The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Education

Chalk Talk 05/04/2022

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School Lunch Hero Day
The District School Board of Pasco County recognizes May 6 as School Lunch Hero Day.

Its proclamation reads:

“Whereas, nutritious meals at school are an essential part of the school day; and

“Whereas, school nutrition professionals prepare healthy meals for our students, adhere to strict nutrition standards, navigate student food allergies, and offer service with a smile; and

“Whereas, the School Lunch Hero Day is a chance to showcase the difference school nutrition professionals make for every child who comes through the cafeteria; and

“Whereas, Friday, May 6, 2022, is School Lunch Hero Day.”

The proclamation was duly signed at a regular public meeting on April 19, according to a Pasco County Schools’ website post published on April 25.

Teacher signing day
Pasco County Schools hosted a signing day on April 27, for high school students declaring their intent to return after college, to teach in Pasco schools. The 17 students are graduating from Pasco’s New Teacher Academy (NTA), where they have had the opportunity to explore their chosen profession.

Along with the graduating seniors, the signing day also featured an NTA graduate who completed college and has been hired as a teacher at Fox Hollow Elementary School.

“This is a day of celebration for these students and for Pasco County Schools,’’ said Beth Hess, lead of the New Teacher Academy, in a news release.

“To have our own students returning as teachers is a win for everyone. We are succeeding in our goal, which is to inspire the desire to teach,” Hess said.

The NTA was established at River Ridge High School in 2016 for students considering a career in teaching to learn more about the profession. It has expanded to include River Ridge Middle School.

The NTA also provides students with hands-on experience at elementary schools in Pasco County.

Student news
Constance Emilia Sargent, of Lutz, was initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, at the University of Idaho.

Writers Retreat
The Sandhill Writers Retreat (SWR), based at Saint Leo University, will host the SWR Reading Series on May 9 to May 12 and May 16 to May 19, from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., via Zoom.

The series will offer an opportunity to come together as a literary community.

During the eight evening sessions, the reading series will showcase established and acclaimed poets, writers and publishers.

Seven guest faculty will give a brief talk or lesson and a reading, and one evening of the series will be open mic.

Faculty guests include: Denise Duhamel, poet; Amina Gautier, short fiction writer; Rick Campbell, poet and former Anhinga Press director; Gregory Byrd, poet and fiction writer; Kimberly Davis, publisher and editor; Julia Koets, poet, writer and memoirist; and Geoffrey Philip, poet and writer.

The retreat is open to the public.

Registration is $20 and covers all eight nights of poetry, literature and more.

For details, visit SaintLeo.edu/sandhill-writers-retreat.

For information, email .

Virtual Parent Night
Pasco County Schools will host Florida’s B.E.S.T Standards for Mathematics Virtual Parent Night on May 10 at 6 p.m.

To RSVP, visit tinyurl.com/yckeb7d4.

Nominate a student
Hillsborough County is accepting nominations for the Youth Excellence and Achievement Awards (YEA! Awards), until 5 p.m., on May 13.

The YEA! Awards were created in 2010, to recognize Hillsborough County students for making a difference in their community.

Students honored show initiative, innovation, and a commitment to themselves and others, while pursuing excellence in a leadership capacity. This can be demonstrated in academics, community service, athletics, performing arts, conservation, or other areas.

Nominations can be submitted for both middle and high school students, in each of these categories:

  • Leadership — demonstrating positive impact on others in an ongoing endeavor, such as sports, academics or the arts
  • Success Despite Difficult Odds — overcoming tremendous personal difficulty to attain success and to make a positive impact on others
  • Volunteer or Community Service — allocating discretionary time to help others to complete a project that has improved the community

Nominations will be reviewed by the Commission on the Status of Women.

The awards will be presented in June by the Board of County Commissioners.

Forms are available for online submissions at HCFLGov.net/YEA.

For more information, call Hillsborough County Communications & Digital Media at 813-272-5194.

Fifth-grade exhibition
Pine View Elementary, an International Baccalaureate (IB) school, will host the Pine View Elementary International Baccalaureate Magnet School PYP Exhibition on May 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at 5333 Parkway Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Fifth-grade students will showcase their culminating, collaborative experience of their final year of the IB primary Years Program. The exhibition is a “demonstration of student agency, as learners exercise voice, choice and ownership by inquiring into local or global issues that are significant to them,” an email to The Laker said.

The opening ceremony will be at 5:30 p.m., followed by student presentations.

Pay raises needed to remain competitive

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The Pasco County School Board is asking voters to step up to provide more funding to enable the school district to improve pay for teachers and other district personnel, except for administrators.

The board voted unanimously to pursue having the referendum question added to the November 2022 ballot.

The board is asking voters to approve up to a maximum of 1 mil in funding to be designated for improving employee pay.

In an April 5 school board workshop on the topic, it was estimated that a 1 mil increase would yield an average instructional boost of $4,000; for non-instructional, $1,700.

‘I personally believe we are nearing a crisis. The teachers are leaving. Ultimately, it is about the children of Pasco County and the families.’ — Pasco School Board member Alison Crumbley

District calculations also show that Pasco’s median home cost of $325,000, and assuming a $25,000 homestead exemption, a property owner would pay $300 more per year, if the increase is 1 mil.

