B.C. Manion

Festival seeks to become signature event

January 13, 2016 By B.C. Manion

The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce is launching a new event aimed at giving people an annual music festival they can enjoy, while area businesses showcase their goods and services.

The festival is a new take on the chamber’s annual business expo that has been held for two decades at the Land O’ Lakes Parks and Recreation Complex.

The event, slated for March 11 and March 12, will be at the Fraternal Order of Police Pasco Lodge 29 property, at 21735 Camp YMCA Road, on Bell Lake, east of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard (U.S. 41) in Land O’ Lakes.

Organizers have lined up Taylor Hicks, winner of season five of American Idol, to be the headliner on March 11, the first night of the Spring Music Festival & Expo.

Hicks’ appearance is deliberately timed to coincide with The Farewell Season of American Idol.

Hicks will perform after Solar Exposure, the opening act. The evening also will feature food trucks and beer/wine sales. No coolers or pets will be allowed.

The second day will spotlight businesses and family fun.

“This is super exciting. I can’t believe the energy and enthusiasm that’s already been generated,” said Elayne Bassinger, president of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

“The tickets have been selling (for the concert),” she said, noting that some Taylor Hicks fans will be traveling from out of state to attend the concert.

The second day of the event will combine music, a business showcase and fun activities for kids, said David Gainer, co-chair of the event.

“It’s really going to be more of a festive, community type day,” Gainer said. “We’ll have a kids’ zone. We’re going to have a whole bunch of games and bounce houses and those kinds of things,” Gainer said.

The musical lineup for March 12 includes local bands, including Ashley Smith & Josh Higgins, Bad Rabbit, Stonegrey and Bobby Summers.

The second day also gives businesses a chance to shine and the community a better chance to see what they have to offer, Bassinger said.

It also gives area residents “the opportunity to shop local,” she said.

Bassinger credits Gainer and event co-chair Suzanne Beauchaine, account manager of The Laker/Lutz News, for coming up with the new approach to the chamber’s annual business expo.

Bassinger is excited about the event’s new location.

“It’s a beautiful piece of property back there,” she said.

The new venue also offers organizers more options, Gainer said.

“If we were going to do a festival-type atmosphere and be able to provide certain beverages and foods, we had to have it on a non-county owned property,” Gainer said.

Tim Hennigan, president of the F.O.P. Pasco Lodge 29, said his organization is pleased to be involved in the effort.

“We’re very much a part of this community,” Hennigan said.

The event also gives his organization a chance to raise its profile.

“We want people to know who we are. We’ve always been in the shadows,” Hennigan said.

In addition to benefiting the chamber, the event will help to raise money to pay for a permanent memorial for Pasco County’s fallen law enforcement officers, he said.

Tickets for the March 11 concert are now on sale. The cost is $25 for open lawn seating, and $40 for preferred seating.

Tickets can be purchased online at CentralPascoChamber.com.

Published January 13, 2016

Lutz church hits three-quarter century mark

January 6, 2016 By B.C. Manion

There was just a smattering of businesses along U.S. 41, when the Rev. Heard T. Burnette began the First Baptist Church of Lutz, in the community north of Tampa.

The first meeting was in the home of J. B. and Maude Laurence, which was on the ground where Lutz Elementary School now sits.

Joan Fletcher recalls the church’s first meeting, held in the living room of her grandparents’ home.

A look at the First Baptist Church of Lutz during its early days. This is the original wooden church, after it was expanded. (Courtesy of Joan Fletcher) — A look at the First Baptist Church of Lutz during its early days. This is the original wooden church, after it was expanded.
(Courtesy of Joan Fletcher)

“I was a little kid. We were excited,” Fletcher said. “We all spent the night at grandma’s house, so we’d be sure to be there.”

Most of the people at that first service were members of the family, Fletcher recalled.

The church met at Fletcher’s grandparents’ home until its first wooden building was erected.

