The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Education

Avoid dangers posed by online predators

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Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren has issued a video aimed at helping parents to protect their children from online predators.

“Summer camps are limited. Parents are stretched thin. It’s a perfect storm for predators,”  Warren said, in a news release.

During the pandemic, Warren’s office already has seen “disturbing attempts by online predators to exploit children,” the release says. “Prosecutors worry this summer may be even worse because of a lack of child care, combined with parents stretched thin by work and stress.”

Warren has released a Secure Summer Video.

In that video, he shares three key tips:

  • Talk about it: Make sure your child knows that the online world has people who may try to take advantage of them. Explain how they may be approached, and that strangers sometimes pretend to be a kid their age. That dialogue will help your kids understand that they should come to you if someone tries to exploit them or bully them online.
  • Review what they’re sharing: Know their social media and messenger passwords, and log in from time to time to see what they’re sending and receiving. Make sure they’re using strong privacy settings on services like Instagram, Facebook, Twitch and Discord.
  • Use parental controls: Many devices and apps let you choose what your child can access, and for how long. Set up those controls and use them.

Darmaris Allen, immediate past president of the Hillsborough County PTA, said “it’s so important to talk with your kids before they ever face a dangerous situation online.”

The child advocate continued: “Can it be tough to have conversations about this? Absolutely. But, as parents, our No. 1 job is to keep our children safe—even if it means having some awkward conversations or learning a little more about the technology they’re using.”

Last year, the national CyberTipline received more than 150,000 reports from the public relating to children across America being taken advantage of online.

Warren takes this issue seriously: “Children are already becoming victims during the pandemic. Predators are capitalizing on how much unsupervised time kids are spending online.”

Published August 12, 2020

Chalk Talk 08/12/2020

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Meet the teacher
Pasco County Schools will host on-campus Meet the Teacher/Orientation events, specifically for students in transition years — prekindergarten, kindergarten, sixth grade and ninth grade.

The in-person events will take place as follows:

  • Aug. 13 and Aug. 19 for sixth grade and ninth grade
  • Aug. 20 for prekindergarten and kindergarten

Schools will communicate plans and schedules for students in all other grade levels.

Check your school’s website for more details.

New families should contact schools to virtually enroll or to arrange an on-site appointment.

Shoe & Sock Drive underway
The fifth annual Two Good Soles Shoe and Sock Drive is underway, as the Pasco County government and constitutional offices work together to collect footwear for kids in Pasco County schools, through Oct. 26.

Donations can be dropped off to the collection boxes at Pasco County Government locations, and the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller, Property Appraiser and Tax Collector offices countywide.

Last year’s record-setting drive resulted in 3,057 pairs of shoes and 13,285 pairs of socks.

Items collected will be donated to Pasco County Schools at the end of October, directly benefiting local students.

For information, visit PascoCountyFl.net/civicalerts.

Student achievements

  • Marlene Alvarez-Brewer, Lutz: Bachelor of Science-Nursing from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Ricardo Barboza, Odessa: Bachelor of Science-Information Technology from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Laura Hicks-Leck, Lutz: Master of Science-Nursing Leadership and Management from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Mamta Kinsel, Lutz: Master of Business Administration from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Utah
  • Jenine Kopet, Lutz: Master of Science in Counseling and Psychology from Troy University, Alabama
  • Leia Randall, Land O’ Lakes: spring Dean’s List at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh

CareerSource info sessions
CareerSource Tampa Bay has more than $500,000 to assist recent high school graduates, ages 16 to 24, to begin post-secondary training, paid work experience, or entrepreneurial training, according to a news release.

In response to COVID-19, CareerSource Tampa Bay’s (CSTB) Young Talent of Tampa Bay program is hosting virtual information sessions, bi-weekly, to inform youth about the services and training opportunities available.

Upcoming session dates are Aug. 19, Sept. 9 and Sept. 23, all at 10 a.m.

Eligible young adults need to be out of school, between the ages of 16 to 24, and be Hillsborough County residents.

The $5,000 scholarships are available to support eligible youth interested in starting a training program to kickstart their careers.

Services available include: Career Exploration; GED Assistance; Employability Skills Training, including Financial Literacy; National Certifications for Workplace Training; Career Coaching and Guidance; Tuition Assistance for local schools; Limited Supportive Services; Placement Assistance through on-the-job training or Paid Work Experience.

Some post-secondary training programs available include graphic design, pharmacy tech, HVAC, nail tech, welding, computer information technology, barbering, construction trades, surgical technology, dental assisting, or commercial vehicle driving, and more.

Several apprenticeships also will be available.

Registration for the sessions is online at CareerSourceTampaBay.com/job-seekers/youth.

