The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Education

Panelists share insights on youth issues in Pasco

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Each summer, a panel of Pasco County teenagers share their perspectives on substance abuse and other problems facing youths, both in the community and in the school system.

Typically, the event is held at the community center at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park.

But, this time, panelists shared their insights again in a July 28 forum held virtually, in light of COVID-19.

The new format didn’t affect the substance: The panelists — who make up Safe Teens Against Drugs (STAND) — still got their points across.

Pasco County youth from Safe Teens Against Drugs (STAND) voiced their perspective on substance abuse, and other community and school issues, during a July 28 virtual meeting hosted by the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP). (File)

The forum was arranged by the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP). This the fifth year that STAND members addressed numerous community stakeholder groups.

They shared their views on various health and safety issues facing Pasco youths.

The group of youth leaders who make up STAND are working to end youth substance abuse in Pasco County by sharing their observations and knowledge with teachers, police, business owners and other community members.

Besides helping to build understanding, they also suggest solutions.

During the hour-long online discussion, STAND speakers warned that vaping, or the use of e-cigarettes, is a growing problem among youth countywide.

Anclote High School student Iker Dorta went so far as to label it “the biggest drug-related issue” in local high schools and middle schools.

Besides vaping nicotine, kids also vape THC (the psychoactive ingredient in marijuana), and other illicit substances that can be smoked, he said.

Iker noted that vaping has become more popular among teens because it’s “easy to hide in your pocket and go to the bathroom and use it.”

Fellow STAND members agreed.

“Vaping is a huge problem in schools and such,” said Chasco Middle School student Alyssa Saldana. “I’ve had some of my friends tell me that one of their older friends offered them a vape, so it’s definitely a big problem that we need to start looking at more.”

Maddie Horn underscored the issue by recalling an incident during a Chasco Middle School pep rally when a student was caught vaping.

“I think it’s a very common thing that’s happening in all our schools,” said Horn, a rising freshman at Gulf High School.

Many teens get roped into substance use through peer pressure and they use substances to become popular, Horn said.

“It’s very much a popularity thing. So, like if one person does it and they become popular, everyone else will want to do it because they want that ‘fame’ in the school,” Horn said.

Besides vaping, marijuana use continues to be “a big issue,” said Land O’ Lakes High School student Jocelyn Meriwether.

“We have a lot of kids who think it’s a cool thing to do, and you have to, like, join the club of high school that way, through smoking weed in bathrooms and trying not to get caught.”

Greater focus needed on mental health
Using substances to become more popular is just one issue, panelists said.

Youths also turn to substances as a way to escape from dysfunctional home life, or to cope with inner feelings, they said.

They urged an increase in mental health services.

“Mental health is the key to everything right now,” Dorta said. “For a 15- or 16-year-old to go through trauma and leave it unchecked…really impales society as a whole, because that’s what’s going to make up our next generation as a whole, so the very next step before overcoming drugs and vaping, first, is taking hold of our minds.”

Panelists said that mental health must be taken more seriously by the Pasco County Schools —  from guidance counselors to teachers and administrators.

They advocate greater funding for staffing at schools to give students quick access to help, when they need to talk to someone about their problems.

As it stands now, instead of an open door policy, a student must make an appointment of sorts by placing a notecard in a counselor’s mailbox, Meriwether said.

Safe Teens Against Drugs (STAND) is a program facilitated by the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP). The group of youth leaders who make up STAND strive to end youth substance abuse in Pasco County by educating teachers, police, business owners and other community members by sharing their observations, and suggesting solutions. (Courtesy of Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention)

“They’ll get to you when they get to you,” she said.

That can be problematic, she added.

“Some kids can’t wait. They need to talk and if they don’t have someone to talk to they’re going to go to drugs and skip over using their resources.

“We have those situations where we want to talk to somebody about this, but no one’s available,” Meriwether said.

Piggybacking off that thought, Horn mentioned some counselors won’t take a particular student’s mental health issues seriously. Instead, they write it off as teen angst.

Other times, she said, counselors just focus on a student’s grades — instead of talking to them about what has been bothering them at school, or outside of it.

