The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

COVID-19 numbers continue to rise, caution urged

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Positive cases of COVID-19 continue to rise, both globally and locally.

The World Health Organization, as of the morning of Nov. 16, reported 53.8 million positive cases and 1.3 million deaths.

Cases were approaching the 11 million-mark in the United States, with about 245,000 deaths, according to a report the same day by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In Florida, the Department of Health reported a total of 885,201 cases, including 872,810 residents. The state has charted 13,518 resident deaths and 216 non-residents.

Hillsborough County totals were 52,572 positive cases of residents and 335 non-residents. The county reported 857 deaths.

Pasco County’s figures stood at 12,425 positive cases among residents, and 122 in non-residents. It also has recorded 259 deaths.

Hillsborough County Schools reported 791 students had tested positive for the virus, while the figure stood at 559 for employees — bringing the district’s total to 1,350.

In Pasco County Schools, as of Nov. 16, there had been 391 student cases and 144 staff cases. A total of 7,053 students were impacted by those testing positive, as were 633 staff members.

The district reports the number of positive cases, and the numbers of staff and students who are required to quarantine because of exposure.

The Pasco County School Board and the Florida Department of Health-Pasco County were set to discuss the school district’s COVID-19 response during a board workshop set for the afternoon of Nov. 17. The workshop will occur after The Laker/Lutz News press deadline.

The school board also is scheduled to consider a change to district policy to continue the current mask mandate until the end of the 2020-2021 school year.

The proposed rule “is required to protect the health, safety and welfare of students and staff,” according to background materials contained in the school board’s agenda.

The rule “mandates and requires that all employees, contractors, visitors, and students wear a mask or other face covering while on school property and/or engaged in school activities.”

The mandate also “requires that proper social distancing must always be observed to the maximum extent possible.”

The rule also requires that “whenever feasible and possible, students, staff, and visitors must remain six (6) feet away from persons that are not members of their household.”

Published November 18, 2020

Tropical Storm Eta caused disruptions, some damage

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By the time it hit the Tampa Bay area, Hurricane Eta had been downgraded to Tropical Storm Eta — but the storm still caused disruptions and left some damage in its wake.

Pasco County Schools closed early on Nov. 11 due to the potential for high winds, and the district remained closed on Nov. 12. All events also were canceled that day.

But, the district reopened on Nov. 13, as expected, because there were no reports of significant damage.

“The school district sent students and staff home early on Wednesday while the unpredictable storm made its way toward the Tampa Bay area,” a district news release said.

“The district is closed today (Thursday), as staff members take stock of all schools and district offices. It became clear early Thursday morning that, despite heavy winds and significant rainfall, schools and district offices were largely unscathed,” the release said.

Some coastal and low-lying areas were flooded, but those were primarily outside The Laker/Lutz New coverage area.

Tambrey Laine, communications manager for Pasco County, said there were no reports of significant damage in Pasco County, no rescues and no road closures.

She also noted that any minor street flooding that did occur, had subsided.

Hillsborough County Emergency Management also reported minimal damage, according to Jose Patino, on the county’s communications staff. The county did open five shelters, which were used by 29 people, he said.

As the storm was heading toward the region, Pasco County emergency officials urged residents to be prepared for tropical force storm winds and heavy rain.

The county also opened additional sandbag stations in San Antonio, Hudson, New Port Richey, Wesley Chapel, Dade City and Land O’ Lakes, to help prevent flooding.

Pasco County did not issue any evacuation orders, but encouraged those living in low-lying or coastal areas to consider staying with family, friends, or at a local hotel further inland.

The tropical storm did disrupt serves from Hillsborough Area Regional Transit, which suspended all bus routes temporarily in preparation of sustained storm winds as high as 70 mph. Those services were restore on Nov. 12.

Hillsborough County conservation parks and most nature preserves, including hiking trails, were closed on Nov. 13, for damage assessment after Tropical Storm Eta, but reopened on Nov. 14.

Some parks and preserves that will reopen, however, might have some areas or amenities that are closed for several days due to flooding. Non-paved trails are expected to remain wetter than normal for the next several days.

For more information, visit HCFLGov.net/Conservation.

Published November 18, 2020

USF urged to continue preparing teachers

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The Pasco County School Board has adopted a resolution urging the University of South Florida to continue teacher preparation programs at all of the university’s campuses.

Board members adopted the resolution at their Nov. 3 meeting, after they and Superintendent Kurt Browning weighed in on the issue.

“We think that it would just be devastating to our programs across the Tampa Bay area for them to close that program down,” Browning said, noting he had joined superintendents from Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee and Sarasota for a community conversation to discuss USF’s proposal to end the program.

