The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Education

Moffitt and Pasco Schools have big plans

By

Pasco County Schools and Moffitt Cancer Center envision great possibilities of working together when the school district builds its planned 6-12 magnet STEAM school on land near Moffitt’s planned campus in Land O’ Lakes.

Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent for Pasco County Schools, recently updated the school board about a meeting between school district and Moffitt staff members.

“We had our first real, live, meeting with the administrative staff of Moffitt Cancer Center. And, it went really very, very well,” Gadd told the school board on Oct. 5.

“On the Angeline property, as the crow flies, is kind of back behind Land O’ Lakes High School, Moffitt is putting in a hospital and a big research center, and we have a school right across the street,” Gadd said.

“That school, we’ll start construction on that, I think, about mid-October. We’ll probably be the first building up out there. And, we are currently working with Moffitt and Pasco-Hernando State College to develop a very unique school setting.”

The campus will serve students in grades six through 12.

“More than likely, the upper classmen will have an opportunity to interact in the Moffitt hospital, with Moffitt researchers; (and) participate in apprentice programs and internships.

“It would be something that is very unique to the Pasco school system,” Gadd said, noting that Dr. Kim Moore, assistant superintendent who oversees the district’s career and technical programs, was at the meeting, as well as Dr. Monica Ilse, assistant superintendent for high schools, and Steve Hegarty, public information officer.

“We had a very, very positive reception from the Moffitt folks,” Gadd said.

In remarks to her school board colleagues, Cynthia Armstrong said it’s exciting “that we’re going to have a magnet school right next to their campus, which is going to be huge. So, we’re very excited about that.”

That meeting was a follow-up to a previous session between Gadd and Dr. Patrick Hwu, president and CEO of Moffitt.

Gadd previously briefed school board members about his meeting with Hwu.

During that briefing, Gadd told board members that he’d “heard through the grapevine that he (Hwu) was a big supporter of education, public education.”

But Gadd added: “My meeting with him was beyond expectations. I went there with a few ideas and he had hundreds of ideas about how our new STEM magnet in the Angeline area could be a partner with Moffitt.”

Gadd noted: “We’d have to work through all kinds of legal issues, as he and I discussed, but having students actually sit in, participate in procedures, surgeries, internships. Having graduate students and doctors actually come to the school building and teach courses and work with us, district-wide on virtual programs for kids, who are in nursing programs, health programs, biomedical engineering and those kinds of things.

“He was exuberant, and we made arrangements to connect my staff with his staff. I am really looking forward to the potential we have to work with Moffitt,” Gadd said.

Funding for the construction of the district’s planned 6-12 school in Land O’ Lakes was approved on Oct. 5, when the school board adjourned, then reconvened as the Pasco County School Board Leasing Corporation to approve $85 million in financing that will pay for the lease‐purchase financing of that school, and projects Hudson and Gulf high schools.

The new Angeline mixed-use community — which is being billed as a wellness-themed community — will be developed on thousands of acres of land, east of the Suncoast Parkway and south of State Road 52.

Moffitt plans to create a massive research and corporate innovation district.

Site entitlements for Moffitt’s project, which encompass 24 million square feet, include plans for a hospital, research and development space, office, manufacturing, laboratories, pharmacies, educational facility/university, hotel, and commercial space. The multiyear, multiphase project is expected to create 14,500 jobs.

The school district’s new school in Angeline will be designed for 1,694 student stations, which at 90% capacity translates to about 1,530 students, according to a previous report in The Laker/Lutz News.

The school board hired Ajax Building Company at its Sept. 15, 2020 meeting to do pre-construction work at the 6-12 STEAM school site.

The school is planned on an 18.8-acre site within Angeline, south of State Road 52, north of the future Ridge Road extension and west of Sunlake Boulevard, according to Ajax’s website.

“Campus plans include a one-story administration area, a one-story dining and multipurpose area with a full kitchen, two-story media, band and art areas, and a four-story classroom wing, with all areas connected by a one-story and two-story atrium/central corridor, the website post says.

The site development also includes “walkway canopies, aluminum shade system, fencing, walking trail, sidewalks, chiller/generator plan, site lighting, underground utilities, landscaping and irrigation,” according to information posted by Ajax.

Harvard Jolly is the architect on the school district project.

Published October 13, 2021

Pasco School Board wants in on redistricting talks

By

Pasco County is in the midst of its redistricting process and the school board is interested in being involved.

On Oct. 5, the school board asked its attorney, Dennis Alfonso, to reach out to the county to let them know of their interest.

The request came after Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent, said he’d had some discussions with members of the Pasco County Commission and learned “they are actively involved in redrawing those boundaries.”

Redistricting occurs every 10 years, following the completion of the United States decennial census.

Changes to district maps are made based on changes to the population, but the way the lines are drawn in redistricting can have a significant influence regarding whom is elected to a particular office. So, those interested in the political process tend to keep a close eye on redistricting.

