating stops, placing them farther apart and cutting most courtesy busing to students living less than two miles from school was supposed to save money and get buses to school on time. Parents have been outraged at not getting through phones lines to get information or report new stops with dangerous walks.

In other action, the board also gave final approval to its 2008-09 budget of $3.134 billion, which is $7.9 million less than last year.

The board also approved new out-of-county travel guidelines created after a tally of board travel revealed that board member Susan Valdes spent $50,332 during her first term of office. There was no travel budget.

A committee of the board chairwoman, vice-chairwoman and board member Doretha Edgecomb now will meet with staff to hash out details and travel budget recommendations and then pre-approve non-budgeted, out-of-county travel requests. Edgecomb developed the new travel forms that will be used by board members.

The board also appointed Scott Weaver, principal of Mabry Elementary, to principal of Westchase Elementary, effective Monday. He replaces Joyce Wieland, recently appointed general director for Exceptional Student Education.

Reporter Marilyn Brown can be reached at (813) 259-8069 or mbrown@tampatrib.com.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/sep/05/050014/me-schools-address-bus-stop-concerns/

HARTride 2012

September 10th, 2008, 03:39 PM

Hillsborough Parents Tell Elia Of Bus Stop Hazards

By MARILYN BROWN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 9, 2008

Related Links

Fees Proposed
TAMPA - June Leland and Kathy Walsh want to know why their 16-year-old daughters are assigned to a bus stop more than two miles from their Davis Islands homes that includes crossing busy streets plus a bridge before daybreak.

"The whole thing is so absurd to me, it's mind-boggling," says Leland, who says she has no alternative but to drive her daughter to the bus stop.

Parents like Leland and Walsh are still grappling with the Hillsborough County School District's new transportation plan, which cut bus stops to save time and money but raised a ton of safety issues.

With easy access via online databases, parents can identify sexual offenders and predators in neighborhoods and on the way to bus stops and cite them as safety hazards. Those aren't the hazards, they say.

Walsh describes the wait in Wilson Middle's parking lot at 6:25 a.m. when it's her turn to carpool.

"The sprinklers at the school come on and a man rustles out of the bushes, unzips his pants and urinates, defecates, zips up and goes on.

"I keep the door locked and engine running," Walsh said. "We're not shutting the motor off."

The mothers were among six parents with children at Robinson High School's International Baccalaureate program with transportation complaints for Superintendent MaryEllen Elia on Tuesday night at her meeting at Coleman Middle School.

"We really have to think about the kids — put them first," said Mudra Kumar, who has two children attending the program. Like others, their transportation to the school requires long trips to a bus stop that they didn't count on when they signed up for the special magnet program two to three years ago.

Elia responded that parents made a decision two years ago to place bus stops at Wilson and other schools, then go directly to Robinson rather than have their children take a bus to a transportation hub first.

"I don't recall a single meeting," Kumar told Elia. "I was just told, 'This is the arrangement.' "

Callers Down To 600

Even before classes started Aug, 18, district officials knew they had a transportation mess with both a new plan that cuts bus service in at least half of the district combined with late notice to parents, schools and drivers. Not enough phone lines or staff to respond made it worse.

Parents are still waiting for return calls and bus stop changes, but the number of callers was down to 600 on Monday, said Deputy Superintendent Ken Otero.

The district cut most of its courtesy busing this year for families living less than two miles from their school. The state requires bus service be provided for students living two miles or more from school. Elementary students living closer may qualify for transportation for documented safety hazards such as no sidewalks or heavy traffic.

Students are also not supposed to walk more than a mile and a half to a bus stop.

Morning, Afternoon Buses Different

The mothers of the Robinson High students say the district is breaking state law by placing their bus stop more than two miles from their homes. For the past two years, the girls have taken a bus from their neighborhood to Plant High, where they caught a bus to Robinson. Buses pick up students for Plant High in the neighborhood and drop off Leland's and Walsh's daughters near home in the afternoon.

Dropping off a student at a different stop from where he or she is picked up is also against new district rules, Leland points out.

Walsh said they were given no bus stop at all until the second week of school, then told to be at an intersection on Davis Islands at 4:47 a.m. When no bus showed up, they complained and were given the Wilson Middle stop.

"I looked it up — within three miles of Wilson there are 136 sexual offenders," Leland said. On any given night, "there are a number of people sleeping under the bridge."

A bus stop is moved if it's within 1,000 feet from the home of a category of sexual predator, the same as a requirement for a school, said Otero. Some categories of sexual predators and sexual offenders have no restrictions, he said, but the district considers individual cases.

No decisions were made Tuesday night for the parents with bus concerns, said John Franklin, the district's transportation chief, but all will be reviewed.

Reporter Marilyn Brown can be reached at (813) 259-8069 or mbrown@tampatrib.com.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/sep/09/parents-cite-bus-stop-hazards/

HARTride 2012

September 10th, 2008, 03:44 PM

Fee Proposed To Bus Some Kids In Hillsborough

By MARILYN BROWN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 10, 2008

TAMPA - Hillsborough County School Board member Susan Valdes asked fellow board members Tuesday at a workshop to consider what Brevard County is doing: Charge parents who live closer than two miles to their school a fee to transport their children.

"We'll definitely look at it," schools Superintendent MaryEllen Elia said, if the district can figure out how to do it with its shortage of bus drivers.

Brevard County has no driver shortage, said Mike Connors, that district's transportation director. Brevard, on Florida's east coast, transports 29,000 of its 74,000 students a day, he said.

"We've done some innovative things," Connors said, to get and keep drivers: a guaranteed seven hours of pay a day, a $250 bonus for each driver recruited, a $125 bonus for each 45 days of perfect attendance and a starting salary of $11.64 an hour. Hillsborough's starting pay is $10.56 an hour.

Connors said Brevard has offered transportation for a fee to elementary school students for years, if there is room on a scheduled bus and existing stops are used. The fee, collected upfront, increased from $1 to $2 a day this year.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/sep/10/me-fee-proposed-to-bus-some-kids/

HARTride 2012

September 30th, 2008, 05:26 AM

Okay, finally...a post that is not a news story!

I stopped by my old elementary school (Roosevelt) this afternoon; and goodness...has it changed drastically during the past ten years. I'll put it this way; when I went to Roosevelt back in the 90s, the school didn't have any of the technology that it has today. No computers in every classroom, all the teachers still resorted to the old overhead projectors, the phone systems in the office were old, old desks and books, and the list goes on.

At least we did have whiteboards in every classroom, the original blackboards were replaced during the renovations that took place in the 70s/80s. However, the computer lab and library only had ancient Mac computers and other items up until my 4th grade year (1997-1998), when we got our first iMac. Now, like all the schools in Hillsborough Co. Roosevelt now has HP computers and technology, SmartBoards, document viewers, and other cool stuff. It makes me feel kind of bad that I had to learn without using any of the cool gadgets that we have now. But, this is what technology has done for the world :)

There have also been an entourage of classroom additions at Roosevelt also...11 new classrooms to be exact, I wasn't able to visit any of the new rooms b/c it was already 3:00 when I stopped in, but nonetheless, just the visit alone brought back many memories. I also realized that the school's office has a age-old safe in which I never noticed in the past...and yet, probably walked right past it about 3 million times. :lol:

HARTride 2012

September 30th, 2008, 03:50 PM

If I can recall back to may early elementary school years, HCPS used to have early release days almost every month to allow teachers to plan for the days and weeks ahead. Then, during my third or fourth grade year (1997 or 1998) HCPS did away with the frequent early release days and only allowed them to be at the end of the first, third, and fourth grading periods, where they have stood ever since. Now it seems that HCPS will bring back the old system to allow the teachers to have that additional planning time. Especially after the mess that Elia caused last year with the scheduling and stuff.

From the HCPS website:

Proposed Early Release Dates

The tentative contract agreement between Hillsborough County Public Schools and the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association calls for several early release dates in the coming months to provide teachers with valuable planning time.

If the contract agreement is ratified by employees and approved by the School Board, one Wednesday each month students will be released two hours earlier than their current dismissal time. The first date for the early release will be October 29, 2008.

October 29
November 19
December 10
January 14, 2009
February 11
March 4 (eliminates the early-release previously scheduled for March 6)
April 22
May 13
June 4, 2009 remains unchanged as a 2.50-hour early release.

http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/

HARTride 2012

October 8th, 2008, 07:54 PM

School board: Changes coming to high school boundaries
Wednesday, October 8, 2008

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Boundary changes are coming to Hillsborough County high schools.

The Hillsborough County School Board has said the changes will happen in the near future. According to Bay News 9's partner newspaper, the St. Petersburg Times, school leaders say some school populations are too high while seats sit empty at other schools.

So now, the district is trying to make better use of space. Also, new schools are expected to play a part in boundary changes.

Nine high schools could be affected along the way. Sickles High will see the greatest changes from the fall opening of Steinbrenner High School in Lutz, but Gaither, Alonso and perhaps Leto and Freedom also could be affected.

A new high school in the Dover area is expected to bring boundary changes for Durant High and potentially Plant City and Armwood high schools.

Hillsborough does not expect to open another high school for two decades.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2008/10/8/389803.html?title=School+board:+Changes+coming+to+high+school+boundaries

JBrisco

October 9th, 2008, 02:07 AM

Hillsborough does not expect to open another high school for two decades.

I'll believe that when it happens. What is Middleton going to become? Hillsborough and Blake are definitly going to see some over crowding because of that stupid closure. They should've just fired the principal.

HARTride 2012

October 9th, 2008, 01:49 PM

What is up with Middleton? Are they going to end up closing down the school cause of its poor performance?

JBrisco

October 10th, 2008, 03:22 PM

Thats what it said in an artical!

HARTride 2012

October 28th, 2008, 02:41 PM

No additional bus route changes in Hillsborough
Tuesday, October 28, 2008

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Hillsborough County school officials are calling off plans for any more changes affecting school bus routes.

According to Bay News 9's partner newspaper, the St. Petersburg Times, there will not be any additional bus route revisions next year.

The revisions would have affected students around New Tampa, the University area, Brandon and Plant City.

Hillsborough school superintendent MaryEllen Elia said instead the district will spend the next year making sure buses are running smoothly in the communities where routes were revamped in August.

Dozens of families said they never received letters detailing bus route change information.

Parents flooded phone lines at the county's transportation call center, which was unequipped to handle the large crush of calls.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2008/10/28/396657.html?title=No+additional+bus+route+changes+in+Hillsborough

HARTride 2012

November 9th, 2008, 11:29 PM

Hillsborough County Public Schools is an A-rated school district!

Each year, the Florida Department of Education assigns a letter grade to each school district based on a wide range of student test data. The calculations take into account data from all students and all schools.

“This is particularly satisfying because everyone can take some of the credit,” said School Superintendent MaryEllen Elia. “It’s recognition of the vision of our School Board, and the hard work being done by our students, our teachers, our administrators, our staff, and everyone in the school district.”

http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/

HARTride 2012

November 9th, 2008, 11:31 PM

I find that hard to believe. Especially being that we have a witch, who can't get the bus routes correct, running the system

JBrisco

November 11th, 2008, 07:05 PM

I find it hard to believe because they push kids through school.
My mom is a teacher and she's not allowed to discipline her kids, she's not allowed to fail her kids.
Hillsborough County has a really bad school board.

HARTride 2012

November 11th, 2008, 07:30 PM

Aside from Cathy Valdes and Carol Kurdell, I have zero respect for anyone on that board. :bash:

HARTride 2012

November 14th, 2008, 03:20 PM

Coleman fields friction over cell tower idea

By Joshua Neiderer, Times Staff Writer
In print: Friday, November 14, 2008
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CULBREATH HEIGHTS — The prospect of a 100-foot-tall cell phone tower on the property of Coleman Middle School worries some parents.