That church was later expanded, and over the years, a larger church and a Fellowship Hall were built on the grounds, and an office and student building were constructed across the street.

Now, as the church prepares to celebrate its 75th anniversary, it’s inviting anyone who has ever been a part of the church to come to the celebrations.

It will be a time to see old friends and to reminisce, members of the anniversary committee said.

Hazel Nalls has accumulated scores of memories since she joined the church around 1941.

This is the wedding party at Hazel Nalls’ wedding in 1954. Since then, her son was married at the church, and this August, her grandson will be married there, too. (Courtesy of Hazel Nalls) — This is the wedding party at Hazel Nalls’ wedding in 1954. Since then, her son was married at the church, and this August, her grandson will be married there, too.
(Courtesy of Hazel Nalls)

Back then, Fletcher Avenue was still a dirt road, she said.

“I accepted Christ here, in ’42. I was baptized in Lake Keen,” Nalls said.

She was married at the church in 1954, and since then, her son has been married there, too. The third generation of her family — her grandson — is planning to be married at the church in August.

Fletcher keeps a scrapbook containing photographs and other memorabilia from the church through the years.

Many of the photos have burnt edges. They are the photos she was able to retrieve after her house burned down.

They help tell the story of the church.

There are images of the old wooden church, of church picnics, of the church choir, of baptisms in Lake Keen, of weddings and other celebrations.

“This church was built on prayer,” Nalls said.

“The men went back here behind the church in the woods and had prayer meetings on Tuesday night and the women met in the church,” she said.

The current church building was financed through the purchase of blocks, with church members purchasing what they could every fifth Sunday, Nalls and Fletcher recalled.

Members of the First Baptist Church of Lutz used to be baptized in lakes. This shot was taken of a group being baptized in Lake Keen. The edges of the photograph are charred, because the photo was salvaged after Joan Fletcher’s house burned down. (Courrtesy of Joan Fletcher) — Members of the First Baptist Church of Lutz used to be baptized in lakes. This shot was taken of a group being baptized in Lake Keen. The edges of the photograph are charred, because the photo was salvaged after Joan Fletcher’s house burned down.
(Courrtesy of Joan Fletcher)

Newspaper clippings and church memorabilia also help detail the church’s history.

The church was built out of a mission of the Calvary Baptist Church of Tampa at 10th Street and 36th Avenue, according to a church document.

“On the second Sunday of May 1940, with a small building 30 by 30 feet and only half of this floored, no windows or doors, we held our first service here in the church,” according to one account. The church had 45 charter members.

Other missions sprang out the church, one in Odessa in 1942, which became a church in 1943. And, another at Amelia began near Darby in 1943, which became a church in 1944.

Senior Pastor Charles White has led the church since 1990.

It now has about 400 regular worshipers who come primarily from Lutz and Land O’ Lakes. But, its scores of ministries reach across the region, the country and the world, current church members said.

It has more than 30 people trained to respond to natural disasters, hurricanes, tornadoes, ice storms and flooding.

Its other ministries have helped to build churches in Oklahoma, North Dakota and South Dakota, to start schools in Haiti and to help launch a seminary in Haiti, too.

Closer to home, church ministries feed the homeless, make car repairs, do home repairs and visit prisoners.

Church member Ron Waters said he thinks people are drawn to First Baptist Church of Lutz by its “disorganized chaos” at the start of each service. “Everybody gets up and hugs everybody, and greets everybody and shakes hands with visitors,” he said, adding that visitors seem to find that warmth inviting.

Jim Hall, chairman of the 75th anniversary committee, said he believes “the presence of the Holy Spirit” attracts people to the church.

“People can feel it,” he said.

Church picnics were a great way to bring members together. This is one of those gatherings. The church will be having a dinner to celebrate its 75th anniversary on Jan. 17. (Courtesy of Joan Fletcher) — Church picnics were a great way to bring members together. This is one of those gatherings. The church will be having a dinner to celebrate its 75th anniversary on Jan. 17.
(Courtesy of Joan Fletcher)

Fletcher said the church has a welcoming atmosphere: “It doesn’t matter who you are, you’re welcome at First Baptist Church of Lutz.”