For information and questions, email , or call (813) 930-7400.

New board designations
The Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) District Board of Trustees (DBOT) elected a new chair and vice chair for the 2020-2021 academic year at its July 21 board meeting, held via Zoom. Trustee Marilyn Pearson-Adams was elected to serve as chair, succeeding Alvaro Hernandez, and trustee Rao Musunuru M.D., was elected to serve as vice chair, a post previously held by new chair Pearson-Adams, according to a PHSC news release.

Pearson-Adams, of Brooksville, is the president of Century 21 Alliance Realty, a director with The Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce, and previously served as a board member of the Pasco-Hernando Workforce Board. Pearson-Adams has served on several professional committees and organizations, and holds relevant real estate industry certifications. She has served on the PHSC DBOT since 2014.

Musunuru, of New Port Richey, a practicing board-certified cardiologist in Pasco County since 1981, has served as chief of medicine, chief of staff, chairman of continuing medical education and chair of the board of trustees at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point in Hudson. He has been an active American Heart Association volunteer since 1979 and is a past recipient of the AHA National Chairman’s Award, National Physician of the Year, and National Volunteer Advocate of the Year Award. In 2012, he received the state of Florida Education Commissioners’ Business Recognition Award, and in 2013 he was honored with the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Southern Region Trustee Leadership Award. Dr. Musunuru has served on the PHSC DBOT since 1999.

“Chair Pearson-Adams and vice chair Musunuru are passionate about PHSC’s mission to provide accessible, affordable higher education and workforce training to the community,” said PHSC President Timothy L. Beard Ph.D.

“As prominent community leaders in, respectively, Hernando and Pasco County, we look forward to the wisdom and guidance that our new board leaders will provide through the year,” Beard said.

Hernandez, outgoing chair, was recognized for his exemplary leadership throughout his 2019-2020 term. Hernandez has served as a trustee since 2017.

Each July, the board elects new leaders and reviews meeting and event dates for the upcoming academic year.

Concerns raised about reopening

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The United School Employees of Pasco is raising concerns about the prospect of offering  brick-and-mortar instruction when school begins, given current COVID-19 conditions.

A post on the union’s Facebook page says that USEP “will seek injunction to prevent schools from opening for safety & health reasons. We do this to allow common sense to prevail and provide a virtual opening to this unprecedented school year.”

Don Peace, the union’s president had urged the Pasco County School Board and school district leaders at the board’s July 28 meeting for an online-only opening of school when classes begin on Aug. 24.

Pasco County Schools is scheduled to begin its new school year on Aug. 24, with both in-school and online options. The leader of the United School Employees of Pasco has announced the union will seek an injunction to block a brick-and-mortar school opening, until COVID-19 positivity declines. He said his members think that online learning is the only safe option, with the current COVID-19 positivity rates. (B.C. Manion)

“In light of the fact that Pasco’s COVID-19 positivity rate is above 10% and the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) is recommending a 14-day downward trend, along with a positivity rate of 5% or less, USEP finds it troubling that we would contemplate a brick-and-mortar opening,” Peace said, during the board’s telephonic meeting.

“We’re contacting legislators and other state officials to see what could be done to allow for an all-virtual reopening,” Peace said.

“Our positivity trend is going up, not down. We closed schools at Spring Break, when things were not as bad as they are now.

“For the Department of Education to order schools to open, in the current situation, is nothing short of reckless,” Peace said.

“Sixty-seven districts in this state have elected school boards whose primary duty is to ensure public education is carried on in a safe and productive manner. Returning to brick-and-mortar right now, certainly is not safe. And, the interruptions caused when (COVID-19) test rates spike, causing virtual instruction, will most certainly not be productive for our students,” Peace said.

He told board members that the union is exploring all of its options.

“All we are asking for is some common sense and time for this to happen,” Peace said.

He wasn’t the only one raising questions about the district’s reopening plan during the board meeting.

Patrick Connolly, of Zephyrhills, said “teachers still don’t know if they’re going to be awarded MSOL (MySchool Online)-only positions, and therefore feel safe, or if we’re going to be required to be back in, and be unsafe.

“Because of that, a lot of people don’t know if they’re going to come back next year,” he said.

Connolly also posed this question to the board and district staff: “What will happen in the next couple of weeks, when teachers are going to find out that their request for MySchool Online-only appointments are not being honored and people are being forced back into the classroom against their wishes, and decide at that point to take leave, resign or retire, leaving the school system with an insurmountable gap in teacher allocations that cannot be filled with even the remotest bit of experience at this time of year.”

What about sick teachers?
Connolly also noted that symptoms described on the self-screening document that teachers are supposed to use are symptoms that they commonly experience.