Coleman, at 1724 Manhattan Ave., is near Dale Mabry Elementary, St. Mary's Episcopal Day School, and a municipal pool and football fields.

Ari FitzGerald, an area mother, would be able to see the tower from her house. She doesn't think the tower should be so close to children and said cell phone technology is too new to know the effects of radio waves over long periods of time.

"I'm opposed to using our kids as guinea pigs," she said.

But proponents of the tower say it poses little threat to kids and point to the revenue it can generate for the school.

Annual rent of nearly $11,250 would be paid to the school district per cell phone carrier for the site. Ninety percent of that could go directly to Coleman. Up to three carriers could use the antenna. The lease amount would increase by 4 percent annually.

Principal Michael Hoskinson said the money could be used to subsidize a shrinking budget.

"Just to supply kids with what they need, we need to find new revenue streams," he said.

A recent meeting held by Coleman administrators and representatives of the company proposing the tower did little to assuage FitzGerald's fears.

"I'm very concerned about the unknowns, specifically the health concerns," she said. "We asked very specific questions and got very vague answers."

Stacy Frank, president of Collier Enterprises II, the company that would build the tower, calls it harmless.

Cell phone antennas use the UHF signal spectrum formerly used by television broadcasts. This tower would use a 45-watt signal. By comparison, Frank noted, at least one local TV station tower is cleared by the Federal Communications Commission for up to 5-million watts.

Suzanne Oakley, whose son is in eighth grade at Coleman, says the lack of empirical data proving that towers won't affect children is troublesome.

"This is the school system's way of subsidizing their budgets at the expense of the kids," she said.

But Hoskinson, whose children will one day attend Coleman, said he puts safety first.

"At no point would I go forward if I felt it would put kids at risk," he said.

Frank, whose company erected a similar tower at Robles Elementary in May, says the tower would give off the same amount of radiation as a baby monitor or garage door opener.

"There is more radio frequency in the classrooms than off of the antenna," she said.

A growing number of schools are turning to cell phone companies for extra cash. Before signing a contract with Collier Enterprises, however, Hoskinson wants to hold another community meeting to hear from representatives of Dale Mabry Elementary and others in the area. That meeting has not been scheduled.

"I'm going to let the community decide," he said, "but I want them to make an educated decision."

If you know of news in your community, contact Joshua Neiderer at jneiderer@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3374.

[Last modified: Nov 13, 2008 03:30 AM]

http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/article900809.ece

HARTride 2012

November 15th, 2008, 02:55 PM

Robinson High's Parent Meetings Go Smoother At Wine Bar

http://media2.tbo.com/mediamanager/2008/nov/14/992_1114parents385255.panel-385x255.jpg
Parents listen to Robinson High School teachers talk during a meeting held at
The Wine Exchange in Hyde Park.

By MARILYN BROWN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 14, 2008

Related Links

* The Mother Load
* More From Education

TAMPA - Educators complain that parents aren't involved enough.

But, really – who looks forward to racing to school after a day at work to sit in the cafeteria for a parent meeting?

A group of Robinson High parents prefer kicking back with a cold beer, martini, glass of wine or sparkling water when they meet.

"It's great – getting it away from the school," said John Close of Brandon. He and his wife met with other parents on the covered patio at The Wine Exchange in Hyde Park Thursday night.

"I was kind of surprised the county did it," his wife, Angel, said.

The school district didn't. Parent boosters for Robinson High's International Baccalaureate program decided to break out of the school cafeteria/family picnic mode.

"We had to think a little bit different about our approach – parents are busy, they come from all over the county," said Debra Faulk, president of the Robinson IB Link, or RIBLI for short.

And, Faulk said: "At the end of the day, I would like a glass of wine."

Parents don't have to buy anything at the meetings, although some paired baked brie and fruit plates or other appetizers with their wine.

"We're helping out the economy as well," said Dan Johnson, a parent from Westchase who called his first parent meeting "fabulous."

Diane Fenimore, the group's vice president, noted, "The husbands come. How nice is that?"

The meetings will move to other areas of the county where families of the more than 300 students who attend the IB magnet program at Robinson live.

International Baccalaureate is a rigorous academic program with its own curriculum that is recognized worldwide. The small size of the program lends itself to an informal setting, parents and teachers said.

"When you're sitting in an auditorium, you're kind of listening, then you go to the classroom – you're in line waiting to talk to a teacher," said Tara Miller, comparing parent night at school with the informal gathering. "You basically feel like a student."

"This is wonderful," Miller said, sipping a martini.

At least six of the 14 IB teaching staff members showed up Thursday. Two gave informal talks.

"It doesn't feel like work here," said Jaclyn Esslinger, an IB social studies teacher. "It's not as serious. Building rapport with parents is going to benefit students in the long run."

"We feel like we can socialize, get to know each other as people instead of being a business meeting," said Robert Lunsford, an Advanced Placement European history teacher who discussed setting up a German exchange program and summer travel for students.

"You get better performance out of the students if they know mom and dad know the teacher," Lunsford said.

Larry Hollis, an AP biology and physics teacher, said the gathering that includes wine "is kind of in keeping with IB," an international program in more than 100 countries.

"We're used to American mores," Hollis said. "Things aren't necessarily that way around the world. I've lived in Germany. Germans think Americans are a bunch of prudes."

Reporter Marilyn Brown can be reached at (813) 259-8069.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/nov/14/robinson-highs-parent-meetings-go-smoother-bar/news-metro/

HARTride 2012

November 15th, 2008, 02:59 PM

Are you kidding me RHS? You get a group of parents to meet at a bar to discuss school matters while the parents drink to their fullest desire? This is nuts! :lol: :nuts: :crazy2:

(j/k)

I guess for the parents, it is more convenient. Even when I sat in the cafeteria during PTSA and senior information meetings, it felt sooooooooo boring.

HARTride 2012

November 17th, 2008, 08:19 PM

Hillsborough School Boundary Web Site Set Up

By COURTNEY CAIRNS PASTOR

cpastor@tampatrib.com

Published: November 17, 2008

TAMPA - With attendance boundary changes coming to seven high schools, the Hillsborough County school district is directing parents to a new Web site where they can get questions answered.

Synopses from community meetings and comment forms for feedback will be posted at classsize.mysdhc.org.

There won't be a shortage of responses, if a recent meeting is any indication. About 100 people showed up Wednesday night at Gaither High School to hear about boundary changes spurred by two new high schools opening in August.

Ayers and Bill Lazarus, CEO of SeerAnalytics, introduced boundary procedures to more than 100 people at Gaither High School Wednesday. The school district and the Tampa company are working together to set boundaries for two high schools opening in August.

Steinbrenner High School in Lutz will draw from Freedom, Gaither and Sickles high schools, while students from crowded Alonso High School might fill opening slots at Sickles High. Strawberry Crest High School is under construction near Interstate 4 and McIntosh Road and would pull from Armwood, Durant and Plant City high schools.

When other schools opened, families first saw maps that showed which students would attend new schools. But this time, the district will save the maps for near the end of the process.

SeerAnalytics, the Tampa company helping the district set boundaries, is sifting through data on transportation, enrollment and diversity before suggesting options.

The school district will select a plan and draw maps to see which neighborhoods will be affected.

Parents at the Gaither meeting said they want the school district to keep neighborhoods together, where possible. Several parents urged moving all Lutz students to the same high school. Others wanted to know why crowded Chamberlain High would not get relief under the boundary changes.

More meetings will be scheduled before the school board votes on a plan. The district intends to set the boundaries early next year. Boundaries for two new elementary schools and a middle school also are under consideration, but SeerAnalytics is not involved.

After August, no new schools are expected until 2013.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/nov/17/na-school-boundary-web-site-set-up/

HARTride 2012

November 20th, 2008, 02:35 PM

Hillsborough's 2009-10 School Calendar Still In Flux

By MARILYN BROWN

mbrown@tampatrib.com

Published: November 19, 2008

Related Links

* Education Report
* The Mother Load: Parenting Blogs, Tips

TAMPA - Don't create a school calendar for 2009-10 just yet.

In Hillsborough, dates are still fluid – including opening day in August – and likely won't be voted on by the school board until January.

Cutting a day of classes for students next year may mean an extra day of vacation in August. A district committee is proposing a tentative start date of Tuesday, Aug. 25, ending the year Thursday, June 18. The first semester would end after the winter break, possibly Jan. 15.

A full proposal will go to the superintendent, then be hashed out publicly and voted on by the School Board.

The 2009-10 academic year for students was cut from 182 to 181 days during union negotiations in September. Creating a calendar got trickier last year when the state determined public schools cannot open earlier than two weeks before Labor Day.

Wednesday's meeting made it clear that controversial issues resolved for this school year will resurface. In 2010, Good Friday is penciled in as a school day, despite poor student attendance last year. In April 2009, Good Friday falls during Spring Break.

Giving students a day off to attend the State Fair in 2010 could be cut, some committee members said.

"Teachers don't see the point in Fair Day," said Leigh Crosson, a fifth-grade teacher at Bevis Elementary. "People say all of them should do Strawberry Festival Day," the day off for East Hillsborough students instead of Fair Day.

Reporter Marilyn Brown can be reached at (813) 259-8069

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/nov/19/2009-10-school-calendar-still-flux/

HARTride 2012

November 21st, 2008, 05:18 PM

Parents voice concerns about Alafia Elementary
Friday, November 21, 2008

VALRICO (Bay News 9) -- Parents met Thursday night to voice concerns over the lack of working heaters at a local elementary school.

The cold snap earlier in the week hit some students at Alafia Elementary School especially hard, as their portable classroom was without functional heaters. Parents said their children had to stay bundled up in coats and mittens all day to do their work.

However, their complaints with the school didn't end there. They also say the portables are dirty and that there isn't enough security.

At Thursday night's meeting, frustrated parents let Hillsborough County Schools Superintendent MaryEllen Elia know what they thought about the situation.

Elia scheduled the meeting to explain what steps the district was taking to improve morale, security and communication between parents and the principal.

Parents have already been complaining for months about the principal's leadership skills and conditions at the school.

For example, they said they weren't notified that their children were being moved into portables during a campus renovation until the last minute.

"Thursday I picked up my child and I've got a backpack full of books, saying he's moving so that was a concern," said parent Ashunti Douglas. "Then, of course, he says, 'Mom, we had a dirty portable. We have to go in another classroom to use the bathroom.'"

Parent Bonnie Hernandez expressed similar concerns.

"It's not a good thing," she said. "Teachers morale, also, turnover with teachers is another situation. It just doesn't seem to be a happy place."

Joy Langone said she was critical of the superintendent's handling of the situation at Alafia Elementary.

"The only thing we hear Elia say is, she's going to check on this and get back to us," she said. "Does she think we're investing this stuff?"

In October, Elia sent an assessment team to the elementary school to investigate complaints about the principal. The team found a stressful environment at the school, but Elia and other school leaders assure parents that a fix is on the way.

"The principal is going to have a mentor, a coach, the lady who opened the school and was it's first principal," said Hillsborough schools spokesman Steve Hegarty. "I think that will be good. We can all get better with coaching."

Other recommendations include encouraging more input from parents, recognizing teachers for their accomplishments and using communication tools like email and phone calls to get information out to parents.

The school has also implemented a sign-in system to make sure the campus is safe while construction crews are at work.

As for the portables? The district said crews are working to repair them immediately. However, school leaders admit that repairing morale and lines of communication make take a while longer.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2008/11/21/405980.html?title=Parents+voice+concerns+about+Alafia+Elementary

HARTride 2012

November 21st, 2008, 05:19 PM

I'd say, fire the school administration. :bash:

Oh, and when can we forcibly remove Elia from her post? She angers me so much now. :bash:

HARTride 2012

December 7th, 2008, 03:31 PM

Teachers Can Hold Off Retirement No Longer

By ADAM EMERSON

aemerson@tampatrib.com

Published: December 7, 2008

TAMPA - Five years ago, schools needed to keep teachers like Lourene Weiss.