Paul Vahue, who joined the church’s staff five years ago, said he felt drawn by the church’s warmth when he arrived from Atlanta 20 years ago.

“It’s that feeling of love and generosity, and kindness,” said Vahue, associate pastor of administration for the church.

And now, three-quarters of a century since the church’s inception, members said they’re delighted to play a role in connecting people to God.

“We’re very mission-minded, in terms of what we do as a church here,” Hall said.

“There’s over 30 lay-led ministries at the church that minister to folks, locally and globally,” Vahue said.

75th anniversary
Where: First Baptist Church of Lutz, 18116 U.S. 41 in Lutz
When: Jan. 16 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., ice cream social and memorabilia in the student building at the First Baptist Church of Lutz. And, Jan. 17, church services at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., followed by an old-fashioned dinner on church grounds.
Please RSVP as soon as possible via the church’s website, LutzFBC.com, or by calling the church office at (813) 949-7495. (The church is supplying the fried chicken, soft drinks and cake, and participants will bring a dish to share).

Published January 6, 2016

Aspiring artists benefit from arts fest

January 6, 2016 By B.C. Manion

The 11th annual Suncoast Arts Fest will feature 125 fine artists and craftsmen in a two-day event aimed at raising money to support arts education in Pasco County.

“Our fine artists — they’re growing,” said Pam Marron, co-director of the arts festival. “We’ve got a good blend coming in from all over the United States.

BK Lyons, who created this piece of chalk art, will be one of the chalk artists featured at the 11th annual Suncoast Arts Fest later this month (Photos courtresy of Suncoast Arts Fest) — BK Lyons, who created this piece of chalk art, will be one of the chalk artists featured at the 11th annual Suncoast Arts Fest later this month
(Photos courtresy of Suncoast Arts Fest)

Besides being a place to enjoy or purchase art, the event also offers a wide array of live entertainment and opportunities to be creative, too, Marron said.

“The entertainment — in addition to having professionals there —we also have youth entertainment from the region,” Marron said.

There will be chalk artists at the festival, there’s an art maker space, where arts and technology meet, and, on Jan. 17 there also will be glass etching, Marron said.

“We’ve got the emerging artists area, where the high school art students are able to display their artwork, and that artwork is juried and a prize given for that, as well,” she said.

There is also a kids’ art garden, designed to appeal to younger artists, she said.

Proceeds from the festival benefit “Arts for Education” grants, which go to supplement arts education programs in public, private and charter schools in Pasco County.

Over the past decade, the Suncoast Arts Fest has fulfilled more than 85 mini-grants to teachers to impact the education of more than 15,000 students.

During last year’s event, The Shops at Wiregrass drew a record crowd of more than 100,000 people, according to the festival’s website.

Jasleen Rehsi was a first place winner at the 10th annual Suncoast Arts Festival last year. This year’s festival will feature 125 fine artists and craftsmen.

The patrons come from all over, but primarily from the Tampa Bay region, Marron said.

The mall is an excellent venue, Marron said.

In addition to the mall’s convenient layout, there are restaurants, restrooms and parking to accommodate both the artists participating in the show, and the patrons attending it, she said.

The Shops at Wiregrass also collaborates with festival organizers to help promote the event, she said. “They’re a good management company.”

Festival organizers are increasing their promotional efforts, too, Marron said.

“We’ve expanded on our social networking and really tried to ramp up why we do the event, which brings in the students and their families to support the event as well,” Marron said.

11th annual Suncoast Arts Fest
What: Juried show features 125 fine artists and craftsmen and their works. The event also includes live entertainment, chalk artists, interactive activities and glass etching.
When: Jan. 16 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Jan.17 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive (off State Road 56, east of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard).
How much: Parking and admission are free.
For more information, visit SuncoastArtsFest.com.

