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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Navigating resources for special needs kids can be tricky

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Having a child with special needs can create daunting challenges for families.

Beyond not knowing what to do, it’s also hard to know who can help.

It can be confusing for families when they move into a new school district, explains Stephanie Long, assistant director of student support programs and services for Pasco County Schools.

People arrive in the district and they say: “I’m new to Pasco, what do I need?”

“I don’t understand your programs. I’m coming from another state. I’ve never heard this terminology? What do I do?”

Parents of students with special needs from other school districts often aren’t familiar with the terms used to describe programs here, or with the varying types of programs. They can get an introduction to the district’s programs from information provided on the district’s website. (File)

Long directs new families to the public school district’s website, where there is a page that’s specifically built to give parents a step-by-step guide to information, covering all of the basic needs for all students.

Plus, it gives parents a good start to find out what the district’s Exceptional Student Education (ESE) services and programs are for students with special needs.

The district also shares information about other resources available in the community, or through state partnerships.

The best place to start, according to Long, is at the Parents tab on the district’s website (Pascok12.fl.us). Then, parents can scroll down that page to a link called SSPS Resources.

“It immediately opens up to all of the parent resources,” Long said.

If you click on the ESE Guide, for instance, you’ll find information to help you navigate the world of special programs.

“This basically gives the alphabet soup of all of the different acronyms that we throw around in our world. A glossary of all of the terms that we use,” she said.

It also explains the district’s continuum of services for its ESE students.

Special services can vary from place to place, so this gives parents an idea of what to expect in Pasco.

Another resource, provided through the district, is a quarterly meeting intended to give parents a chance to identify topics of need, or interest, and to work collaboratively with other parents and the school district to address them.

Jennifer Hykes, senior supervisor of special programs, runs that group.

Historically, participation has been lower than the district would like, but the numbers are improving as a result of marketing and outreach efforts.

“We really want these meetings to be collaborative. We want to hear what the needs are and what they (parents) want,” Hykes said.

Identifying needs is the first step toward developing a plan to address them, she said.

That group’s next virtual meeting is set for Feb. 21 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. To find out more, reach out to Hykes via email at .

The sessions give parents an opportunity to learn about various topics.

And, if they have specific questions, this is a good place to get them answered.

“We always have a Q & A session at the end,” Hykes said. “I stay on as long as needed.”

Another way to find out more about available resources would be to attend Superintendent Kurt Browning’s Family Forum on Safety and Security. (See accompanying info box).

Some students need special services and it can be confusing for parents to know where to turn for help. There are a variety of resources available, both within Pasco County Schools, through state partnerships and with community groups. (Mike Camunas)

The forum is set up to provide information on various safety and security topics, but there also will be representatives from various service providers and community organizations to answer questions and provide information.

Those representatives can help clue in parents regarding sources of help that may be useful to them.

Pasco County School Board member Colleen Beaudoin, who has extensive experience in dealing with issues relating to children with special needs, also provided some guidance that may be useful for parents of ESE students.

She shared those thoughts during a recent Laker/Lutz News interview involving her, Long and Hykes.

It’s no secret that many parents may feel overwhelmed as they try to figure out what’s best for their special needs’ kids.

Beaudoin suggested this simple way to get started: “If you have a concern, request a meeting with your school.”

Once a meeting is scheduled, it’s  good to be prepared, Beaudoin said. Take a notebook and any relevant documentation, she advised.

Keep a positive attitude, too, Beaudoin said.

“I think some parents do feel that they really need to go in (to a meeting about their child), in defense mode,” the school board member said.

One excellent source of information for parents is the Florida Diagnostic and Learning System, FDLRS for short, Beaudoin said.

Long agreed.

Families can submit questions and receive information, typically within 24 to 48 hours, Long said.

Hykes said it’s important to know that many questions and concerns can be answered or resolved at the school level. She recommends that families have a list of contact names and numbers, to know who they should call, if an issue arises.