When the redistricting issue surfaced at the school board meeting, Alfonso noted: “Just to remind the board that we’re not bound by whatever redistricting is done by the county, but as a historical practice, it’s been practical for the board to just accept those districts.

“It’s not required by law, so the board, could in fact, draw its own boundaries, if it chose to do that.

“Either way, I’ll at least reach out and speak with the county attorney’s office to say, ‘Hey, we’re aware of this and we want to know whether or not we’re invited to participate in the discussions,’” Alfonso said.

School board chairman Allen Altman responded: “We went through that process 10 years ago. We cooperated together,” and noted that historically that’s been the case.

Altman told Alfonso: “If you would reach out to them on behalf of the board, let them know that we’d like to see what they are working on and participate in the process.

“My understanding is that they are the recipient of the (U.S. Census) information, and that it flows through them. And, we have heard nothing, so communication would be appreciated,” Altman said.

School board member Alison Crumbley added: “As I recall, 10 years ago, we had a co-meeting with them.”

Altman responded: “We did. So, we will go to work on that.”

Superintendent Kurt Browning announced that the district just completed its reaccreditation process, which occurs every five years.

It will be receiving the full report in coming weeks, but the district has been informed that it will recommend a continued system accreditation, Browning said.

“It is all about continuous improvement, how we become a better district,” he added.

In his remarks to the school board, Don Peace, president of the United School Employees of Pasco, noted that negotiations continue between the union and the district.

“We are hoping to be able to finalize the $1,000 payments to those employees who are not covered by the state (Gov. Ron DeSantis’ COVID-19 bonus plan) very soon,”  Peace said.

The union also hopes that negotiations will include how the district can move toward “addressing longtime teachers and raising the ceiling on teacher salaries, as these are the leaders and role models we desire to keep in front of our students.”

The union also is interested in lessening the amount of required paperwork.

“Let’s work together to streamline data where we can,” Peace said.

On another topic, the board approved additional spending for extra instructional time to help close achievement gaps for students and to help support students who are below grade level.

In keeping with the grant requirements, the program targets students who are performing below grade level in one or more academic areas, according to agenda background materials.

The extra instruction will be provided from Oct. 18 to March 11.

The elementary extended school day program will focus on reading and mathematics. The secondary extended day program will focus on core content courses.

A total of 11,500 instructional hours will be devoted to elementary students; 2,628 for middle school students and 9,824 hours for high school students.

On another issue, board member Colleen Beaudoin reminded parents that the district’s school choice program, known as Pasco Pathways, will be hosting virtual expos soon to familiarize parents with the various education options available in the district.

The virtual expo for West Pasco is scheduled for Nov. 15 and the virtual expo for East Pasco is set for Nov. 18. Each expo is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Beaudoin said she wanted to draw attention to the expos, to help ensure parents will be able to take advantage of them.

“I frequently have parents say they didn’t know there were certain programs available at schools,” she said.

“I would like to encourage parents to please attend the (virtual) expos and then you’ll learn all of the things that are offered at the different schools, and then you make informed decisions for your students for the year.

“Pasco Pathways is talking about all of the different pathways that your students can take to go through our schools, pre-k through 12. That is school choice.

“That’s a chance to learn about the programs, the opportunities that we have.

“And then, the window to apply for school choice, is Jan. 6, 2022 to Jan. 20,2022, which will be here before you know,” Beaudoin said.

The expos provide a tremendous opportunity for parents to find out about their options, Altman agreed.

“They (school district staff) did an outstanding job putting it (expos) together last year,” Altman said.

The notification and acceptance window for the district’s choice program is Feb. 23 to March 4.

For more information, visit the school district’s website and then go to the Pasco Pathways page.

Published October 13, 2021

Chalk Talk 10/13/2021

By

Leadership teams from Saint Leo University and Marymount California University (MCU) gathered on the MCU campus for a ceremonial signing of a merger agreement between the two Catholic institutions. Seated are Jeffrey Senese, Saint Leo University president, left, and Brian Marcotte, Marymount California University president. (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

Catholic schools merger
Marymount California University (MCU) and Saint Leo University came together to celebrate the signing of an agreement to merge, according to a news release.

The Catholic institutions agreed to join forces to build upon their historic missions and commitment to offer an innovative, values-based learning environment for students.

When MCU officially becomes part of the Florida-based Saint Leo in January 2023, pending all required regulatory and accreditation approvals, students will have access to more degree options, internships, and other educational opportunities and programs.

Brian Marcotte, MCU president, welcomed Jeffrey Senese, Saint Leo president, and the university’s leadership team to the MCU campus in Rancho Palos Verde, along with Mayor Pro Tem David Bradley.

The agreement was approved on July 29, and the leaders conducted a ceremonial signing on Oct. 4.

After the signing, Senese and the Saint Leo team joined MCU students, faculty and staff for a picnic on the California campus.

“As two universities rooted in the Catholic tradition, focused on the future for students, this newly unified community will offer an innovative, values-based learning environment inspired by individuals in pursuit of a greater purpose,” said Senese, in the release.