Horn put it all like this: “Let’s say you’re being bullied. Like, you’ll go in talking about that issue, but then they’ll change to subject to, ‘Oh, how are your grades doing?’”

That, she added, “doesn’t make the bullying situation or whatever your situation is, any better.

“I don’t think there are enough people in our schools to help us going through our issues. Like the teachers say they can help, but they can only help when it’s convenient for them,” Horn said.

COVID-19’s far-reaching impacts
The unintended consequences of COVID-19 on school-age youth was another deep talking point among panelists.

With a lack of school structure, boredom at home and few extracurricular or athletic activities available — because of the pandemic — panelists said they’re not surprised if fellow teens are currently experimenting with new substances, or abusing them more frequently than they did before the pandemic hit.

Meriwether observed: “Kids now are at home and don’t have a lot to lose, so they’re trying new things. Parents will have stuff at home that kids can just get into, because it’s not being locked up, because everyone’s home all day.”

Safer-at-home orders also have allowed youth to hide side effects that otherwise might’ve been caught if they were in school or school-related activities, she added.

Because of that and other reasons, panelists generally seemed in favor of having some sort of option to return to brick-and-mortar schools.

Horn summed it up like this: “I get a little depressed because I’m not able to go and see my friends, and school was something I enjoyed. It’s very isolating to do online school for such a long time when you don’t have groups to attend and you don’t make friends outside of online school, so like I found peace in going to school. Like, the fact that I can’t go to school is very sad, because I like going to school, I like being around other people and seeing new faces, and it’s just easier to learn.”

Dorta, meantime, expressed worry for youth who’ve had to handle online learning in the face of troubling home or family environments.

Traditional schooling usually offers “a dip from harsh reality” for those kids,” he said.

“You can’t push online school onto a lot of people, especially when those kids have trouble at home. …Imagine if you’re bringing school to their house, which they can’t even feel safe or concentrate in,” he said.

Dorta wants to see schools reopen. But, he added: “Seeing how (COVID-19) is going on, I don’t know how it’d work and I don’t really know if it’s the best option, but knowing a lot of kids that are struggling, at least have them refer to a source that they can go to outside of their house.”

Others, including Gulf Middle School’s Yahkaira Barbosa, expressed hesitation about returning to school at the moment.

“I’m dying to go back to school, but the way things are, it’s probably best not to because it’s going to be awhile until a vaccine comes out,” Barbosa said.

Safe Teens Against Drugs (STAND) is a program facilitated by the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention (ASAP).
STAND members include Iker Dorta, Anclote High School; Alyssa Saldana, Chasco Middle School; Jocelyn Meriwether, Land O’ Lakes High School; Maddie Horn, Gulf High School; Jakob Horn, Bayonet Point Middle School; Billy Kritsotakis, Harry Schwettmann Education Center; Joel Meriwether, Sunlake High School; Jeromy Vaughn, Gulf Middle School; Austin Vaughn, Chasco Middle School; and Cheyenne Howard, of Dade City.

STAND’s mission is to:

  • Change youth perspectives of drugs
  • Reduce accessibility of drugs
  • Reduce marketing of drugs to young people
  • Create an environment where young people in recovery can thrive

To learn more about STAND, contact ">.

Published August 19, 2020

Chalk Talk 08/19/2020

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Scholarship winners
The Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC) announced its 2020 scholarship winners.

Recipients in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area are:

  • Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School: Kayla David and Brandon Glenn
    • Cypress Creek High School: Alexis Aponte, Aliyah Clarke, Julianna Greenberg, Jocelyn Hammett, Noel Martinez-Pla and Rebecca Radcliff
  • Land O’ Lakes High School: Natalie Mosko, Rachel Pinsky, Arelis Rodriguez Martinez and Loretta Thompson
  • Pasco High School: Marycarmen Adruskiewicz, Susan Hammond and Abigail Miramon
  • Sunlake High School: Jack Walker
  • Wesley Chapel High School: Jayla Alfaro, Madilyn Corgin, Shayla Hobot, Seth Laney, Taylor McKinney, Gigi Palmer, Joanne Trangluu and Ashlyn Walters
  • Wiregrass Ranch High School: Jarvis He, Crighton Methe, Antonio Perez, Kanishkh Ramesh, Emilie Ramos, Alysia Sanchez and Mackenzie Sholl
  • Zephyrhills High School: Luis Montez

Human services webinar
Saint Leo University’s Undergraduate Human Services Program will present a panel discussion on Aug. 20 at 6 p.m., through Zoom.