“If I follow the guidelines, what is the school going to do in terms of subs, when half of the staff is out after the first week for 10 days? Are we ready for that?” he asked.

Another caller asked the school district to collect data through an anonymous survey to find out how many staff members are considering retirement, leaves of absence or resigning — and then to make those survey results public.

The caller said the district needs to do a better job in its communications.

Many parents are assuming that there will be smaller class sizes, if there are fewer students on campus, she said. But, the district has said that class sizes won’t be reduced, she said.

Also, many parents are under the impression that social distancing will be done to the extent recommended by the CDC, which is not possible without reducing class sizes, the caller added.

School board member Megan Harding said she knows that district staff is working hard, but said communications must improve.

She said she’s still receiving multiple emails daily with questions she had previously raised to district staff.

“Our schools are being inundated with questions that they don’t have answers to yet. And, I know that we don’t have the answers to everything yet, but I want to ask that we get those questions answered, and push out that information to our families and staff as soon as possible because school is starting around the corner, so I think it’s really important that we get that information out,” Harding said.

Vanessa Hilton, the districts’ chief academic officer, provided some details about what the school day will look like for students in the coming year.

MySchool Online teachers will do live lessons, have collaborative discussions, provide small group sessions and allow independent practice for students, she said.

“Of course, we won’t have students behind a computer for six hours a day, but engaging in those various structures, as well as breaks. Recess. Their electives. And, all of the things you might expect,” Hilton said.

“The curriculum for MySchool Online and traditional school will be the same.

“Many of those structures that I mentioned for MySchool Online will also be part of the traditional model. You’ll see live lessons, collaborative discussions, small group sessions and independent practice,” she said.

“There also will be new things in our traditional model. Some things you’ll notice, like creating cohorts that stay together in elementary,” she added.

Some things students may not notice, such as the fact that the district won’t be sharing recess equipment between cohorts in elementary. They’re also unlikely to notice the tasks handled by adults, such as the monitoring and disinfecting of equipment and supplies, the district leader said.

At the secondary level, there will be some obvious changes, such as managed traffic patterns, no large congregations of students and reduced sizes of groups, she continued.

There also will disinfecting of desks, materials, computers — between student uses, she added.

“Some of those things won’t be noticed by students because students won’t be responsible for them, but some of them, of course, will be noticeable,” Hilton said.

School Board Chairwoman Colleen Beaudoin said, “Each person on this board cares about our employees, their families, our students and our community.

“I know that our teachers, staff and families are concerned about the risks of contracting COVID. We’re doing everything we can, within the parameters we’re given, to mitigate the risk.

“I spoke with Mark Fox, head of maintenance, about different types of disinfectant wipes, products, filters, barriers, water fountains, bathrooms and so on.

“He and his staff have investigated all possible ways to make our schools as safe as they can be,” Beaudoin said.

Published August 05, 2020

School projects address district needs

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A global pandemic has cast uncertainty regarding what will happen in the coming school year, but the work goes on to build, expand and renovate schools in the Pasco County school district.

Rapid growth in recent years has caused school crowding. And, anticipated residential construction has created a need for schools in previously undeveloped areas.

Cypress Creek Middle School in Wesley Chapel will have its inaugural first day of school when the 2020-2021 school year begins. (B.C. Manion)

Across the district, enrollment is expected to increase by slightly more than 1,900 students for this coming school year, and that includes charter schools, according to Chris Williams, director of planning for the school district.

It remains unclear if that projection will come to fruition, in light of impacts from COVID-19 on residential construction.

The district’s enrollment will grow — but, it’s not clear how much, Williams said during a school board workshop on the district’s capital improvement plan.

Numerous projects are planned in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area, according to Williams’ presentation.

The planning director also provided an overview of schools expected to face another crowded year in 2020-2021.

Construction is underway at the Starkey Ranch K-8 School, near the intersection of Long Spur and Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa. The project, which includes private and public partners, will feature a school, a library and a cultural center, next to a district park. The public will be able to take advantage of the library, cultural center and park. (B.C. Manion)

Williams said he expects Odessa Elementary to be “just slammed full,” for the upcoming school year. “I don’t know (if) we could put any more students there,” he said.

“Fortunately, the relief for Odessa Elementary is the Starkey K-8, which will open, of course, next year. So, Odessa, we’re just working with them to get them through this coming year.

“Oakstead Elementary continues to be a little bit over capacity.

“I don’t know how much opening Starkey K-8, as mostly a magnet, will impact Oakstead (Elementary), but certainly it could have some impact on Oakstead Elementary, as well.

“Connerton (Elementary) continues to be over capacity,” he said.

But, he said, Connerton is experiencing “slow growth,” so the district will monitor the situation.