Families poured into Florida and overwhelmed public schools at a time when voters demanded limits on how big class sizes could get. This left the state in need of tens of thousands of teachers, and Weiss was planning to retire.

Schools couldn't afford to let good instructors go, so lawmakers let teachers extend their time in the state's Deferred Retirement Option Program, or DROP. That was good for Weiss, now 69, who wasn't ready to stop working.

"I felt good," said Weiss, who has taught at Gorrie Elementary School in Tampa for 31 years. "I like teaching, and I'm at a great school. I still had the energy."

Times are different now. School enrollment in Hillsborough County has flattened and tax revenue has fallen. With the promise of worse days to come, the school district is preparing to cut almost $55 million from this year's budget alone.

Teachers given the option to defer their retirement now are told their time is up.

School superintendents ultimately approve the extension, and many already have refused because of financial shortfalls. Hillsborough Superintendent MaryEllen Elia is joining them.

Elia said her school system can save $4.5 million by denying those extensions. Exceptions will be made in rare cases. With most salaries topping $61,000, the teachers in the retirement program are among the highest-paid in the district, and there's no shortage of lower-paid prospects to replace them.

Extending their time, said Deputy Superintendent Dan Valdez, "becomes an expensive proposition."

In interviews, teachers said they understand the difficulties their bosses face and they know money has to be cut somewhere. But they fear administrators are forcing out experienced teachers who still want to work.

Weiss, for one, planned to leave after this year, but had extended her time in DROP by two years. Popular at the school, her classroom is festooned with first-grade writing samples and piled high with story-time books. After three decades, she has taught every elementary grade. One of her former students went to Harvard and mentioned her first-grade experiences on her application essay.

She called the decision to deny extensions practical.

"It comes down to a money crunch," she said. "The county and the superintendent are doing a very thorough job of trying to keep everything in the black."

When asked if she thought the decision was wise, she said, "I don't know about wise."

Lawmakers granted the extensions in 2003, the year the first wave of public employees was set to leave DROP.

The program allows public employees - generally those who reach age 62 or who have 30 years on the job - to work five years while the state pays benefits into an interest-bearing account. Their entrance in the program is their resignation. After five years, they take their pensions and leave.

Back Then, A Need

Superintendents pleaded with the Legislature for the power to lengthen the time for teachers in DROP by up to three years. Teachers were allowed an extension to continue working. School districts such as Hillsborough and Pasco were growing by thousands of students every year and, in 2002, voters amended the state Constitution to place caps on enlarging class sizes, requiring more teachers.

Back then, most districts had hundreds of job vacancies near the start of each school year. Equipped with the power to lengthen a teacher's time in DROP, the Hillsborough school district for the first several years approved nearly every extension, as long as the teacher had a satisfactory evaluation.

But the economy started souring last year, and administrators tightened the requirements. They granted additional time to teachers needed in core subjects such as math, English, science and social studies.

Other districts, including Pinellas and Pasco, were doing the same. By this school year, they were going even further and stopped granting extensions entirely.

When Hillsborough teachers signed up for DROP years ago, however, they watched as colleagues received extensions with no problem.

Joe Joeb, an advanced placement history teacher at Alonso High School in Tampa, is finishing his fifth year in the retirement program. He wanted to extend his time, particularly since the markets have battered his investment portfolio.

Joeb, 66, said that when he signed up for DROP, "I was looking at something I could stretch out to six, seven or eight years. I'm not heavily invested. I've been a teacher for too long. I don't have a lot of money."

His isn't the only budget taking a beating. Tax revenue to the state is falling, so lawmakers are reducing the aid to education and social services.

Although it once boomed too fast for the district to catch up, enrollment in Hillsborough County schools has leveled off at about 190,000 students.

By mid-December, district leaders will have to cut the budget by $26 million that they already expected to lose. But the cuts don't stop there. If Gov. Charlie Crist and the Legislature don't come up with more money for education and other services, the Hillsborough school district may have to cut an additional $28.9 million this fiscal year.

"The more we get in very lean times, the more things that were untouchable become things that are necessary" to cut, said Jennifer Faliero, a member of the Hillsborough County School Board.

Teachers 'Not Businesspeople'

Fifth-grade teacher Janet Vorderburg understands, but still considers the move to stop extensions "a slap in the face."

Vorderburg, 61, teaches science and math at Walden Lake Elementary School in Plant City and has taught for 36 years in Hillsborough County. She extended her time in DROP this year and planned to come back next year.

"I love what I do and I'm good at what I do," she said. "Why would you not continue to work?

"Any of us who have stayed this long, we have not stayed for the money. Teachers are not businesspeople. We give and give and give. We pay out of our own pockets for things for the kids, and we don't ask for reimbursements."

Joeb said he would be willing to come back at a reduced salary. He has taught for 20 years, and considers his earnings payment "for putting up with the bureaucracy."

The classrooms, Joeb said, are going to lose "some old-fashioned teaching experience, and experience is not something you can quantify mathematically."

Reporter Adam Emerson can be reached at (813) 259-8285.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/dec/07/na-dropped/news-metro/

HARTride 2012

December 9th, 2008, 02:04 AM

Robinson and Tampa Bay Tech Among the Nation’s Best

Robinson High School and Tampa Bay Technical High School have been selected by U.S. News & World Report as two of the best high schools in the nation.
The magazine analyzed academic data from schools across the nation, and their selections are based on factors such as college readiness and success with students from different backgrounds. Only three schools in the Tampa Bay area made the U.S. News list, and two were from Hillsborough County!

http://www.sdhc.k12.fl.us/

===================

Robinson huh...perhaps its because of a few things. 1) The success of the IB program thus far. 2) Thier B grade this past year (hopefully this will begin a turnaround for the school academically).

Okay, after going to the official list for Florida, here are the awards.
FULL LIST FOR FLORIDA SCHOOLS: http://www.usnews.com/directories/high-schools/index_html/state_id+FL/page_number+1/page_size+10/sort+alpha/name+/award+1+2+3+4/school_name+/county+/detail+less

1) Robinson High School - Tampa = Bronze Award
2) Tampa Bay Tech High School - Tampa = Silver Award
3) Palm Harbor University High School - Palm Harbor = Silver Award

FloridaFuture

December 9th, 2008, 02:30 AM

Not really anything more then a tidibit but Sickles started selling Quiznos today at lunch. For a kid-sized, plain, pre-wrapped, chilled ham and chese shandwhich with some lettuce and Italian dressing you pay $3.25.

First off, $3.25 in lunch money without sides or drink is a fortune at high school.
Second, the sandwhich is chilled, which of course the best part about Quiznos is that the sandwhiches are freshly heated.

I don't see this partnership lasting long with the school.

HARTride 2012

December 9th, 2008, 03:29 AM

I didn't like cold sandwiches at the schools. Actually, a lot of what HCC serves is better than what HCPS has to provide. About the only lunchroom items I liked were the Ala-Carte items, oh and the Otis Spunkmeyer cookies....yum...those were the best cookies EVER!

TampaGuy

December 9th, 2008, 03:46 AM

HARTride 2012

December 9th, 2008, 04:54 AM

Robinson is going to become one of the better schools in Hillsborough County. Over the past years, it was greatly improved. The IB program only solidifies this.
Reasons I say this:
1) 2nd Smallest High School in Hillsborough
2) IB = involed parents, teachers, and staff = better school
3)Change in Administration, since the new principal has been there the school has been improving.

My thoughts.

Some Elaboration...remember, I'm a 2006 grad of Robinson...

1) Yep, lots of room to expand, though I don't think HCPS has determined the final plans for the old Rembrandt site.
2) Yep, the more involved the community is in supporting the school and its programs (including IB), the better the school will be. Eventually, I believe the school will recieve more funding down the road. I hate the notion that Robinson has been a "dirt poor, trashy, druggy, ghetto" school.
3) Though I could criticize principal Laura Zavatkay for treating the entire student body like third graders (which she tends to do), overall she and the rest of the admins have been doing their part to improve the atmosphere and academic standing of the school.

Oh, and we can't forget the late Dr. Kevin McCarthy (previous principal). If it weren't for him, Robinson probably would have never received that New York Life grant that drastically improved the school's library. In fact, thanks to the grant alone, a majority of the school's vastly outdated library books were thrown out and replaced with more current readings. Also, comfy seating arrangements have been added, among other improvements.

HARTride 2012

December 10th, 2008, 03:11 AM

December 09, 2008
Alafia principal to leave school

TAMPA -- After months of complaints from parents, Alafia Elementary principal Ellyn Smith is expected to step down from her post at the school.

On Tuesday afternoon Smith told school faculty members of her request not to be at Alafia next semester, said her husband, Ashley Smith.

He plans to address the Hillsborough County School Board at tonight's meeting to defend his wife, whom he says has been maligned by parents.

"The kids have been coming up to her crying, 'How can these people say these mean things about my principal?' " Mr. Smith said in a prepared statement. "It's not fair to the kids."

Plans for the near future include Smith working within the school district, though it's not clear in what capacity.

Frustrated parents have criticized Smith for months, citing high teacher turnover, low morale and concerns about student safety and behavior, among other problems. A recent school assessment cited a "very stressful work environment."

Parents have bombarded superintendent MaryEllen Elia with e-mails, phone calls and even started a blog. More than 270 residents have signed a petition calling for Smith's removal.

"We're excited and relieved," said Alafia parent Amy Dreyer.

Dreyer was on her way to the board meeting with several other parents Tuesday evening. Upon hearing the news, the group began to sing in celebration.

"Hopefully she won't be a principal somewhere else," Dreyer said. "These are traits no educator should have with children. So I'm glad that she's no longer going to be a principal with Alafia anymore."

Smith has been an educator for more than 30 years. She spent seven years as principal at Seffner Elementary before heading to Alafia in 2005.

Chandra Broadwater and Letitia Stein, Times Staff Writers

*

December 09, 2008 in Hillsborough County | Permalink

http://blogs.tampabay.com/schools/2008/12/alafia-principa.html

HARTride 2012

December 16th, 2008, 05:20 PM

Some Rally Against Plan For A School Cell Tower

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 16, 2008

SOUTH TAMPA - Plans to erect a cell-phone tower at Coleman Middle School have parents and campus neighbors in a stir.

The 100-foot tower, which would be built by Tampa-based Collier Enterprises II, could be leased by up to four cell service carriers. Collier has offered to pay for construction and management, and evenly split rental profits with the school district. At about $11,250 per carrier annually, that's roughly $450,000 for the school district during the 10-year lease, with Coleman keeping about 80 percent.

A community meeting is planned for Jan. 7.

Coleman Principal Michael Hoskinson said he has received both positive and negative comments, and wants to explore the idea fully before making a decision.

The opportunity for dependable funding in a tight economy has some parents in favor. The possibility of decreased property values and feared negative effects on health give others pause to the point they actively are opposing the move.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/dec/16/na-some-rally-against-plan-for-a-school-cell-tower/news-metro/

HARTride 2012

December 16th, 2008, 08:25 PM

December 16, 2008
Alafia Elementary names new principal

TAMPA -- Alafia Elementary will soon have a new principal -- former Cypress Creek Elementary principal Lisa Tierney-Jackson.

Tierney-Jackson was chosen through an administrative transfer, not through a formal application process, after former Alafia principal Ellyn Smith announced her resignation last week. Smith was beseiged by parents in recent months unhappy about school morale, student safety and teacher turnover.

Tierney-Jackson's post at Cypress Creek will be filled by Roy Moral, the current principal at Wimauma Elementary. Moral will be replaced by Jeff Millman, who now works on special assignment with textbooks.

All the changes take effect Jan. 5.

