The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Staying safe at home, and in your community

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Personal safety initiatives within your family, home and community can always be improved.

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) offers these steps to help protect homes and neighborhoods from crime:

  • Stick to a daily 9 p.m. routine of removing all valuables, including guns, from your car and locking it.
  • Complete a home safety evaluation: Ensure all locks to exterior doors and windows work properly and are clear of any debris.
  • Stay alert and pay attention no matter how you commute; always follow the rules of the road and obey safety signals.
  • Digital safety is important, too. The PSO encourages parents and guardians to talk with children about safe and appropriate behavior online.
  • If you see something suspicious, say something. Report suspicious activity to law enforcement immediately.

The PSO emphasizes the importance of evaluating safety practices and being cautious to prevent yourself from falling victim to various crimes.

Follow the Pasco Sheriff’s Office on social media or visit PascoSheriff.com for updates.

Published November 15, 2023

Shop safely: Be alert to your surroundings, take precautions

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It’s that time of year when hordes of shoppers head out to buy holiday gifts.

Here are some tips from the Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO), with consumer safety in mind, aimed at helping you enjoy a safe holiday season:

  • Park in a well-lit and highly visible spot, remove belongings when exiting the car and store packages in a trunk, out of sight.
  • When shopping online, use secure websites for purchases; secure websites include an “s” with https:// (instead of http://).
  • Use a credit card instead of a debit card for additional security when buying online.
  • Do not buy gift cards from an auction or community website.
  • Have packages delivered to a safe location such as an office, a package room or to a trusted neighbor who is home.
  • Beware of suspiciously low pricing. (If a deal looks too good, it may be fake.)

Remember, taking precautions can go a long way toward ensuring your safety.

You can find more crime prevention tips by checking the PSO’s social media channels and visiting News.PascoSheriff.com.

Published November 15, 2023

 

Florida Bar seeks public member for governing board

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The Florida Bar is seeking a nonlawyer to serve on its governing board, according to a news release from the organization.

Two public members have served on The Florida Bar’s 52-member governing board since the Supreme Court of Florida approved the organization’s request to have nonlawyer representation on the board in 1987. Only 12 other state bar organizations have public members on their governing boards.

The new board member will replace Linda Goldstein of Tampa, whose second two-year term expires June 2024, the release says.

The new board member would serve a two-year term commencing June 21, 2024. Candidates must be able to commit to attending/participating in five, two-day meetings held at locations around the state; one, two-day meeting held at a location outside of Florida; and one virtual two-day meeting, in addition to occasional committee meetings held virtually throughout the year. (See Expectations of Service as a Public Member on The Florida Bar Board of Governors.)

A screening committee of The Florida Bar Board of Governors has been appointed to review the applications, conduct final interviews, and make recommendations to the Bar’s governing board during its March meeting. The board will then recommend three persons to the Supreme Court of Florida and the Court will appoint one of the three nominees to the board.

The Board of Governors oversees the Bar’s lawyer discipline program, continuing legal education programs, legislative activities, and the overall administration of The Florida Bar. Board members, who are all volunteers, average 200-300 hours per year on Bar business depending on committee assignments. Although attorney members of the Bar’s governing board pay their own expenses related to their attendance at six board meetings and other events held each year, nonlawyer board members are reimbursed for “reasonable travel and related expenses for attending official bar functions.”

Most of the board is apportioned according to Florida’s 20 judicial circuits, with attorney members elected by lawyers in their locality. There are four additional out-of-state representatives. The other public member currently serving on The Florida Bar’s Board of Governors is Melanie Shore, Gainesville.

Applications for the opening will be accepted until close of business on Jan. 22.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the required application.

Those interested can call 850-561-3127, to obtain the application.

Completed applications must be received by the Executive Director, The Florida Bar, 651 East Jefferson St., Tallahassee, 32399-2300, or submitted via email to .

Published November 15, 2023

Youth cooking skills are served

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These youngsters are ready to dish, dish, dish.

They, in no short order, have signed up at Young Chefs Academy, the new cooking school that provides weekly classes and workshops for kids, tweens and teens who are interested in developing and sharpening their culinary skills.