Wesley Chapel Elementary is expected to be slightly over capacity, but two new charter schools opening this year in Wesley Chapel — Pinecrest and Innovation Preparatory (inPrep) — are expected to have an impact, Williams said.

An additional classroom wing has been added to Bexley Elementary in Land O’ Lakes, to increase its capacity to meet growing enrollment needs. (File)

At the middle school level, the construction of Starkey Ranch K-8 will provide relief to River Ridge and Seven Springs middle schools, and also will likely have some impact on Rushe Middle School, too, Williams said.

A magnet 6-12 school will be opening in 2023, in the upcoming Angeline development in Land O’ Lakes, Williams said. He expects that to have an impact on Pine View and Rushe middle schools, and perhaps on River Ridge Middle, too.

“By then, Ridge Road will be complete,” the planning expert said, creating access to the new 6-12 school from all of those areas.

“Finally, after many years, we finally provide some relief to John Long Middle, with the opening of Cypress Creek Middle,” Williams added.

“Weightman Middle certainly is in a growth area,” he said, but charter schools in the area are expected to have an impact.

Williams added: “Also, we are planning in 2024 to open a magnet school, K-8, over in Wesley Chapel that also will provide relief to some of those schools.”

Sunlake High School in Land O’ Lakes also has a new classroom wing this year, to accommodate enrollment growth. (File)

At the high school level, Williams said additional capacity was added to Land O’ Lakes High School during its renovation. A new classroom wing added to Sunlake High School will be ready for occupancy this year.

A new wing added to Bexley Elementary also is ready for the 2020-2021 school year.

The future 6-12 school in Angeline also will increase enrollment capacity in the Land O’ Lakes area, Williams said.

The opening of Cypress Creek Middle School this fall, will have a ripple effect on enrollments.

First, it allows Cypress Creek High School to house additional students in grades nine through 12, while Cypress Creek Middle School serves students in grades six through eight.

The additional capacity at the high school allows the school district to relieve crowding at Wiregrass Ranch High. The new middle school allows the district to relieve crowding at John Long Middle.

Wiregrass Ranch won’t feel the full impact for a couple years, Williams said, because the district grandfathered this year’s juniors and seniors at Wiregrass Ranch.

Construction continues on a remodeling project at Zephyrhills High School. (B.C. Manion)

And, of course, the planning director said, the Wiregrass area is still experiencing growth.

He also noted that Pasco High is over capacity. The area, however, isn’t experiencing much growth.

The district is evaluating projects that could add capacity at Pasco High in the future, he said.

Zephyrhills High’s capacity is being increased through a project now in progress at the school, he added.

When The Innovation Academy at Kirkland Ranch opens, expected in 2023, it likely will have a significant impact on enrollments in schools on the district’s east side, he said.

Besides work that has been wrapped up recently, is underway, or on the drawing board — the district also has been securing sites for future schools.

Previously, the district has found itself in the position of being unable to find affordable land for schools, Deputy Superintendent Ray Gadd told school board members.

It has resolved that issue, he said.

“As a district, we are in tremendous shape when it comes to land to build schools,” Gadd said.

Published August 05, 2020

Pasco Schools passes preliminary budget

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The Pasco County School Board has given first-round approval to a total school district budget approaching $1.5 billion.

Superintendent Kurt Browning detailed some of the budget’s highlights, during the board’s first public hearing on the budget, held on July 28.

The board approved the tentative tax rate and budget, following a public hearing. There was no public comment. The final public hearing on the budget is set for Sept. 15 at 6 p.m., in the board room at the school district’s headquarters, 7227 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Browning covered some of the budget’s high points.

The proposed total tax millage for 2020-2021 fiscal year is 5.922 mills, which is a decrease of 0.179 mills, Browning said. A mill equals $1 for every $1,000 of assessed taxable value.

“Under the proposed rate, a homeowner of a $175,000 home, after the deduction of the $25,000 homestead exemption, would pay $26.85 less per year than last year,” Browning said.

Olga Swinson, the district’s chief finance officer, explained the reduction.

Each year, the state sets a required local effort amount that local districts are mandated to levy, she said. This year, it was 3.664 mills. Last year, it was 3.853 mills.

“Had we been able to keep the same millage that we did last year, we would generate about an additional $6.3 million, in fiscal year 2020-2021,” she said, but that is not an option.

The district’s proposed budget, a 7.3% increase over last year’s budget, includes a general operating budget of $699 million and a proposed capital budget of $415 million.

“The district received additional funds totaling $24.1 million in state funding to accommodate a predicted growth of 1,933 students,” Browning said.