-- Letitia Stein, Times Staff Writer

December 16, 2008 in Hillsborough County | Permalink

http://blogs.tampabay.com/schools/2008/12/alafia-elementa.html

HARTride 2012

December 18th, 2008, 04:14 PM

Cell tower idea at Tampa's Coleman Middle School makes waves

By Times staff writer
In print: Friday, December 19, 2008

CULBREATH HEIGHTS

cell tower Issue emotional

Signs protesting the proposed installation of a cell phone tower on the grounds of Coleman Middle School mark how divisive the ongoing issue has become.

Coleman principal Michael Hoskinson says he receives between 10 and 15 e-mails and phone calls about the tower daily since the signs started to go up about a month ago.

He says half are in support of the tower and half are opposed, but all are equally impassioned.

"Any time there's a potential for change, it brings out a lot of emotion," he said.

Bill Cook lives in Culbreath Heights and has become an unofficial spokesman for tower opponents.

He and some neighbors circulated a petition to block its installation. He says between 500 and 600 people have signed it. The group has also put up signs printed with Hoskinson's contact information or copies of the warnings that surround existing cell towers.

Their opposition stems mainly from the dearth of data concerning the health effects of cell towers.

Cook says he's talked to cancer experts, doctors and a physicist. "The bottom line is there's not enough information," he said.

Others in the neighborhood dislike the idea of a 100-foot tower.

Everyone will have the opportunity to voice their opinion during a public meeting at 6 p.m. Jan. 7 in the cafeteria at Coleman, 1724 S Manhattan Ave.

Hoskinson says there will be an informal vote at the meeting. He will take into account everyone's concerns and weigh them against the available data to make a recommendation to the School Board after the meeting.

"I want to have as much input as possible before I make a decision," he said.

For more information about the meeting, go to coleman.mysdhc.org.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/article941219.ece

HARTride 2012

December 21st, 2008, 03:21 PM

Schools Delay Notification Of Risk

By CHRISTIAN M. WADE

cwade@tampatrib.com

Published: December 21, 2008

Updated: 12:12 am

TAMPA - Several of the city's old landfills are buried beneath public schools.

Pizzo Elementary, Roland Park Middle School, Lockhart Elementary and Young Middle Magnet School were built on or near land once used to bury Tampa's garbage.

On Nov. 7, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection sent a letter to the Hillsborough County School District informing officials that higher-than-acceptable levels of arsenic, lead and other toxic contaminants had been discovered in soil and groundwater tests taken at the sites through the years.

The letter said state law requires the to district notify teachers, parents and guardians whose children attend the four schools and that more extensive testing was needed.

But the notification letters were never mailed.

Instead, the district held a meeting with Tampa officials to discuss whether the schools should comply with the demands and whether DEP's information was accurate.

In a response to DEP's demands, the school district's attorney, George Gramling III, requested an extension to notify teachers, parents and guardians until April 30.

"The three landfills ceased operations more than 40 years ago and the district cannot yet determine whether the current condition of these landfills requires any notification and if so, what that notification should contain," he wrote in a Nov. 25 letter to DEP officials. "A responsible review of these sites cannot be accomplished in a few weeks."

DEP spokeswoman Dee Ann Miller said the agency will grant the district's request.

The district also disputes some of DEP's information on the old dumps, arguing that there is no record of contamination at the Young, Lockhart and Roland Park schools and that Pizzo has been monitored for methane gas emissions since it opened in 1998.
Gramling said the district plans to hire a consultant to review test results.

City officials said the sites near or under the schools were not municipal landfills but private property where the city and others were allowed to dump their garbage.

And, as with other old dump sites, they argue that there are no known health risks.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/newreply.php?do=newreply&noquote=1&p=28071712

HARTride 2012

January 8th, 2009, 06:11 PM

Cell Tower Meeting Tense

By JAMIE PILARCZYK

jpilarczyk@tampatrib.com

Published: January 8, 2009

TAMPA - Yard signs opposing construction of a cellphone tower at Coleman Middle School greeted hundreds of people who came to the South Tampa campus Wednesday evening to discuss the matter.

Many people wore orange wrist bands or T-shirts proclaiming, "No Tower."

The gathering in the school's cafeteria culminated weeks of door-knocking and sign-posting. Parents collected about 1,000 signatures from people who fear a tower might pose health risks for children and others on campus. Last week, some opponents flew to Seattle to meet with a scientist on the issue.

By the time Principal Michael Hoskinson took the microphone to address Wednesday's meeting, the mood was tense.

"It's my responsibility to keep an open mind," Hoskinson said. "My job is to look at the opportunity, the good, the bad and the ugly.

In Hillsborough County, school principals have authority to decide whether a cell tower is appropriate for their campus. Eleven schools have them and more are planned.

Hoskinson said he hopes to make a decision today or Friday, based on thoughts of school district officials as well as Coleman Middle parents, staffers and neighbors.

The towers are lucrative. Cellphone companies pay the school district thousands of dollars in shared leasing fees to erect towers on campuses. Individual schools get most of that money. The towers also ensure or improve cellphone service in an area, including for emergency 911 calls.

Hoskinson said he has received telephone calls from people who support the tower proposal, but they often feel pressured not to express their point of view.

Several people at Wednesday's meeting spoke in favor of a tower, including parent Jenna Venero.

"I wish I could ask the people who are bombarding the school drop-off lines with posters and fliers: 'Would you give up your cell phones?'" said Venero, who has an eighth-grader at Coleman. "Unless you're willing to give them up, these towers are going to keep going up."

Opponents Focus On Health
Opponents have been more outspoken. They say the towers are unsightly and might decrease area property values. However, their main concern is people's health: a lack of solid evidence that long-term exposure to radio frequency emissions from antennas on cell towers is safe.

They say the students' well-being is more important than money - especially at Coleman, which has an active and financially sound PTSA. If money would stop the tower proposal, several parents said at the meeting, they would write checks for a couple of thousand dollars on the spot. If the tower is approved, many say they will stop making any donations.

"We're trying not to sell out our children," Lisa Williams said.

Collier Enterprises II of Tampa wants to build the 100-foot tower. The structure could accommodate up to four cell service carriers with T-Mobile as the anchor lease holder, company President Stacy Frank said.

Collier would pay for construction and management, and evenly split rental profit with the school district. At about $11,250 a carrier annually, that's roughly $450,000 for the school district during the 10-year term of the lease, with Coleman keeping about 80 percent of the district's take.

"There is a definite need here and now," said Jim Porter, speaking on behalf of Collier at Wednesday's meeting. "It's a project that is good for the school and good for the community."

Frank has said the tower would be placed on athletic fields next to Coleman and would include extra lighting for the fields, which Hoskinson requested. The tower's base would be surrounded by a minimum 25-foot by 25-foot enclosure.

The plan includes a masonry wall and landscaping, Frank said. The project would be about 120 feet from the sidewalk on the north side of Estrella Street.

Residents of the Culbreath Heights neighborhood, which includes the Coleman Middle campus, collectively have voted against the tower. The Sunset Park Area Homeowners Association also opposes it.

"We are appalled that they want to put it next to a public park," said Jay Lenny, president of the Culbreath Heights Civic Association, which has raised $4,000 for swimming pool improvements and planted palm trees around the running track. "We are the closest neighbors and the whole thing has been forced on us."

Demand for cell phone service is driving the need for another tower, Frank said. If Coleman Middle turns down the proposal, a tower likely would be placed somewhere along Henderson Boulevard.

Marie Valenti, principal at Chiaramonte Elementary School, said there has been a cell phone tower at the Gandy area campus since 2005.

"I think it's the best thing that has happened to us," she said.

Valenti, who has been at the school for 19 years, said she remembers struggles to raise money to cover the school's outdoor court and playground, and teachers' requests that were put on hold for lack of funding.

When the district asked whether she wanted a cell phone tower, she said yes. There was no opposition from parents or neighbors, she said, and she trusted district school officials wouldn't advocate something that potentially could harm students.

"Now my teachers want something, boom, they get it," Valenti said.

Study Shows No Emissions Increase

An environmental study commissioned by the school district on the release of radio emissions by such towers was completed during the recent holiday break. It showed no increase in radio frequency emissions at the base of cellphone towers compared with sites in neighborhoods with no power lines or cell towers.

Those opposed say they would rather err on the side of caution.

"If you asked the school board or Stacy Frank to guarantee your children won't suffer any health effects... they can't do it," said Mark Williams, a parent of two daughters at Mabry Elementary. "If something were to go wrong, some malady were to affect your child, you'd have no recourse. This is your responsibility."

SCHOOLS AND TOWERS

Eleven public schools in Hillsborough County lease property to cell phone companies for towers:

Benito Middle School

Chiaramonte Elementary School

Gaither High School

McKitrick Elementary School

Middleton Elementary School

Miles Elementary School

Oak Park Elementary School

Pride Elementary School

Robles Elementary School

Wimauma Elementary School

Witter Elementary School

Two public schools have signed leases with cell phone companies for construction of towers:

Leto High School

Mintz Elementary School

Four schools, including Coleman Middle, are negotiating with cell phone companies.

Information provided by Collier Enterprises II

Reporter Jamie Pilarczyk can be reached at (813) 259-7661.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/jan/08/na-cell-tower-meeting-tense/news-metro/

FloridaFuture

January 8th, 2009, 11:10 PM

I'm sure about the health argument, and I don't think anyone truly is, but I went to McKitick, which has a tower, for two years and the tower was never a problem and I have never heard of anyone having a problem with it.

HARTride 2012

January 8th, 2009, 11:30 PM

Most of these people are filthy rich, or pretty darn well off anyway. In Chiramonte's neck of the woods, most of the people are middle class. I think these rich Palma Ceia & WestShore folks always find something to complain about. If it isn't freeways, then it's a cell phone tower.

UPDATE: The school's principal has decided not to move ahead with the tower.
http://tampabays10.com/images/pdfs/2009/010909cellphone-statement.pdf

HARTride 2012

January 10th, 2009, 07:05 PM

New school construction means more changes for students
Saturday, January 10, 2009

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- New schools are under construction in Hillsborough County, which could mean thousands of students will be shuffled to different schools next year.

Five new schools are currently being built in eastern and northern Hillsborough County.

The new elementary schools will draw students from Lopez, McDonald, Knights, Cork, Dover and Bryant elementary schools, while the new middle school will be comprised of students from Randall Rodgers and Eisenhower. The new high schools will be populated with students from Sickles, Alonso, Chamberlain, Gaither and Freedom high schools.

Dr. Bill Lazarus, who heads up the research firm Seer Analytics, was hired by the school district to handle the logistics of the changes. He is relying on mathematics and logic, rather than emotion, to help him make the decision.

"Based on the number of seats that are filled so they don't have some that are totally jammed and totally empty, and at the same time minimize the amount of money and time spent transporting kids," Lazarus said.

Even though construction is already underway, some may be wondering if the new schools are really necessary - especially with the current economic climate.

Lazarus said the new schools won't initially be at full capacity but they will help with overcrowding at several already existing schools. He, along with school officials, think the schools will eventually be at full capacity.

"There may not be growth for the next year or two years, but Hillsborough County will grow again," he said.

Steve Ayers, the district's parent relation director, agrees.

"We'll need them in the future," he said.

In addition, school leaders said the money for the new schools was budgeted three years ago.

Parents like Felicia Thomas just hope the transition won't be too hard on their kids. Thomas' six-year-old son, Samuel, may be one of the students transferred.

"He likes the teachers there, the activities," she said. "I would prefer him to stay where he's comfortable at."