“I don’t think people on the outside of education fully understand the impact that this is going to have on our district,” Browning said. “We are direct recipients of great teachers who come out of USF.”

School board member Alison Crumbley characterized USF’s decision as “short-sighted.”

Like Browning, she said the district relies on USF’s program.

“Thirty percent of our teachers come from USF,” she said. “It’s just a huge disappointment to me, and letdown for the school districts and taxpayers in the Tampa Bay area that this is the situation,” Crumbley said.

Board Chairwoman Colleen Beaudoin, who herself is a teacher, added: “It’s unfortunate that there’s been a decline nationally, in the number of people pursuing degrees in education. That is the root of the problem.

“What we’re discussing here could be a result of the excessive state mandates, testing, evaluation system and lack of respect teachers are given,” she said.

She added those factors could be deterring people from pursuing a career in education, which Beaudoin described as “a noble profession” that creates “lifelong learners and productive citizens.

“Being a teacher is rewarding and fulfilling. I’ll support anything that provides a pathway for students to enter the career,” she said.

School board member Megan Harding, a graduate from the USF College of Education, said she hopes the college will reconsider.

“Not only does this affect teachers, but it’s also going to affect the children,” her Facebook page says. “We already have a teacher shortage.”

Harding read the resolution, which the board adopted.

The resolution notes that Pasco County Schools hires approximately 525 teachers annually, and the USF undergraduate teacher preparation program contributes more than 30% of those teachers. The resolution also points to the existing statewide teacher shortage.

The resolution asserts “USF’s action will harm not only the school districts in the Tampa Bay region, but also the larger communities they serve, including families sending children to our schools and the business communities served by the graduates of our schools.”

The resolution concludes by pledging the Pasco school board’s support for any and all efforts to maintain USF’s undergraduate teacher preparation programs at all of its campuses, and encourages the college to work closely with Pasco County Schools, and other stakeholders and partners to find an alternative to closing the programs.

Browning said the resolution will be forwarded to the president of USF, the provost and acting dean.

Published November 11, 2020

Changes are coming to Pasco’s land development code

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One of the biggest changes in a batch of proposed amendments to Pasco County’s land development code involves the way requests for package sales and on-premises consumption of alcohol are approved.

Previously, the Pasco County Commission has considered these requests.

Under the proposed change, the requests would be handled administratively, unless a waiver is requested — which would be considered by the Pasco County Planning Commission.

The shift is highly likely to be approved by the county board, since they requested it.

The update to the land development code creates a new section where package sales and on-premises consumption of alcoholic beverages are approved administratively.

That section also adds the Planning Commission as the decision-making body, when specific distance waivers are requested from places of religious worship, schools and parks.

Another change in update clarifies that single-family detached homes on individual lots are only permitted on parcels zoned R-MH Mobile Home District prior to Dec. 8, 2020.

Other proposed changes:

  • Allows the side setback to be reduced to no less than 5 feet for R-4 subdivisions developed after Dec. 8, 2020, as long as they meet drainage requirements and do not allow side entry
  • In neighborhood commercial districts: Adds fitness centers as a permitted principal use; adds sale of alcoholic beverages as permitted principal use, subject to administrative approval
  • In general commercial district: Adds sale of alcoholic beverages as permitted principal use, subject to administrative approval
  • In section regulating fraternal lodges and social and recreational clubs: Clarifies that lot area and setbacks for fraternal lodges and social and recreational clubs do not apply in such clubs proposed in certain locations and zoning categories. Also clarifies buffering and landscaping requirements
  • Amends a section regarding the County Commission’s jurisdiction to indicate that the board reserves the jurisdiction and authority to review and revoke Special Exception, and

Conditional Use, and Administrative Use Permit for the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages approvals.

  • In the section relating to mobile food operations, the requirement for a county permit is deleted; and, the section specifies that such mobile food operations are allowed at construction sites, as long as they are intended to serve patrons working at the site.

In other action, the planning commission recommended approval of a rezoning request by Charles Gilbert Tucker to change the designation on his 5.46-acre property to allow an agricultural designation that qualifies for an agricultural tax break. Tucker told planning commissioners that he just wants to have a pine tree farm, as well as some orange trees for personal use. He intends to sell some of the pine trees, but does not envision a large-scale operation.

The property is on the east side of Conner Drive, about 1,750 feet south of the intersection of Cypress Lane and Dupree Drive, in Land O’ Lakes.

The planning commission recommended approval, despite concerns about potential impacts raised in an email from a neighbor.

The Pasco County Commission will determine the final outcome of both the proposed land development code amendments, and of Tucker’s request.

Published November 11, 2020

Familiar faces win reelection in Pasco County

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Voters across The Laker/Lutz News coverage area demonstrated their enthusiasm in Election 2020 — casting their ballots through Vote By Mail or in person at early voting sites or in their precincts on Election Day.