“Working with Marymount, Saint Leo University looks forward to making an even more meaningful impact on Catholic higher education from coast to coast,” said Senese.

Humanitarian awards
Fourteen high school students from Pasco County Schools were honored during the Florida Holocaust Museum’s 2021 Anne Frank Humanitarian Award event, held virtually this year.

The award recognizes the outstanding humanitarian actions of high school students who have worked to better the lives of others at their schools and in their communities, according to a news release.

The ceremony included brief videos of area school superintendents congratulating the award winners from their school districts.

“Congratulations to all the Pasco students who have been honored with this prestigious award,” said Pasco County Superintendent of Schools Kurt Browning, in a news release.

“It’s so gratifying to know that our teens are being honored for their acts of kindness and for making a difference,” said Browning.

The winners from Pasco County schools are:

  • Emma Wegener, Anclote High
  • James Cleary, Cypress Creek
  • Natalie Smith, Fivay
  • Sabrina Tonello, Gulf
  • Anya Gorgas, Hudson
  • Ashley Colegrove, J.W. Mitchell
  • Zeina Benton, Land O’Lakes
  • McKenzie Pangallo, Pasco
  • Abigail McKone, River Ridge
  • Alesiah Manhoo, Sunlake
  • Liliana Gonzalez, Wendell Krinn Technical
  • Alexi Benitez, Wesley Chapel
  • Elyse Alagal, Wiregrass Ranch
  • Lataisha Paul, Zephyrhills

Program & lab fees meeting
The Hillsborough Community College District Board of Trustees will meet on Oct. 27 at 4 p.m., at the Dr. Gwendolyn Stephenson District Administration Center board room, 39 Columbia Drive in Tampa, to consider a new program fee and lab fee increase, according to a news release.

The proposed fees are limited to covering costs incurred by the college and will not generate a profit.

The new fees, if approved, will go into effect in fall 2022.

To see the press release in full, visit News.hccfl.edu/press-releases.

Comments on the new fees may be sent to , and then will be shared during the meeting.

Saint Leo names new VP
Dr. Jeffrey D. Senese, president of Saint Leo University, announced the appointment of Dr. Mark Gesner as vice president of community engagement and innovation, according to a news release.

Gesner will serve as a member of the university’s senior leadership team.

Particularly focused in the areas of community impact, social entrepreneurism, and professional development, Gesner will be responsible for advancing community engagement at Saint Leo, building community partnerships, creating new initiatives, and serving on various internal and external boards and committees.

Gesner comes to Saint Leo having served as the executive director of the Hub for Innovation and Community Engaged Learning at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

“I look forward to building relationships and collaborating with the many businesses and organizations in the Tampa area and beyond,” said Gesner, in the release.

“I hope to explore emerging opportunities and discover powerful ways for Saint Leo University to be a catalyst and partner in yielding positive social and economic impact,” said Gesner.

Business partners looking to partner with Saint Leo can email .

Education options
Many students think of education after high school as the traditional four-year college degree.

However, students who don’t want to go that route have other options from which to choose, according to the KHEAA (Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority).

One option is to get a two-year degree that leads to a job in the workforce.

A second option is a diploma or certificate that takes six to 18 months to finish, then find a job. Students often can take advantage of federal and state financial aid programs to help pay for that training.

Military service is another option students have, which doesn’t mean their education has to stop at high school.

All branches of the service have education options for men and women, either while they are in uniform or after their discharge. Many states have college aid programs for National Guard members.

Service members should contact their unit educational office to discuss student aid options.

For information, visit KHEAA.com.

Early release days
Pasco County Schools again will utilize a monthly, early release time to allow for staff to engage in professional development aligned with student needs, and district and school priorities.

Upcoming early release dates are: Nov. 10, Dec. 8, Jan. 12, Feb. 2, March 9 and April 13.

On each of these days, students will be released two hours early.

The bell times, including the early release times for each school, can be found online at Pasco.k12.fl.us/site/pcs_bell_schedule.

Chalk Talk 10/06/2021

By

ABC Program is a benefit
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices this summer collected donations for the Pasco County School District’s ABC (Assist, Believe & Care) Program.

Veterans Elementary School was one of the recipients of a donation from the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office to benefit students through the school district’s ABC Program. (Courtesy of Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office)

The program was created to provide financial assistance to students and their families who are experiencing economic hardship, especially when those needs interfere with the student’s ability to be academically successful.

The monies collected go into a fund that teachers can use when they see or learn of a need a child may have.

“The management and staff of each of the five tax collector offices in the county chose which school in their respective community they wanted to donate their funds to,” said Fasano, in a news release.

“Each office earmarked $1,000 for a school in need. In addition, due to the generosity of the community, a sixth school was also the recipient of a $1,000 donation,” commented Fasano.