Wesley Chapel young chef Axel Martinon happily seasons meat that will be put into a chili dish, during a class at Young Chefs Academy, a cooking and culinary school that opened in Lutz in October. Youthful and hopeful chefs can sign up for classes that teach them to prepare, cook and present meals and hone their culinary skills in a kitchen environment. (Mike Camunas)

The academy provides a kitchen space for kids passionate about learning how to prepare, sautee, mince, season, mix and match recipes and, finally, present meals and dishes.

“They may address me as ‘chef,’ but they always don’t want a chef because sometimes real chefs aren’t always good at breaking down and teaching (how to cook),” said co-owner and head chef Paul Neale, who, by trade, is not a traditional chef. “They have to learn some things, like using a real knife, and you teach them technique and why it’s held this way, and safety and efficiency.

“But when you teach them something and it clicks, it’s just amazing to see the progress and how they get better and then the food is better.”

Neale, along with his wife, Lisa, opened the new location of Young Chefs Academy in Lutz in October, adding to their other location in Seminole. The Wesley Chapel residents were searching for culinary classes for their 12-year-old son, T.J., when they happened upon the Young Chefs Academy franchise, which turned out to be the perfect opportunity to launch a business.

However, neither were trained chefs, with both working in the corporate world before retiring.

Sara Melendez watches as an instructor at Young Chefs Academy in Lutz teaches her the proper technique to prepare and chop kale for a dish.

“We are good cooks, we are not chefs — we’re here to teach that now,” Lisa said. “When we were looking (for T.J.), we found (Young Chefs) and thought it would be neat to own and teach that, and it’s all the rage with (cooking) shows, but it’s also a life skill. So, we fell in love with the concept.

“Young Chefs teaches us everything we need to know to teach,” she added.

Some of the academy’s staff are chefs. Some have been cooking for a lifetime and are passionate about it, some are culinary students and some are culinary students to be.

Lisa said it took about two years to get into their new location that comes with a fully functional kitchen and appliances. All classes will provide the food, tools, recipes and the know-how to prepare various meals. Some of the meals will be easy; some, more difficult.

Students at Young Chefs Academy in Lutz practice prepare ingredients for dishes with plastic knives before graduating to the real thing.

It then comes down to the adult chefs to teach the younger versions proper techniques in preparing, from slicing and dicing, to food preparation. That also includes why certain foods take certain flavoring better and what pairs best.

Each class has about 10 to 12 young chefs, but Lisa added the spaces filled up fast.

“Young Chefs can teach you how to cook, how to prep, how to pair, how to slice and dice,” she said. “What we can’t teach is the passion for cooking, for food, for preparing it for others. We’ve seen with the kids we have so far that passion for them to cook, which is what makes teaching these cooking classes just so amazingly fun.”

Owner and head chef at Young Chefs Academy in Lutz Paul Neale leads a round-kitchen class at the newly opened school where young, budding chefs can hone their culinary skills.

Paul added: “I like to cook, I’ve always been in the kitchen, but I’m not a chef. The franchise teaches you how to cook, how to prepare, how to teach, but it’s a life skill, and kids will try things they normally wouldn’t. They’re making it, but then trying food they might not normally eat if they weren’t making it, because now they’re proud of it.

“They want to try it and they want their parents to try it.”

Paul and Lisa point out the popularity of cooking by youth may not necessarily be new, but the boom of cooking shows on TV has helped get kids into the kitchen either besides, or in addition to, say, a soccer field or karate or ballet studio.

“Plus, parents have to cook, so kids want to be in the kitchen with them,” Lisa added. “It’s something they want to do with them, so I think a lot of these kids want to participate as something the family does together.”

Whatever the reason may be, these young chefs are eager to dish out meals.

Parents reap benefits from taking their kiddos to Young Chefs Academy in Lutz, because they get to taste the dishes their young chefs prepared and cooked during class.

“I love coming here so far because I like how they give you the recipes to try and you have to learn how to do it — you taste it and keep trying till you get it right,” 10-year-old chef Noah Diaz said. “You gotta learn how to cut and actually how to prepare (food), and you have to actually learn how to do all the things you would in a kitchen. You’re learning how to cook different things and that’s a lot of fun to me.