Human services professionals conduct interviews, identify problems and set goals, as well as provide referrals to individuals in need of service.

The webinar, entitled “Human Services in Action,” will be a live, interactive session featuring four Saint Leo alumni who earned their Bachelor of Arts degrees in human services, and are now working in entry-level and administration positions at a nonprofit agency, for a local government, and at an organization that serves veterans, seniors, families and youths.

Information will include strategies that help the transition from being a student to working as a knowledgeable professional in the human services/social services field.

There also will be a Q&A session at the end of the discussion.

The event is free.

For information on how to join, email Dr. Amina Abdullah-Winstead at .

Creating more space for students
Students and staff at Wendell Krinn Technical High School added additional space on campus to help with social distancing, by assembling picnic tables.

The goal was to set up three outdoor classrooms and more outdoor seating for the cafeteria.

“Having additional classroom space outdoors will make it a lot easier to create social distance, and that will create a healthier environment for everyone,” said Principal Christopher Dunning, in a school news release.

The staff and students got a helping hand from Sleep in Heavenly Peace, an organization of volunteers that builds and donates bunk beds for families in need.

The tables were made of pressure-treated wood and built from scratch.

Host an exchange student
ASSE International Student Exchange Programs (ASSE) is looking for local families to host boys and girls ages 15 to 18, arriving soon, to attend community high schools, according to an ASSE news release.

Students from all over the world have been selected to participate based on their strong academics and citizenship; all they need now are host families.

Students are equipped with pocket money for personal expenses, along with accident and illness insurance. Host families can choose their students from a wide variety of backgrounds, countries and personal interests.

Participants can share our country, its own family, and culture, with an exchange student. During this temporary period of social distancing, there is a need to look forward to and celebrate opportunities to show hospitality and care toward others.

ASSE’s top concern is the health of the host families, host communities and exchange students. Even as the U.S. and many other countries continue to live under temporary travel restrictions, ASSE is reassuring participants that the students will not travel unless it is considered safe to do so by the U.S. and foreign agencies entrusted with public health and safety.

To become a host family, or to find out how to become involved with ASSE in your own community, call (850) 866-6508 or the ASSE Southern Regional Office at (800) 473-0696, or visit Host.ASSE.com, to begin an application.

‘Adopt’ a classroom or student
Pepin Academies Foundation has launched its inaugural “Adopt-a-Classroom” and “Adopt-a-Student” campaigns to help equip teachers and students with needed school supplies for the 2020-2021 school year.

Individuals and businesses can participate by sponsoring or “adopting” a classroom or student. There also is an option to donate to a specific Pepin Academies campus.

The classroom funds will provide teachers with academic enrichment materials, as identified by the teachers for individual classroom needs.

The student funds will provide students with a backpack filled with school supplies that will be delivered directly to their school for pickup.

Donations to either campaign can be made securely online through the Pepin Academies Foundation website, or through the Pepin Academies Foundation’s Amazon wish list.

Pepin Academies are public, tuition-free charter schools in Tampa, Riverview and New Port Richey that serve students with learning disabilities in grades three to 12.

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.

Union seeks ‘online-only’ school option

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Pasco County Schools is continuing its plans to offer face-to-face instruction as one of its options when school resumes on Aug. 24 — but, the union representing teachers and other school district employees is continuing its efforts to block that.

In a posting on the United School Employees of Pasco’s website, union officials inform their members that they are continuing efforts to seek an injunction that would prevent a return to brick-and-mortar classrooms when school begins.

The union is waiting until this week for formal actions to avoid interfering with efforts by the Florida Education Association, which is pursuing legal action on behalf of educators across the state, the posting says.

This latest USEP announcement follows a rally by teachers and parents at school district headquarters on Aug. 4, seeking to persuade the Pasco County School Board to adopt an online-only opening of schools, until the number of positive COVID-19 cases declines.

Don Peace, president of USEP, appeared at the school board’s meeting that day, again urging the board to only open schools online.