Pasco County reported a turnout of 77.8% of its 389,317 registered voters, with a total of 303,214 ballots cast, according to unofficial voting results.

Hillsborough County reported a turnout of 76.45% of the county’s 934,346 registered voters, casting a total of 714,286 ballots.

These are unofficial tallies for both counties. The final result must include overseas ballots, provisional ballots and ballots that had signature issues that were cured — before they are certified, which is when they become official.

Valerie Cooper took advantage of early voting at the New River Branch Library in Wesley Chapel. She reported that operations were running smoothly and she was pleased to be able to vote on a day that was convenient. (B.C. Manion)

Visits by The Laker/Lutz News to polling locations during Early Voting and on Election Day revealed smooth operations at numerous sites across the newspaper’s coverage area in Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills.

Incumbents fared better in Pasco County than they did in Hillsborough County.

Pasco County voters gave Kurt Browning four more years as superintendent of Pasco County Schools. They also reelected Kathryn Starkey in District 1 and Jack Mariano in District 5, on the Pasco County Commission.

In Hillsborough County, voters reelected Lynn Gray for four more years in the District 7 seat on the Hillsborough County School Board, and elected Jessica Vaughn for the District 3 seat.

Voters rejected Tammy Shamburger’s bid for reelection in District 5, selecting Henry “Shake” Washington instead. They also turned down incumbent Steve Cona’s bid for reelection in District 1, choosing challenger Nadia Combs instead.

Other big decisions in Hillsborough, included the reelection of Sheriff Chad Chronister and Property Appraiser Bob “Coach” Henriquez.

Hillsborough voters also selected Nancy C. Millan as the county’s next tax collector.

Voters chose Harry Cohen in the District 1 race for Hillsborough County Commission; Gwen Myers for District 3, on the board; and Pat Kemp in District 6.

Incumbent Andrew Warren won another term in the race for State Attorney in the 13th Judicial Court.

In state legislative races, voters chose Danny Burgess to fill the vacancy in Senate District 20.

Amber Mariano won her re-election bid in House District 36, as did Ardian Zika in House District 37, and Randy Maggard in House District 38.

Workers for the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections conduct post-election activities in the supervisor’s warehouse. (Courtesy of Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections)

Statewide, voters narrowly supported an amendment to the Florida Constitution that will gradually raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour.

They overwhelmingly favored an amendment allowing a property tax discount for spouses of deceased veterans who had suffered permanent, combat-related injuries.

They approved an amendment that gives people more time to transfer their accrued benefits of the Homestead Property taxes to another property, and they supported a requirement that all voters in Florida must be citizens.

But, they rejected proposed amendments that would have allowed all voters to vote for primary elections for state legislators, governor and cabinet, and they turned down a proposed amendment to require voters to approve proposed constitutional amendments twice before they could take effect.

Constitutional amendments require approval by 60% of the voters

In federal races, voters approved the reelection of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis for another term in Florida’s 12th congressional district.

In the presidential contest, Pasco County voters supported Donald J. Trump, with 59.38% of the vote, compared to 39.32% for Joe Biden.

Hillsborough County voters favored Biden, who received 52.69% of the vote, compared to 45.87% for Trump.

National news outlets have projected Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the next president and vice president of the United States.

As of Nov. 9, President Donald J. Trump had not conceded, according to national news reports, and he intended to pursue court challenges.

The Associated Press reported that the Biden ticket received nearly 75.7 million votes; while Trump’s ticket secured nearly 71.1 million.

Biden’s ticket received the most-ever votes for a president, while Trump’s ticket received the second-highest, according to national news reports.

ELECTION RESULTS
National
President*
Joseph R. Biden: 75.7 million; 290 electoral votes
Donald J. Trump: 71.1 million; 214 electoral votes
* Results reported by the Associated Press; President Donald J. Trump had not conceded as of Nov. 9, according to national reports, and is challenging the results.

Pasco County
Pasco Superintendent of Schools
Kurt S. Browning: 64.54%
Cynthia Thompson: 35.46%

Pasco County Commission, District 1
Kathryn Starkey: 61.30%
Jessica Stempien: 38.70%

Pasco County Commission, District 5
Jack Mariano: 58.83%
Brandi Geoit: 34.46%
Victor Rodriguez: 6.71%

State Rep. District 36
Amber Mariano: 63.38%
Daniel Endonino: 36.62%

State Rep. District 37
Ardian Zika: 62.83%
Tammy Garcia: 37.17%

State Rep. District 38
Randy Maggard: 58.71%
Brian Staver: 41.29%

Hillsborough County results
Hillsborough County Sheriff
Chad Chronister: 54.83%
Gary Pruitt: 35.85%
Ron McMullen: 9.32%

