The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Education

Chalk Talk

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Double Branch roundup
Double Branch Elementary will host its Kindergarten Rancher Roundup from 9 a.m. to noon on Aug. 1. Children must be registered at Double Branch for the 2013-14 school year to attend the roundup. Registration is $40 and a student T-shirt is provided. Double Branch is at 31500 Chancey Road in Wesley Chapel. For information, call assistant principal Scott Atkins at (813) 346-0400.

Stuff the Bus event
Walmart and Publix are hosting “Stuff the Bus for Teachers” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 2-4 at area stores in Lutz, New Port Richey, Hudson and Zephyrhills. Shoppers can stop by and pick up a shopping list at any of the 13 locations, buy what they can and stuff it in the bus. You can also volunteer for bus duty to help with supplies and hand out shopping lists. To sign up as a volunteer, visit www.tinyurl.com/StufftheBus2013 or call (727) 845-3030. For locations and information on the event, visit www.unitedwaypasco.org.

Back to School Fair
The Glazer Children’s Museum is hosting a Back to School Fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 10. The first 150 kids will receive a bag filled with back-to-school goodies. There will be live entertainment, informative speaker sessions, games, arts and crafts, face painting, balloon artist, kid and mom workshops, and more. Fair guests can also enjoy the museum for $5 per person. The museum is at 110 W. Gasparilla Plaza in Tampa. For information, call (813) 949-4400.

Plant City High reunion
Plant City High Class of 1978 is hosting a reunion from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 9 at Keel & Curley Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa Road in Plant City. There also will be a social hour, dinner and sharing old memories from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 10 at Embassy Suites Brandon, 10220 Palm River Road in Tampa. There is still time to register by emailing or go to the class Facebook page at Plant City Class of 1978.

Elementary orientation at Oakstead
Oakstead Elementary will host Elementary Orientation Day, also known as Meet the Teacher Day, on Aug. 14. Parents can bring their children to school between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to meet the teachers, pay supply fees, get bus and car loop information, pay for lunch, join the PTA, and purchase school spirit shirts. Paperwork needed includes original birth certificate and social security card, proof of residency, current immunization records, physical record, and custody papers, if applicable. Oakstead is at 19925 Lake Patience Road in Land O’ Lakes. For information, call (813) 346-1500.

Thomas Rhoades makes Dean’s List
Thomas D. Rhoades, of Lutz, was among 332 students named to the Dean’s Recognized List at Benedictine University for the Spring 2013 semester.

The list recognizes part-time students who achieve a 3.5 grade point average or higher.

Benedictine University is an independent Roman Catholic institution in Lisle, Ill.

American Board programs
According to the 2012 Florida Vital Signs report, only 22 percent of Florida eighth graders have a math teacher who majored in the subject they teach. Only 43 percent of eighth graders have a science teacher who majored in the subject they teach. This summer, the American Board, a teacher certification nonprofit, is aiming to alleviate this issue by helping career-changing professionals bring their experience and expertise to local classrooms. The board assists career-changers, subject area experts, recent college graduates and others with a bachelor’s degree to earn full teacher certification by offering programs online so candidates can work at their own pace. The board is hosting informational sessions in August for those interested. To learn more, visit http://www.abcte.org/drupal/teach/events.

Social work program gets accreditation
Saint Leo University announced its Master of Social Work program has received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education, just four years after the technologically innovative program was launched.

The accreditation assures workplaces, prospective students and the general public that the Saint Leo program meets the teaching and curricular standards established by the profession. Through the accredited program, Master of Social Work graduates are eligible to take the examination to become Licensed Clinical Social Workers.

Burdzinski appointed to national council
Ken Burdzinski, vice president of administration and finance at Pasco-Hernando Community College, was appointed to the National Association of College and University Business Officers Community Colleges Council. His term runs from Aug. 1 through July 31, 2014, and is renewable up to three years. The council serves as an advisory body to the council’s president and staff by providing suggestions, feedback and support for the association’s goals and activities as they pertain to the constituency.