“Plus, you then learn what food goes with which and how to pair recipes and make dishes — you’re learning how to be a chef!”

Young Chefs Academy
Where: 23606 State Road 54, in Lutz
Details: This academy provides weekly classes and workshops for kids, tweens and teens who are interested in the culinary arts and in developing, building upon and sharpening their cooking skills.
Info: Visit WesleyChapelFl.youngchefsacademy.com.

Published November 08, 2023

 

Giovanni Arreaga works on preparing some chives during a Young Chefs Academy Class.
Noah Diaz watches as a fellow chef student seasons meat during class at Young Chefs Academy in Lutz.
Natalia Anderson uses a plastic, but effective knife to prepare kale during class at Young Chefs Academy in Lutz. She’s hoping to hone her culinary skills and possibly, in the future, become a professional chef.

Pasco County approves financing for new sports fields at Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus

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The Pasco County Commission has approved financing to help pay for the second phase of the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus, in Wesley Chapel. The money will be repaid with proceeds from the Tourist Development Tax, unless the county board comes up with another way to pay for the financing. The second phase of improvements at the sports campus are expected to be completed in the fall of 2024. (File)

The Pasco County Commission has approved $12 million in financing to help cover the costs of five multipurpose sports fields.

The board selected JP Morgan Chase Bank N.A., to handle the Tourism Development Tax Revenue Bond, Series 2023, for a 15-year contract term, unless refunded earlier in accordance with the solicitation documents.

The board also authorized the payments of fees and costs associated with the bond transaction to be paid from proceeds of the bond. 

The bond issue will be repaid through Tourist Development Tax proceeds, according to the agreement.

However, during its previous discussion of the issue, the county board said it would continue to consider other sources of repayment.

The additional money is needed because the bid for constructing the fields came in at more than originally had been budgeted.

The board approved a contract in September with Trias for an amount not-to-exceed $15,211,150 for phase two improvements at the sports campus, in Wesley Chapel.

Those improvements include:

  • Five multipurpose sports fields, with lighting (plus lighting at two existing fields)
  • Parking
  • A concession stand with restrooms
  • A multi-use trail
  • A parking area for the pavilions, concession stand and trail
  • A roadway loop to take teams to the multipurpose fields
  • Stormwater ponds
  • Additional landscaping

The project is slated for completion by the fall of 2024.

In their previous discussion to seek the financing, board members said it was a necessary step because the project was long overdue.

In other action at the Oct. 24 meeting, the board:

  • Approved the award of a professional services agreement to Ally Facility Solutions Inc., d/b/a City Wide Facility Solutions (City Wide), for countywide comprehensive janitorial/custodial services in the annual not-to-exceed (NTE) amount of $2.1 million for fiscal year 2024; an NTE amount of $2.2 million for fiscal year 2025; and, an NTE amount of $2.35 million for fiscal year 2026, resulting in a cumulative NTE amount of $6.65 million for the three-year contract term retroactive to Oct. 1, 2023. The board also delegated authority to the county administrator to approve and execute two optional annual renewals of NTE $2.45 million for fiscal year 2027 and NTE $2.55 million for fiscal year 2028, bringing the total NTE amount for a five-year contract to $11.65 million.
  • Confirmed the appointments of Leona Shuler and Cheryl Pollock to the Commission on the Status of Women in Pasco County. Shuler represents the African American Club of Pasco and Pollock represents Premier Community HealthCare Inc.
  • Honored Kevin Gallagher who retired after 30 years with Pasco County Public Transportation, now known as GoPasco.
  • Approved a change order for a professional services agreement with AECOM Technical Services Inc., to extend the time by 150 calendar days for the completion of the asphalt paving and striping of Ridge Road, from DeCubellis Road/Moon Lake Road east of the Suncoast Parkway. The new completion date is Feb. 7, 2024.
  • Approved the purchase and installation of 76,000 square feet of Taraflex floor cover, including racks for storage when not in use, at the Wiregrass Sports Campus in Wesley Chapel. The cost is $258,500, which will be paid with Tourist Development Tax fund proceeds. The use of the flooring is expected to reduce the shock that players absorb while playing and also lower the risk of short-term and long-term injuries to players.