The board’s vote to pursue up to a full mil, followed persistent requests by Don Peace, president of the United School Employees of Pasco (USEP), urging the board to seek the ballot initiative.

Peace repeatedly has cited the number of district employees who are resigning or retiring, and has said the district must improve pay and fill vacancies, to stem the tide.

School board member Colleen Beaudoin made the motion to support the ballot initiative, which  was seconded by board member Alison Crumbley.

Specifically, the ballot question asks for a yes or no vote on whether to levy an additional tax, not to exceed 1 mil,  beginning July 1, 2023 and ending no later than June 30, 2027.

The proceeds, according to the ballot question, will be used “for essential operating expenses to maintain salaries competitive with the market, attract and retain high-quality teachers, bus drivers and other non-administrative school support employees.”

There also is a requirement for “annual reporting to Pasco County taxpayers for transparency of the use of these funds.”

“We are losing good teachers because they can’t make ends meet here,” Beaudoin said, offering many specific examples.

“We are not talking about numbers. We are talking about people you know and I know,” she added. “Pasco County Schools is the largest employer in our county. Everyone has someone in their family, their neighborhood or a friend, who works for us.”

Besides losing teachers to nearby districts that pay better, the district also is losing teachers who are leaving the field to work in industry, Beaudoin said.

‘For too long, we have struggled to remain competitive with other school districts in the area.’ — Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning

“We want our teachers using their talents for our kids. We don’t want them leaving the profession,” Beaudoin said.

“How many ways can we ask our community to compromise, or settle for having substitute teachers or people with provisional certifications? Our community members want people with professional certifications who are highly qualified,” she said.

“Our community is tired of the revolving door of teachers and the lack of bus drivers that has led to inconvenient bell times and fewer child care options.

“We want the best teachers for our kids.

“We want to attract and retain the best teachers for our students, because they deserve it,” Beaudoin said.

Action needed to reduce staff departures
Board members unanimously agreed with the need to have the flexibility to go up to a full mil of additional funding.

“We’ve known for decades our salaries aren’t keeping up. The evidence and data are all there,” Crumbley said.

“I personally believe we are nearing a crisis. The teachers are leaving. Ultimately, it is about the children of Pasco County and the families.”

Board member Megan Harding agreed: “I don’t disagree. We’re short-staffed everywhere, and I’ve talked to many teachers who have left the profession, due to pay.”

In the board’s backup materials for the April 19 meeting, there were 23 instructional, five bus driver and 47 non-instructional resignations, Harding said.

“We owe it to our students, teachers, staff and the community to try for this referendum,” Harding said. “We tried for many years to put a Band-aid on the problem, and I think it’s time that we asked the community if they’re willing to help us fix it once and for all.

“We cannot be a world-class education system with one of the lowest pay scales in the region.”

After the meeting, the district released a YouTube video of Superintendent Kurt Browning, advocating passage of the referendum.

‘How many ways can we ask our community to compromise, or settle for having substitute teachers or people with provisional certifications? Our community members want people with professional certifications who are highly qualified.’ — Pasco School Board member Colleen Beaudoin.

The next step is to ask the Pasco County Commission to place the referendum on the November ballot, Browning said.

The superintendent noted: “For too long, we have struggled to remain competitive with other school districts in the area. In most cases, those other school districts have already taken the step that we are taking now.

“They recognized that they couldn’t simply rely on funding from the state. They made their cases to the voters and got a referendum approved.”

As a result, other districts can offer better pay, which puts Pasco at a disadvantage, Browning said.

“Long ago, the Legislature provided a mechanism for school districts to supplement staff funding for salaries, and several school districts have already taken this step.

“It’s time for us to act,” Browning said.

“We are losing good people.

“Who could blame a teacher or a bus driver for seeking better pay in a neighboring county?

“We need to turn that around; by taking this step, we are showing our commitment to keeping our great employees working in Pasco County, and attracting more of them,” the superintendent said.

More details will be shared in coming months, Browning said.

Union president Peace has pledged USEP’s full support in working toward passage of the ballot initiative.

Published April 27, 2022

Her behind-the-scenes work saved millions for Pasco Schools

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Observers of Pasco County School Board meetings know her as the woman who breaks down the complex language of school finance into easy-to-understand English.

Her budget updates explained how much money the school district had available to spend in various categories — because when it comes to spending state and federal funding, there are often strings attached.

She also kept the board informed on how the district’s investments were faring, and how much interest the school system would have to pay on financing school construction projects, or buses, or other big-ticket items.

When it came to finances in Pasco County Schools, Olga Swinson has been the voice of authority, as the district’s chief finance officer since 2006.

Olga Swinson is stepping away from a 32-year career in Pasco County Schools. The chief finance officer is credited with steering the district through some financially turbulent times and for helping to save millions, which could be used to directly benefit teachers and students. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Her work in the school finance arena dates back to 1990, when she joined the district as an internal auditor. Next, she worked as superintendent of finance, then as director of finance, before assuming the role she will retire from on April 29.