Burdzinski has worked at PHCC for 16 years in the administration and finance division. He has a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University and a master’s degree from Baldwin-Wallace College.

Teacher appreciation contest
Ice Cold Air Discount Auto Repair, with locations in Zephyrhills and New Port Richey, is having its second annual Facebook “Cool For School” Teacher Appreciation Essay Contest. The grand prize teacher receives a $200 office supply gift card, $100 Visa gift card and an Ice Cold Air club card worth $762. The person who nominates the winner receives a $50 Visa gift card and $30 in Ice Cold Air bucks.

Facebook users can submit a short essay, poem or thank you letter sharing how a public school teacher has influenced their lives and the lives of others. Deadline for submissions is Aug. 9. The winner will be announce Aug. 15. Visit www.facebook.com/icecoldairdiscountautorepair and click on the contests tab to enter or vote.

Steinbrenner High fundraiser
The fifth annual Steinbrenner High Volleyball Golf Tournament and Silent Auction Fundraiser will start at 8 a.m. Aug. 17 at Heritage Harbor in Lutz. All proceeds will go toward the volleyball program’s expenses, to purchase equipment and to bring attention to local businesses and individuals that participate. For information, contact Deb McLean at or (813) 294-3322.

PHCC trustees elect new leadership
The Pasco-Hernando Community College District Board of Trustees elected a new chair and vice chair for the 2013-14 academic year. Trustee John L. DiRienzo was elected to serve as chair, succeeding Rao Musunuru, and Trustee Leonard H. Johnson was elected as vice chair.

DiRienzo, of Spring Hill, is an adjunct faculty member at Saint Leo University. He is a retired school principal with a master’s degree in special education and additional certification in educational leadership. DiRienzo is past president of the Board of Directors for Arc of Florida and Arc Nature Coast in Hernando County and currently is an active volunteer for the organizations. DiRienzo has served on the college’s board since July 2009.

Johnson, a Dade City attorney, is a shareholder at Johnson, Auvil & Pratico, P.A., where he practices real estate law, business and banking law, construction law and estate planning.

Johnson received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, and his law degree from the University Of Florida College Of Law. He also sits on the Board of Directors of Gator Boosters Inc., and has served on the college’s board since November 2011.

Lunch and breakfast program
Hillsborough County Department of Family and Aging Services will sponsor the National School Lunch Program for the upcoming school year. Eligible children will receive meals at no cost. As part of the free and reduced meal policy, an official with Family and Aging Services will review applications and determine eligibility. For an application or information, call the Administration Office at Dorothy Thomas School at (813) 975-7355.

Shoppers can benefit during state’s sales tax holiday

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Officials at The Shops at Wiregrass expect the mall to attract more traffic as shoppers take advantage of the state’s sales tax holiday, Aug. 2-4. (Photo courtesy of The Shops at Wiregrass.
Officials at The Shops at Wiregrass expect the mall to attract more traffic as shoppers take advantage of the state’s sales tax holiday, Aug. 2-4. (Photo courtesy of The Shops at Wiregrass.

It’s that time of year again, when families start gearing up for a new academic year by shopping for new school clothes, shoes, supplies and backpacks.

Just in time for those back-to-school purchases, Florida is having its sales tax holiday.

This time – for the first time – personal computers and accessories, valued up to $750, are also exempt from sales taxes during the sales tax holiday, which begins at 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 2 and goes through 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 4.

Retailers are staffing up as families take advantage of tax savings and markdowns, Rick McAllister, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation, said in a news release.

Retailers expect the introduction of the computer sales exemption to give the popular tax holiday a significant boost, McAllister said.

Clothing items and shoes priced at up to $75 are exempt, and so are school supply items, sold at no more than $15.

McAllister thinks the new computer exemption will drive purchases.