Property Appraiser
D.C. Goutoufas: 43.50%
Bob “Coach” Henriquez: 56.50%

Tax Collector
TK Mathew: 45.22%
Nancy C. Millan: 54.78%

Hillsborough County Commission, District 1
Scott Levinson: 49.27%
Harry Cohen: 50.73%

Hillsborough County Commission, District 3
Maura Cruz Lanz,  27.66%
Gwen Myers, 72.34%

Hillsborough County Commission, District 6
Sandra L. Murman, 47.38%
Patricia “Pat” Kemp, 52.62%

Hillsborough County School Board, District 1
Nadia Combs: 63.91%
Steve Cona: 36.09%

Hillsborough County School Board, District 3
Mitch Thrower, 38.87%
Jessica Vaughn: 61.13%

Hillsborough County School Board, District 5
Tammy Shamburger, 44.64%
Henry “Shake” Washington: 55.36%

Hillsborough County School Board, District 7
Lynn Gray: 53.73%
Sally Harris: 46.27%

State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit
Mike Perotti: 46.64%
Andrew Warren: 53.36%

National, state results
President, vice president
Votes were still being counted in some states on Nov. 9, in the presidential election.
Hillsborough County: Donald J. Trump: 45.87%; Joseph R. Biden: 52.69%
Pasco County: Donald J. Trump, 59.38%: Joseph R. Biden, 39.32%

U.S. Congress, District 12
Multi-county results: Gus Michael Bilirakis: 62.89%; Kimberly Walker: 37.11%
Hillsborough results: Gus Michael Bilirakis: 63.48%; Kimberly Walker: 36.52
Pasco results: Gus Michael Bilirakis: 63.49%; Kimberly Walker: 36.51%

U.S. Senate District 20
Multi-county results: Danny Burgess: 54.84%; Kathy Lewis, 45.16%
Hillsborough County: Danny Burgess: 47.91%; Kathy Lewis: 52.09%
Pasco County: Danny Burgess: 59.21%; Kathy Lewis: 40.79%

State Rep. District 36
Amber Mariano: 63.38%
Daniel Endonino: 36.62%

State Rep. District 37
Ardian Zika: 62.83%
Tammy Garcia: 37.17%

State Rep. District 38
Randy Maggard: 58.71%
Brian Staver: 41.29%

Constitutional amendments (60% approval required to pass)
Amendment 1: Citizen requirement to vote in Florida
Statewide: Yes: 79.3%; No: 20.7%
Pasco: Yes: 84.86%; No: 15.14%
Hillsborough: Yes: 77.02%; No: 22.98%

Amendment 2: Raising Florida’s minimum wage
Statewide: Yes: 60.8%; No: 29.2%
Pasco: Yes: 55.79%; No: 44.21%
Hillsborough: Yes: 60.03%; No: 39.97%

Amendment 3: All voters vote in primary elections for state legislature, governor and cabinet
Statewide: Yes: 57.01%; No: 42.99%
Pasco: Yes, 60.59%; 39.41%
Hillsborough: Yes, 57.63%; No, 42.37%

Amendment 4: Voter approval of constitutional amendments
Statewide: Yes: 47.53%; No: 52.47%
Pasco: Yes: 50.76%; No: 49.24%
Hillsborough: Yes: 48.71%; No: 51.29%

Amendment 5: Limitation on Homestead Property Taxes, increased portability to transfer accrued benefit portability period
Statewide: Yes: 74.49%; No: 25.51%
Pasco: Yes: 76.48%; No: 23.52%
Hillsborough: Yes: 75.59%; No: 24.41%

Amendment 6: Ad valorem discount for spouses of certain deceased veterans who had permanent, combat related injury
Statewide: Yes: 89.7%; No: 10.27%
Pasco: Yes: 90.32%; No: 9.68%
Hillsborough: Yes: 88.17%; No: 11.83%

Sources: The Florida Division of Elections, Pasco County Supervisor of Elections and Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections.

Published November 11, 2020

Districts await word on ‘remote’ learning funding

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When schools began this fall, state officials required that school districts open each of their campuses — but also allowed districts to offer parents a new remote learning choice —  without financial penalty.

Now, the state is considering how to handle the funding issue for the second semester of the school year.

State Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran met last month in a virtual meeting with representatives of the Florida Association of District School Superintendents and said the state needs to have a clearer picture of enrollment data, and how that could affect second semester funding. He expects the state to be able to make that determination by mid-November, or Thanksgiving at the latest.

Corcoran said students receive a better quality of education when they receive in-person instruction. He said that having students on campus also helps with societal issues, such as providing meals, mental health and other services for students.