Published January 6, 2016

Lettuce Lake Park offers beauty, bird watching and fun

January 6, 2016 By B.C. Manion

If you’re looking for a place to commune with nature, spend some time exercising, or gather with family and friends — Lettuce Lake Park may be just the spot for you.

A woman is silhouetted in the setting sun as she views the sights from the Lettuce Lake tower. The observation tower has several levels, with lower vantage points for those who don’t want to climb to the top. (Fred Bellet/Photos) — A woman is silhouetted in the setting sun as she views the sights from the Lettuce Lake tower. The observation tower has several levels, with lower vantage points for those who don’t want to climb to the top.
(Fred Bellet/Photos)

The 240-acre park offers wooded picnic areas, a playground, an interpretive center, an observation tower, and a 1.25-mile bicycle and jogging trail, complete with a fitness course, according to the park’s website.

There’s also a 3,500-foot boardwalk, rental canoes and kayaks, and plenty of places to sit back and enjoy nature’s splendor, including the park’s wildlife, its hardwood hammocks and its pine flatwood plant communities.

Lettuce Lake is not actually a lake, the park’s website says. Lettuce Lake is a shallow, finger-like body of water that is connected to the Hillsborough River, which originates in the Green Swamp, roughly 25 miles to the northeast.

More than half of Lettuce Lake Park’s property lies in the natural floodplain of the Hillsborough River and consists of hardwood swamp forest, the park’s website says.

A pair of fishermen stream across Lettuce Lake en route to a connection with the Hillsborough River

The park, at 6920 E. Fletcher Ave., also features an Audubon Resource Center. The center hosts programs aimed at connecting people with nature. The focus of the center’s program is to help visitors better understand the Hillsborough River ecosystem.

Bird watching tours are held a couple of times each month, with times and dates available at the visitor’s desk. For more information, visit TampaAudubon.org.

Lettuce Lake Park
What: A 240-acre Hillsborough County Park, offering places to walk, bicycle, canoe, kayak, picnic and commune with nature.
Where: 6920 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa
When: Winter, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Spring, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Summer, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fall, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
How much: Entry is $2 per vehicle, up to eight people, and $1 for each additional person.
For more information, call (813) 987-6204.

Published January 6, 2016

They heard there were good fishing spots at Lettuce Lake Park, but Philip Conner, front, and his dad, Fred Conner of Bedford, Virginia, did not have any luck. They plan to return anyway. This was the men’s first visit to the park.

A 5-foot alligator shares a log with a turtle, near the water’s edge at Lettuce Lake Park.

Isabel Magnano, left, and Felisha Dicks, both of Tampa, stroll out along the Lettuce Lake Park boardwalk, while others walk in. The boardwalk winds through the hardwood swamp forest where visitors can see vegetation and wildlife that are indigenous to this area.

2015 marked by growth, loss, compassion

December 30, 2015 By B.C. Manion

New construction captured many headlines during the year 2015 in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

But, so did traffic issues and changes happening in area schools.

Other news chronicled setbacks and tragic losses. But, there were inspiring stories, too.

Tampa Premium Outlets, a 441,000-square-foot mall with 100-plus designer brand shops, opened in October off State Road 56, near the Interstate 75 interchange.

Saint Anthony Catholic School in San Antonio held a dedication ceremony in February, to celebrate the school’s new brick classroom building. (File Photos) — Saint Anthony Catholic School in San Antonio held a dedication ceremony in February, to celebrate the school’s new brick classroom building.
(File Photos)

Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel embarked upon a $78 million expansion project – 2 ½ years ahead of schedule — to add 112,000 square feet and renovate 11,000.

Florida Hospital Center Ice, a new 150,000-square-foot sports facility, broke ground on Feb. 24. It will have an Olympic-sized hockey rink, four other rinks and the ability to accommodate other sports.

Lutz and Land O’ Lakes also saw their share of growth.