Revised November 08, 2023

This Eagle Scout has close ties to Pasco officials

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It’s not the first time that the Pasco County Commission has honored an Eagle Scout, and most likely it won’t be the last.

But when Vincent Salzano was celebrated by the board during its Oct. 24 meeting, board members expressed some personal pride in his accomplishment.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey sponsored the resolution to honor Vincent Salzano, the son of  Anthony Salzano and Elizabeth Blair, who are senior assistant county attorneys.

Vincent is a 17-year-old senior at River Ridge High School. He’s in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, on the robotics team, involved in the Life Teen Ministry at St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church, and is pursuing an FAA pilot’s license with aspirations to become a pilot in the United States Air Force, or an aviator in the U.S. Navy, according to the resolution adopted by the board.

Vincent Salzano is surrounded by officials from Pasco County, after he received a resolution honoring him for his achievements, including attaining the rank of Eagle Scout. From left: Pasco Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Assistant County Administrator Eric Breitenbach; Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley; Senior Assistant County Attorney Anthony Salzano; Vincent Salzano; Senior Assistant County Attorney Elizabeth Blair; Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey; Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman; and, County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

He also has a lengthy history in scouting, replete with accomplishments including a variety of leadership positions and earning 44 merit badges — more than twice the 21 required to reach the rank of Eagle Scout.

He’s also been involved in numerous community service projects with Troop 177, including Coastal Cleanups at Anclote Gulf Park and numerous other environmental projects, participation in the New Port Richey Patriot Day Memorial Ceremony and helping Metropolitan Ministries.

For his Eagle Scout project, he led the construction of a fire circle, a Gaga Ball pit and the rehabilitation of both a volleyball court and a prayer garden.

He accomplished his Eagle Scout project by enlisting the support of friends, scout families, community members and local businesses, the resolution says.

When Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles finished reading the resolution, which was quickly approved by the board, Starkey commented: “My gosh, is that a resume. I was sitting here counting his merit badges there — and  I got way past 21. Was it 21 that you were required and you, what, doubled it?”

Vincent responded: “It was about that.”

Starkey told him she was honored to sponsor the resolution.

“We are also very proud of you, just like your parents. I told your parents, I have two Eagle Scouts in my family, so I know what you go through. And, I know what that ceremony is like when you get it, too.

“What an interesting future I think you are on the way to have.

“I just say, congratulations, great job. Parents, what a great job you’re doing. In this day and age, to see parents like this and kids like this, it’s really wonderful. It gives me great hope for our future,” Starkey said.

Commissioner Seth Weightman added: “Congratulations to you.

“Your parents have done a good job of teaching you the foundation of faith, professionalism, responsibility — being ingrained in you, in Scouts. 

“That foundation, I hope, will lead you to a very successful life. And, I hope you lead your family in your future and in your career as well.

“Keep up the good work, we’re proud of you. You’re a model. And, mom and dad, good job, good work. Congratulations to you guys, as well,” Weightman said.

Commissioner Gary Bradford told the Eagle Scout: “Congratulations on a great achievement. You should be very proud. Your parents have done an outstanding job.”

Commissioner Ron Oakley was clearly impressed by the young man’s achievement.

“You’ve done more in your lifetime, to this point, than a lot of people do in a lifetime.

“You should be in leadership somewhere in the future, and your parents, I know, are very proud of you,” he said.

The 17-year-old addressed the board: “It’s a huge honor to be recognized with the rank of Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts, but even more so to be recognized by all of you, with this resolution.

“I want to thank all of you for that, and I want to thank Commissioner Starkey for sponsoring my resolution here.”

He also singled out two of his scout masters; his parents, in particular his dad, who accompanied him during his journey through Scouting; and, two Eagle Scouts whom he described as being “huge role models” and “massive inspirations” for him.

Vincent’s dad also addressed the board: “Commissioner Starkey, I can’t help but remember the fact that you threw a baby shower for Vincent, many years ago, at your house.”

Anthony Salzano also thanked Eric Breitenbach, who, he said, served as the troop committee chair for more than half of Vincent’s scouting career in Troop 177.

“He’s kind of part-family,” Anthony Salzano said.