He detailed how the $24.1 million will be spent:

  • $10.1 million is set aside for School Choice, including charter schools and scholarships
  • $4.9 million will go for retirement increases
  • $2.1 million will go for insurance increases
  • $3.3 million will be used for 68.91 staffing allocations for schools and 5.7 staffing allocations for the district
  • $1.2 million will go for specific academic program initiatives, including programs aimed at supporting educational equity
  • $500,000 will go for property insurance, utilities and School Resource Officer contract increases

The district’s proposed operating budget includes allocations and operating costs for the opening of Cypress Creek Middle School, and mid-year expenses for the Starkey Ranch K-8 school.

The district’s budget also allocates funds to raise the minimum teacher salary to about $45,000, in accordance with Gov. Ron DeSantis’ requirement to improve teacher pay.

It is not clear yet what kind of raises will be provided for other district employees.

“Salary increases for additional instructional personnel and other staff will be provided as funding permits,” Browning said.

“The proposed capital budget is $415 million, an increase of $73.5 million over last year, Browning said.

Big-ticket items in that budget include the construction of Starkey Ranch K-8 and the construction of the Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation.

Other projects included in the capital budget include a new bus loop at San Antonio Elementary School, renovation and remodeling at Zephyrhills High School, cafeteria renovations, replacement of HVAC systems, infrastructure upgrades at various schools and lease/purchase of computers and school buses.

Published August 05, 2020

Pasco schools to require masks

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The Pasco County School Board has made it official: Students, staff and visitors must wear face coverings on school campuses and in district buildings.

The board on July 28 unanimously adopted the emergency rule, proposed by Superintendent Kurt Browning.

The rule has been described as being “temporary” and is accompanied by guidelines for implementation.

School board member Megan Harding thanked Browning for proposing the rule.

“This is one more layer of safety for our students and staff, and visitors that come to our schools,” Harding said.

She asked district staff to provide additional guidance to teachers, to help them handle situations that arise, such as students needing mask breaks.

“I just hope we can give our teachers in school some scripted language that they can use from a social-emotional approach,” Harding said.

She also appealed to parents: “Parents, we’re going to need your help. Please start now, teaching your child how to properly and safely put a mask on.

“For the little ones, make it a game. Start by wearing the mask for 10 minutes and then gradually increase the time.

“For our older students, make it an appropriate fashion statement,” Harding said, noting she has seen many online stores selling masks in fun and fashionable designs.

School board member Alison Crumbley underscored the fact that the emergency rule is temporary, and is subject to change, as conditions change.

“We are carefully balancing the health and safety of our teachers and students, at this time, with student achievement,” Crumbley said, along with consideration for students’ social and emotional well-being.

School Board Chairwoman Colleen Beaudoin reiterated her support for requiring masks.

“I made a commitment to our students, teachers and staff that I would support a mandate to require face coverings, in an effort to protect all members of our Pasco Schools’ family.”

“I’m pleased there is the opportunity to give mask breaks, when social distancing can happen, and I hope we’ll be able to provide regular breaks to do just that.

“Please keep in mind that this is temporary. If we can start with this in place and the public follows CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines outside of school, then we can help drive down the COVID numbers and lift this emergency rule,” she said.

Published August 05, 2020

Chalk Talk 08/05/2020

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Scholar-athletes recognized
Hillsborough County Public Schools recently announced its 2020 High Schools Scholar-Athletes of the Year awards. Each public school in the county selected a senior male and female recipient for the honor. Winners received a plaque and $1,000.  These are the recipients from county schools in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area:

Freedom High
Female: Bethany Booth
Sports: Cheerleading, flag football
GPA: 6.1
SAT: 1390
College: University of Florida

Male: Owen Barno
Sports: Golf, lacrosse
GPA: 5.97
SAT: 1240
College: University of Florida

Gaither High
Female: Kateri Espinosa
Sports: Swimming
GPA: 8.4
SAT: 1380
College: Princeton University

Male: Tyler Wilkes
Sports: Golf
GPA: 5.5
SAT: 1180
College: University of Florida

Steinbrenner High
Female: Ava Lucke
Sports: Flag football, soccer, track
GPA: 7.1
SAT: 1290
College: Undecided

Male: Paul Foreman Jr.
Sports: Cross-country, track
GPA: 6.9
SAT: 1470
College: University of Florida

Wharton High
Female: Vanessa Lopez
Sports: Cross-country, soccer, track
GPA: 6.7
SAT: 1480
College: University of Florida

Male: Zachary Godbold
Sports: Football, soccer, track
GPA: 6.1
SAT: 1270
College: University of Florida

CareerSource info sessions
CareerSource Tampa Bay has more than $500,000 to assist recent high school graduates, ages 16 to 24, to begin post-secondary training, paid work experience, or entrepreneurial training, according to a news release.