New homes and apartments are popping up along the State Road 54 corridor and along portions of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard.

A Lowe’s home improvement store opened on State Road 54, the Land O’ Lakes Community Park underwent a $2.3 million upgrade, and a new Pasco County Utilities Administration building opened off Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, also known as U.S. 41.

Just outside Dade City, an aerial adventure park, known as Tree Hoppers, began operation, and a number of new businesses have settled into the downtown historic district.

Of course, the new development has added to the area’s traffic jams, which won’t be resolved in the short term.

But, there are efforts being made to address the issue.

The Florida Department of Transportation is exploring solutions to address traffic flow at U.S. 41 and State Road 54. There are efforts to extend State Road 56 between Meadow Pointe and Zephyrhills, and, construction work continues at the I-75 and State Road 52 interchange.

On the education scene, there was a changing of the guard in top leadership at Saint Leo University, just outside Dade City. Dr. Arthur Kirk retired, and Dr. William J. Lennox Jr. assumed the top post.

Pasco-Hernando State College also has a new president, with Dr. Timothy Beard being named to the post after the retirement of Dr. Katherine Johnson.

This photo, taken in the 2014-2015 school year, gives an idea of the crowding that Wiregrass Ranch High was experiencing before it went to a 10-period school day. The school went to a staggered schedule this school year, to reduce the impacts of crowding.

The state college’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch also hit a milestone, announcing that it would be surpassing the 3,000-student enrollment mark.

On another front, Sanders Memorial Elementary School reopened in Land O’ Lakes, as Pasco County Schools’ first magnet school. It is a STEAM school, with a curriculum that focuses on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.

Pine View Middle School also launched an effort to become the public school district’s first International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme.

And, Wiregrass Ranch High School in Wesley Chapel began operating on a 10-period school day, to reduce the number of students on campus at the same time.

A more permanent solution to Wiregrass Ranch’s overcrowding is expected to occur when the district opens a new school for grades six through 12 that is being constructed on Old Pasco Road.

In another change, the district adopted new boundaries for a new elementary school in Wesley Chapel, off Mansfield Boulevard, which is scheduled to open next fall.

The new school will relieve significant overcrowding at Seven Oaks Elementary. The boundary shifts, which were controversial, will increase enrollment at Denham Oaks Elementary in Lutz.

In other school news, St. Timothy Catholic Church in Lutz opened the Saint Paul II Youth Center and opened a new elementary school to house Mother Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School.

Saint Anthony Catholic School also marked a milestone — dedicating a new brick classroom building in February.

While much of the news in 2015 was about progress and new beginnings, not all of the news was positive.

For instance, the GFWC Lutz Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club was forced to cancel its 36th annual arts and crafts show, because a sinkhole developed at Lake Park.

Chairman Ted Schrader, holding scissors, slices through the ribbon, as he and other dignitaries celebrated the opening of the Utilities Administration Building.

The annual two-day event, which has drawn about 30,000 shoppers a year, was the club’s biggest fundraiser. So, besides disappointing shoppers and about 300 vendors, the cancellation also will reduce the club’s ability to help scores of community organizations and charities.

The year also was marked by the passing of Land O’ Lakes cross country coach Kris Keppel and Laura Hauser, a former non-instructional employee of the year, who worked at Wesley Chapel Elementary before she became too ill to work. Both lost battles with cancer. And, car accidents claimed the lives of Pasco High student Jordan Ivie and Wesley Chapel High.

These deaths inspired demonstrations of respect, generosity, compassion and kindness — to help those grieving their loss.

In another show of support, the community of San Antonio rallied to hold a benefit for Lewis and Diane Riggleman, whose home was destroyed by fire.

Other uplifting moments involved Suellen Smith, the cafeteria manager at Zephyrhills High, who continues her tradition of collecting and giving away dress shirts, dress pants, gowns and dresses to help outfit young men and women for prom, homecoming, weddings and other special occasions.