At the school level, the list should include the teacher, the case manager (if there is one) and the principal. Beyond that, the district has a list of program supervisors, which is available on its website.

Another place to find some easy-to-understand information about Florida’s ESE services is the Florida’s MTSS. The acronym stands for multi-tiered systems of support for families.

The parent guide explains that school districts must provide a certain procedure to ensure that they’ve implemented intervention, and to ensure that the students had a poor response to that intervention, before the district says that a student has a disability, Long said.

She also pointed out a program called Project 10, a program that focuses on transition.

“For those students with disabilities, how do we help them transition to post-secondary opportunities? How do we provide greater opportunities for students with disabilities to have greater outcomes when they leave us and they go on to postsecondary?” Long said.

Superintendent’s Family Forum on Safety and Security
Where/when:

  • Pasco Middle School, 13925 14th St., Dade City, on Jan. 24, doors open at 5 p.m.; event starts at 5:30 p.m.
  • Fivay High School, 12115 Chicago Ave., , on Jan. 31, doors open at 5 p.m.; event starts at 5:30 p.m.

Details:
Breakout sessions will include:

  • School safety in Pasco County
  • Data security in a connected society
  • Handling threats in schools
  • Suicide prevention for students
  • Accessing student services

Community resources available on:

  • Safety
  • Mental health
  • Student supports
  • Student services
  • Community supports

Free child care is available for children ages 4 through 10. Light refreshments will be provided, too. To register, visit SuperintendentsFamilyForum1.sched.com/.

Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Services
To help you acclimate to services and programs designed for students who have special needs, here are some places to go to get more information. Some services and programs are provided by Pasco County Schools and some are provided through partnerships or community organizations.

To get started, go to the Pasco County Schools’ website, at Pasco.k12.fl.us. Once there, click on the Parents tab. Then scroll down to Student Support Services.

Then, check out information provided in these categories:

  • Center for Autism Related Disorders (CARD)
  • ESE Parent Guide
  • ESE Parent Collaborative Network
  • ESE Programs and Resources
  • Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS), click on Parent Services link
  • FLDOE Exceptional Student Education, click on link for Parent Information page

Published January 18, 2023

Blue Triton Brands plans bottled water plant expansion

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Blue Triton Brands Inc., formerly known as Nestle Waters North America Inc., has secured permission to vacate a portion of platted right of way, to help accommodate the company’s planned plant expansion in Zephyrhills.

After hearing from county staff and a representative for Blue Triton Brands, the county board voted on Jan. 10 to unanimously approve the request to vacate a portion of Leaf Lane, which is a platted right of way, and to vacate portions of Camphorwood Lane and Breezewood Drive.

Zephyrhills Bottled Water Plant, at 4330 20th Street, will get an expansion through its parent company, Blue Triton Brands. (Mike Camunas)

Joann Ravida, a real property professional in the county’s Real Property & Planning Division, told the county board: “The purpose of the vacation (of the property) is to allow for the area to be utilized for parking and water retention, to serve the expansion of the petitioner’s existing plant.

“There were no objections to this petition and the team recommends approval,” she added.

Linda Pearson, a planner representing Blue Triton Brands, told the county that approval of the request was needed to accommodate the company’s plant expansion plans.

Pearson told the county board: “We’re not affecting anything or any access used currently, now or in the future, by the residents to the south that are currently in Pasco County.

“They have no access to it. There’s nothing there. Our company has owned that company for some time. It’s vacant,” she said.

Pearson also noted that the three homes that are affected are a considerable distance away.

The planned plant expansion will add 30 new positions and convert 45 of the existing 56 positions into full-time roles, Pearson said.

Salaries will generally range from about $44,000 to $64,000, in connection with the expansion, she added.

“Blue Triton Brands purchased the Nestle Corporation in April of 2021. They purchased all of the U.S. and Canadian plants, approximately there are 27 of them. And, they’re making their biggest capital investment this year, in this plant,” Pearson said.