In response to COVID-19, CareerSource Tampa Bay’s (CSTB) Young Talent of Tampa Bay program is hosting virtual information sessions, bi-weekly, to inform youth about the services and training opportunities available.

Upcoming session dates are Aug. 5, Aug. 19, Sept. 9 and Sept. 23, all at 10 a.m.

Eligible young adults need to be out of school, between the ages of 16 to 24, and be Hillsborough County residents.

The $5,000 scholarships are available to support eligible youth interested in starting a training program to kickstart their careers.

Services available include: Career Exploration; GED Assistance; Employability Skills Training, including Financial Literacy; National Certifications for Workplace Training; Career Coaching and Guidance; Tuition Assistance for local schools; Limited Supportive Services; Placement Assistance through on-the-job training or Paid Work Experience.

Some post-secondary training programs available include graphic design, pharmacy tech, HVAC, nail tech, welding, computer information technology, barbering, construction trades, surgical technology, dental assisting, or commercial vehicle driving, and more.

Several apprenticeships also will be available.

Registration for the sessions is online at CareerSourceTampaBay.com/job-seekers/youth.

For information and questions, email , or call (813) 930-7400.

Meet the teacher
Pasco County Schools will host on-campus Meet the Teacher/Orientation events, specifically for students in transition years — prekindergarten, kindergarten, sixth grade and ninth grade.

The in-person events will take place as follows:

  • Aug. 13 and Aug. 19 for sixth grade and ninth grade
  • Aug. 20 for prekindergarten and kindergarten

Schools will communicate plans and schedules for students in all other grade levels.

Check your school’s website for more details and any updated information.

New families should contact schools to virtually enroll or to arrange an on-site appointment.

PHSC president scores high marks
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) president Timothy Beard, Ph.D., earned near-perfect scores on his annual review, for a third year in a row, by the college’s District Board of Trustees (DBOT), according to a PHSC news release. Beard’s review was discussed at the July DBOT meeting.

The nine-member College Board of Trustees gave him an overall average score of 4.90 out of 5, noting his excellent communications with the District Board of Trustees, community stakeholders, and administrators on the college’s administrative leadership team.

Trustees board chair Alvaro Hernandez summarized the review comments in a letter to the trustees, noting that “Dr. Beard’s personal and professional demeanor have positively impacted his performance as president and consequently facilitated the college being one of the premier institutions in the Florida College System. He exceeded performance standards in all areas of this evaluation.”

The review is consistent with last year’s review that showed Beard’s strong marks in all categories. Beard’s average scores were close to perfect in all five categories included in the evaluation. He earned a 4.90 for board relations; a 4.89 for community, state and national relations; a 4.89 on fiscal accountability; a 4.89 for leadership; and, a 4.90 for accountability. The president’s overall average score of those categories in 2019 was 4.8, significantly up from an average score of 3.4 out of 5 in 2017. Beard’s equivalent scores on a percentage scale have been 94% in 2018, 96% in 2019, and 98% this year.

Beard recently completed the second year of a two-year contract awarded in 2018 by the college trustees after demonstrating his ability to grow as a leader, embracing a style of leadership that promotes transparency, collaboration and clear communication.

Hernandez recommended and the board approved a three-year contract for Beard to run through June 30, 2023.

Exam prep course
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC), through the Continuing Workforce Education department, is offering new hybrid exam prep classes designed to prepare students to sit for testing to become industry-certified in a variety of fields.

These online courses include:

  • Certified CompTIA A+ Professional: Sept 1. To Nov. 19, from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays
  • AIPB Certified Bookkeeper Professional: Sept. 3 to Nov. 19, 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Thursdays
  • Certified AutoCAD User: Sept. 10 to Nov. 9, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Mondays and Thursdays

The hybrid courses offer a combination of online and face-to-face instruction, and were developed to provide technical training that directly responds to current industry demands.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act tuition funding is available through CareerSource Pasco-Hernando to qualified students.

Classes will take place on the PHSC West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey, and on the East Campus, 36727 Blanton Road in Dade City, with most course content available online.

For information, contact Karen Strouthopoulos at (727) 816-3123 or .

To register and pay online, visit PHSC.edu/academics/continuing-education, and select “Campus-based Continuing Professional Education courses.”

Chalk Talk 07/29/2020

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Pasco Schools delays opening
Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning recommended a two-week delay to the start of the 2020-2021 school year, with students returning to school on Aug. 24. Teachers would return to work on Aug. 17.

The recommendation, made at a regularly scheduled virtual meeting of the school board, was unanimously approved after discussion.

The proposed delay was prompted after the district received hundreds of emails and phone calls on the topic, and after Browning and his staff worked on a plan to make the necessary adjustments to the school year calendar.