The issue came up at the Pasco County School Board’s Nov. 3 meeting.

“We’re still waiting to hear from the department,” Superintendent Kurt Browning told board members.

“We’ve been told it’s going to be mid-November before we get direction from the department as to whether or not they’re going to continue funding the virtual option. So, that being said, this district is planning as if we’re going to have the virtual option, moving into the second semester,” Browning said.

“I know that FADSS — the Florida Association of District School Superintendents — sent a letter Friday to the commissioner (Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran).

“I know I’ve had personal communications; Mr. (Ray) Gadd has had personal communications, with the commissioner,” Browning added.

They are pressing for a decision.

“If we wait ‘til mid-November, there are three weeks that have to come out of that equation. One for Thanksgiving break, and then the two for Christmas break.

“I really don’t want our principals working over Thanksgiving or Christmas, trying to get the massive amounts of work done, if the state so chooses not to provide the funding for the virtual option,” Browning said.

He wants the state to continue to support the remote learning choice.

“COVID is still out there, and not just for the kids, but my concern is also for the staff. We have staff members who have chosen to teach in the virtual realm, simply because health concerns, elderly parents, those kinds of things.

“It’s about the kids, but also about our teachers and staff,” Browning said.

Board chairman Colleen Beaudoin added: “And, about the kids’ families — the whole community.”

Board member Cynthia Armstrong said that removing the funding support could hurt the district.

“It’s about having choice for the parents. Some parents who really believe that they need to be online, if they don’t get it here in the district, they will go elsewhere,” Armstrong said.

Browning responded: “Those concerns have been conveyed.”

Erin Malone, spokeswoman for Hillsborough County Schools, put it this way: “Our district knows the importance of parents having options, especially during this uncertain time.”

Published November 11, 2020

Business Digest 11/11/2020

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Pasco CARES increases PPE reimbursement
The Pasco County Commission has increased the maximum funding allowed to help individual small businesses to purchase personal protective equipment.

Commissioners have increased the cap from $1,000 up to $1,500 per business.

The program, which was launched in May, reimburses small businesses in Pasco County for the cost of already-purchased PPE.

If your business has already received funding through this grant, you can reapply to be reimbursed for additional eligible expenses; however, the total reimbursement cannot exceed $1,500.

This assistance is available on a first-come, first-served basis through Dec. 4, or until funds are exhausted, whichever comes first.

Pasco County received funding for this program through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security or CARES Act.

You can apply online at bit.ly/SmallBizPPE.

To qualify, a business must be:

  • A for-profit, privately held small business that maintains a place of business in Pasco County established prior to March 1, 2020.
  • A small business with two to 50 employees.
  • A small business with the majority of its employees residing in Pasco County.
  • To learn more about the program, visit bit.ly/PPE_reimbursement, or call Pasco County Customer Service at (727) 847-2411.

Hillsborough’s R3 Program reaches goal
Hillsborough County’s Rapid Response Recovery Assistance Program (R3) has allocated more than $127 million in financial assistance for families and small businesses, reaching its total funding limit for two programs, according to a Hillsborough County news release.

The program was created to help residents and small businesses to help minimize the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic’s financial impacts on the economy.

Hillsborough’s R3 Economic Recovery Financial Assistance program helped small businesses. The County’s R3 Housing and Utility Financial Assistance program helped residents pay rent, mortgages and electric bills. Both were successful in delivering financial assistance across the County.

With all allocated funding either approved or pending approval, the application period has closed. During the next few weeks, staff will complete the processing of all remaining submitted applications for both programs. Businesses with applications in review are expected to receive a final determination of award within the next few weeks.

The Hillsborough County Commission funded the R3 program through the CARES Act, and helped thousands of residents and small businesses infuse capital back into the economy.

Starting a home-based business
You can learn the pros and cons of starting a home-based business in this Nov. 18 webinar, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

A home-based business in these challenging times is a MUST. Working from home provides for a touch of freedom, a path to managing stress, and teaches focus. This webinar will give the attendee some insight into the benefits of having a home-based business.

The webinar will be presented by Sharon Eldridge, a Pasco Hernando SCORE volunteer. Register for the webinar at PascoHernando.score.org.

Starting a nonprofit business
This webinar, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., on Nov. 19, is intended for those who have the passion for giving; serving their community; and those that have the desire to bring that passion to life. Attendees can learn the most effective process to starting and sustaining a nonprofit organization. This webinar will be presented by Sharon Eldridge, Pasco Hernando SCORE volunteer. Register for the webinar at PascoHernando.score.org.

Virtual forum about ports
Enterprise Florida Inc., and the Florida Ports Council have announced that registration is open for the pair’s first-ever virtual forum, focused exclusively on the economic potential of doing business in Florida’s commercial ports.