School officials will begin meeting with parents on Monday. They said they hope to have new boundaries by February.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2009/1/10/423934.html?title=New+school+construction+means+more+changes+for+students

HARTride 2012

January 12th, 2009, 02:56 PM

Hillsborough families applying for school choice have to wait and see

By Letitia Stein, Times Staff Writer
In print: Mon Jan 12 00:00:00 EST 2009

TAMPA — Families interested in school choice in Hillsborough County, especially those with high school-aged children, should get comfortable with uncertainty this year.

School officials don't yet know how choice options will be affected by the overhaul of attendance boundaries for nine large high schools in the northwest and eastern county.

Though the boundaries may not be settled until February, the district kicked off the first period for choice applications last week, a window that closes at the end of the month. The next application period starts in mid April.

So what's a family to do?

Option one: Memorize the phone number and Web address for the district's choice program. Check back often.

Option two: Just go ahead and apply for choice at schools that could see classroom seats open up after boundaries changes — even those that are currently crowded and closed to choice.

"If there's any doubt, apply and we'll hold your application," said Bill Person, Hillsborough's general director of student placement.

He said the district will process at a later date the early applications along with those that come in after the boundaries are set. Hillsborough may even create a special choice application period this year, before the April window, specifically for high schools.

"It's a definite possibility," Person said. "Our intent is to provide services and placement, not to make everybody wait."

For now, thousands of families could be in a wait-and-see mode. Last year, the district received 5,500 applications just for school choice, not including applications to magnet programs offering specialized curriculum.

Families also can apply for choice hardship, previously called special assignment, to get into crowded schools closed to traditional choice. School officials have cracked down on these placements in recent years and say they expect families to demonstrate a real need.

But popular high schools long capped to choice could soon see some breathing room from the boundary changes. On Aug. 24, Steinbrenner High opens in Lutz, and Strawberry Crest High in the Dover area. To fill them, the district is reviewing boundaries at seven nearby schools.

These include Gaither, Alonso, Sickles and Freedom high schools in the northern county and Durant, Plant City and Armwood in the east. Some or all could have openings for choice in the future.

But only Freedom and Armwood are currently open for school choice, according to the district Web site, which does not identify the new schools as options.

Person said Steinbrenner and Strawberry Crest are likely to have some room for choice.

Plus, school officials have not yet decided whether to add yet another boundary change to the list — Chamberlain High in the north Tampa area. What happens at this severely crowded school could affect choice options elsewhere.

And the district also is opening two elementary schools in the Lithia and Dover areas. A new middle school also is slated to open in Lithia, triggering yet another set of boundary changes.

In another change to the choice program, the district will accept applications from kindergarten students to the popular International Baccalaureate programs at MacFarlane Park and Lincoln elementary schools. Other magnet programs are open to students in first through 11th grades.

Letitia Stein can be reached at lstein@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3400. For more education news, visit the Gradebook at blogs.tampabay.com/schools.

Have a question about choice?

Visit the choice Web site, choice.mysdhc.org or call the information line at (81....

[Last modified: Sun Jan 11 22:30:00 EST 2009]

http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/article966721.ece

HARTride 2012

January 16th, 2009, 06:29 PM

:ohno:

First Middleton High....now Monroe Middle? Good Grief!

January 16, 2009
Investigators search for Monroe Middle School arsonist

TAMPA -- Investigators are searching today for the person they say started a fire Thursday in a Monroe Middle School restroom. No injuries have been reported.

The school, at 4716 Montgomery Ave., was evacuated around 10 a.m. after a small blaze erupted in the boys' bathroom, according to Tampa Fire Rescue.

Firefighters say they entered the school and put out the flames, which caused about $15,000 in damage to the restroom.

Tampa Fire Marshal's Office investigators have not said who they believe set the fire.

Drew Harwell, Times staff writer

*
Posted by tampabaycom at 5:57:00 AM on January 16, 2009

http://blogs.tampabay.com/breakingnews/2009/01/firefighters-pu.html

HARTride 2012

January 24th, 2009, 02:46 PM

New School Boundary Maps In; Let The Debate Begin

By ADAM EMERSON | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 23, 2009

TAMPA - Questions will fly in households throughout Hillsborough County during the next several days now that the school board is preparing to sign off on plans that would shuffle thousands of students.

After weeks of waiting, parents of high school students got their first glimpse of the district's attempt to relieve overcrowded classrooms and fill new schools opening this fall in the northern and eastern regions in the county. More than 4,200 students at six high schools would eventually transfer.

When those families get to weigh in on the proposals next week, the district will be better prepared for the rebukes that often come with the creation of new school attendance zones.

The district paid an analyst $140,000 to come up with a bulletproof design of new high school boundaries, partly to soften the blowback from parents who in years past had tried to dismantle other proposals.

The new high school boundaries, though, are just the start. Five new schools are opening in the fall, requiring the shuffling of more than 6,000 students. They will be the last new schools for several more years.

That will give the district ample time to survey a countywide school enrollment in need of adjustment, said Bill Person, Hillsborough's general director of pupil placement and support.

There are dozens of schools running over capacity next to schools that have room for hundreds more students. After the school board approves the newest boundary changes, administrators will study how it can transfer students out of crowded schools throughout the county.

"Now is the time to look at balancing the district," Person said. "If you have schools overcrowded next to schools under capacity, why don't you look at the boundary?"

The county now is losing students, the first time that has happened in more than two decades. In recent years, the district was building new schools to house thousands of students who poured into the county annually.

The new boundaries are designed partly to catch up to the growth that now has reversed.

Construction is nearly complete on Stowers Elementary and Barrington Middle off Boyette Road in Riverview. A development of hundreds of new homes was supposed to surround the new schools, which school officials had planned for six years ago.

But the housing developer slowed the project as the real estate market soured.

The new schools instead will draw students from overcrowded schools in other neighborhoods. Stowers, for instance, will get 348 students from Boyette Springs, which is currently running with about 70 students over capacity.

That shuffling of students doesn't happen without criticism, however – even in the smallest of numbers.

Elizabeth Adams found out late Thursday that her daughter, a second-grader, may have to move out of Wilson Elementary along with 43 others into Cork Elementary. The transfer facilitates the new boundary changes that sprang from the scheduled August opening of Bailey Elementary in east Hillsborough.

"We live five minutes from Wilson," Adams said. "It's our neighborhood school. She's doing so well there. I don't think the change will be good."

Parents have options:

• Choice: The district will run a special choice application period from March 2 to 13 for families affected by proposed boundary changes. If a school has available seats, parents can apply to attend.

• The school board: On Tuesday, the board will consider the boundary changes that revolve around the opening of Stowers and Bailey elementary schools and Barrington Middle School. Families can comment on the proposals then.

• Community meetings: Families can weigh in on the proposed high school attendance zones at two community meetings next week. The school board won't vote on the plan until February.

Those affected by the opening of Strawberry Crest High will meet at 7 p.m. Monday in the Tomlin Middle School auditorium.

Those affected by the opening of Steinbrenner High will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the Sickles High School auditorium.

Maps highlighting the boundary changes are at the district's class-size Web site, http://classsize.mysdhc.org.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/jan/23/school-boundary-maps-let-debate-begin/news-metro/

HARTride 2012

February 11th, 2009, 03:00 PM

Hillsborough Board OKs Boundaries For High Schools

ADVERTISEMENT
Click here!

By ADAM EMERSON

aemerson@tampatrib.com

Published: February 11, 2009

TAMPA - More than 3,500 students will be shuffled among different high schools now that the Hillsborough County School Board has approved new attendance zones.

The anticipated opening of two new high schools in the northwestern and eastern regions of the county freed up hundreds of seats in long crowded schools, and school board members warn that the moves are just the beginning.

Although new construction isn't planned for several years, the district is preparing to survey a countywide school enrollment in need of adjustment. Administrators plan to spend the next few years relieving other crowded schools, and some board members praised the process that got them this far.

The district paid a company called SeerAnalytics $140,000, partly to draft a few dozen maps to facilitate the opening of Steinbrenner and Strawberry Crest high schools. The superintendent narrowed the options to the best and made some last-minute tweaks after hearing from parents.
Community meetings drew hundreds of families with concerns or complaints about the proposals, but no parents attended the school board meeting Tuesday to protest the plans.

Some school board members credited the analyst's work, which was intended to diminish blowback. In years past, parents tried to dismantle other proposals.

SeerAnalytics factored transportation costs, diversity and socioeconomic diversity into models of what schools would look like under the changes.

"This is what I consider a dry run for the bigger picture," board member Susan Valdes said.

When Steinbrenner opens, it will draw about 1,700 students from Sickles and Gaither high schools. Strawberry Crest will open with 1,600 students from Plant City, Armwood and Durant high schools. Hundreds of other students will shuffle among the high schools in those regions.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/feb/11/na-hillsborough-board-oks-boundaries-for-high-scho/news-metro/

=========================================

Schools, Cell Towers Don't Mix, Parents Say

By ADAM EMERSON

aemerson@tampatrib.com

Published: February 11, 2009

TAMPA - Worried about their children's health, about two dozen parents appeared before the school board Tuesday demanding a stop to the practice of placing cell phone towers at schools, regardless of the income it provides.

Emboldened after a South Tampa school nixed its plans to erect a cell tower on its campus, the parents directed their pleas to the school board to rein in plans for others.

Some even wanted to dismantle towers already raised. Parents of students at Pride Elementary School in New Tampa say they felt sandbagged when they found a tower there when the school year started in August.

"This is like a slap in the face," said Mary Meckley, whose child attends second grade at Pride. "If we would have been given a chance, we would have expressed that this is a terrible location for the tower."

Those opposed to the towers say they worry their children could be exposed to hazardous radio frequency emissions. Federal regulations vouch for the safety of the towers, but the parents say no long-term studies exist to support that.

Opponents amassed support from parents at Pride, Cimino and Hunter's Green elementary schools, along with others, saying they don't reject cell phone towers - just cell towers on school grounds.
Leasing space for those towers, however, represents money to a school district forced to cut millions as the economy sours. Pride Elementary alone receives $24,000 a year leasing space to two carriers, Alltel and T-Mobile.

"At a time like this, with one cutback after another, this will provide an excellent opportunity for schools to get more income," said Mike Larson, a Tampa resident who joined several others supporting the placement of the towers.

The school board directed Superintendent MaryEllen Elia to draft an answer to the parents' concerns, but took no action. Principals have the authority to approve a cell tower on school property.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/feb/11/na-schools-cell-towers-dont-mix-parents-say/news-metro/

HARTride 2012

February 19th, 2009, 03:10 PM

Cell Towers At Schools Spur Vote

By MIKE SALINERO

msalinero@tampatrib.com

Published: February 19, 2009

TAMPA - Schools that want to put up cell phone towers would have to hold two public hearings under land development code changes recommended Wednesday by the Hillsborough County Commission.

Commissioners voted unanimously to start the land code amendment process, which will take four months. The move was made in response to an outcry from parents who say the towers present a possible health risk to children.

Parents were especially incensed that principals are empowered to approve towers to generate money for their schools. Commissioner Rose Ferlita said public hearings will force principals to consider parents' opinions before approving the towers.

"I think what a lot of parents are concerned about is things going up and they're not included in the process," Ferlita said.

Mike Rothenburg, a leader of parents who oppose the towers, said the commission's action was a good start but that he and others want to see a ban on towers at schools.

Rothenburg and another tower opponent, Bill Cook, said a number of local governments across the country, including Los Angeles County, have prohibited cell towers from being built on school grounds.

If the land code changes are approved, it would reverse a commission action taken in 2008 that allows the school district to put the towers up at schools with 5 acres or more without a public hearing. The change was made despite opposition from the county's planning staff.

Commissioners changed their position, however, after parents from South Tampa protested plans to put a tower at Coleman Middle School. The commission asked the county school board for a moratorium on new towers until the land-use rules could be reviewed. The school board declined.

A dozen or so parents, wearing orange T-shirts that said "No Towers at Schools," attended the commission meeting. Several thanked commissioners for asking the school board to delay approving more towers and said they would hold school board members accountable at the polls for denying the request.