Swinson served under superintendents Thomas Weightman, John Long, Heather Fiorentino, and finally, Kurt Browning.

Browning joined the district’s leadership staff and Pasco County School Board members during the board’s April 19 meeting in honoring Swinson’s service, expressing their gratitude for her financial leadership and congratulating her on her retirement.

Browning kicked things off, with a good-natured tone, by sharing an encounter he’d had with Swinson earlier in the day.

“She sent the board and leadership an email that was thanking us for giving her the opportunity to serve as chief finance officer, among other positions,” Browning explained.

When he saw Swinson, he told her: “I was just a little surprised at the tone of that email because it certainly didn’t sound like Olga. It was tender. It was caring,” he said, eliciting laugher from the room. “It was empathetic, sincerely grateful, for the experience she’s had in the Pasco district.

“As she’s looking at me, she’s wagging a finger. She says: ‘Don’t say a word tonight.’

“I looked at her and said, ‘I won’t say a word tonight.’

“And, as she walked off, I said, ‘I will say multiple words tonight.’”

Then Browning began describing Swinson’s many attributes.

“I count Olga Swinson, as being, in large part, the glue (in the district),” Browning said, noting the district’s success depends largely on its financial integrity and stability.

“There has never been a moment, not a single moment, in the 10 years that I’ve been superintendent, that I have ever had any doubts, any concerns, any questions, about our financial standing in this district.

“I will tell you, that speaks volumes,” Browning said.

Over the years, because of her tough budgeting skills and her ability to say, ‘No,’ Swinson developed the nickname ‘Nolga,” Browning said.

Deputy Ray Gadd continued on that theme.

“We give her a lot of grief, calling her NOlga, for ‘No,’ all of the time,” Gadd said.

But the truth is that because of her financial management skills, the district has been able to do far more than it would have without her, he said.

“She doesn’t get a lot of credit for how it (her work) benefits children — but her managing of finances in this district has greatly benefited the lives of children.

“It’s made us effective at what we do. And, when you compare our financial statements to some surrounding counties and other places throughout the state, we’re hard to beat,” Gadd said.

Her acumen is known in school finance circles
School board member Allen Altman said Swinson is known for the accuracy of her numbers, and that she has helped steer the district through financially turbulent times.

“Olga and I, I feel like, have some of the same battle scars,” said Altman, who has served on the board for 15 ½ years.

“We went through the Recession and laid off several hundred employees. And, we’ve been through the battles with the State,” Altman said.

When board members have to make difficult decisions, it’s important to know there’s “integrity behind the numbers,” Altman said.

Swinson’s “financial stewardship has saved this district millions of dollars of money that has been spent on children and employees, that wouldn’t have been, otherwise,” Altman said.

“I give her credit for that and thank her, for that,” he said.

Board Chairwoman Cynthia Armstrong agreed with Altman regarding the importance of having numbers the board could rely on.

“Our job is so much easier because we could trust, exactly, the numbers that you gave us —  so we know we were making the best decisions possible,” Armstrong told Swinson.

Board member Alison Crumbley said Swinson’s financial leadership has been unwavering.

“Mrs. Armstrong and I started (on the board) during the Recession. The first task was to make $55 million of cuts. Olga led the way. It was excruciating.

“We got through it, and all of the while, maintained a AAA Moody Bond Rating, somehow, through all of this, which has saved our district millions of dollars,” Crumbley said.

She also pointed out that when she was attending state school board training sessions people have frequently told her: “Oh, you have Olga Swinson. We’ve heard about her. You’re so lucky.”

Betsy Kuhn, assistant superintendent for support services, agreed that Swinson’s reputation for excellence is known throughout the state.

Kuhn said she’s had the opportunity to be part of the Florida Institute of School Finance, where she’s seen Swinson in action.

“It confirmed to me what I already know — Olga is a rock star in the world of school finance,’” Kuhn said.

Besides hearing words of praise, Swinson received a huge bouquet of roses and a standing ovation.

Her response was simple.

“I will miss all of you, and it’s been a rewarding career,” Swinson said.

Olga Swinson
Olga Swinson ends her 32-year career with Pasco County Schools on April 29.

Here’s a snapshot of her roles in the district:

  • Chief Finance Officer, 2006 to 2022
  • Director of Finance: 1997 to 2006
  • Superintendent of Finance: 1993 to 1997
  • Internal Auditor: 1990 to 1993

Swinson served under superintendents Thomas Weightman, John Long, Heather Fiorentino and Kurt Browning.

Published April 27, 2022

Chalk Talk 04/27/2022

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Jazz performance
The Carrollwood Cultural Center, 4537 Lowell Road in Tampa, will host “Jazz with Jim” on April 29 at 7:30 p.m.

The show with Jim Burge and The Jazz Directions will feature young performers of the Hillsborough County High School All-Star Jazz Ensemble.

Burge hand-selected the musicians during the All-County Jazz event on April 22 and April 23, and invited them to perform with him and his band.

Tickets are $13 for cultural center members and $18 for non-members.