Another big moment for 2015 involved Leigh Dittman, a Gaither High student from Lutz.

The 15-year-old recently reached a goal she set when she was 7: To raise $1 million for Shriners Hospitals for Children.

The young woman has a disorder known as Osteogenesis Imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease.

During a recent interview, she said she was motivated to raise the money for Shriners because of how giving it has been to her.

“They are such an amazing group of people, and they’ve given me so much, with my life. It seemed like the right thing to do,” Dittman said.

Published December 30, 2015

Superintendent calls social media appeals ‘problematic’

December 30, 2015 By B.C. Manion

Concerns raised about a Go Fund Me site during a recent Pasco County School Board meeting prompted Superintendent Kurt Browning to voice concerns over how appeals for help are posted by teachers on social media sites.

The issue came up when Amy Bracewell, a parent who lives in Northwood, told school board members that a posting on a Go Fund Me site was seeking funds to purchase materials for students at Denham Oaks Elementary.

Superintendent Kurt Browning said social media appeals can create a false impression about district’s efforts.

The posting said that 42 percent of the students in the school’s first-grade have reading deficiencies and need additional materials.

Bracewell lives in Northwood, a community in Wesley Chapel, which has been reassigned to attend Denham Oaks Elementary, in Lutz, next school year.

She and other parents objected to their children being moved from their Wesley Chapel community to attend a school in Lutz, with a lower academic rating.

“Considering that I have a kindergartner starting in the fall, I find it extremely disturbing to find a Go Fund Me page set up for the first-graders of Denham Oaks Elementary School,” she told board members.

Browning said he became aware of the Go Fund Me site the evening before the Dec. 15 school board meeting.

The superintendent said the post “was somewhat troubling to me, because it made it sound that we, as a district, were not providing the level of materials to those schools. That is just not the case.

“We provide the materials at every one of our schools that support our students in learning to read and learning to read on grade level,” Browning said.

“They wanted additional materials and were asking for contributions to pay for those additional materials,” he said.

He also asked teachers and other staff members to be careful when they are making social media appeals to be sure they accurately convey the nature of the request.

“The whole Go Fund Me pages and the Donor Choose pages, in my opinion, are incredibly problematic for this district,” he said. “They’re problematic as a whole.”

Sometimes requests are made for materials that are not compatible with district needs, he said. For instance, “iPad minis will not support many of the things that we do in classrooms,” he said.

Browning also noted, it’s impossible for the district to monitor all of the requests that are posted on social media.

With 87 schools in the district, he said, “We just don’t have the resources to do that.”

So, he urged caution in the postings, noting the message they send doesn’t just affect one school, but reflects on the entire district.

Published December 30, 2015

Land O’ Lakes stage project makes progress

December 30, 2015 By B.C. Manion

The Pasco County School Board approved a contract that gives the school district the lead on constructing a stage at the Land O’ Lakes Community Park.

The contract between Pasco County and the state Division of Cultural Affairs calls for the construction to be completed by June of 2017.

The school board’s vote on Dec. 15 approved an agreement between the board and the county for the school district to assume the responsibility for getting the design work, permitting and construction done.

Future performances, by groups such as Pine View Middle School’s band, will take place on a new stage at the Land O’ Lakes Community Park, once the new stage is completed. The project must be completed by June 2017, according to an agreement between Pasco County and the Pasco County School Board. The band, shown here, recently performed at Traditions on the Green. (File Photo) — Future performances, by groups such as Pine View Middle School’s band, will take place on a new stage at the Land O’ Lakes Community Park, once the new stage is completed. The project must be completed by June 2017, according to an agreement between Pasco County and the Pasco County School Board. The band, shown here, recently performed at Traditions on the Green.
(File Photo)

“The school district is able to make the process a bit faster,” said Sandy Graves, of the Heritage Park Foundation, who played a pivotal role in securing the funding for the stage.

“I am elated that the school board is taking on the project,” Graves said, via email.