"We're a large voting block in South Tampa," said parent Julie Jenkins.

The Federal Communications Commission says the towers present no public health danger.

Opponents say there have been scientific studies that found the low-frequency radio frequencies emitted by the towers can build up in the human body and are especially dangerous to children because their bodies are developing.

In other business, commissioners decided not to put a measure on the ballot in 2010 requiring 60 percent voter approval to change the county charter. Instead, the issue will be considered by a charter review commission that commissioners will empanel late this summer. The commission can place charter amendments on the ballot if 10 of the 14 commission members vote in favor of it.

Reporter Mike Salinero can be reached at (813) 259-8303.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/feb/19/na-cell-towers-at-schools-spur-vote/news-metro/

HARTride 2012

February 19th, 2009, 03:14 PM

The angry parents....
:bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep:
:bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep:
:bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep:
:bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep:
:bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep:
:bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep:
:bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep:
:bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep:
:bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep:
:bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep:

The supporters....
:ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno:
:ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno::ohno:

The school board....
:dunno: :ohno: :dunno: :no: >( :? :dunno:

Seriously....this is becoming a nonsense war....

jonknee

February 20th, 2009, 02:30 AM

I wonder how many of those parents brought mobile phones to the meeting? If they believe the technology is dangerous they should not be part of it. I bet these hypocrites not only own mobile phones but their kids (the ones being "protected") do too.

HARTride 2012

March 7th, 2009, 04:19 PM

New Curriculum Becomes A SpringBoard For Teacher Criticism

By MARILYN BROWN

mbrown@tampatrib.com

Published: March 6, 2009

TAMPA - A classic education it's not.

Hillsborough County schools' yearlong studies of world, American and British literature in high schools are history.

Themes have replaced the traditional approach to language arts.

The theme in 10th grade is "Culture." In place of world literature, students tackle a mixture of topics ranging from Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" and Soviet Nobel literature prize-winner Alexander Solzhenitsyn's writings to "Cinderella" and clips from "I Love Lucy."

"The American Dream" replaces 11th-grade American literature, with a span of subjects from Arthur Miller's play about witchcraft, "The Crucible," to clips from the movie "Monty Python and the Holy Grail."

Seniors contemplate "How Perception Changes Reality" instead of British literature. Media reports of the 1991 Waco massacre, the contemporary novel "My Sister's Keeper," and clips from "Forrest Gump" may replace "Beowulf" and the poetry of Yeats and Shelley.

It's all part of this school year's districtwide switch to a new math and language arts curriculum in middle and high schools called SpringBoard.

Three-quarters of the way through the school year, math teachers say they see little change, while some high school English teachers are concerned.

"The meat's not there," said Holly Bentley, a national board-certified English teacher at Brandon High School. She teaches sophomore and junior honors English. "There is no grammar. There is no vocabulary."

"Some of the activities are wonderful," Bentley said, describing students depicting characters at a Puritan tea party. Teachers have long done similar hands-on lessons, she said, calling SpringBoard mostly "old concepts in new packaging."

Some teachers are praising the new approach.

Sylvia Ellison, also an English teacher at Brandon High, was happy to replace the chronological teaching of American literature for her 11th-graders with "'The American Dream" theme.

Ellison teaches three 11th-grade language arts classes that combine students with disabilities in classes with other students. Two-thirds of her students failed the English portions of the 10th-grade Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, she said, but they are taking to SpringBoard.

"They like the variety," Ellison said. "I love it."

Her class took about seven weeks to cover Jon Krakauer's biography, "Into the Wild," about a 24-year-old man's adventures and death in the Alaska wilderness.

"We listened to the whole book on iTunes," Ellison said. "Last year, they read 'The Great Gatsby.' I think they got more out of this one."

Students related to the adventurer's relationship with his parents, she said, and there were "all sorts of life lessons."

Hesitation From The Start

When the Hillsborough County School District tried SpringBoard at four of its 25 high schools last year, teachers balked at giving up favorite lessons and making drastic changes with little training.

There was more angst when the district suddenly announced a districtwide rollout for this school year as it jumped at the chance for $30 million in federal grants to pay for the program over five years.

SpringBoard was created by the College Board, the company known for the SAT test and Advanced Placement courses and tests.

The program uses engaging, fun activities to improve critical thinking skills and promises to prepare more students for Advanced Placement and college-level classes.

Whether it will do that is yet to be seen, although the district points to a preliminary report based on a three-year study that shows significant benefit in increasing student achievement, especially in reading.

But some teachers say SpringBoard is no better - and may be worse – in preparing students for college than the district's previous curriculum.

Honors students are a special concern.

"All classical literature is gone," said Lee Rich, a Sickles High School language arts teacher in her 24th year. "They're going to go to college with no classical literature and limited poetry instruction."

Work Varies Greatly From AP

Many students headed for college are taking SpringBoard classes, including honors level. Their course work is far different than that of Advanced Placement college-level classes in high school that have their own national curriculum and tests.

SpringBoard reading includes many excerpts in a workbook. Much of the writing, music and film or video clips are contemporary.

"They're getting piecemeal instruction," Rich said, a concern shared by other English teachers. "You're catering to their impatience … I see problems in the future, because it lacks challenge."

Some students agree.

"It's not consistent," said Andrea Jenkins, who took SpringBoard honors English the first half of this school year before graduating in December from Alonso High. She is now a student at Hillsborough Community College.

"There were some parts that were challenging and some that were very remedial. It was really strange," Jenkins said. "We read 'Ulysses.' Then, we read a poem in the SpringBoard book, 'My Name,' that I read the first time in fifth or sixth grade."

Teachers who don't like the approach of using multiple genres within a theme are accustomed to teaching subjects and lessons they love, said Alice Wukovich, a national board-certified teacher and SpringBoard language arts coordinator in Hillsborough.

Wuckovich agrees the change is dramatic, particularly in 12th-grade English.

"Everyone nationwide does British literature in senior English," Wuckovich said. "That's why people are upset."

The 10th-grade unit on "Cinderella" baffles a number of teachers.

"We're looking at how different cultures have written up the Cinderella story – we compare and contrast," said Dale Rice, an English teacher at Plant City High, one of the four high schools that used SpringBoard last year.

Rice chose to show the movie "Ever After" with Drew Barrymore – a modern version of the "Cinderella" story – and contrast it with clips from the Disney version that some teachers showed.

Last year, Rice said, his students instead read "A Separate Peace," a coming-of-age novel by John Knowles: "I liked the old curriculum better."

Classics Are Missing

Some teachers are worried that students will lose their last chance to read classics, said Liz Brown, Hillsborough's high school language arts supervisor. But for college, she argues, students also need the study skills and strategies for critical thinking they get from SpringBoard to learn to analyze work on their own.

Even non-college-bound students need those skills in real-world jobs or for technical training, Brown said. Students also need to "look deeper into what they're reading and analyze it for FCAT," she said.

Wuckovich added, "It's about being able to critically read. If you can read, you can read the classics on your own."

Input from teachers and reducing the number of units mean no "Cinderella" or Waco units next year, Wuckovich said. In addition, grammar and "academic vocabulary" are being added, she said, as is more writing. "Everything we've heard is in the revisions," she promised.

SpringBoard is beefing up its curriculum, and Hillsborough has influenced that, Wuckovich said, because "we are the largest consumer."

Jamie Roberts' senior honors English class at Sickles High, studying the "Othello" unit in January, shows the SpringBoard difference.

Rather than requiring each student to read, memorize, write essays, take tests, research Shakespeare's life or summarize a movie, students work in groups, taking turns "teaching the class."

"Most of us think it's busy work, but it does get our minds working, and we do get to think about the work we do with the book," said Marc Dejute, a student in that class.

Roberts agrees teachers must add to the workbook lessons.

"I think that the curriculum is a little too simplistic – that's why we do so much more on our own," Roberts said.

Sickles senior English teachers added six novels to the SpringBoard curriculum – including two to be read the summer before school started.

Roberts shares the concern that students will not have been exposed to English poetry they need to know for college, but called the sound technology and analysis of film they are learning "wonderful."

In math classes, just four SpringBoard lessons are required each year. Among them is an Algebra I SpringBoard lesson that starts with students arranging baby marshmallows and spaghetti on blue paper to discover different ways to multiply binomials.

Seventh- and eighth-graders in Jennifer Apgar's Algebra I honors class at Ferrell Middle Magnet School in Tampa couldn't wait to dig into their bags of marshmallows in January and were relieved to find extras for eating.

The marshmallows represent office computers; spaghetti separates sections of the office.

"I'm kinesthetic – I like to use my hands," said Giana Moore, 12. She said she prefers such hands-on activities to doing math problems on the computer. The seven computers lining one wall in her class are rarely used, she said.

Similar lessons have long been used by math teachers to bring the subject to life, but algebra, calculus and physics still require structured formulas and computations that keep the subject on a traditional course, math teachers said.

The content of geometry instruction has not changed in 2,000 years or more, said Virginia Roebuck, an East Bay High and national board-certified math teacher in her 37th year of teaching. She was part of the district's curriculum-writing team that worked on selecting SpringBoard lessons.

"I've always believed in teaching this way," said Roebuck, whose school also was part of last year's pilot program. "I don't leave anything out."

Reporter Marilyn Brown can be reached at (813) 259-8069.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/mar/06/new-curriculum-becomes-springboard-teacher-critici/news-metro/

==============================================

Furloughs Proposed For School Employees

By ADAM EMERSON

aemerson@tampatrib.com

Published: March 7, 2009

Updated: 12:41 am

TAMPA - Hillsborough County school administrators unveiled a budget-cutting plan this week that would mean lost wages for thousands of employees.

Administrators have proposed two-day furloughs with no pay next school year for teachers, custodians and bus drivers, among others. Those who work on 12-month contracts, which include administrators and their secretaries, would take three days off without pay.

The school district also would cut pay for teachers hired after they retired and who remained at the top of the pay scale, which comes to $61,594. Under the plan brought to the teachers union on Thursday, those wages would be cut to the starting level, or $37,014. More than 200 teachers would be affected.

The school district employs about 25,000 workers, which makes it the largest employer in Hillsborough County. Its leaders have warned of deep cuts for months, and now the state is facing a $5 billion deficit.

Florida's education commissioner has told school superintendents that they may have to eliminate as much as 15 percent from their budgets next fiscal year. For Hillsborough County, that comes to about $196 million.

"I would ask that you also consider the big picture," Superintendent MaryEllen Elia wrote in a memo Friday to employees. "Please consider why we are resorting to these alternatives and how we went about identifying the initiatives that will save the most money and do the least harm."

Administrators, though, are proposing a "long-term solution to a short-term problem," said Yvonne Lyons, executive director of the Hillsborough Classroom Teachers Association.

"They're planning the budget as if the sun will never come up tomorrow," Lyons said.

Negotiations with the teachers union will continue March 19, and the school board would sign off on whatever both sides decide.

The state's economy, however, is quickly getting worse. The school district already has trimmed about $82 million in the last two years in ways mostly invisible to parents. Administrators have cut vacant jobs, eliminated bus routes and had instructors teach an extra class period.

The district also is planning a switch to a four-day summer workweek and will not bring back teachers who have extended their time in the state's deferred retirement program.

Now the cuts may go deeper, unless the Legislature comes up with a way to increase revenue while it meets for the next two months.
Furloughs would save the district about $11.4 million. If the union accepts the proposal, both sides would negotiate when teachers would take the days off during the next school year.

Not all the planned cuts are under negotiation, however.

The district also plans to reduce the number of work days for ROTC instructors, psychologists, social workers, health assistants, adult technical and career center employees, and others.

Art, music and physical education teachers would work an extra 30-minute class period, and the district would eventually eliminate kindergarten aides through attrition.