“We are not saying we don’t want a return to brick-and-mortar. We are saying we don’t want to return to brick-and-mortar now,” Peace said.

“Pediatricians and CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) are saying that we should not be heading back to schools at this time.

“When the positivity rate shows a downward trend and is below 5%, which is the level that ironically triggered the stay-at-home order back in April, then and only then would it be prudent to have a conversation on returning in a face-to-face format,” Peace said.

Peace said the district should rely on the data, in determining if students, teachers and staff return to schools.

“We have the means to use technology, in order to save lives,” Peace said.

Speakers offering public comment also told board members that they don’t think it’s safe to return.

Patrick Connolly, of Zephyrhills, said that there will be significant problems with staffing, if staff members apply their self-screeners with fidelity. And, he said, “if we don’t apply these screeners with fidelity, we will have the virus running rampant in our community.”

Jeremy Blythe, a Pasco teacher for five years, said he wishes he was excited to begin a new school year. Instead, he said, ““I’m afraid, I am angry and I’m sad.

“Being a teacher has prepared me to do many things, but what I cannot prepare for is the idea that I will have to bury a colleague or a student. I don’t want my family to have to bury me, either, if we head back to campus before it is safe,” Blythe said.

Superintendent Kurt Browning reiterated the district’s stance of reopening, with three options for parents: bricks-and-mortar, mySchool Online and Pasco eSchool.

“We are between that proverbial rock and a hard place, where we find ourselves with that emergency order,” Browning said.

“There’s been a lot of discussion, comments made out there about funding.

“The fact remains that when you read the emergency order, it is very clear that funding is tied to the fact that school districts need to open with bricks-and-mortar.

“You have to truly connect the dots, but if you want funding, and you want to be held harmless from funding reductions, then the expectation is that districts will open bricks-and-mortar.

“If we do not get funding from the state, our teachers do not get paid. Our bus drivers do  not get paid. Staff, in general, does not get paid.

“It’s going to be tough to keep lights on,” Browning said.

Browning said district staff is doing everything it can to ensure safety.

However, he added: “We’re not going to prevent it, but we are in the business of trying to minimize the impacts, or the spread of COVID,” the superintendent said.

He noted: “Even after all of the news reports, the data that’s out there — we still have 66% of our families that are wanting to return to bricks-and-mortar.

“By virtue of that, we need to be able to staff and provide that for them,” Browning said.

School Board Chairwoman Colleen Beaudoin said one of her chief concerns involves the inability to provide social distancing in secondary classrooms.

“We cannot ensure social distancing in every secondary classroom,” she said, noting district employees are aware of that, but she’s not sure that parents know that.

Beaudoin did call attention to Pine View Middle School’s efforts to maximize  the space between its students, by clearing the room of extra furniture, extra tables, extra filing cabinets — to increase the distance between desks.

Beaudoin also said that if at some point, the district was to go remote, she wants the public to know that the district staff has been exploring multiple options.

“None are guaranteed, but we have been looking into ways to support families with child care and tutoring, to be able to continue to feed our students and families, and keep our employees working,” the school board chairwoman said.

While Pasco plans to return to school campuses, the Hillsborough County School Board has voted to begin the school year with online-only instruction — a position being rejected by Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran.

To be on the safe side, parents are encouraged to check for the most recent updates on the school district websites and social media platforms, to be sure they have the latest information. The Pasco school district’s website is Pasco.k12.fl.us.

The Hillsborough school district’s website SDHC.k12.fl.us.

Published August 12, 2020

Hillsborough reopening embroiled in controversy

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The Hillsborough County School Board last week voted to begin the school year on Aug. 24, operating online only for the first four weeks of classes.

Within a day of that decision, however, Florida Education Commission Richard Corcoran notified the district that “this blanket, district-wide decision directly contradicts the district’s reopening plan, which was approved because it was consistent with the state’s emergency order.”

In a statement shared with The Laker/Lutz News, Corcoran said, ““The Hillsborough County School Board needs to follow the law, it’s that simple.

“The whole reason the Department created the emergency order was to grant districts maximum flexibility to do what is right for parents and schoolchildren.