The money for the project came from a $250,000 appropriation by the Florida Legislature, following years of lobbying efforts.

The quest for a stage at the park has been nearly 20 years in the making, Graves said, during a previous interview. It took three governors to finally get the state’s support.

Construction of the stage follows the completion of a $2.3 overhaul of Land O’ Lakes Community Park. That improvement included the installation of a Bermuda grass practice field, a Bermuda grass football field and a 300-foot Bermuda grass softball field.

The upgraded park also has a new concession building with restrooms and a meeting room, a maintenance building, open space, two shelters, new parking lots, a new playground and a remodeled patio area. There’s also a four-tenths-of-a-mile walking trail.

Over the years, the Heritage Park Foundation has had all sorts of fundraisers and events to draw attention to its cause.

Foundation members sold turkey legs at the community’s Flapjack Festivals, sold coffee at the opening of the Suncoast Parkway, sold water at a balloon festival at Starkey Park, and sold doughnuts and coffee at the Central Pasco Chamber’s community expos.

They also had events, such as Traditions on the Green and Scarecrows ‘N Stuff, to keep the issue in the public eye.

Both the county and the school district will benefit from the project, by using it for various public and school cultural activities, including music, dance, theater, creative writing, visual arts and other art forms, according to the agreement the school board approved.

Graves envisions the stage as becoming a popular place for people to gather, to have good old-fashioned fun.

Published December 30, 2015

Pasco expands magnet options

December 30, 2015 By B.C. Manion

Pasco County Schools is expanding its magnet school options beginning next school year, and is holding a series of community meetings to explain the additional options.

Sanders Memorial Elementary School is Pasco County’s first magnet school. It offers a curriculum that focuses on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics. The district is converting Centennial Middle School in Dade City into a science, technology, engineering and mathematics magnet school. (File Photo) — Sanders Memorial Elementary School is Pasco County’s first magnet school. It offers a curriculum that focuses on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.
The district is converting Centennial Middle School in Dade City into a science, technology, engineering and mathematics magnet school.
(File Photo)

The district is converting Centennial Middle School, in Dade City, into a STEM Magnet School. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

A series of community meetings, with each beginning at 6 p.m., will give parents a chance to learn more about the new middle school magnet program.

Jan. 11 in the cafeteria at Raymond B. Stewart Middle School, 38505 10th Ave., in Zephyrhills
Jan. 12 in the auditorium at Pasco Middle School at 13925 14th St., in Dade City
Jan. 13 in the cafeteria at Thomas E. Weightman Middle School, at 30649 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel
Jan. 19 in the cafeteria at Dr. John Long Middle School cafeteria, 2025 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel
Jan. 20 in the cafeteria at Centennial Middle School, at 38505 Centennial Road in Dade City
Jan. 21 in the cafeteria at Chester W. Taylor Elementary School, at 3638 Morris Bridge Road in Zephyrhills

Parents of sixth- and seventh-graders at the host schools, as well as parents of current fifth-graders that feed into those schools, are encouraged to attend.

Elementary schools feeding into Centennial Middle School are Centennial, Cox, Double Branch, Lacoochee, New River, Pasco, Quail Hollow, San Antonio, Seven Oaks, Veterans, Watergrass, Wesley Chapel, West Zephyrhills and Woodland.

At each meeting, Superintendent Kurt Browning, the magnet school principal and district staff will discuss the STEM magnet theme and programs that will be offered.

Parents also will hear about magnet school application timelines and options for transportation.

Fifth- through seventh-grade students may apply for acceptance to the magnet school during the magnet school application period, Jan. 18 through Jan. 31, 2016. Students and parents not listed are welcome to attend the meetings, but will need to apply for acceptance through the regular school choice period, which begins Feb. 1.

In addition to the new middle school magnet, the district also has an elementary STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics) program at Sanders Memorial Elementary in Land O’ Lakes.