Pearson told the county board that Blue Triton Brands has a pending application to annex into the City of Zephyrhills. She showed county board members a map indicating the only portion of its property that’s currently outside the city limits.

“We are being very careful in anything we do, to minimize the impact to the surrounding community,” Pearson said.

The landscaping and buffering provided will exceed code requirements, she added.

Commissioner Ron Oakley asked if the City of Zephyrhills could vacate the rights of way in question, if the land is being annexed.

County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder said an argument could be made along those lines, but the original plat likely was recorded in the county records, and since the applicant had already gone through the county’s process, the board might as well take action.

Pearson agreed, noting the plan was recorded in the county and her company believes its best to have the county board take action, to ensure everything is legal.

The City of Zephyrhills is scheduled to consider the annexation, a comprehensive plan amendment and a zoning request on Jan. 23, Pearson said. Another neighborhood meeting is planned before then, she added.

Although no one spoke against the request during the board’s afternoon public hearing, Marlene Mann, a neighbor to the water plant, had voiced opposition during the morning public comment portion of the board’s meeting.

After Mann voiced her objections, Steinsnyder informed the board that her remarks were related to an item that would be heard by the board in the afternoon.

Mann signed up to speak during the afternoon session, but was unable to wait until the board took it up.

In the morning, she told board members: “I just want to go on record to say that I oppose the petition to vacate a portion of three platted rights of way by Blue Triton.

“I know it won’t do any good, but I speak on behalf of the neighborhood, that used to be a nice quiet neighborhood of 16 homes, dead-end street.

“We’re in the county, but right next to us used to be Nestle’s Zephyrhills Bottled Water, now owned by Blue Triton.

“Our neighborhood was there before Blue Triton or Zephyrhills Bottled Water was ever built,” she said.

Nestle bought eight of the 16 homes and bulldozed them, she said.

She objected to Blue Triton Brand’s planned expansion.

“They’re going get rid of a lot of big oaks, over 200 trees. They’re going to bring this retention pond within 75 feet of our backyards,” she said.

“None of the neighbors want this. We don’t want our peaceful neighborhood destroyed, with mosquitoes close by, all of the trees, big oaks, disappearing, plus the big noise factor of the trucks, which are 24 hours a day, which’ll be right close to our backyards and the big lights.

“I know there’s probably not much hope because big city and big companies always win, but thank you for hearing me out,” Mann said.

Published January 18, 2023

Pasco Sheriff’s Office explorer post to offer drone program

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The Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) Explorer Post 916 is offering a new program to introduce those ages 14 to 21 to the world of unmanned aerial systems, also known as drones, and also to forensics, according to a sheriff’s office posting.

These fields are integral to law enforcement operations and this program offers a science-based look at roles outside of what is traditionally thought of as a responsibility of a law enforcement officer, the posting says.

The program includes instruction from guest speakers from PSO’s Forensics and UAS/Drone units, as well as the PSO’s Florida’s Institute for Research, Security and Tactics (F1RST), and other experts.

The introductory meeting is set for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., on Feb. 15, at Safety Town, at 15362 Alric Pottberg Road, Shady Hills.

Registration is strongly encouraged and can be completed online. For more details about the Explorer Post 916 Drones/Forensics Program Informational Meeting, visit Community Events on the News.PascoSheriff.com website.

Published January 18, 2023

Nominations sought for environmental champion

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Hillsborough County is seeking nominations for its Theodore Roosevelt Hillsborough Forever Conservation Award, according to a county news release.

The honor, given annually, goes to an individual or a group whose efforts exemplify dedication to preserving the county’s natural resources.

The award is named after Theodore Roosevelt Jr., the 26th president of the United States and noted conservationist who placed more than 200 million acres under public protection.

Nominees must live or work in Hillsborough County and “be someone who shows persistence and dedication to long-term conservation of the county’s natural resources, demonstrates integrity in performance toward conservation goals, and displays attributes of true conservation stewardship,’’ according to the award criteria.