For information and tickets, visit CarrollwoodCenter.org, or call 813-922-8167.

Enrollment Day events
Hillsborough Community College (HCC) will host High School Enrollment Day events at each of its five campuses.

Students will have the opportunity to participate in advising and financial aid sessions, complete fall registration, and leave with a full course schedule.

The event is for high school graduates only.

To attend, students must RSVP online, complete the HCC admission application for the fall term, and provide any ACT, SAT, PERT, AP or IB test scores, if taken.

Only one guest per registrant is allowed, if attending in person.

Space is limited. Registration is online at HCCfl.edu/enrollment-day.

In-person enrollment days:

  • April 30, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Dale Mabry, Plant City, SouthShore, Ybor City campuses

Virtual enrollment days:

  • May 3, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Brandon campus
  • May 10, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Dale Mabry, Plant City, SouthShore, Ybor City campuses

For more information, contact individual campuses by email: Brandon, ; Dale Mabry, ; Plant City, ; SouthShore, ; and YborCity, .

Textbook drop-off/pickup
Pasco County Schools has released the dates for Dual Enrollment spring textbook drop-off and summer textbook pickup.

Drop-offs:

  • Central Pasco: May 2 to May 6 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the District Office Complex, 7205 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.; park in front of Building 3N, by the ATM
  • East Pasco: May 2 to May 4 from 3:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at Thomas Weightman Middle School, 30649 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel; park in the lot between Weightman Middle and Wesley Chapel High
  • West Pasco: May 3 to May 5 from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at Marchman Technical College, 7825 Campus Drive, New Port Richey; park in the lot in front of the administration building

Pickups:

  • Central Pasco: May 9 to May 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the District Office Complex
  • East Pasco: May 9 to May 11 from 3:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at Weightman Middle School
  • West Pasco: May 10 to May 12 from 3:30 p.m., at Marchman Technical

For more information, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/oll/age/dual-enrollment, and click on the “Textbooks” tab.

Odyssey of the Mind
Pasco County Schools on its Facebook page congratulated the Odyssey of the Mind teams from Dayspring Academy (Port Richey), Sunlake High (Land O’ Lakes) and Wiregrass Ranch High (Wesley Chapel), as they will be competing in the OM World Finals, in May.

Nominate a student
Hillsborough County is accepting nominations for the Youth Excellence and Achievement Awards (YEA! Awards), until 5 p.m., on May 13.

The YEA! Awards were created in 2010, to recognize Hillsborough County students for making a difference in their community.

Students honored show initiative, innovation, and a commitment to themselves and others, while pursuing excellence in a leadership capacity. This can be demonstrated in academics, community service, athletics, performing arts, conservation, or other areas.

Nominations can be submitted for both middle and high school students, in each of these categories:

  • Leadership — demonstrating positive impact on others in an ongoing endeavor, such as sports, academics or the arts
  • Success Despite Difficult Odds — overcoming tremendous personal difficulty to attain success and to make a positive impact on others
  • Volunteer or Community Service — allocating discretionary time to help others to complete a project that has improved the community

Nominations will be reviewed by the Commission on the Status of Women.

The awards will be presented in June by the Hillsborough County Commission.

Forms are available for online submissions at HCFLGov.net/YEA.

For more information, call Hillsborough County Communications & Digital Media at 813-272-5194.

Fifth-grade exhibition
Pine View Elementary, an International Baccalaureate (IB) school, will host the Pine View Elementary International Baccalaureate Magnet School PYP Exhibition on May 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at 5333 Parkway Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Fifth-grade students will showcase their culminating, collaborative experience of their final year of the IB primary Years Program. The exhibition is a “demonstration of student agency, as learners exercise voice, choice and ownership by inquiring into local or global issues that are significant to them,” an email to The Laker said.

The opening ceremony will be at 5:30 p.m., followed by student presentations.

Chalk Talk 04/20/2022

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Dr. Davina Jones (Courtesy of Kevin O’ Farrell)

Acting provost steps in
Dr. Davina Jones is the new acting provost for Pasco-Hernando State College’s (PHSC) Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.

Jones has more than 20 years of experience in higher education and is a ‘bridge-builder’ with a servant-leader mindset, according to a news release.

She currently serves as PHSC special assistant to the president of diversity, equity and inclusion.

Prior to PHSC, Jones has served at the College of Central Florida, the Florida State College of Jacksonville, Bethune Cookman University and Adler University.

She has worked as an administrator, researcher, and full professor, and is an accomplished presenter and author, the release says.

Jones holds a Bachelor of Arts from Bethune Cookman, and a Master of Arts and a Ph.D., from Bowling Green State University.

Scholarships awarded
Three high school seniors from Pasco County have been awarded the 2022 Sunshine Opportunity Scholarships, worth $25,000 over four years of full-time undergraduate study.

The scholarships target high-achieving high school seniors who have overcome significant obstacles in life, have financial need, and plan to stay in Florida for undergraduate university studies.

The recipients are: Camden Moors, Pasco e-School; Legasse Remon, Anclote High School; and Danielle Timony, Gulf High School.