The schools chosen by each office were:

  • Dade City Office: Rodney Cox Elementary School, Dade City
  • Gulf Harbors Office: Marlowe Elementary, New Port Richey
  • Land O’ Lakes Office: Pine View Elementary, Land O’ Lakes
  • New Port Richey Office: Chasco Elementary, New Port Richey
  • Wesley Chapel Office: Veterans Elementary, Wesley Chapel
  • Additional school: Gulfside Elementary, Holiday

“The strain of COVID only adds to the pressure families are under during these uncertain times. Children without food, adequate clothing or other unmet needs often suffer academically. The ABC Program was designed to help students and their families who are experiencing hardship or crisis,” said Fasano.

For more information, visit PascoTaxes.com.

College Success Awards
Three Pasco County high schools — Land O’ Lakes High, J.W. Mitchell High and Wiregrass Ranch — have been named recipients of the College Success Award, which recognizes high schools for college preparation and enrollment, as well as postsecondary success, according to a news release.

In winning the award, the schools join 1,838 high schools in 25 states that met the standards to earn the Great Schools College Success Award. GreatSchools.org is a nonprofit that provides a wealth of school information to parents and families to help them make informed decisions to guide their students’ futures.

Award-winners are determined by a methodology that evaluates school-level data on college preparation, college enrollment, and college performance.

In addition to a review of overall student college readiness and test scores, the schools are rated on their record of success with students, broken down by demographics, race and ethnicity, socio-economic status, and disability status.

“Congratulations to the high schools that earned this honor,” said Pasco County Superintendent of Schools Kurt Browning, in the release.

“This truly reinforces the district’s vision of students achieving success in college, career and life,” said Browning.

To see a full list of Florida award winners, as well as details on how the schools earned the recognition, visit GreatSchools.org/gk/csa-winners/.

Peace Corps prep partner
The Peace Corps announced the University of South Florida (USF) ranked No. 2 among schools on the agency’s list of top Peace Corps Prep certificate-issuing partners in 2021.

USF issued 58 Peace Corps Prep certificates to the graduating class of 2021.

Two-hundred-fifty students were enrolled in the Peace Corps program during the 2020-2021 academic year.

“At this pivotal time in our history, young people have a crucial role to play,” said Carol Spahn, Peace Corps acting director, in a news release.

“Through the Peace Corps Prep program, these schools have equipped students with the skills and understanding necessary to help communities near and far recover from the multidimensional and global shocks of the pandemic,” said Spahn.

The top certificate-issuing partners, ranked one through 10, are: Virginia Commonwealth University; University of South Florida; University of Florida; Mercer University; Monmouth University; University of California Education Abroad Program; Elon University; University of Michigan-Ann Arbor; Walsh University; and Pacific Lutheran University.

For information about the Peace Corps Prep program at USF, contact Lauren Strange at or 813-974-6148.

Social work conference
Saint Leo University will host its seventh-annual Social Work Conference on Oct. 8, using a virtual platform, for both established professionals and those interested in the field.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Social Workers are Essential.”

Those attending can learn the ways in which social needs and social work practices have evolved and changed since COVID-19.

There will be a keynote panel at 9 a.m.

Other speakers and session presenters will share information on issues including: mental health and substance abuse; trauma and sexual assault response; social work and counseling needs in public schools; patterns evident in school shootings; food insecurity; improving cross-cultural connections; and more.

Sessions will end around 3:30 p.m.

Admission is $20. Admission and continuing education credit will be available for $40 (payment accepted online).

Saint Leo students and alumni will be admitted free, but must register.

To learn more and to register, visit SaintLeo.edu/annual-social-work-conference.

Florida changes COVID student quarantine protocols

By

Florida parents now have the power to decide whether a healthy child should be taken out of school because of exposure to COVID-19.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran joined together on Sept. 22, to announce that the Florida Department of Health issued a new rule, empowering families to make that decision.

The new emergency rule, which became effective on Sept. 22, prevents the unnecessary exclusion of healthy students from in-person schooling; safeguards the rights of parents and legal guardians and their children; provides health protocols for symptomatic or COVID-19-positive students; and provides opportunities for parents and legal guardians to choose which protocols to implement when their student has had direct contact with someone who tests positive for COVID-19, according to a news release posted on the governor’s web page.

“Parents have the right to have their healthy kids in school,” DeSantis said, in the release.

“In-person education is important for students’ well-being, their educational advancement, and their social development. The idea that schools are somehow a big problem when it comes to the spread of the virus has been refuted yet again. Not only is the forced quarantining of healthy children disruptive to a student’s education, but many folks in Florida are not able to work from home. With this rule, we are following a symptom-based approach to quarantining students in Florida.”

The state’s new surgeon general added: “The governor and I share a similar vision of weighing the costs and benefits of public health policies – and our new rule today is an example of that,” Ladapo said, in the release.

“We must make sure that we are doing what is right for parents and for students. There’s not a single high-quality study that shows that any child has ever benefited from forced quarantining policies, but we have seen demonstrable and considerable harm to children. It’s important to respect the rights of parents.”