Audience members, clearly impressed by the teenager’s accomplishments, signaled their approval through a standing ovation.

Published November 08, 2023  

Bakery company bringing 600 jobs to Pasco

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Bauducco Foods has purchased 72.5 acres of the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport’s Ready Site and expects to hire more than 600 employees within the coming decade.

The news was announced during the Oct. 24 meeting of the Pasco County Commission, which approved an incentives package to help lure the company to the county.

The effort to attract the Brazilian-based company to North Tampa Bay was one that was about 10 months in the making, and involved Pasco County’s economic growth department, the Pasco Economic Development Council, the City of Zephyrhills and the state of Florida, among others.

The company expects to invest more than $200 million in the new facility, which will produce and distribute its baked items across the United States, according to a Pasco County Economic Development Council news release.

This group shot was taken after the Pasco County Commission approved an incentive deal to help bring Bauducco Foods to the county. The company plans to create a production facility in Zephyrhills. The deal to bring the Brazilian-based company here involved a collaboration between Pasco County, the Pasco Economic Development Council, the City of Zephyrhills and the state of Florida. (Courtesy of the Pasco Economic Development Council)

“The company manufactures baked goods including biscuits, wafers and breads, and is the largest producer of panettones in the world, and the market leader in the U.S.,” the Pasco EDC release says.

“The Bauducco brand is sold in all 50 states in regional supermarket chains, national grocery stores, pharmacies and more,” the release adds. 

Zephyrhills will become the company’s main production hub for the U.S. market, according to the release.

Stefano Mozzi, CEO of Bauducco USA, appeared at the county board’s meeting to celebrate the company’s decision to locate in Pasco.

To express its pleasure, the company passed out baked goods to all those attending the county board’s meeting.

A baking company for generations
Mozzi shared the company’s story with the county board and others gathered for the big announcement.

“We are a family owned business. We are in the third generation. It’s an Italian family that moved to Brazil in the ’50s and they started with a small bakery. Today, we are one of the largest bakery companies in Latin America.

“The company has five manufacturing plants in Brazil, with a capacity to produce more than 400,000 tons of baked goods annually with over 8,000 employees worldwide,” according to Pasco EDC’s release

Mozzi told the Pasco County board: “The family always had a dream that was to develop the business in the U.S. They started with a small office in Miami, in 2005. A couple of years back, we built our first facility in Miami.

“It was only a warehouse. It also became a factory. Today, we have over 130 employees there. “But we need to expand,” he said.

The company chose Pasco after a detailed analysis involving more than seven states and 10 counties, according to the Pasco EDC release.

Collaboration yields big jobs win for area
The company’s decision to come to Pasco County is the result of a coordinated effort between Pasco County, the Pasco Economic Development Council, the City of Zephyrhills and Florida Commerce.

Mozzi said Duke Energy, Tampa Electric Co. and the gas company also were involved in the effort.

The collaboration between the different entities, the company executive said, “made our life easy, in terms of selecting where to go.”

Bauducco is ready to get going as soon as it can obtain permits, Mozzi said. It has already hired architects and hopes contractors can start building as quickly as possible.

“We are very excited,” Mozzi told the board.

David Engel, Pasco’s economic growth manager, spelled out some of the specifics of the county’s deal.

The 72.5-acre site where the plant will be located is at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Chancey Road, which was recently annexed by the City of Zephyrhills. The project will be using city water and sewer.

The 72.5-acre site, which is colored in red, is where Bauducco Foods plans to have a production facility in Zephyrhills. The location is part of a Ready Sites program, initially launched by Duke Energy. The Pasco Economic Development Council has built on that concept, working with private landowners to make a number of sites around the county ready for light industrial and manufacturing uses.

When complete, the project will be about 403,000 square feet and will create 600 new Pasco jobs, Engel said.

The project will be done in two phases, he said.

The first phase will be 96,494 square feet and is expected to be completed in 2025-2026, Engel said.

Phase two will be 306,500 square feet and is expected to be completed around 2028-2029.

The county’s incentive in the agreement involves a 25% ad valorem equivalency grant — which is a rebate on their ad valorem tax payment to the general fund.

The property currently is vacant, so the project’s development represents “a tremendous gain into the general fund for tax revenue,” Engel said.