The event, “Florida Seaports: Focused on the Future,” will spotlight work being done by both organizations, the case for maritime trade, and action items for engaging in future import-export opportunities. It also will cover future goals and plans reflected in the 2020-2024 Five Year Seaport Mission Plan, released by the Florida Seaport Transportation and Economic Development (FSTED) Council.

The event is on Nov. 17 from 10 a.m. to noon, Eastern Time.

Register online at tinyurl.com/y3b3qb6s.

Sid Jarrett to lead Jarrett dealership in Dade City
Jarrett Automotive Group has added another Ford dealership in Port Charlotte, increasing its total to six Ford stores. Clifford Martin, the vice president and general manager of Jarrett Ford, and his wife, Joan, will be relocating to Port Charlotte, in December. Sid Jarrett will be taking over Jarrett Ford Inc., at 38300 Dick Jarrett Way, as was Dick Jarrett’s wish. Sid is Dick Jarrett’s grandson, and Bill Jarrett’s son.

Hillsborough schools face shortfall

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Hillsborough County Schools is making massive cuts, as the district battles to stop the financial bleeding, Superintendent Addison Davis told members of the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, during a Zoom business meeting.

The superintendent detailed the rollercoaster ride the district has been on — adjusting to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and dealing with significant financial problems.

Davis joined the district on March 2, just weeks before the district shifted to remote learning for the remainder of the school year because of a shutdown imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Addison Davis

Then, when the 2020-2021 school year began, there was the controversy over whether schools should be required to offer brick-and-mortar for students, or online options only.

To retain state funding, the district was required to offer a brick-and-mortar option at every campus. It also offered parents the ability to choose an online option.

Davis said about 122,000 students are in brick-and-mortar classrooms and about 95,000 students are learning remotely. Some remote learners are assigned to specific classes, while others are enrolled in a more flexible virtual learning program.

The pandemic also has required the district to spend money on personal protective equipment, and has increased sanitation and cleaning costs for district schools and facilities.

“We have spent close to $14 (million) to $15 million initially to start the school year out, related to buying the necessary PPE, whether it’s gloves, masks, hand sanitizers, other cleaning equipment and technology, to ensure every one of our common areas, every one of our classrooms were protected for every one of our learners.

“And, that’s a reoccurring costs that we don’t get additional funding for, and it’s costing us close to $4 million to $5 million a month to continue that PPE, to make certain that we have sanitation stations, not only through our common areas, but also within every one of our classrooms,” Davis said.

The superintendent also pointed out the need to cut staffing because of district deficits.

“We’re $72 million in the hole,” Davis said.

Enrollment has dropped by 3,079 students, which could result in a requirement to give money back to the State Department of Education, unless state officials hold the district harmless, Davis said.

The school system already has cut hundreds of positions and is identifying others.

It has a long ways to go to bring staffing into alignment with the district’s allocation model, he said.

“We’ve identified over 3,000 positions that were overstaffed at our schools,” Davis said.

The district has already cut hundreds of employees, including some brand-new teachers that were hired on temporary contracts, after Aug. 14.

“It breaks my heart, and I know it’s disruptive,” he said.

The actions are necessary to protect the payroll for the district’s 24,000 employees — which amounts to $66 million, every two weeks.

“We’re in a bad spot, but we’re going to stand strong, and we’re going to lead through it,” he said.

Staffing is just one issue
Besides cutting personnel, the district is scrutinizing its vendors and its contracts.

The district is “going to selectively abandon contracts and exit them, if they’re not mission critical,” Davis said.

It plans to put a freeze on consultants.

The district has been “consultant-rich, program-rich” but ”results-poor,” the superintendent said.

“We’re ranked 40th out of 67 in the state of Florida. We have the title for having the most D and F schools in Florida, as well.

“So, we have a lot of work — not only from a fiscal perspective, but we have a lot of work with what we’re going to do to improve the overall health on the instructional side of the work.

“So now, more than ever, we’ve got to find ways to reset our priorities,” Davis said.

The school chief said the pandemic has hampered his efforts to “connect with constituents” through town hall sessions.

The town halls are needed, he said, “to talk and share about the current status we are in, and why we are having to make some hard decisions as an organization.”

While unable to connect personally with community groups, Davis is doing Zoom sessions, such as the one with the North Tampa Bay Chamber on Oct. 22.

He told those listening that the district’s top three priorities are student achievement, fiscal responsibility and community engagement.

He said the district is planning a luncheon in November in an attempt to recruit students to boost enrollment.

Davis also fielded questions during the Zoom session.

In response to a question about masks, Davis said he expects them to be required until at least January.

A question also came up about when parents and volunteers will be allowed on campus.

