PHSC leaders speak at national conference
NEW PORT RICHEY – Pasco-Hernando State College leaders attended the 2024 Association of Community College Trustees Leadership Conference from Oct. 23 to 26 in Seattle, Washington.
The conference welcomed nearly 2,000 leaders from community colleges, government agencies, philanthropic entities and other organizations.
PHSC President Jesse Pisors was joined by PHSC District Board of Trustees members Lee Maggard, Nicole Newlon and John Allocco Jr., along with student representative Krista Knowles, to attend and speak at the conference. Pisors, Maggard and Newlon spoke at the conference during a breakout session. Their presentation focused on the process of searching, selecting and onboarding a new college president, a familiar topic for PHSC with the onboarding of Pisors as PHSC’s fifth president in February 2024.
“This was a great opportunity to represent PHSC at this major national conference and to present on a topic that is important to college trustees from across the country,” said Pisors.
College opens $4.9M fire training facility
DADE CITY – Pasco-Hernando State College opened a five-story fire training tower Nov. 18 at its East Campus.
The facility includes burn prop stations for training, two classrooms, pre-engineered covered parking and two 40-foot storage containers for training equipment all spanning over a four-acre site. The $4.9 million project is set to not only be a resource for students in training, but also for local and state fire departments.
“PHSC strives to stay on the cutting edge, in terms of the preparation we provide our students,” PHSC President Jesse Pisors said. “This fire training tower means that the students who go through our fire science program will emerge better prepared for the realities they will face in their work. In addition to serving our students, this facility will allow us to provide ongoing training for professionals from across the state.”
The tower was developed and constructed by Skanska. The tower measures 4,280 square feet and 50 feet in height.
Principal appointed to Skybrooke K8 School
LAND O’ LAKES – Pasco County Schools has appointed Michele Boylan as principal of Skybrooke K-8, which will open in August 2025 in Lutz.
Boylan has worked the past four years as principal at Bexley Elementary school in Land O’ Lakes. Prior to that, she was an assistant principal at Chasco Elementary School in Port Richey.
“Between both schools, she has learned so much about growing teachers, connecting with students and bringing in parents in the community as partners,” said Cortney Gantt, assistant superintendent for elementary schools.
Boylan started working in Pasco County as a dropout prevention teacher in 1997 at Hudson Elementary School.
School hosts Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration
DADE CITY – Pasco County Schools welcomed the community to a Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration on Nov. 9 at Rodney B. Cox Elementary School.
The event, initially postponed due to recent hurricanes, celebrated Hispanic and Latino heritage with food, vendors and activities. It was a partnership with Premier Community Healthcare and the Hernando Hispanic Heritage Network.
Hispanic Heritage Month, celebrated nationally from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, acknowledges the contributions and cultural impact of Hispanic and Latino communities.
In August, Pasco County Schools honored this observance with a proclamation from the school board, followed by a countywide resolution from the Pasco County commissioners in September.
Jingle Bell Dash coming to Catholic school
SPRING HILL – Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School will use proceeds from its Jingle Bell Dash 5K Run Walk to support its athletic running program.
Participants will run or walk through the campus, 13651 Hays Road. The event starts at 9 a.m. Dec. 14. Shirts go to the first 200 registered participants (excluding ages 0-9).
Registration costs $30 for adults, $15 for ages 10-17 and free for 0-9.
Email for details.
Hillsborough Education Foundation expands SCOPE Initiative
TAMPA – The Hillsborough Education Foundation announced the expansion of the Student Center of Postsecondary Exploration to Spoto High School.
This will mark the third SCOPE site in Hillsborough County Public Schools.
Foundation President and CEO Anna Corman envisions ongoing expansion for the college and career readiness initiative, with a goal of establishing six fully operational SCOPE centers by 2026.
“SCOPE has proven to be a valuable resource for students navigating the complex journey toward college and career readiness,” Corman said. “Our students at King and Brandon high schools have shown tremendous growth and engagement through SCOPE, and we are excited to bring these resources to Spoto High School.”
Thanks to funding from The Mosaic Company and Tampa Electric Company, Spoto High School students will now have access to personalized support to prepare for their postsecondary journeys.
The SCOPE program offers resources such as one-on-one college and career planning, assistance with admissions and financial aid applications, and guidance on technical college and trade school pathways.
Pasco County Schools promotes staff
LAND O’ LAKES – Pasco County Schools approved multiple promotions during the Nov. 5 school board meeting.
Promotions included:
- Janice Cook, an intervention specialist, was promoted to assistant principal at Fox Hollow Elementary School.
- Jaclyn Adamson went from a teacher literacy role to a voluntary prekindergarten coordinator for Early Childhood Programs.
- Lisa Cavalieri has been promoted from a professional standard investigator to a supervisor in the employee relations department.