For more information, visit SunshineOpportunityScholarships.com.

Essay deadline is soon
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano is reminding Pasco students that his office will accept entries in his annual essay contest until 5 p.m., April 22.

Students enrolled in Pasco’s public/charter, private, parochial, nonpublic, and home-school programs can participate.

In 500 words or less, students must answer the question, “Since the 1980s, Pasco County has seen a steady growth in population that now has us nearing 600,000 residents. To accommodate this growth, we have seen many additions made to our county’s general infrastructure (expanded roads, public transportation, additional shopping venues, etc.). What is one addition that has been made that was most beneficial to Pasco County, or what is one addition that you believe should be made to further accommodate our county’s growth?”

The winner of the contest will be notified by telephone no later than May 13, and will receive a $500 gift card.

For questions and information on how to submit an essay, call Jose Rodriguez Sierra at 727-847-8165, ext. 3826.

Enrollment Day events
Hillsborough Community College (HCC) will host High School Enrollment Day events at each of its five campuses from April 23 to May 10.

Students will have the opportunity to participate in advising and financial aid sessions, complete fall registration, and leave with a full course schedule.

The event is for high school graduates only.

To attend, students must RSVP online, complete the HCC admission application for the fall term, and provide any ACT, SAT, PERT, AP or IB test scores, if taken.

Only one guest per registrant is allowed, if attending in person.

Space is limited. Registration is online at HCCfl.edu/enrollment-day.

In-person enrollment days:

  • April 23, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Brandon Campus
  • April 30, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Dale Mabry, Plant City, SouthShore, Ybor City campuses

Virtual enrollment days:

  • May 3, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Brandon campus
  • May 10, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Dale Mabry, Plant City, SouthShore, Ybor City campuses

For more information, contact individual campuses by email: Brandon, ; Dale Mabry, ; Plant City, ; SouthShore, ; and YborCity, .

Student news
• Ahanna Costa and Carl Herndon, both of Lutz, have been initiated into Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society. Costa attends Florida International University, and Herndon attends Florida State University.

• Catherine Calistri, of Odessa, and Joseph Martinez, William Peterson and Sofia Schultz, all of Lutz, were initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi at Florida State University.

(Courtesy of Stephen Hegarty)

A ‘spectacular’ performance
Starkey Ranch K-8 teamed up with Maestro Michael Francis, music director of The Florida Orchestra, to host the first-ever Starkey Symphony Spectacular. The free outdoor concert was a collaboration between aspiring Starkey Ranch K-8 student musicians, community members and professional musicians of The Florida Orchestra. The school’s music programs received a portion of the proceeds from the on-site food trucks, and business and individual donations.

This high school will open doors to new possibilities

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This has been a long time coming.

Since 2018, to be exact.

Ever since Wendell Krinn Technical High opened in New Port Richey — replacing Ridgewood High — there’s been a need for a technical school on Pasco County’s east side.

Soon, that need will be served.

Pasco County Schools is spending $70 million on Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, a school that will feature leading-edge programs on an ultra-modern campus.

Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, at 32555 Innovation Drive in Wesley Chapel, is a state-of-the-art $70-million high school set to open in August. It will provide an array of technical program options for students. (Mike Camunas)

Being built in the rapidly growing community of Wesley Chapel, the new high school is set to open this August, for the 2022-2023 school year.

The STEM (science, technical, engineering and mathematics) high school will feature a curriculum that allows students to earn a standard diploma, while having the opportunity to earn industry certifications.

Dee Dee Johnson, Kirkland Ranch’s inaugural principal, said this type of school has been needed on the east side of the county for a long time.

The campus gives students a chance to attain a well-rounded education, while also exploring programs that might not be their exact focus.

Students will have access to trade and technical programs such as automotive maintenance and repair, including diesel; biomedical sciences; building trades and construction technology; cybersecurity; digital media and multimedia design; engineering and robotics, welding; electricity; and, patient care technology.

Kirkland Ranch is opening with freshmen and sophomores, but will be adding junior and senior classes.

Both school and district leaders are enthused about the new opportunities that Kirkland will provide.

“We’re excited about the whole experience for those students,” said Dr. Kim Moore, assistant superintendent for Career and Innovative Programs.

The school’s STEM focus “is integrated into everything because STEM is a mindset. The programs will all have interconnection,” Moore said.

Kirkland Ranch has been designed to foster collaboration among students.

Several programs are deliberately located close to each other to make it easier for students from various programs to bring their work together.

“Engineering needs to understand the trades of building and construction, just like electrical needs to, as well,” Johnson said. “Honestly, we’re excited about how all of the programs can collaborate and work together. I think that’s really cool because that’s how it will work in the real world. We’re excited to see what every program can build and create.”

The school district also is excited to have a diesel automotive program, one that can and will work on its school buses.

A construction welder works on the campus of Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, a $70-million project to bring a science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) high school to the east side of Pasco County.

“They’ll be able to service our own vehicles — which is just about one of the coolest things the school system will have,” Moore said.

Pasco County Schools is taking full advantage of the county’s unprecedented growth, especially in the Wesley Chapel area.