He also noted that the incentives are entirely performance-based, meaning no incentives will be paid until the company has completed phase one and has received a certificate of occupancy.

“No incentives will be paid on the second phase until there’s a CO (certificate of occupancy) on that property and taxes are commencing,” Engel added.

Training dollars are part of deal
Additionally, the county is providing a $100,000 discretionary training grant to the business out of tax revenues generated by Penny for Pasco, Engel said.

The company will be able to receive that money once it has received its shell certificate of completion for phase one. That will enable them to train and hire before receiving a certificate of occupancy for the buildings, Engel said.

Bill Cronin, president and CEO of the Pasco EDC, characterized the project as “probably one of the more exciting projects that we’ve had in quite a while.”

He said the Pasco EDC “worked together with the state of Florida and Enterprise Florida’s international offices. We worked together with the municipality of Zephyrhills, and of course, with our county and our county staff.

Cronin described the project as competitive, noting that Pasco competed with San Antonio, Texas, for the company.

“Usually we don’t mention our competitors, but in this case, I want you to know, this was truly a project where people came together, collaborated, worked together, not just on the incentive deals, but some of the nuances we have here in Florida.”

Laura DiBella, immediate past Florida Secretary of Commerce and president and CEO at Enterprise Florida, told the county board there was “heated competition from Texas.”

She said Bauducco’s footprint in Miami could no longer support what it needed to do.

“The state obviously is participating on the incentive side, as well,” she said.

She said the “wrap-around approach” involves working together with partners “to make sure that this project not only lands, but continues to succeed here.

“This is really, really a happy day for all of us,” she said.

Zephyrhills is delighted by Bauducco’s choice
Billy Poe, city manager for the City of Zephyrhills, said the city is appreciative of the partnership with the county board, the Pasco EDC and the state.

“We’re thrilled that Bauducco selected Zephyrhills and our growing landscape of business potential. The positive impact of these job openings goes beyond providing steady, high-wage employment. It strengthens the fabric of our community by fostering opportunities and prosperity.

He said the city already is known for its water, skydiving and tennis, and now, with Bauducco, will be known for its baked goods, too.

The City of Zephyrhills has approved incentives totaling $8.27 million, according to the Pasco EDC news release. That incentive is based on the company creating 120 new positions, with each having an average wage of 80% of the median one-person income in the Tampa Bay Metropolitan Area.

The city’s incentive package also includes waiving transportation impact fees up to $331,000 and permit fees up to $660,750. Plus, the city will provide a job creation incentive cash grant equal to 50% of the ad valorem city property taxes paid for the first 10 years, according to the Pasco EDC release.

Mozzi said he hopes his company’s investment in Zephyrhills will be the first of many to come.

“I think it will happen. Normally, when one company goes to a place, a lot of others follow later on,” he said.

Published November 08, 2023

Old Pasco Road widening contract approved

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The Pasco County Commission has awarded a contract for the long-awaited widening of Old Pasco Road. (Mike Camunas)

The contract for a long-awaited widening of Old Pasco Road has been awarded to B.R.W. Contracting Inc., for nearly $22 million.

The Pasco County Commission deemed B.R.W. to be the lowest, responsible and responsive bidder for the project, which involves improving Old Pasco Road, north of Deedra Drive to North Overpass Road.

The contract calls for the work to be completed within 600 days, according to background materials in the county board’s Oct. 10 agenda packet.

The county received five bids, including three from Pasco County. The company receiving the contract is from Land O’ Lakes.

Funding is available in the fiscal year 2024 budget.

Under terms of the agreement, B.R.W. will provide all labor, materials and equipment.

The contract spells out a timeline for the project and calls for liquidated damages for delays.

Published November 08, 2023

Pasco school board approves dress code change

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The Pasco County School Board has revised its student dress code to remove the phrase that requires a student’s blouse to “extend to the waist.”

But it’s unlikely that the vote will be the end of district discussion on the issue.

A specific committee will likely review the issue during an update of the Student Code of Conduct for the 2024-2025 school year.

The school board voted 4-0 to approve the dress code for next school year during its Oct. 17 meeting. Board chairwoman Megan Harding was absent.