Corcoran also commented: “What we did over the past year was nothing less than amazing – we gave parents in our state the option to send their children to school for face-to-face instruction with more students, over a longer time than any state in the nation – but we did see massive quarantining,” said Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, father of six kids who missed over 100 days of school last year due to quarantines.

“If you take the number of kids that had to quarantine, and added up the days they missed in school, in the education arena, we would call that a chronic absenteeism pandemic. Now we have the data telling us that factually 98% of those children who quarantined never became symptomatic. That’s why the previous policy didn’t make any sense. This is a brilliant change, and I’m so thankful for this new common-sense rule.”

On another COVID-19-related issue, DeSantis announced that Florida has secured 3,000 doses of monoclonal antibody treatments directly from GlaxoSmithKline, after the Biden Administration cut the supply.

“We should be doing everything we can to get patients monoclonal antibody treatments, not cutting allocations of treatment like the Biden Administration has done,” DeSantis said, in a release on his web page.

Florida has been aggressive in making this treatment available.

Meanwhile, on the issue of Pfizer booster shots, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that these groups of people receive Pfizer booster shots, six months after their initial series of shots:

  • People 65 years and older, and residents in long-term care settings
  • People aged 50 to 64 years with underlying medical conditions
  • People aged 18 to 49 years with underlying medical conditions, based on individual benefits and risks
  • People aged 18 to 64 years who are at increased risk of COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting

According to the CDC, many people now eligible to receive a booster shot received their initial vaccine early in the vaccination program and will benefit from additional protection.

“With the Delta variant’s dominance as the circulating strain and cases of COVID-19 increasing significantly across the United States, a booster shot will help strengthen protection against severe disease in those populations who are at high risk for exposure to COVID-19 or the complications from severe disease,” according to information on the CDC’s website.

The CDC also will evaluate available data in the coming weeks to make additional recommendations for other populations or people who got the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccines, the website says.

COVID Numbers

Pasco County Schools*
Student cases: 5,317
Employee cases: 900

Hillsborough County Schools*
Student cases: 9,145
Employee cases: 1,520

*Cumulative for school year, as of Sept. 24

Sources: Pasco County Schools and Hillsborough County Schools

Pasco County*
Cases: 1,851
Positivity rate: 13.8%

Hillsborough County*
Cases: 3,841
Positivity rate: 9.7%

*Week of Sept. 17 to Sept. 23

Source: Florida Department of Health

Published September 29, 2021

School funding issue highlights Pasco legislative delegation

By

More than 30 citizens and civic leaders made their voices heard on various hot-button issues during the annual Pasco County Legislative Delegation meeting at Zephyrhills City Hall.

Refining funding for area schools was among the key themes at the Sept. 1 gathering.

The annual event allows residents, elected officials, representatives of city and county governments, and civic organizations to speak directly to their legislators prior to the start of the next legislative session.

The Pasco County Legislative Delegation annual pre-session meeting took place on Sept. 1 inside Zephyrhills City Hall. More than 30 citizens and civic leaders made their voices heard on various hot-button issues, including education, criminal justice, health care, small businesses, nonprofits, environmental and municipal infrastructure. (Kevin Weiss)

Pasco’s delegation includes State Reps. Amber Mariano, Ardian Zika and Randy Maggard; and State Sens. Wilton Simpson (current Senate president), Ed Hooper and Danny Burgess, respectively. Maggard was absent at the delegation meeting.

Pasco County School Board member Colleen Beaudoin opened the conversation on education — addressing the delegation on virtual school financing inequities.

Beaudoin asked state leadership to consider an amendment that would strike language from a Florida statute that puts Pasco’s virtual program at a disadvantage to the Florida Virtual School (FLVS) program.

Current law limits Pasco eSchool to earning full-time equivalency (FTE) funding during the 180-day school calendar, while the state’s virtual school can record FTEs throughout the summer,  Beaudoin explained.

This situation hurts students who wish to take online classes during the summer — whether that’s to meet graduation requirements or accelerate their learning, she said.

She also noted that Pasco eSchool offers more than 50 courses that are not available from FLVS, including high-interest electives, dual-enrollment, Advanced Placement, and career and technical courses.

“We want every opportunity to provide choice for our students and families,” said Beaudoin, a University of Tampa math instructor and department of education chair.

Beaudoin put forth three instances of funding being denied students to take district virtual classes.

“Please allow for the same funding that you provide for FLVS.”

United School Employees of Pasco president Don Peace stepped in to raise concerns about the state’s “formulation and categorical restrictions in the teacher salary increase allocation.”

The union leader said he agrees with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ plan to raise the floor on salaries to recruit new teachers.

But, Peace said there needs to be some accommodations for more experienced teachers, particularly regarding salary compression.

The first 15 years of teacher salaries have been compressed in Pasco — meaning that a 15-year teacher makes the same salary as a teacher fresh out of college, Peace said.

Peace suggested altering the state’s teacher salary allocation guidelines. Currently, it calls for 80% of funds to be used for increasing the base salary, with 20% for those already above the base salary.