With the abundance of nearby construction projects — on buildings, roadways and other infrastructure — there’s plenty of opportunity for technical jobs. Those are the kinds of jobs that will be easily accessible to students who receive training and can become certified before leaving high school.

“Think about it,” Moore said. “Large employers like the hospitals coming in right there in Wesley Chapel will need everything from doctors to nurses to biomedical to technicians. But those large businesses will need buildings; jobs that will go to welders and construction and engineers. Those businesses might have vehicles, in which our students will be prepared to work on those mechanically.

“A lot of strategy went into selecting career fields and programs at Kirkland Ranch — that way it would meet the needs locally,” Moore said.

“We took a comprehensive local needs assessment that focused on the jobs needed in Pasco, especially right nearby in Wesley Chapel. We’ll have ready a pool of employees right here in Pasco County that will attract even more businesses.”

Kirkland Ranch is set to be completed this summer, with students expected to have a chance to tour the building sometime in July, Johnson said.

“Everything is on track, which is amazing in what we’re facing (with supply chains) at this time,” Johnson added.

Anticipation is growing and the excitement is palpable, as school and district leaders prepare to welcome the first students to Kirkland Ranch.

“If I was in high school again, I would have gone to this school,” Moore said, with a laugh. “I would have loved to have gone to a school like Kirkland Ranch.”

Interested in enrolling?
The Pasco County Pathways second enrollment period runs through April 18. For more information on Kirkland Ranch, its programs and enrollment, visit KRAI.pasco.k12.fl.us/.

Published April 13, 2022

New Kirkland Ranch principal described as ‘a blessing’

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It surprised Dee Dee Johnson.

The longtime Pasco County Schools teacher and administrator was named 2021 Principal of the Year in November and all of it came as a shock, especially when Superintendent Kurt Browning showed up with a bouquet of flowers.

Dee Dee Johnson was named Pasco County School District’s 2021 Principal of the Year and is now principal of Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation. The new high school is set to open in August. (Mike Camunas)

“Oh, it was very unexpected,” said Johnson, who has been with Pasco County Schools for 18 years. “It was pretty cool that my peers nominated and voted for me. There are so many great leaders in the area and so many great leaders that I’ve learned from and still reach out to. I felt great that everyone recognized that I worked hard and want to do what is best for the kids.

“I was very surprised to get the award.”

Those who know Johnson and her work, however, weren’t as surprised. As someone who worked her way up from math teacher to principal of the soon-to-be-opening Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, it was a long time coming. Especially to one of those leaders who has witnessed Johnson’s career firsthand.

“We are just blessed beyond blessings to have her,” said Dr. Kim Moore, assistant superintendent for Career and Innovative Programs. “She is a phenomenal leader with a proven track record. Every school she has gone to has improved because she is that phenomenal leader.”

Johnson is a product of the school system where she works. She attended Quail Hollow Elementary, Weightman Middle and Zephyrhills High.

At Zephyrhills High, she was a soccer star — earning a scholarship to Florida Atlantic University, where she graduated in 2000.

“She is from the community and knows the community,” Moore said. “So everyone knows her and she’s earned that trust as a person from the community.”

Johnson began her career as a mathematics teacher at Centennial Middle and then moved on to her alma mater, Zephyrhills High. Next, she became assistant principal at Wesley Chapel High, where she was named principal in 2017.

In the 2018-2019 school year, she became principal at Pasco Middle.

Superintendent Browning named her Kirkland Ranch’s first principal in September.

“I couldn’t think of a better person to be that school’s principal,” Moore added.

Johnson’s ties run even deeper with Pasco County’s school system, as her husband, Mike, is the football coach at Cypress Creek High in Wesley Chapel.

Now, Johnson’s days are filled with planning to open Kirkland Ranch, which includes visits to the construction site until the work is finished this summer.

“I’m ready for August,” Johnson said.

“But the kids will come and tour it in July, so I really just can’t wait until then,” she said.

Published April 13, 2022

Pasco school board talks ‘referendum for raises’

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The Pasco County School Board is expected to pursue placing a referendum on the ballot to give voters the opportunity to approve or reject higher taxes to support salary increases for teachers and district support staff.

During the board’s April 5 workshop, according to school board member Colleen Beaudoin, the board’s chairwoman, Cynthia Armstrong, told Superintendent Kurt Browning “there appeared to be a consensus for him to write up a resolution to bring back to the board for consideration.”

Beaudoin also said that Armstrong told Browning there didn’t appear to be a consensus among board members regarding the amount of a millage increase the board wishes to pursue.

The issue is expected to come up at the board’s April 19 meeting.

According to the workshop background materials, the board is considering these options:

  • A .5 mil increase, which would yield an average instructional increase of $2,000; non-instructional, $850
  • A .75 mil increase, which would yield an average instructional increase of $3,000; non-instructional, $1,275
  • A 1 mil increase, which would yield an average instructional increase of $4,000; non-instructional $1,700

Based on Pasco’s median home cost of $325,000, and assuming a $25,000 homestead exemption, a property owner would pay $150 a year, if the increase is .5 mil; $225 more per year, if the increase is .75 mil; or $300 more per year, if the increase is 1 mil, according to district workshop materials.