Lyons argues that the district is moving forward with some cuts before administrators know just how bad the budget will get. Lawmakers haven't had time to figure out how to soften schools from the worst cuts, she said.

Union leaders also say the district failed to consider how federal stimulus money may close the deficit. Administrators, though, say they don't yet know how they can spend all that money. Most of it comes with strings attached, and the district is reluctant to use one-time money to pay for recurring expenses, such as salaries.

Under the stimulus plan, Hillsborough County schools would receive $38.9 million for economically needy students and $44 million for special education. A more substantial pot of money would "stabilize" schools, but superintendents don't yet know how the state would divvy up that money.

Reporter Adam Emerson can be reached at (813) 259-8285.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/mar/07/070041/na-furloughs-proposed-for-school-employees/news-metro/

HARTride 2012

March 7th, 2009, 04:26 PM

^^
I'm glad I graduated before the new concepts were implemented, it seems like total crap now.

As for the economic issues, its only going to get worse....

HARTride 2012

March 11th, 2009, 03:27 PM

Latest cost-cutting idea: furloughs for teachers
Wednesday, March 11, 2009

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- Parents and teachers will have to take their fight to Tallahassee if they don't want to see budget cuts in the Hillsborough County school system.

At least that was the word from the school board Tuesday night.

Yesterday, school leaders unveiled more ideas about how to save money. One of the more unpopular suggestions was furloughs for teachers - temporary days off that could save the district about $11 million.

But not everyone is against the idea.

Employee Elsa Tuggle said the days off may be the best way to go.

"(The) long term impact isn't as dramatic,' she said. "It still means less money in your pocket and other prices are skyrocketing, but it is one of the most equitable ways that we can address the budget cuts"

School officials and union members still need to come to some agreement on the idea. They hope to have any changes approved by next school year.

Board members urged anyone who does not approve of the measure to rally at the state capitol next week.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2009/3/11/447007.html?title=Latest+cost-cutting+idea:+furloughs+for+teachers

HARTride 2012

April 20th, 2009, 01:43 PM

Hillsborough school cuts to go on as planned

By Tom Marshall, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Monday, April 20, 2009

TAMPA — First the sky is falling, and then everything is fine. Or is it?

Even as state legislators and Gov. Charlie Crist tell school districts that federal stimulus money will keep them out of the budgetary doldrums this fall, Hillsborough County school officials say they're continuing to plan for the worst.

But unlike other school districts across Florida, there are no teacher layoffs or school closings on the horizon here, and no further program cuts are expected.

But officials are still planning to slash every dollar of the $34.5 million in cuts announced for this fall. And the district isn't counting on the federal stimulus to keep on giving after it runs out in two years, superintendent MaryEllen Elia said.

"We are not going to fall off a cliff in two years, I can tell you that," she added.

On paper, the district is now facing a projected shortfall of $4 million to $19 million in state funding, compared to current levels. That's a lot better than the more than $100 million shortfall officials had been fearing before the impact of the federal stimulus was known, said chief business officer Gretchen Saunders.

But those numbers don't include projected increases in health and property insurance, fuel and utility costs.

"All of those numbers make it a larger (shortfall) than the $4 million or $19 million," Elia said. "All of those things are unknowns to us. In the big picture, we're going to have to be on a very tight budget for a very long time."

Starting this fall, those lean times will include a reduction in class time for students in the arts, music and elementary foreign language, from 45 to 30 minutes per week, according to the budget-cutting plan adopted last month.

Other cuts include a reduction in paid work days or staffing formulas for many support employees, including guidance counselors and media specialists; an end to the practice of re-hiring retired employees or extending participation in the state deferred retirement program; and two or three days of unpaid furlough for most teachers, staff and administrators.

But the district has no plans to take some of the more drastic cost-cutting measures that have been discussed in Tallahassee, such as sending children to school for extended hours on a four-day week.

"Absolutely not," Elia said. "I do not think that's an appropriate thing to do for children. It's terrible."

By this fall, the Hillsborough schools will have cut $85 million to $100 million over a three-year period from an annual operating budget of $1.7 billion. The district has reduced busing, altered the daily class schedule, and slashed administrative costs in an effort to plan for the worst, Elia said.

"In the bigger picture, the cuts that we've taken here have allowed us to keep moving without going into a crisis mode," she added.

Many other school districts have tried to do the same, said Jim Warford, executive director of the Florida Association of School Administrators.

"Prudent districts have already made that first, second, third round of cuts," he added. "I do know that Hillsborough was one of the districts that planned well for this (funding crisis.)"

But Warford said many school systems won't be able to continue reducing programs and staff for much longer.

"We are in this position because we have continued to underfund schools in this state," he said. "Very soon, unless we come to our senses, you won't even recognize the public schools in Florida."

Tom Marshall can be reached at tmarshall@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3400.

[Last modified: Apr 20, 2009 06:55 AM]

http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/article993578.ece

HARTride 2012

June 10th, 2009, 06:55 PM

Newsweek Magazine has released its list of the top 100 schools. Here are the schools in Tampa that made it.

*Hillsborough H.S. - 46
*King H.S. - 65
*H.B. Plant H.S. - 79

Also gaining recognition: Alonzo (487), Robinson (537), Gaither (538), Tampa Bay Tech (566), Chamberlain (621), Sickles (728), Leto (1171), and Freedom (1299).

FloridaFuture

June 11th, 2009, 01:27 AM

Yay! Sickles at 728!

But really, King and Hillsborough are only on there becasue of the IB program.

Still, three in the top 80 isn't bad. :dunno:

HARTride 2012

June 11th, 2009, 01:53 AM

I think its just plain old good luck with those preppy students @ Plant.

I have confidence in Robinson though, I know they can make it higher. Slowly, but surely, things are getting better for that school.

HARTride 2012

June 24th, 2009, 07:19 PM

Yep, its that time of year again. Here are some of the schools in Hillsborough that I looked up.

Alonso H.S. - B (down from an A last year)

Armwood H.S. - D (ouch! down from a C last year)

Ballast Point Elementary - A

Blake H.S. - D (ouch!)

Coleman M.S. - A (9th year in a row!)

Dowdell M.S. - C

Durant H.S. - B

Gaither H.S. - B (down from an A last year)

Greco M.S. - C

Hillsborough H.S. - C (double ouch! down from an A last year)

Jefferson H.S. - C (ouch! down from a B last year)

King H.S. - D (double ouch! down from a B last year)

Lanier Elementary - B (down from an A last year)

Madison M.S. - C

Monroe M.S. - A (for the first time since I've been tracking this school's grade! It got a C during the last couple of years.)

Newsome H.S. - A

Plant H.S. - B (that surprised me a bit. It was an A school these last couple of years)

Robinson H.S. - B (second year in a row!)

Roosevelt Elementary - A

Sickles H.S. - A

FloridaFuture

June 25th, 2009, 02:16 AM

Sickles H.S. - A

:yes:

TampaGuy

June 25th, 2009, 02:53 AM

Also gaining recognition: Alonzo (487), Robinson (537), Gaither (538), Tampa Bay Tech (566), Chamberlain (621), Sickles (728), Leto (1171), and Freedom (1299).

Robinson was 1241st in 2008. They are moving up fairly quickly, I wonder how far they will move up, next year the school will have all four years of IB, and should move up again.

Do you think it could get into the top 100?

HARTride 2012

August 3rd, 2009, 03:21 AM

No raises, no furloughs in Hillsborough School District's new agreement with bus drivers and other nonteaching staffers

By Tom Marshall, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Saturday, August 1, 2009

TAMPA — Negotiators representing bus drivers and other nonteaching staffers have reached a tentative contract agreement with the Hillsborough County schools that includes no raises, but also no layoffs or unpaid furloughs, district officials said Friday.

Like a similar agreement reached with teachers, the contract with the Hillsborough School Employees Federation would eliminate workdays during the poorly attended Thanksgiving week as a cost-saving measure. Two previously scheduled holidays, Oct. 30 and Feb. 15, would become regular school days.

"There are no plans for furlough days," said district spokesman Stephen Hegarty in a statement.

The staff contract also includes two salary supplements. Employees with a 95 percent attendance rate, including five key days preceding holidays, would earn an additional $200 a year, said union president Luis Perez. And drivers with no at-fault accidents would collect a $100 bonus.

Drivers are guaranteed seven hours of work a day, while food service workers are guaranteed at least five hours. No paid work days or hours were lost compared with last year, he said.

"There was not a raise, but it was a good year for us," Perez said. "None of us got laid off, and we're still working."

Both the teacher and staff agreements must be ratified by union members and approved by the School Board.

Tom Marshall can be reached at tmarshall@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3400.

[Last modified: Jul 31, 2009 11:25 PM]

http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/article1023719.ece

HARTride 2012

August 12th, 2009, 04:46 AM

Hills. School Board votes to suspend attendance program
Tuesday, August 11, 2009

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY (Bay News 9) -- In a unanimous decision Tuesday the Hillsborough County School Board decided to suspend the attendance incentive program for students for the 2009-2010 school year.

They're afraid the program will encourage students to come to school while ill, which could lead to the H1N1 swine flu being spread.

"We really feel like it's important to take away those things that would allow or would have students get a mixed message about the importance of staying home if they're sick in a time period when this flu is rampant - if it comes to that," said Superintendent MaryEllen Elia.

However, some board members expressed concerns about making such a big change on such short notice, and they said they don't want students to feel as though they're being punished for being sick.

To mediate some of the concerns, they are planning to form a committee to look for alternative incentives and those will later be presented to the school board.

Pinellas County Schools has a similar incentive program, but officials say students can ask for a waiver due to illness. Individual schools in Pasco County also offer attendance incentives.

Manatee County Schools and Polk County Schools do not have attendance incentive programs.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2009/8/11/507413.html?title=Hills.+School+Board+votes+to+suspend+attendance+program

HARTride 2012

August 12th, 2009, 03:01 PM

Hillsborough school superintendent earns high marks, contract extension

By Tom Marshall, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Wednesday, August 12, 2009

TAMPA — Superintendent MaryEllen Elia won a one-year contract extension and mostly stellar evaluations Tuesday from her bosses, the Hillsborough County School Board.

"You have led this district through some very tumultuous times," said member Jennifer Faliero, praising Elia's management of the budget during perilous economic times. "You've been a tremendous leader."

Of the seven members on the board, four awarded Elia more than 40 points out of a possible 45 in her annual performance review. And two — Jack Lamb and Carol Kurdell, respectively — scored her only one and two points shy of perfect.

"It is most evident that we made a good decision in selecting our superintendent," Lamb wrote, referring to her 2005 promotion to the top job. "Our district is cited as a model in a number of issues as we continue to improve in spite of a reduction in resources; much of this is due to her leadership."

Of the remaining three board members, April Griffin gave Elia 35 points, while Susan Valdes and Jennifer Faliero awarded 38 and 39 points, respectively. The board's combined score put Elia in the "above satisfactory" range, two points shy of "outstanding."

Griffin said she was concerned about the district's "college-bound focus" rather than helping the "majority of the students."But member Candy Olson said adoption of college prep programs like AVID and Springboard have helped "children in the middle."

Members praised Elia's decision last month to take a 5 percent cut on her $257,958 salary.

To read board members' evaluations of superintendent MaryEllen Elia, visit tinyurl.com/mgel9b.

[Last modified: Aug 11, 2009 10:52 PM]

http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/article1026867.ece

HARTride 2012

August 22nd, 2009, 01:56 PM

Hillsborough school superintendent says district is addressing challenges of swine flu and bullying
In Print: Saturday, August 22, 2009

TAMPA — It's all about communication, whether it's about tomorrow's homework assignment, a bad flu going around, or kids fighting after school.