He suggested that it should be split 50/50, which would allow school boards the ability to raise the ceiling on salaries to recognize long-term employees.

Peace also urged legislators to improve salaries for bus drivers, custodians, food and nutrition services workers and other support staff.

Tammy Rabon-Noyce is the executive director of CLASS Pasco, a nonprofit organization that represents the interests and advocacy for over 260 school principals, assistant principals and staffers.

She emphasized the need for legislators to involve school administrators and organizations such as CLASS Pasco in the drafting of education policies and funding.

She also asked the state to give local districts more freedom in spending decisions.

“We need autonomy over those (state) funds that you all so generously provide to us, and we ask that you consult with us — let us talk you through the implications of policies that you are considering, and tap our expertise,” Rabon-Noyce said.

Other topics included criminal justice, health care, small businesses, nonprofits, environmental and municipal infrastructure.

There was even talk about how the Sunshine State can better position itself to attract more film and television productions.

Tampa-based actor Ray Watters spoke on behalf of Film Florida, a statewide not-for-profit entertainment association.

The longtime professional actor underscored the potential economic windfall if Florida was able to attract more film and production companies.

“It’s really, really disheartening for me to know that Florida is the only state in the southeast, and one of 16 states throughout the U.S., without a program to compete for film and television projects, which puts us at a major competitive disadvantage,” he said.

Watters claimed that Florida has lost out on close to 100 major film and television projects that would’ve equated to over $1.5 billion spent statewide, 125,000 cast and crew jobs, and 250,000 hotel room nights.

A handful of passionate speakers called upon the legislative delegation to institute a statewide anti-tethering law.

Lutz resident Betsy Coville, a veterinarian for over three decades, said anti-tethering legislation promotes public safety and gives law enforcement additional tools to impede dog fighting.

Dog fighting, Coville added, is linked to illegal drugs and money laundering.

She also described the inhumane treatment endured by dogs who are tethered to a stationary object outdoors for lengthy periods.

“A dog on a chain has a very small, lonely world. They eat, sleep and live in the filth where they urinate and defecate,” Coville said.

“They’re at the mercy of rain, cold, heat, and sitting targets for biting insects and predators, both human and animal. They are not a part of a loving family, and rarely have appropriate food, shelter or veterinary care.

“Dogs are social animals and, over time, a lack of companionship and attention leads to fearful, anxious and often aggressive animals.”

Although four hours had been allotted for the legislative delegation meeting, speakers concluded their remarks within two hours.

Each guest speaker had been given three minutes to make their points and requests.

“Believe it or not folks, Pasco County has showed how you do a delegation meeting,” said Burgess the delegation chair, referring to the meeting’s efficiency.

The Florida Legislature kicks off the 2022 regular session on Jan. 11. The fall interim committee meeting schedule began Sept. 20 and runs through early December.

Published September 29, 2021

Chalk Talk 09/29/2021

By

Marilyn Pearson-Adams

Board reappointment
Gov. Ron DeSantis has reappointed Marilyn Pearson-Adams to the Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) District Board of Trustees (DBOT). Pearson-Adams is the president and owner of Century 21 Alliance Realty of Spring Hill. She is the current chair of the PHSC DBOT, chair of the Florida Realtors’ Legislative Think Tank, and a past chair of the Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce. Pearson-Adams was inducted into the National Association of Realtors Hall of Fame in 2020.

Vaccination incentives
Hillsborough Community College (HCC) has rolled out a new incentive program that provides an opportunity for HCC students vaccinated against COVID-19 to receive $300 in rent credit to be used toward on-campus student housing and a $2,000 incentive, according to a news release.

“We want everyone on campus to feel safe, and that includes not just our students, but our faculty and staff as well. The vaccines have proven to be safe and the best defense against the virus. These new incentives are an added measure to ensure our students are taking every action available to keep not just themselves safe, but our entire community safe, too,” said Dr. Ken Atwater, HCC president, in the release.

All residents of Hawks Landing, the student-affiliated housing located on the HCC Dale Mabry Campus, who show proof of full vaccination by Oct. 31 will receive a $300 rent credit for the month of November.

Currently enrolled HCC students who show proof of full vaccination by Nov. 5 will be entered into a drawing to win an incentive of $2,000. Fifty students will be awarded through the raffle and will be notified by Nov. 30.

Instructions on how to submit proof of vaccination status will be communicated to students directly via their HCC student email, HawkMail.

Mini-seminar offered
Saint Leo University’s Tampa Education Center will host a free, hybrid mini-seminar about Social Emotional Learning (SEL), for parents and guardians of children in kindergarten through fifth grade.

The seminar, “Social Emotional Learning: Tools for Parents/Guardians of K-5 Learners,” will be on Oct. 1 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the center and via Zoom. A limited number of people will be able to attend in person.

Those attending can learn how to help children make good decisions and have positive classroom experiences.