Davis said the district has restricted access to campus to reduce potential spread of COVID-19.

The district leader said he looks forward to the day when those restrictions can be eased.

“We’ve got to get back to a point where we’re having some normalcy,” he said, where “we can have volunteers on our campuses — those who want to reach out and do mentorships.

“That’s going to really help us.”

Another question came up regarding how the district’s experience with COVID-19 cases compared to what it had expected.

“We thought we would be a tremendous super spreader when we opened and have to shut down wings, classrooms and schools. And, it wasn’t the case.

“What we did see — and are seeing —  is that individuals are going to parties, going to events, coming to school when they don’t feel well, when they have symptoms — that’s creating the positive cases in our schools,” Davis said.

“In one of our high schools, we had to quarantine 260 kids last week because they went to a party. Four of them came back to school, they’re in classes —  they moved — and we quarantined 260 kids.

“This is where we have to reclaim the dinner table and talk about core values, and talk about expectations,” said Davis, whose daughter had to be quarantined from school, and he had to be quarantined, too.

Position cuts in Hillsborough County Schools
Hillsborough County Schools has announced these cuts:

  • 424 vacant positions that will not be filled for the 2020-2021 academic year
  • 246 positions (Teachers hired prior to Aug. 14, will not lose their jobs, but may be reassigned to a different role at their school or to another school)
  • Fewer than 60 teachers hired on temporary contracts after Aug. 14
  • 150 district level staff

The district also is scrutinizing its contracts and will selectively abandon those that are not deemed to support the district’s critical missions.

Source: Hillsborough County Schools

Published November 04, 2020

Pasco school system continues to improve safety

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Efforts to improve the safety and security of Pasco County Schools continues, as the district works to reduce potential threats on school campuses.

The district recently submitted a plan to the state’s Office of Safe Schools, outlining steps it is pursuing to make its campuses safer.

That submission came after a briefing on the efforts, presented to the Pasco County School Board, on Oct. 20.

Entry buzzers have been installed at schools across Pasco County. Visitors push the doorbell and are buzzed in, individually. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Michael Baumaister, the district’s chief of security and emergency operations, gave the briefing, after a closed-door session between the school board, district staff and representatives from local law enforcement agencies. That session was private because of the need for confidentiality, relating to security issues.

The safety upgrades that have been done, are in the works, or are planned, are in response to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas tragedy and laws that changed with it, Baumaister said.

The 2018 Valentine’s Day shooting spree left 17 dead and 17 injured at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

The public outcry, including persistent student protests, prompted state legislators to mandate safety upgrades on school campuses across Florida.

The district’s recent safety assessment was required by state law.

During its review of the district’s current measures and practices, the goal was to

“use our resources smart, do tangible security improvements that actually have meaning,” Baumaister said. “They’re (upgrades) not there just for show.”

Initially, the district responded to the state’s mandate by ensuring that security improvements — such as a hole in a fence, or a sign down — were addressed and completed through work orders.

“I visited many of the schools and, I’ll be honest with you, I haven’t seen many issues that are still out that need to be addressed,” said Baumaister, who joined the district in July.

Part of the district’s current plan involves security cameras.

Some schools don’t have any cameras, or have too few, or have them in the wrong places.

The plan is to make sure that schools lacking cameras receive them, and that those that need more get them, and that those needing relocation are moved, Baumaister said. That work is being done in phases.

The district also is adding window security film in some places.

The film provides tinting and mirroring, and also hardens the glass.

“If something punctures the glass, the glass doesn’t fall apart. It stays together. You might have a hole in the glass, but it will stay together and it will keep people out,” Baumaister said.

Improvements also are being made to ensure that school safety guardians at elementary schools can communicate directly with law enforcement.

Improving communications
There are some dead areas on some campuses, where the radio system doesn’t transmit. Those areas are being mapped out, and bi-directional antennas will be used to correct the problem.

The district also is evaluating where it needs to add perimeter fencing at some schools.

This is a screen shot from our CrisisGo app. Principals can use it to report a problem immediately to everyone who needs to know. The app helps avoid multiple phone calls, and when certain buttons are pressed, the recipients receive a tone that’s extremely loud and impossible to ignore.

“We’re also looking to put a video doorbell at each front door of every school,” Baumaister said. “Someone hits the bell, someone from the inside can see who’s coming and they get let in.

“This way, there’s a stop point. You can’t just directly enter schools. It’s important. The installation of that has been going on for the last year and it should be completed, probably, by the end of the year — give or take a little bit,” he said.

The district also is using its “human tools” to help improve security.

“We’ve increased our ‘See something, Say something’ campaign. It creates an ability for our students, if they hear about a threat, to let us know about a threat,” Baumaister said.