Browning made it clear that the school district still plans to open the schools for in-person, on-campus learning, as well as two online options. The two-week delay will afford the schools a greater opportunity to prepare for the return of staff and students.

The superintendent also presented his recommendation that would require masks or face coverings for all students, teachers, staff and visitors on school campuses or district buildings. The mask mandate was scheduled to be voted upon at the July 28 school board meeting.

The proposed rule describes what qualifies as a mask or face covering and under what circumstances the mask can be removed. It also describes how the school district will make accommodations for students or staff members who have a medical condition that would prevent them from wearing a mask or face covering.

To learn more, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/news.

Catholic school moves start date
St. Anthony Catholic School in San Antonio has moved its 2020-2021 school start date to Aug. 24, a decision made in light of the current rise in COVID-19 cases for the safety and well-being of its students, staff and families.

The school, which was founded in 1884, is a private K-8 school dedicated to providing a quality and Christ-centered education that addresses the needs of the whole child: spiritual, academic, social, emotional and physical.

St. Anthony is offering families two options for the opening of school this year: traditional learning where students return to the classroom following the established safety guidelines, or remote learning, where students will follow the bell schedule of their peers in the classroom through live lessons and real-time assistance from their teachers.

For information or to schedule a school tour, visit StAnthonySchoolFl.org, or call (352) 588-3041.

Educator Passport Program
Pasco County Schools has added seven businesses to its Educator Passport Program, a list of businesses that offer discounts or freebies if you are a Pasco educator.

Educators simply need to present their ID badge and mention the ad when visiting or calling on a participating business. Each offer is valid for a specific period of time, as indicated on the passport listing.

The next Pasco Passport Committee meeting is scheduled for Aug. 10, after which new offers will be posted to the site.

The entire list of businesses can be seen at Pasco.k12.fl.us/comm/passport_listings.

Student achievements

  • Brianna Cedrone, Odessa, was named to the spring Dean’s List at Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York
  • Makenna Larson, Land O’ Lakes, was selected to the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Dean’s List for the spring semester. Larson is a freshman at the College of Liberal Arts.

Child care services at PHSC
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) has worked with TodayCare Children’s Center, at the West Campus in New Port Richey, to determine an appropriate time to reopen the center to ensure the safety of the children, parents and staff.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the TodayCare Children’s Center closed on March 24.

The current contract for TodayCare expires on July 30, which required the college to issue a request for proposal to solicit competitive bids for the child care service.

The college administration on July 21 was due to present to the College District Board of Trustees a recommendation to offer a contract to Great Hope Preschool to assume the child care operations at the New Port Richey campus.

Great Hope is being recommended for its services and programs provided, its community engagement, and the opportunities to utilize the center near the PHSC Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel.

TodayCare will not be reopening the day care at this time, but PHSC will work with TodayCare and Great Hope to provide a transition timeline with the intent to begin a phased opening of the center in mid-August, depending on the COVID-19 status.

Services provided by Great Hope will remain the same, serving the same current age groups.

Teachers previously employed by TodayCare are encouraged to apply for positions with Great Hope Preschool posted on the Indeed website.

Exam prep course
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC), through the Continuing Workforce Education department, is offering new hybrid exam prep classes designed to prepare students to sit for testing to become industry-certified in a variety of fields.

These online courses include:

  • Certified CompTIA A+ Professional: Sept 1. To Nov. 19, from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays
  • AIPB Certified Bookkeeper Professional: Sept. 3 to Nov. 19, 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., Thursdays
  • Certified AutoCAD User: Sept. 10 to Nov. 9, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Mondays and Thursdays

The hybrid courses offer a combination of online and face-to-face instruction, and were developed to provide technical training that directly responds to current industry demands.

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act tuition funding is available through CareerSource Pasco-Hernando to qualified students.

Classes will take place on the PHSC West Campus, 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey, and on the East Campus, 36727 Blanton Road in Dade City, with most course content available online.

For information, contact Karen Strouthopoulos at (727) 816-3123 or .

To register and pay online, visit PHSC.edu/academics/continuing-education, and select “Campus-based Continuing Professional Education courses.”

Pasco schools to open Aug. 24

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Pasco County Schools has delayed the start of school for two weeks, but controversy continues over how the district should deliver instruction once the new school year begins.

The Pasco County School Board on July 21 unanimously approved changes in the school calendar to delay opening day from the original date of Aug. 10 to the new date of Aug. 24.

Board members also approved an Aug. 17 start date for employees, also a two-week delay from the originally planned Aug. 3.

Pasco County School Superintendent Kurt Browning recommended the two-week delay in the midst of rising COVID-19 cases in Florida.