Parents of prospective students to Sanders are invited to tour the school, at 5126 School Road in Land O’ Lakes, on Jan. 8 at 10 a.m., and 1:30 p.m.

Parents will have a chance to learn more about the school’s programs, facilities and unique features.

Sanders has unmanned aerial systems, solar panels, and other high tech devices, as well as computers and iPads for each student.

Published December 30, 2015

Sales prices rise for existing Hillsborough homes

December 30, 2015 By B.C. Manion

The median sales price for existing single-family homes in Hillsborough County rose by 20 percent in November, according to a news release from the Greater Tampa Association of Realtors.

The median price for a single-family home in Hillsborough in November 2014 was $175,000, compared to $210,000 in 2015, according to the release.

The number of closed sales during that month decreased by 1.7 percent, declining from 1,236 in November 2014 to 1,215 in the same month this year.

Existing townhouse and condominium sales prices in Hillsborough County increased by a greater percentage, according to the Realtors’ data. The median sales price for a condo or townhouse in Hillsborough was $125,000 in November 2015, up from $96,960 in November 2014.

Hillsborough County’s active listings of single-family houses decreased by 7.2 percent during the same period, declining from 5,532 listings in November last year to 5,133 listings during the same month this year.

“A continued increase in the median single-family housing prices and the percent of original list price received indicates positive growth in our housing market,” Barbara Jordan, 2015 president of the Realtors’ association, said in the release.

The number of new single-family homes listed for sale increased 3.3 percent to 1,579 this November, as compared to 1,529 last November. The number of new townhouse and condominium listings decreased by 4 percent, from 445 last November to 427 during the same month this year.

The number of months of supply for existing single-family homes was 3.4 months for this November, compared to 4.3 months of supply during the same month last year.

Sellers of existing single-family homes received 95.4 percent of their asking price in November 2015, compared to 93.2 percent of their asking price in the same month last year.

During the same period, sellers of townhouses and condominiums received 94.3 percent of their asking price, a decrease of 1.3 percent from November 2014.

Published December 30, 2015

AMIkids Pasco provides update to school board

December 30, 2015 By B.C. Manion

O.B. Stander, president of AMIkids Pasco, recently updated the Pasco County School Board on changes being made to improve the program.

The changes are in response to the board’s Dec. 1 vote to terminate the organization’s contract effective Jan. 29.

When they took the vote, board members made it clear they would revisit the issue and would reinstate AMIkids Pasco, if the organization could demonstrate substantial improvement in its performance by Jan. 12.

The board’s initial action came at the recommendation of Superintendent Kurt Browning, who informed the board that substantial progress would be needed.

At the same time, Browning said he hopes AMIkids Pasco can turn the program around, so it could continue operating it.

AMIkids Pasco serves 46 students, who come from across Pasco County.

The program serves 25 therapeutic emotional/behavior disability students and 21 students in the Department of Juvenile Justice program at a campus of portables on U.S. 41, north of State Road 52 at 18950 Michigan Lane in Spring Hill.

If AMIkids Pasco makes considerable progress, Browning said he will recommend that the board revoke the termination; otherwise, the district will take over operation of the site on Jan. 29.

Browning said discontinuing the district’s relationship with AMIkids Pasco is not the preferable option for him or for Pasco County Schools.

Stander told board members that retired principal Pat Reedy has been helping AMIkids Pasco in the development of an enhanced action plan.

“We changed the school’s leadership team to strengthen both the educational and behavioral modification expertise,” Stander said.

It also has hired additional staff to make sure that class size ratios and mental health needs of the students are being met.

It also has increased staff compensation to a rate that’s higher than the school district’s rate, to improve retention, Stander said.

AMIkids Pasco also has partnered with the University of South Florida’s Department of Applied Behavior Analysis to participate in a pilot program, Stander said. That program includes having a university faculty member, with a doctorate in behavioral analysis, as well as two graduate students on campus, for a total of about 60 hours a week, Stander said.

Published December 30, 2015