“We will not stand idly by while they trample over the majority of parents who want to do right by their children.

“What they did yesterday (Aug. 6) completely eliminated the flexible options for their families and students, and ignored how harmful it can be for students who are experiencing violence, abuse, and food insecurity in their homes, many of whom are already struggling to close achievement gaps. These are urgent circumstances and we cannot, and will not, ignore it,” Corcoran concluded.

Hillsborough County Schools Superintendent Addison Davis issued a response to Corcoran’s letter, indicating the district had received it and was reviewing it with its legal team.

Addison also issued this statement: “Yesterday (Aug.6), the School Board made an informed decision after receiving data and hearing from the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County, along with hearing the advice of other local infectious disease and public health authorities.

“The Board acted after serious deliberations and with all due diligence. Our district understood the possibility that such a response from the state might come and it has been clear that the district could face negative implications. We will use this information to have discussions about where we go from here,” Davis said.

Both Corcoran and Davis’ statements came after a special Aug. 6 Hillsborough County School Board meeting that included hours of public comment, and testimony from a panel of medical experts.

During that meeting, the board voted 5-2 to start the school year with online options only. The board also determined they would look at the issue again at its Sept. 8 meeting.

Board members Karen Perez, Lynn Gray, Stacy Hahn, Steve Cona and Tammy Shamburger voted for those actions. Board Chairman Melissa Snively and board member Cindy Stuart dissented.

The board’s vote came after School Board Attorney James Porter told the board it could not change the reopening plan submitted by Superintendent Addison Davis, but could delay its implementation.

Addison’s plan calls for three learning options: Face-to-face instruction and two online choices. After gaining initial board approval, it was submitted to the state and approved. When making that initial vote, though, board members said they wanted to hear from medical experts.

Passions run hot, on both sides
The issue of whether to reopen school buildings has been a flashpoint of controversy.

A parade of speakers urged the school board to either reopen school campuses for face-to-face instruction, or to keep them closed for now.

Speakers wore masks to the meeting, and a district employee disinfected the podium and microphone after each person spoke.

So many people showed up, their comments were limited to 1-minute each. Many exceeded the limit and there were instances when the microphone was muted when people talked too long.

Speakers were passionate on both sides of the issue.

Some staff members said they have medical conditions and are afraid to return to school. Others said they have family members who are medically vulnerable.

Many said the number of COVID-19 cases is simply too high to return to school.

But, those arguing against online only cited a digital divide based on family incomes. They said families need child care, and that mothers, in particular would be forced to quit their jobs so they can oversee their child’s online instruction.

They also cited other issues, such as impacts on mental health, a need for personal instruction, a need to provide services for special needs students and the need to provide food for students who rely on schools for meals.

Members on the medical panel, however, told school board members that the positivity rate of COVID-19 is too high to safely return to school.

One medical expert said he would not support reopening schools as of that day, but might feel differently on Aug. 24, because he expects the positivity numbers to decline.

Dr. Douglas Holt, who leads the Florida Health Department in Hillsborough County, said he was at the meeting to provide technical assistance. He did not take a position on the issue.

School board member Gray said she’s not comfortable reopening campuses at the current COVID-19 positivity rate.

“I personally think that the spread rate of 10-11% is way too high and 3-5% is where we need to go,”” Gray said.

Chairwoman Snively said she didn’t want the board to only focus on the aspect of epidemiology. Having schools open helps bring to light issues such as children who are suffering from child abuse or have mental health, nutritional and other needs.

Because this situation continues to evolve, those interested in staying abreast of the latest developments should check the Hillsborough County School District’s website and its social media channels. Its website is SDHC.k12.fl.us.

Editor’s Note: The Laker/Lutz News received the following statement, after our newspaper went to press:

“Our district explicitly followed the state’s executive order. The order provides school districts the option of not opening brick and mortar “subject to advise or orders of the Florida Department of Health, (or) local departments of health”. Last Thursday, our School Board made an informed decision after hearing from the local public health authority and local infectious disease experts. The panel was asked if we should open our doors and not one medical professional could recommend opening today. The state’s order goes on to say the day-to-day decision to open or close a school always rests locally.”

Tanya Arja – Chief of Communications

Published August 12, 2020

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