Nominations will go through the Jan K. Platt Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program General Committee, which will send a recommendation to the Hillsborough County Commission for approval.

The board will have an award ceremony in the spring to coincide with National Arbor Day.

The deadline for nominations is Feb. 28, according to the release.

For more information, call 813-672-7876, or email Ross Dickerson.

Published January 18, 2023

Saddlebrook Resort redevelopment inches closer to approval

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The Pasco County Planning Commission voted 5-2 to recommend approval of a proposed change to the county’s comprehensive plan — as a first step toward the redevelopment of Saddlebrook Resort, in Wesley Chapel.

Despite the planning board’s positive Jan. 5 vote, members said they won’t support a needed companion zoning change unless it has a far greater degree of detail.

Saddlebrook opened in 1981 and achieved an international reputation for excellence in its tennis and golf facilities and programs. Through the years, premier athletes have flocked there to use the resort’s facilities — and its golf and tennis academies have helped prepare future champions.

There appears to be broad consensus that improvements are needed at Saddlebrook Resort, but residents and planning board members want myriad questions answered before a proposed redevelopment gains approval. (File)

Despite having a reputation as a crown jewel for Pasco County, there’s broad consensus that the 40-plus-year-old resort needs to be refreshed.

Mast Capital, based in Miami, is seeking approval to redevelop the property. But to do so it must gain approval from the Pasco County Commission to change the county’s comprehensive plan and also approval of a new master plan for Saddlebrook.

The planning board serves as an advisory board to the county commission.

Saddlebrook residents and attorneys packed the planning board’s public hearing, which lasted about four hours.

Residents expressed skepticism about Mast Capital’s intentions. They urged the planning board to protect Saddlebrook’s beauty, serenity, wildlife and legacy.

Greater clarity demanded
Two major sticking points centered on potential impacts from the proposed redevelopment and a lack of specificity in the plans.

Attorney Barbara Wilhite, representing Mast Capital, said her client has been meeting with Saddlebrook residents through the resort’s five homeowner’s associations.

Wilhite outlined Mast Capital’s proposal and said changes have been made, based on community feedback.

For instance, Mast Capital dropped a request to add 60 single-family residences and 100 townhomes on land the current proposal designates for golf course and golf course-related uses.

Wilhite also noted she’s working with attorneys on private deed restrictions, which will legally bind future uses of the land — a highly unusual step that her client is willing to take.

In broad strokes, the redevelopment plan has four parts: two areas are within Saddlebrook’s gated community and two outside, next to State Road 54.

The plan proposes combining the two 18-hole Arnold Palmer golf courses into a single 27-hole course.

“There are several holes that are plagued with terrible drainage situations that make them unplayable for significant amounts of time, throughout the year,” explained Eran Landry, a managing director for Mast Capital. “It’s going to take millions of dollars just in the golf course drainage improvements to change that.”

Landry said the company is in talks with two golf course designers.

Resident Patrick Hogan, who lives on Laurelwood Lane, told the planning board: “We’re on the Palmer course. It’s a Palmer course. There’s only one Arnold.

“It affects the value of our homes. That’s what we’re concerned about,” Hogan said.

Residents also want specificity regarding what “golf-related uses” would be allowed — and where the uses would be located.

They, and planning board members, also want to know where the tennis courts and driving range will be.

Mast Capital is seeking to increase the entitlement for commercial and retail uses from 100,000 square feet to 105,000 square feet; to 55 beds for the existing golf and tennis academy; to add a 12,000-square-foot clubhouse; to add 155 townhomes; and, to add 465 apartments.

The new development fronting State Road 54 will be a mixture of commercial and residential, in a walkable area featuring neighborhood parks, patio seating, a wide boulevard and other amenities.

Changes needed to reverse resort’s decline
“You want to create spaces that allow people to feel good, and obviously want to congregate and hang out, and enjoy their experiences at the resort. We intend to do that,” Landry said.