“Most families in Florida own a computer of one type or another, and we expect that many will take advantage of the tax savings to purchase computers for their kids or upgrade their own,” McAllister said. “And you’ll see great deals on clothes, shoes and school supplies. It’s a winning proposition for Florida’s families and for our retailers, because we’ll see a good boost in commerce over the weekend.

“Stores are actively competing with each other for customers, and that usually means plenty of markdowns to attract shoppers,” he added.

Retailers in Florida are expected to boost staffing by about 20 percent during the tax holiday weekend to accommodate shoppers. In general, retailers expect an average increase of between 30 and 40 percent in store traffic over the weekend because of the sales tax holiday, McAllister said.

A National Retail Federation survey predicts that families with school-aged children will spend an average of $634.78 on apparel, shoes, supplies and electronics in 2013, down from $688.62 last year.

McAllister noted, however, that “because of the tax holiday, retail stores generally perform a little better in Florida than in states without a sales tax holiday.”

The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel historically sees more shoppers at its stores during August because of back-to-school sales and an uptick in activity during the sales tax holiday, said Debbie Detweiler, director of marketing.

It’s also a fun time, Detweiler said. “We enjoy seeing parents shopping with their kids for back-to-school.”

For more details on items that are exempt under the tax-free holiday, go to the Florida Department of Revenue’s website at http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/ and click on “Sales Tax Holiday, Aug. 2-4, 2013.”

Plan to cut media specialists on hold

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The Pasco County School Board wants more information before they decide on superintendent Kurt Browning’s proposal to eliminate school media specialists and literacy coaches.

Browning’s package of proposed budget cuts calls for eliminating 56.5 media specialist positions and 33 literacy coaches in district elementary, middle and high schools to save more than $4.8 million.

But at an April 16 budget workshop, school board members made it clear that they want to discuss the issue in greater detail.

During its board meeting that night, members voted to discuss the issue on May 7 when Browning is expected to provide more detailed information about positions that would be assigned to serve more than one school.

The media specialists and literacy coaches are included in the 260.5 positions Browning has proposed to eliminate to help plug a $19 million budget hole.

School board member Joanne Hurley told Browning she’s not comfortable with his proposal regarding the media specialists and literacy coaches.

As the district faces tougher academic standards, it’s important to provide school-based support, Hurley said, in an interview after the workshop.

“They’re taking away two very valuable resources,” Hurley said. “Those people do have direct contact with students.”

Board member Alison Crumbley wants to hear more details of Browning’s planned approach.

“I want to know what the specific plan is and how it relates to the students and student success,” she said, after the workshop. She wants to know “what the exact impact will be on our students.”

Board chairwoman Cynthia Armstrong also wants more details.

“I’m looking forward to hearing the proposal that the superintendent’s office is going to bring to us,” she said in an interview after the workshop.

Board member Steve Luikart has a plan of his own. In an interview after the workshop, he said he’d like to see a slower transition than the one Browning has proposed.

At the workshop, Browning reminded board members that any reduction in his proposed cuts would require finding equivalent cuts elsewhere.

Browning also asked for direction in the approach he should use in balancing the district’s budget.

“Does the board want me to use nonrecurring revenue to balance the budget, or do you want me to find an additional $5 million in cuts?” Browning said.

Browning said he’d like to get away from using nonrecurring funds, which was a common practice in years past.

Board members concurred.

“I think the time has come where we really can’t do that again,” Hurley said.

Armstrong added, “At some point it’s just irresponsible to keep raiding the funds.”

Browning also informed the board that his proposed budget does not meet the state’s class size requirements. His proposal would save $4.033 million, but it would cost the district $213,000 in penalties for failing to meet the mandate.

Browning also said his team is “going to go back in and assess the number of APs (assistant principals) at our schools.”

Acknowledging that reducing the number of APs may not be popular, Browning said, “This is going to be shared pain-making.”

Luikart, a former AP, said he doesn’t see how the district can afford to make cuts in that area.

Browning said he hopes people whose positions are cut will be able to find new roles within the district as vacancies arise because of retirements or resignations.