Topics will include the use of children’s books/literature through the instructional practice of “Read-Alouds,” to engage children in conversation about social emotional learning topics.

There also will be discussion on the stages of learning to understand how children develop socially and emotionally, as well as hands-on culturally responsive activities.

Register for this free webinar at https:/saintleo.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_l487Wk-BTx2qdqaGEk5WcA.

For information, email , or call (813) 226-2777.

Early release days
Pasco County Schools again will utilize a monthly, early release time to allow for staff to engage in professional development aligned with student needs, and district and school priorities.

Upcoming early release dates are: Oct. 6, Nov. 10, Dec. 8, Jan. 12, Feb. 2, March 9 and April 13.

On each of these days, students will be released two hours early.

The bell times, including the early release times for each school, can be found online at Pasco.k12.fl.us/site/pcs_bell_schedule.

Social work conference
Saint Leo University will host its seventh-annual Social Work Conference on Oct. 8, using a virtual platform, for both established professionals and those interested in the field.

The theme of this year’s conference is “Social Workers are Essential.”

Those attending can learn the ways in which social needs and social work practices have evolved and changed since COVID-19.

There will be a keynote panel at 9 a.m.

Other speakers and session presenters will share information on issues including: mental health and substance abuse; trauma and sexual assault response; social work and counseling needs in public schools; patterns evident in school shootings; food insecurity; improving cross-cultural connections; and more.

Sessions will end around 3:30 p.m.

Admission is $20. Admission and continuing education credit will be available for $40 (payment accepted online).

Saint Leo students and alumni will be admitted free, but must register.

To learn more and to register, visit SaintLeo.edu/annual-social-work-conference.

Substitute teachers needed
Pasco County Schools currently is hiring substitute teachers.

A high school diploma is required.

Apply at ESS Pasco County, Jobs.willsubplus.com/jobs?districtIds=1466.

Email Jenny Hacker at for additional questions.

Governor wants to end Florida’s high-stakes testing

By

Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced a legislative proposal that will eliminate the Common Core- based, end-of-year Florida Statewide Assessment (FSA), according to a news release from his office.

Instead, the governor is proposing a new accountability measure known as the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (F.A.S.T), which will monitor student progress and foster individual growth, according to the Sept. 14 news release.

By creating F.A.S.T., Florida would become the first state in the nation to fully implement progress monitoring, instead of end-of-year standardized testing.

“Florida’s education focus should be students’ growth and how we restore the conversation between parents and teachers in support of students’ growth,” DeSantis said, in the release. “In this final step to eradicate Common Core from our assessments, our administration is implementing the lessons learned from progress monitoring both during the state’s recovery and from our districts and schools that were already showing how we can better support students reaching their own unique growth goals.”

DeSantis made this announcement with Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran, and was joined by several teachers and students from High Point Elementary School who have already benefited from utilizing the progress monitoring approach.

“Each year, Governor DeSantis’ administration has been committed to a data-driven approach to constantly improving how Florida provides supports to its teachers and turns the focus of education to how we impact our students, especially those representing achievement gaps,”  Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran said, in the release.

The new approach calls for:

  • Minimizing the stress of testing to three much shorter tests in the Fall, Winter and Spring that will inform students, teachers and parents about students’ growth.
  • Reducing testing time an average of 75% through progress monitoring, increasing time for teaching and providing more timely, usable feedback to help students reach their unique goals.

At the Pasco County School Board’s Sept. 14 meeting, Don Peace, president of the United School Employees of Pasco, applauded DeSantis’ push regarding state testing.

“Earlier today, we did get some good news delivered by the governor. The Department of Education has decided that this will be the last year for the high-stakes FSA testing.

“This will go a long way of relieving teachers of the stress that has been born for years, related to these tests.

“This is something that educators and unions have advocated for, for many years.

“Other methods of assessment will be in play, so there will still be accountability, but this is a historic event in Florida education,” Peace said.

Published September 22, 2021

Worker shortage takes a toll on Pasco schools

By

Pasco County Schools has been struggling to fill bus driver, custodial, food service and instructional vacancies — prompting school board member Colleen Beaudoin to seek relief for overburdened workers.

Although the numbers fluctuate from day to day, a recent report showed that the district had roughly 155 instructional vacancies and 348 non-instructional vacancies, according to Steve Hegarty, the district’s public information officer. The non-instructional vacancies include 100 bus driver openings.

“Our folks are really under a lot of stress,” Beaudoin said, during the school board’s Sept. 14 meeting. “We must do something. Our folks need help”

Pasco County school board member Colleen Beaudoin is seeking relief for district employees who are feeling the stress of worker shortages. (File)

The district has added positions, but is having trouble filling them, she said.

“Grants that were supposed to provide for more nurses to help with contact tracing — people are not taking these jobs. It is stretching our folks too thin.

“On top of that, people are calling our schools and berating whoever answers the phone because they are upset that buses are late.

“Bus drivers have been yelled at. Please consider that you are yelling at the people who are showing up for our kids.