That was the theme Friday as Hillsborough superintendent MaryEllen Elia held her annual back-to-school news conference to usher in the new school year. Classes begin Tuesday in the 189,000-student district.

Elia had plenty of upbeat news to report: six new schools opening, new computer software to link schools and families, and 1,100 well-rehearsed school bus drivers who are ready to roll.

But two big problems from the last school year — the swine flu pandemic and a series of alleged locker room rapes at Walker Middle School — were also on Elia's agenda. There, too, communication has become the new byword.

Many students will likely catch the H1N1 virus due to the extent of its spread into the community, officials said earlier this week, warning of the possibility of 30 percent absence rates next month. "We do not anticipate closing schools for the swine flu," Elia said. "We also will not be sending home letters when a student has the flu."

On the bullying prevention front, Elia talked about new training for teachers and staff members, and cited a new Web site that will allow anonymous reporting of incidents.

"We're doing everything we can to encourage students to step forward," she said. "We want to get it where it begins, where students are initially having difficulties with each other."

Families in many schools can use new Edline software to check for students' grades and assignments. But the district will still send notes home the old-fashioned way via backpacks and back pockets for those without computers, Elia said.

And newly arrived military families can visit a page of their own on the district's Web site, where they'll find contact numbers and help getting settled.

"We have staff members assigned to give them personal service," she said. "It's the least we can do."

For information Tuesday's first day of school in Hillsborough County, visit the district's Web site at www.sdhc.k12.fl.us.

[Last modified: Aug 22, 2009 12:09 AM]

http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/hillsborough-school-superintendent-says-district-is-addressing-challenges/1029765

HARTride 2012

September 23rd, 2009, 05:47 PM

Contrary to projections, Hillsborough Schools are on track to add students
By Tom Marshall, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Wednesday, September 23, 2009

TAMPA —Hillsborough County schools appear likely to grow this year after all, despite projections of a third straight year of enrollment losses.

The district counted 190,366 students Tuesday, up 438 students compared to the same day last year.

If those numbers hold, they'll surpass the projected official October count of 188,228, which would have marked a decline from last fall.

Such numbers matter, since every student brings in around $5,000 in additional state funding. Slumping enrollment also has prompted the district to call a halt to most school construction over the next five years.

The latest numbers show a few crowded buildings got the relief they were hoping for from a rezoning effort to accommodate two new schools, Steinbrenner High in Lutz and Strawberry Crest High in Dover.

Sickles High, for example, has seen its student numbers drop from 2,626 last year to 1,977 on Tuesday. Gaither High has dropped from 2,348 to 2,142, and Alonso High has dropped from 2,823 to 2,496.

But that rezoning didn't affect all schools. Crowded Plant High grew from 2,277 last year to 2,317, well above its functional capacity of 1,846 students, according to district figures.

In other cases, the latest enrollment numbers have prompted the district to readjust staffing. Already, a few teachers have been moved from one of the district's newest schools, Bailey Elementary in Dover, after fewer students showed up there than had been expected, said spokesman Stephen Hegarty.

But the enrollment increases could also mean that some teachers who were waiting in the pool of unassigned teachers in hopes of getting a job may now find one, he said.

Tom Marshall can be reached at tmarshall@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3400.

[Last modified: Sep 22, 2009 11:52 PM]

http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/contrary-to-projections-hillsborough-schools-are-on-track-to-add-students/1038361

HARTride 2012

November 16th, 2009, 04:59 PM

I know this is old news, but I've been hearing about this for months now. It's a big mess.......

Parents learn Plant High capacity will grow – on paper

By SHERRI ACKERMAN | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 28, 2009

A $3.5 million addition at Plant High will allow the Hillsborough County public school district to meet a state mandate to lower the number of students per class.

But a meeting on the project Tuesday night showed it's proving unpopular among neighbors, who fear construction spillover in surrounding Palma Ceia, and Plant parents, who – despite assurances from officials – say more class space means more students.

"I think they're at their limit," said Marshall Santi, a 30-year neighbor of the school who attended the meeting to review the construction proposal. "This is definitely going to have an impact on us."

Districts statewide must comply with a state law that requires a reduction in class sizes by next August. At the high school level, that means core classes such as math and English cannot exceed 25 students per class.

Plans call for a new two-story brick building with 16 classrooms, covered sidewalks and stairs, all where a metal ROTC building now stands. A row of trees will be planted along the backside of the building as a buffer for neighbors.

The addition will house 250 students who now are taught in the school's 10 portables.

What's more, Plant won't lose any of its 460 parking spaces, said Principal Robert Nelson.

Nor will it gain students, said Cathy Valdes, the district's chief facilities officer. It can't without violating statewide class-size reductions that were approved by Florida voters.

Instead, once the project is complete, enrollment will drop from 2,317 today to 2,277, she said.

But the school's official student capacity will grow with the project's completion, and that's what has critics concerned.

The reason: Portables aren't counted toward capacity, like permanent classrooms are. Replacing portables with permanent classrooms boosts Plant's capacity more than 5 percent, from about 2,000 students to 2,400.

That's the wrong direction for Plant to be going, school officials were told.

"The kids are parking off campus, running between buses and cars," said Gaspar Monte, who lives a few blocks from Plant. "They're being put in a precarious situation."

Principal Nelson said he encourages students to carpool, but he heard Tuesday that some parents are reluctant to have young drivers riding together for safety reasons.

The district's Valdes also questioned whether parking is a district priority.

"Is it the taxpayer's responsibility to build more classrooms or more parking spaces?" she said.

School officials also heard suggestions on minimizing construction impact and a warning that neighbors will present their concerns to the Tampa City Council. A public hearing is scheduled Dec. 10 because the increased capacity will require a special use permit.

The work is scheduled to start in January and take up to eight months to complete.

Construction trucks should use Plant's main entrance along South Dale Mabry Highway instead of Sterling Avenue, an access road, said Gaylon Catalano, who lives alongside Sterling.

Rory Salimbene, the district's general manager of construction, said he wasn't certain which access would be used.

"It's going to be a war," Catalano replied.

Added neighbor Tim O'Mara, "This is going to be a huge issue."

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story listed the wrong date for a public hearing before the Tampa City Council on the Plant High construction. The date is Dec. 10.

Reporter Sherri Ackerman can be reached at (813) 259-7144.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/oct/28/parents-learn-plant-high-capacity-will-grow-paper/news-metro/

I wish the county had the fund to start expanding Robinson and maybe redrawing the district lines to "force" more students to go there instead of Plant. I know that redistricting may not be the best idea, but something has got to be done to relieve overcrowding at Plant.

HARTride 2012

November 16th, 2009, 05:04 PM

Recession turns teacher shortage to glut

The Associated Press

Published: November 12, 2009

LAWRENCE, Kan. - When Lilli Lackey started college, talk of a growing teacher shortage gave her confidence that a job would be waiting for her when she got out.

Now, six months after graduating, she considers herself lucky just to find work as a substitute.

Across the country, droves of people like Lackey are unable to find teaching jobs, in large part because the economy is forcing school systems to slash positions. The teacher shortage that many feared just a few years ago has turned into a teacher glut.

"I always thought that if I didn't find a job, I would be able to sub. And then once that started to be more difficult, it was really kind of devastating," Lackey, an art teacher, said during a career fair for educators at the University of Kansas.

Since last fall, school systems, state education agencies, technical schools and colleges have shed about 125,000 jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

At the same time, many teachers who had planned to retire or switch jobs are staying on because of the recession, and many people who have been laid off in other fields are trying to carve out second careers as teachers or applying to work as substitutes to make ends meet.

In Texas, the Round Rock school district had more than 5,000 applications for 322 teacher openings this year and saw its pool of subs almost double to 1,200, about 2 1/2 times as many as it needs even on a particularly bad day during flu season, said spokeswoman Joylynn Occhiuzzi.

"It is a tougher job market, and you get applicants that you might not normally have because of the economy," she said.

Just a few years ago, before the recession hit, several reports had projected a big shortage of teachers across a wide range of subjects over the next several years as baby boomers retired from the classroom and the strong economy lured college graduates into fields other than education.

But the nationwide demand for teachers in 60 out of 61 subjects has declined from a year earlier, according to an annual report issued this week by the American Association for Employment in Education. Only one subject — math — was listed as having an extreme shortage of teachers. In recent years, more than a dozen subjects had extreme shortages.

"We don't see a teacher shortage now," said Neil Shnider, executive director of the association. "The school districts aren't hiring."

Just a few years ago, "we were recruiting really, really hard just to get people to take a look at us and take a look at our profession," said John Black, deputy superintendent of the Augusta, Kan., school district, who was at the job fair even though he was already being deluged with applications for a midyear kindergarten opening. "Now we have these great applicants wanting to teach, and we don't have jobs to offer them."

Substitute teaching rolls have grown so large that some districts have increased their requirements or stopped accepting applications altogether.

Already schools like the one at the University of Kansas have been urging their education graduates to be more flexible about where they are willing to work and to receive training in areas that are still hard to fill, such as special education, said Rick Ginsberg, dean of the school of education.

Lackey took the advice and is planning to become certified to teach math. Although she is beginning to get more work as a sub, the job search remains frustrating.

"Teaching isn't really the place to go into," she said. "A few years ago it seemed like the place to be if you wanted a job."

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/nov/12/recession-turns-teacher-shortage-glut/life-education/

This pretty much sums it up now. Its really either healthcare, SOME government positions, or the military. Those are the only three areas people can have a secure job now......

HARTride 2012

January 27th, 2010, 02:46 PM

Hillsborough students pepper school board members with questions at annual forum
By Tom Marshall, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Wednesday, January 27, 2010

TAMPA — Make it easier to give blood. Explain the school district's $100 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. And, for heaven's sake, hold semester exams before the winter holidays.

Those were only a few of the wishes — often framed politely as questions — that students voiced Tuesday at Hillsborough County's annual student forum. Representatives from every high school and career center peppered School Board members with their ideas and, occasionally, problems.

Many students voiced frustration with the board's decision in the fall to suspend attendance-based exam exemptions and hold exams in January. The moves were prompted by the swine flu outbreak and a calendar bound by state mandates.

"With the first semester now ending in January, has there been any noticeable improvement in exam grades?" asked Robert Gordon of Bloomingdale High.

Board members said the district might soon gain some latitude that would allow more freedom in setting the calendar. Changes in state law might make it hard to reinstate the exam exemptions, but members said they'd try to find an alternative.

"We know that's on the top of your mind," said member Jennifer Faliero.

Junior Thomas Herrera of Strawberry Crest High was one of several students who asked the board about reforms related to the district's seven-year, $100 million teacher effectiveness grant from the Gates Foundation.

"Will student input ever be a factor in teachers gaining their tenure?" he asked, as his fellow students grinned.

Actually, students will get a chance to help rate at least their principals as part of a 360-degree evaluation process that's being developed, said board member Carol Kurdell.

Riverview High student Sarah Wilson said a new blood donations policy requires that students' iron levels be checked, and that has resulted in a 20 percent drop in collections.

"I would be more than happy to look at that," Faliero said.

Some student wishes seemed unlikely to be granted. For example, allowing students to leave campus at lunch time has resulted in car accidents, board members said.

Christina Hancock of Steinbrenner High asked whether the board would "consider allowing students to use cell phones as an educational tool in the classroom." Right on cue, a cell phone rang across the crowded board room.

But all in all, students seemed to appreciate being heard, and board members appreciated the chance to connect with their most important constituents.

"You're going to become voters soon," said member Doretha Edgecomb. "You can put people in the seats in Washington and Tallahassee who can make a difference."

"You don't know the power you have," agreed member Jack Lamb.

Tom Marshall can be reached at tmarshall@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3400.

[Last modified: Jan 26, 2010 11:20 PM]

http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/hillsborough-students-pepper-school-board-members-with-questions-at-annual/1068378