“Fortify Florida is very heavily implemented in the schools,” he added. “It’s like an early warning system. So, if a student hears about something, they can let us know, anonymously, if they’d like to, so we can jump ahead on it.

“Our Crisis Go app has been implemented fully, in all of schools this year. We’re doing all of our drills through Crisis Go. What Crisis Go is, is basically an alert system. You hit a button and help will come on its way.

“If an intruder is walking across the campus, they can hit the alert on their computer or on their cellphone, and it will notify the authorities and help can come to them,” he added.

Student Crime Watch programs are encouraged, and the district has fully implemented its Threat Assessment Teams, Baumaister said.

Those teams include law enforcement, mental health, guidance and administration.

The goal is to provide intervention early — to help avoid bigger issues, the security chief said.

Keeping schools safe
The district is pursuing several ways to enhance campus security, which include:

  • Adding more security cameras
  • Installing window security film, with tinting/mirroring. This allows students and staff to see out, but makes it harder to see in. Plus, the glass doesn’t shatter, making it harder for intruders to break in.
  • Installing video doorbells.
  • Promoting programs such as, ‘See something, Say something,’ Student Crime Watch, Crisis Go and Behavioral Threat Assessment Teams
  • Providing perimeter fencing at more schools
  • Adding bi-directional antennas in some places, to improve communications through radio transmissions
  • Adding signs, to make it easier for responders to identify specific buildings where help is needed
  • Posting no trespassing signs, to reduce potential threats on campus.

Source: Pasco County Schools

Published November 04, 2020

Turning eyesores into assets?

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Imagine if that rat-infested dilapidated house down the street — the one that’s littered with trash and mattresses — could instead become the future site for a Habitat for Humanity house.

Or, maybe the property could be transformed into a neighborhood park, or be used for some other community amenity.

That’s the kind of big-picture thinking that surfaced on Oct. 20, as the Pasco County Commission discussed  problems associated with blighted properties.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey called attention to the issue by sharing an email she’d received with her colleagues.

“This property has been vacant for over a year,” Starkey read from an email. “There was a massive fire there. There was a car that caught on fire, too, in the garage. Everything is charred and burned, terribly.”

The email went on to describe ”chunks of burned debris” that were “just hanging and dangling.”

It continued: “There are rats running everywhere. There are little children playing nearby.”

Starkey wasn’t happy.

“This is a health issue here. This is just not acceptable to me,” said Starkey, noting she’s received many emails similar to that one.

Besides raising concerns about safety, the constituent complained about being unable to get a clear answer from the county regarding the status of the site.

Code enforcement told her the case had been closed; what the caller didn’t know, though, is that it had been referred to the department that handles demolition of properties meeting the criteria for removal.

Starkey asked Kristi Sims, senior assistant county attorney, to give the board a briefing on how the process works.

Sims told board members that an internal shift had been made, regarding demolition of blighted properties.

Sims said the county’s made significant progress — with more than 130 buildings being taken down last year.

“Almost 40% of those were taken down by the owners, not at county expense,” Sims said.

But, she added, there’s a backlog of 200 cases that have built up through the years.

“To make a long story short, we’ve known we’re running behind. We’re behind the eight ball. The eight ball keeps getting bigger. We’re chasing it, we’re chasing it,” Sims said.

The county has come up with a plan that it thinks will help to chip away at the backlog, Sims said. But, as it removes derelict properties, it needs to think about what happens next, Sims added.

“The more we take down, the more empty lots we’re going to have,” Sims said.

“The answer may be for us to assist in getting it into the hands of a nonprofit, like Habitat for Humanity, that will rebuild with a responsible owner and put it back on the tax rolls,” the attorney said.

Or, perhaps there’s a way to create some kind of community asset, she said.

“Community Development has hired a program coordinator who is studying the various options we have for these properties,” Sims said.

Commissioner Jack Mariano wants to find creative ways to turn community eyesores into neighborhood assets.

“There are empty lots sitting there that are not doing the taxpayers any good, aren’t doing the neighbors any good. So, I would love for us to go explore working with the banks, working with nonprofits — maybe even put a special program together, working with a tax break or something to get a new home put in there,” Mariano said.

Starkey agreed: “I think we have to have a comprehensive plan.”

It doesn’t do any good, she said, to take down a house and then have the site become a dumping grounds, “where everyone puts their washing machine and their sofa and all that stuff.”

Another problem arises when people move onto the lots, pitch their tents and live there, Starkey said.

Sims told the board that research is being done to seek solutions to these issues.

Board members said they need more time to delve into the issues, so they agreed to bring the issue back as a board agenda item — during which staff, community nonprofits and others will have the chance to share ideas for how to turn an eyesore into an opportunity.

Published November 04, 2020