“This problem is not unique to schools, nor is it unique to Pasco County.

“I’ve been to restaurants where there are only two servers at work, and they’re understaffed too.

“We need to be thanking and supporting the people who are showing up,” Beaudoin said.

“Superintendent (Kurt) Browning, I know that you are aware of the stress on our employees.

“Please continue to brainstorm ways to take some things off their plates, prioritize, and let’s try to get them some relief.

“There’s a lot of smart people in this room. I’m just asking you to revisit and remove any unnecessary paperwork, or anything else you can do, to provide some relief,” Beaudoin said.

Don Peace, president of the United School Employees of Pasco(USEP), told school board members that he’s been hearing mixed reviews about how the school year is going so far, from school district employees.

“Some who were teaching MSOL (My School Online) last year are glad to be back with students; some teachers are scared to death to be in a classroom with unmasked students, but have no other prudent option.

“We all expected better for this year, but that hasn’t happened. Judgment and emotions have eroded to all-time lows in many cases, and people are at political war with each other.

“Some teachers have expressed that with quarantined students, political disarray and mental frustration running wild, delivering instruction is taking a severe hit in the classroom.

“There’s so much confusion about COVID and so much changing information, it is near impossible to make an informed decision on anything.

“I think it would behoove us all, superintendent, board members, staff, USEP and district employees, alike, to take a step back and see just exactly where we’re at.

“There are many states where schools have not been open for some time, and student learning has been halted. That is not so in Florida.

“We seem to have a balance of keeping our schools and businesses open, and moving our economy forward.

“Are things perfect? No, not at all. Is there room for improvement? Absolutely.

“And, much of that improvement can start with us.

“Instead of hollering at the bus driver for being an hour late, how about if we thanked them for being willing to go the extra mile to see that our kiddos get to school and home safely.

“Some of them are running three and four runs.

“Instead of railing at the teacher for not getting right back to the student on quarantine, why not exercise some compassion and restraint, and try to understand that providing makeup instruction for students has now become a full-time job.

“Maybe a thank you to the teacher or bus driver would be more appropriate,” Peace said.

Betsy Kuhn, assistant superintendent for support services, has been keeping board members informed about the district’s efforts to fill bus driver, custodial and food service vacancies.

And, she repeatedly expressed her gratitude for employees working in departments with significant staffing shortages.

“We’ve had a lot patience and partnerships at schools, as we work through all of this,” Kuhn said.

“We do have some silver linings. HR (Human Resources) has been a wonderful partner in helping us to recruit, and some new ideas, to help as much as possible. And our schools are stepping in,” Kuhn said, during a recent meeting.

“We also have a mini call center. We have started a mini one that involves district secretaries that are answering the phones for the garages because we have anyone who can drive a bus, driving a bus right now. It’s all hands on deck for the transportation department.

Kuhn said her own assistant, “has taken the brunt of those calls.”

Published September 22, 2021

Pushing to expand early childhood offerings

By

Pasco County School board member Colleen Beaudoin made an impassioned plea during the board’s Sept. 14 meeting to increase the district’s early childhood learning opportunities.

She observed that she’d recently attended a Head Start meeting, and she noted that as of August, Head Start’s enrollment was 530, and Early Head Start’s enrollment was 107.

She praised the efforts of district staff in the early childhood programs but, she said, there are 299 children on the Head Start waiting list and 132 on the Early Head Start waiting list.

Beaudoin noted that the district has made great strides, overall, in expanding its programs and offerings.

“We have more students taking advanced academics, and career and technical courses, and they aren’t just taking these courses. Our students are excelling, when given this opportunity,” she said.

But Beaudoin emphasized that all district students should have these opportunities.

“This includes students who are living in poverty and students whose parents don’t know the options that are offered. This includes kids whose parents, grandparents, guardians and other caregivers are working at night and can’t sit at the kitchen table every night helping their kids,” Beaudoin said.

It includes students with disabilities, she said.

“I read somewhere once that when children are young, their intelligence can mask their disability. And when they are older, their disability can mask the intelligence. I know this is true.

“I’m including the kids with limited English proficiency.

“This is about all our kids. We cannot let these students slip through the cracks.

If the district wants to expand educational opportunities for all students, it needs to start when they are young, she said.

“We have students in this county who begin kindergarten already at a disadvantage compared to some of their peers,” Beaudoin said.

“The further a student falls behind, the harder it is for them to catch up. The gap continues to widen, if not addressed.

“It’s much easier and less costly to provide supports and interventions to 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds than it is to a high school student sitting in an algebra class, who’s lacking good number sense,” said Beaudoin.

“I know we are working on expanding early childhood programs,” she said, and she urged the district to invest more in those efforts.

“Four-hundred-and-thirty-one students on waiting lists for Head Start and Early Head Start is sad and unacceptable. We’ve got to find a way to reach these students, and that’s where I’d like us to focus our time and more of our funding,” Beaudoin said.

Published September 22, 2021