The Pasco County School Board has altered the district’s dress code to delete a phrase that required blouses to ‘extend to the waist.’ But discussions over appropriate student attire are expected to resume again next year, during the update of the Student Code of Conduct for the 2024-2025 school year. (File)

The dress code change drew considerable debate during previous board discussions, with Harding and school board member Cynthia Armstrong wanting to keep the requirement and school board members Colleen Beaudoin, Alison Crumbley and Al Hernandez favoring the change.

At the Oct. 3 public hearing, two speakers raised objections to the proposed dress code.

Pat Rogers, who frequently appears at board meetings to question various policies, told the board: “This morning, on my way here, I saw a very young girl walking down the sidewalk going to her school with shorts with legs that were maybe this long on them,” she said, indicating a couple of inches.

“Granted, she was young, but that was still too short for school.

“That’s fine for when you are playing at home and out in the yard, but at school, I think there needs to be a length, like 2 inches above the knee or something. So that these short shorts are not being worn around in school because they’re just as distracting as everything else, especially when you get to the young teen boys, the pre-teens.

“Anyway, that needs to be taken care of. The dress code to me is still kind of vague,” she said.

She thinks the code needs more clarity so parents know precisely what the rules are, instead of trying to guess.

“I know you guys can do a better job than this,” she said.

In previous discussions regarding the dress code, Beaudoin urged her colleagues to remove the phrase “extend to the waist” regarding blouses.

Like her colleagues, Beaudoin said she’d like to see students dress professionally and appropriately, but she noted that she believes that ultimately that’s a parental right and responsibility.

Beaudoin also pointed to community norms and said the type of clothing being discussed is socially acceptable.

Plus, she said there are more important issues for the board’s focus, and the dress code is not a barrier to education.

But Nancy Christian, of Land O’ Lakes, told board members that she strongly disagreed with Beaudoin’s rationale.

Christian said she’s a mother and grandmother, a frequent school and community volunteer, a retired bus driver from another district, and a barber.

In those roles, she said she’s come into contact with young people of all ages for many years.

She told the board: “Clothing makes a difference. Certain clothing isn’t appropriate for school. Bare midriffs, bare backs and exposed cleavage isn’t appropriate for the classroom or walking around school.

“It can be distracting, and what is the purpose of such attire?

“A student’s clothing affects their attitude for the good or the bad. Maybe not so much from kindergarten to fourth grade, but after that it depends on the child, but it starts to make a difference.”

“Part of the parents’ responsibility is to teach their child the rules and how to follow them,” Christian said.

Board members said they received feedback on both sides of the issue.

During the Oct. 17 meeting, Armstrong said: “I just want to say that I really appreciate all of the emails I received, and the calls and the discussions about the dress code.

“As you know, I was the one who added on, ‘extend to the waist’ for the shirt.”

“I thought it was pretty clear what that meant, but apparently it was not.

“I do feel like we’ve opened up this discussion about ‘What is appropriate attire for a learning environment? How do we prepare our students to participate in the workforce after they leave school?’

“So, I’m hoping this discussion will continue when we have the committee meet for the next Code of Student Conduct next year and that they will consider some of the suggestions that we received in our emails about how maybe that could be better worded to avoid some of the controversy over it, and to make sure that it was clear and concise.”

Board member Crumbley agreed the discussion should continue next year.

She said she appreciated the comments she received on the issue.

“I see all of the sides. I think it was a good conversation.

“I believe our objective will be to maybe turn this over to a special task force within the Code of Conduct Committee,” Crumbley said, noting that the group can look at the suggestions and emails that came in, in preparation for the 2024-2025 school year.

Published November 08, 2023

These two Pasco students stand out from the crowd

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The Pasco County School Board recently celebrated two student standouts.

Leah Ifill, a senior at Wiregrass Ranch High School, is the district’s U.S. Presidential Scholar nominee, and Miguel Rosario, a senior at Cypress Creek High School, is the district’s U.S. Presidential Scholar in Career and Technical Education.

The scholar program, established in 1964, recognizes and honors superior high school seniors.

Diamela Vergne, assistant principal at Wiregrass Ranch High, wrote the submission on behalf of Ifill.