Based on district calculations, 1 mil would generate $37 million; .75 mil, would generate $28 million and .5 mil would generate $18.5 million.

Don Peace, president of the United School Employees of Pasco (USEP), addressed the board, earlier in the day, during its regular meeting.

“I’ve come to you over the past several months advocating that we do better for employees. I continue that conversation today.

“We have got to do better.

“Since the beginning of the school year in August, 1,354 employees have left the district, due to retirement or resignation. Seventy-three percent have been zero to 5-year employees; and 14% have been 12-plus year employees,” he said.

“We have got to do better to retain our employees.

“After this meeting, there will be a workshop to discuss a referendum. This initiative is no longer an option for this district, but a necessity for us to attract and retain experienced and highly qualified employees, into the future.

“I’ve advocated for this for almost five years and the time has finally come for us to make a collective decision.

“It is my hope that this board would move this conversation forward to a formal vote and take the necessary steps to get this initiative placed on the November ballot.

“I will state here today that USEP will fully support this endeavor.

“We need to make this happen for our employees, our students and our community.

“Together, let’s make positive changes for Pasco. Together, we can do better,” Peace said.

Beaudoin said she fully supports seeking a full mil increase.

She prepared notes for the workshop, which, when interviewed about the session, she offered to share with The Laker/Lutz News.

“I thought it was really important to give context — that these are people (who need the raises), Beaudoin said.

She took it upon herself to circulate about the community to talk to people, to glean examples of real-life situations.

Beaudoin said she spoke to a veteran 17-year teacher who was taking home $1,100 every two weeks in Pasco. That teacher now makes double that amount, in Hillsborough County.

Beaudoin spoke with another teacher, with 28 years of experience, who left Pasco to go to work in Hillsborough. That teacher received a $15,000 pay increase.

Pasco eSchool recently lost an English language arts teacher to Pinellas County, for a $7,500 pay increase.

Wesley Chapel High School lost a teacher to Hillsborough for $12,000 more. The teacher would like to return, but can’t afford the pay cut.

Those were just some examples of teachers changing counties for better compensation that were cited in Beaudoin’s notes.

She also reported the district is losing teachers to other industries.

“Businesses are seeing that teachers make great trainers. We want our teachers using their talents for our kids. We don’t want them leaving the profession. Pasco High lost a science teacher to go to Moffitt. This was a great teacher who was in tears and did not want to leave.  However, she has to provide for her family,” Beaudoin wrote.

The school board member said she realizes that Penny for Pasco and the referendum on pay raises would be on the ballot at the same time, but she believes the community will support its schools.

They are two different measures, Beaudoin said, noting the Penny for Pasco provides funding for school construction, remodeling and other capital needs. The referendum, on the other hand, addresses people needs.

Ultimately, Beaudoin said, it’s about providing quality schools for the county’s students.

“I am hopeful that our community sees the importance of good schools and what good schools do for our community — because they are the backbone of our community,” the school board member said.

Published April 13, 2022

Pasco Schools to end courtesy bus rides

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Pasco County Schools has decided to end courtesy bus rides for middle and high school students beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, as the district continues to grapple with issues posed by a shortage of bus drivers.

Steve Hegarty, public information officer for Pasco County Schools, said the district has decided to drop the rides for middle and high school students living within 2 miles of their schools because the state doesn’t cover the cost of transporting those riders.

There are about 3,000 bus riders that fall into that category, Hegarty said.

Discontinuing those services will take some of the strain off the bus driver shortage, which in turn should help with getting students to school on time and reduce wait times for students to catch a bus after school to head home.

The district is not dropping the courtesy rides it provides for elementary students, Hegarty added.

Hegarty said the district is getting pushback from parents whose children are losing their bus rides. However, he suspects there also will be parents who will be pleased when the district can improve being on time with its buses.

He also noted the district put the word out as soon as it could, to give parents more lead time to prepare for next school year.

While acknowledging the issue is an operational decision, some school board members said they’d been hearing from parents who are worried about safety, and they share those concerns.

At the school board’s April 5 meeting, board member Megan Harding said she understands that dropping those courtesy rides will free up many runs.

But Harding added: “I see people zooming through school zones and students not crossing at proper crosswalks.”

She rattled off a number of roads that she said are potentially dangerous for walkers.

She asked if the district could request traffic studies at intersections on particularly busy roads, to determine if crossing guards are warranted.

“I know that our families are really worried about their children’s safety, and I really am, too,” she said.

Board member Alison Crumbley said she feels empathy for parents and students who are concerned, but said she believes the district is doing the best that it can, with its resources.

On another matter, board members approved adding a job description for a program director for academic tutoring.

Vanessa Hilton, the district’s chief academic officer, explained the position relates to a state grant the board approved in January, and the position will be funded through the grant.

“This position would lead the effort of school-based tutoring that is going to be developed because of COVID. The grant provided by FDOE (Florida Department of Education) requires districts to implement a specific tutoring program using the state resources. It requires specific training, specific procedures, specific implementation.”