Browning said the district plans to comply with the state directive that requires it to open all schools for five days a week, to provide a face-to-face learning option for students. It also will offer two online options.

Delaying the start date will require the district to make up for lost time, Browning said.

His staff has developed a plan that adds 18 to 20 instructional minutes to each school day, and will forego early release days during the fall semester, he said.

The board’s decision to delay reopening until Aug. 24, but to keep the brick-and-mortar option, came despite concerns raised by Don Peace, president of the United School Employees of Pasco, the union representing teachers and school support staff.

Peace said the directive by Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran is “an overreach.

“You, as a board, should be the ones that determine the safest way to return to teaching and learning, but your authority was usurped by one man,” Peace said.

The state’s directive is being challenged, Peace added.

“Yesterday, in a court in Miami, the Florida Education Association filed suit against his order (Corcoran’s), labeling it ‘arbitrary and capricious.’ They further claimed that returning to brick-and-mortar now, with COVID numbers on the rise, would be unsafe for students and employees,” Peace said.

The union president also noted that a USEP survey of district employees found that “over 75% of those replying felt that the only safe way to return now is distance learning.”

He told board members that he expected the union to take a formal position on the issue soon.

But, School Board Chairwoman Colleen Beaudoin said the district can’t take an online-only approach.

“A lot of people are saying they want to start online and on time. That is currently not an option.

“One thing that is crystal clear is that we must follow statute to receive funding or nobody gets paid and our students lose out,” Beaudoin said.

School board member Alison Crumbley said delaying the school start provides more time for more information and more preparation.

“It gives us all a bit more time to see where the local trend of the virus is going,” Crumbley said.

It also gives parents more time to reflect on options, and schools more time to prepare, she said.

“The challenge of balancing student achievement with safety is a daunting one,” Crumbley said.

School board member Cynthia Armstrong said a delay of two weeks allows the district to end the first semester before the holiday break, which she thinks is important.

A longer break would not allow that possibility, she said.

The district’s union since has taken a formal position on the reopening of schools.

According to the union’s website, USEP will strongly advocate for distance learning only until there is a 14-day downward trend in positive COVID-19 cases.

Published July 29, 2020

Hillsborough schools delay start

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The Hillsborough County School Board has delayed the reopening of schools, as recommended by Superintendent Addison Davis.

In adopting Davis’ plan, the board also said it would reconvene in two weeks to look at the COVID-19 data, to see if the plan sticks, or if the board will change its plan.

The board took the action in a special meeting on July 23.

Under the approved plan, teachers and district staff will return to schools as planned, on July 31.

The board also approved a new student calendar and a new bell schedule, to ensure that students make up for lost time and have the required amount of time in their courses.

Under the approved calendar, the first day of school is Aug. 24, the first semester ends on Jan. 15 and the last day of school is May 28.

The board’s actions followed considerable public comment and discussion by board members.

Members of the public urged board members to consider the safety of students and staff, in adopting their back-to-school plan.

Board member Tamara Shamburger said, “this is not about parent choice.

“This is about the greater duty of the superintendent and this board, to ensure safety in this school district.

“Until we can guarantee student safety, there is no viable choice for brick-and-mortar,” Shamburger said.

But, board member Cindy Stuart said the district was obligated to get a plan in front of Tallahassee.

“Let’s talk about a two-week period, where we continue to watch what is happening,” she said.

“We may have to pivot one way or another,” she said.

Hillsborough County isn’t the only school district struggling with the challenges of reopening schools in the midst of a pandemic.

Pasco County Schools also has delayed the start of school until Aug. 24.

The Pasco School Board also approved an Aug. 17 start date for employees, also a two-week delay from the originally planned Aug. 3.

Delaying the start date will require the district to make up for lost time, Superintendent Kurt Browning said.

His staff has developed a plan that adds 18 to 20 instructional minutes to each school day to make up for the lost time, and also calls for foregoing early release days during the fall semester.

Don Peace, president of United School Employees of Pasco, called Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran’s directive “an overreach.

“You, as a board, should be the ones that determine the safest way to return to teaching and learning, but your authority was usurped by one man,” Peace said.

Corcoran’s directive is being challenged, Peace added.

“Yesterday, in a court in Miami, the Florida Education Association filed suit against his (Corcoran’s) order, labeling it ‘arbitrary and capricious.’ They further claimed that returning to brick-and-mortar now, with COVID numbers on the rise, would be unsafe for students and employees,” Peace said.

The union president also noted that a USEP survey of district employees found that “over 75% of those replying felt that the only safe way to return now is distance learning.”

Peace said USEP urging the Pasco County Schools to adopt a distance-learning model, until the rate of positive COVID-19 cases has been on the decline for 14 days.

Published July 29, 2020