Wiregrass Ranch High School student Leah Ifill is Pasco County’s Nominee for the U.S. Presidential Scholars Program. From left: Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning, Leah Ifill and Pasco County Schools Vice Chairwoman Alison Crumbley. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

In part, this is what she said: “Leah is well-rounded, hardworking, kind and an extremely driven student. She successfully and with great ease balances her multiple responsibilities, inside and outside of school, all while ensuring she tends to physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and social well-being.

“Leah was out of school for two months during her freshman year. During that time, she had to re-learn how to do many things.

“Leah has been dancing since she was 2, learning how to dance before she could fully speak.

“Having to re-learn things, she was forced to stop dancing for an entire year. She was stripped of her only passion.

“It was during this time that she was introduced to musical theater, which became her new passion.

“She was forever changed, but it allowed her to become someone she thought she could never be.

“Eventually, she was able to land main roles in shows, through perseverance and hard work.

“The journey from dance to musical theater has been transformative. This could have been a setback, but it became a catalyst for her success. It taught her resilience, determination and the importance of pursuing her life’s passions.

“Leah currently has 111 approved community service hours. These hours have been completed in a variety of environments. 

“She has volunteered at Toys for Tots, distributing toys during the holidays. She also volunteers at the nursery from her church. She volunteers at the community theater, and at Wiregrass Ranch freshman orientation. She also sings the National Anthem at various events at her high school campus.

“She is an active member of the student council, as well.”

The assistant principal also noted that Ifill is enrolled in several Advanced Placement (AP) courses, as well as courses in the arts. She also is a member of concert chorus, social manager for the Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and Thespian president of Troupe 7142.

Rosario is the district’s Presidential Scholars nominee in Career and Technical Education.

Nathan Baker, the Career and Technical Education teacher at the Coyote Engineering Academy, wrote this about Miguel: “Miguel is the best student I’ve had within the last five years within the engineering academy at Cypress Creek High School.

Cypress Creek High School student Miguel Rosario was recognized as Pasco County Schools’ nominee for the 2024 U.S. Presidential Scholars in Career and Technical Education Program. From left: Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning, Miguel Rosario and Pasco County Schools Vice Chairwoman Alison Crumbley.

“His intelligence and natural abilities are just phenomenal. He is currently taking AP calculus BC and AP computer science.

“Miguel has also spread his wings in other directions besides academia. He is very active in the student government association, a member of the Spirit Club, captain of the varsity soccer team and has a part-time job.

“I’ve watched Miguel demonstrate an atmosphere of mutual respect, hard work, good sportsmanship, prioritization and time management.

“Miguel is selfless and always willing to lend a hand. Miguel will make an amazing computer engineer one day. He has all of the characteristics necessary for success, including high intelligence, a strong work ethic, amazing problem-solving skills and the desire to succeed.

“He has excelled at every challenge given to him within the engineering program, including thermal dynamics, electricity, fluid dynamics, robotics, programming and team leadership.

“He has a gift for envisioning a solution to a problem and optimizing that solution. Whether it is a complicated mathematical problem, or a robotics program that needs to be written, I’ve never known Miguel not to succeed.

“Miguel was chosen as the outstanding student of engineering his freshman year and likely would have won it multiple times, except Cypress Creek High School limits ninth through 11th graders to winning it only once to spread the award around.

“He has earned numerous Student of the Week awards, College Board National Hispanic Recognition Program, and recognized as being a member of multiple honor societies.

“Miguel has continued to add new tools to his technical toolbox. He spent a year in the Pasco Youth Leadership Program to learn about leadership, inspiring others and the projects taking place throughout the county.”

Baker noted that Rosario continues to add new programming languages to his arsenal.

“He is hands-on and can always be found tinkering with something in the lab.

“By spending time in the Pasco Youth Leadership Program and tutoring, it is evident that Miguel inspires others to be the best and instills in them a sense of duty to achieve more than they believe they can achieve.

“Miguel Rosario is the total package. He is highly intelligent, demonstrates common sense and possesses an amazing level of mechanical, hands-on ability and has limitless determination.

“He is truly the real deal.

“I could never ask for a better student,” Baker wrote.

Published November 08, 2023