Board members wanted assurances that the position would not be funded beyond the grant.

Superintendent Kurt Browning said the position goes away, once the grant funds run out. If the district wants to continue with someone in that role, it will come back to the board for its approval, Browning said.

There are numerous positions in the district, now paid for with federal funds, that will go away once those COVID-19 related funds disappear, Browning said.

“We’re not going to be falling off the financial cliff,” Browning said.

In other news, school board member Colleen Beaudoin told her colleagues that she was delighted to hear that the district is expanding its early childhood programs to four additional elementary schools beginning next school year.

The additional schools are Connerton, Veterans, Trinity and Seven Springs, which will bring the district’s total number of schools with early childhood programs to 38.

On another item, the board voted to increase the price for some meals for the upcoming school year. These are the categories that increased: Elementary school breakfast, up from $1.35 to $1.60; elementary school lunch, up from $2.50 to $3; middle school breakfast, up from $1.50 to $1.75; high school breakfast, up from $1.50 to $1.75; high school lunch, up from $3.25 to $3.50; adult breakfast, up from $1.75 to $2.

Published April 13, 2022

Chalk Talk 04/13/2022

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Kevin D. O’ Farrell (File)

Provost leaves position
Kevin D. O’ Farrell, provost, Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, announced his upcoming departure from Pasco-Hernando State College, in an email letter.

O’ Farrell has served PHSC for the past 12 years, and has been serving as provost for the last 5 1/2 years.

In his new role as chancellor for Career and Adult Education at the Florida Department of Education, he will provide leadership to the Career and Technical Education Programs, Workforce Education, and Adult Education throughout the state.

O’ Farrell’s last day with PHSC will be April 22, and he and his family will relocate to Tallahassee.

Financial literacy
Pasco County Schools in collaboration with community partners is recognizing Financial Literacy Month by offering virtual experiences and opportunities.

Visit Pasco County Schools on Facebook for student, home/community, and teacher workshops, contests, and more.

Student news

  • Hope Lelekacs and Joshua Luther, both of Odessa, have been initiated into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, at the University of Tampa.
  • Payton VanNort, of Lutz, worked behind the scenes as an assistant stage manager in Marietta College’s (Ohio) production of “Reefer Madness.” VanNort is majoring in theater (BFA) directing track.

Kindergarten & VPK
Kindergarten registration for the 2022-2023 school year is on April 18, at all Pasco County elementary schools.

Requirements include:

  • The child must be 5 years of age by Sept. 1
  • Birth Certificate or other proof of birth date
  • Health Examination – HRS Form 3040
  • HRS Certificate of Immunization
  • Three different proofs of residency including deed or property tax assessment or lease, current utility bill, and an additional document supporting stated address such as auto registration, driver’s license, voter registration.

For more information on registration, visit tinyurl.com/p7txr4j4.

Pasco County Schools also offers free VPK (voluntary prekindergarten).

Children must be 4 years old on or before Sept. 1, to be eligible.

For information and instructions on how to apply, visit pasco.k12.fl.us, click on “News” and search for “VPK.”

Duke Energy grants
The Duke Energy Foundation and Duke Energy Florida have awarded more than $641,000 in grants to support a wide range of kindergarten through 12th grade initiatives focused on energy and engineering education, as well as programs serving underrepresented, low-income and diverse students, according to a news release.

This year’s grant recipients range from local education foundations to community organizations that provide unique learning opportunities for students, especially those with diverse backgrounds and abilities, to explore STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) concepts.

In The Laker/Lutz News coverage area, the Pasco Education Foundation Inc., was the recipient of $25,000. This foundation partners with Pasco County Schools, and the Energy and Marine Science Center (EMC) to help improve STEM curriculum and enhance its reach in providing the opportunity for underrepresented, low-income Title I students to visit the EMC.

Statewide, the Consortium of Florida Education Foundation received $50,000, to support local education foundations in Duke Energy Florida’s footprint in understanding the local landscape of career/technical education, college/career readiness and STEM education needs, and increase knowledge of capacity building tools for organizational stability, the release says.

In total, six organizations in the Tampa Bay area received grants; in the Greater Orlando area, nine; and in the Greater Tallahassee/Gainesville area, six.

Financial aid tip
As college students register for classes this fall, the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) encourages students to consider taking more classes.

A heavier course load helps to cut the total cost of college, because students will finish their technical or degree program more quickly, a KHEAA news release says.

A full-time load for undergraduates usually is 12 credit hours per semester.

Associate degrees usually require 60 credit hours to finish; bachelor degrees, 120 hours.

At 12 hours each semester, students will need five semesters to finish an associate degree and 10 semesters to finish a bachelor degree.

By taking 15 hours per semester, a student can finish an associate degree in four semesters and a bachelor degree in eight semesters, the release says.

Many colleges do not charge students more for 15 hours than they do for 12 hours.

The expanded course load may save students thousands of dollas in tuition and fees.

KHEAA is a public, nonprofit agency that helps to improve student access to college, and provides information about financial aid and financial literacy at no cost to students and parents.

For more information, visit KHEAA.com.