His company plans to spend millions to change the direction of the resort, which has been in decline, he said.

Mast Capital wants to add features such as a splash pad for kids; an ice cream shop for families; and, a coffee bar. It also wants to upgrade the pool area, which Landry characterized as “completely underwhelming.”

Plans call for a complete overhaul of existing resort rooms.

“Those resort rooms are just not competitive, relative to any other hotels nearby or other resorts. The occupancy and the rates have been in decline for a significant amount of time. We intend to change that,” Landry said.

A clubhouse is planned, too. Those are a common fixture at premier golf destinations, Landry said.

Wilhite said plans call for a dual left-turn lane and a dedicated right lane at the resort’s exit to improve traffic flow. A new right-in, right-out access onto State Road 54 also is planned to serve the project’s development along the state road.

Protect community’s character
Residents urged the planning board to protect the community they love.

“Driving home and entering the neighborhood has always felt like entering an oasis, a beautiful, quiet, natural haven,” said Judith Ranells, of Fox Hunt Drive, a Saddlebrook resident since 1988.

“The beauty within Saddlebrook is simply spectacular,” agreed Joann Barbetta, who lives on Fox Hunt Drive, too. “The expansive and dense collection of trees, the winding roads, the spacious driving range were all thoughtfully laid out.

“The homes are spaced far apart and there’s a lot of privacy and large, open spaces.

“The peacefulness and serenity of that can’t be overstated.

“Saddlebrook is also a place where you regularly interact with the best elite athletes in the world,” she added.

Her husband, Larry Barbetta, helped to form the Save Saddlebrook Coalition. The coalition seeks to protect the interests of residents throughout the community.

“We want to encourage investment enhancement in this community. We definitely do. But I cannot accept, and the coalition cannot accept, a complete lack of detail. There’s no idea where the (golf course) holes will go. There’s no idea where the driving range will go. That’s not written anywhere.

“This is really important to us. It’s incredibly important to us. It’s our lives,” he said.

Nancy Foster has lived on Saddlebrook Way for more than two decades.

“While living here, I’ve been privileged to watch pro tennis players practice and train.

“We have courts that provide for these players to play at Wimbledon, the French Open, the Australian Open and, of course, at home, at the U.S. Open. That’s why they come here.

“Keeping tennis courts and golf courses are important to the resort,” she said.

Foster cherishes the resort’s wildlife, too.

She described it this way: “There is a hawk who announces his arrival, as he flies over my house, every day. A coyote visiting my back porch, taking a nap. A bobcat checking out my backyard. Then the deer arrive. The many wild turkeys with their young, marching through. Let me not forget the otters, turtles and especially the owls keeping a watch over my pet bird, which is fortunately living in the house.”

Residents and planning board members raised question after question — and made it clear they want them answered before the next phase of the process, which involves the rezoning request.

After the planning board hears that request, both the land use and zoning change applications will be heard on the same day by the Pasco County Commission. That date has not yet been set.

Published January 11, 2023

More changes, growth coming to Zephyrhills

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The City of Zephyrhills continues to grow and change as it enters 2023.

“I think the biggest thing is, we’re not just a snowbird community anymore,” City Manager Billy Poe said. “We’re growing leaps and bounds, and now, as a city, we have to ask ourselves, ‘What do we want to be when we grow up?’ And what we want is everyone on the same page as we head into what is expected to be a busy future for Zephyrhills.”

Poe’s current passion project is the city rebranding. From the town slogan, logo and even color schemes, it’s a citywide image change that will be based on research and resident feedback.

The City of Zephyrhills — the largest municipality in Pasco County — has several projects in the works and planned for 2023. The city expects its population to reach nearly 20,000 within the next couple of years. (Mike Camunas)

“It’s to tell everyone who we are, what kind of city we are and have become, and what we have to offer,” Poe said.

In July 2022, city leaders brought in North Star Place Branding + Marketing, a Jacksonville-based consulting firm that will conduct research within the community to uncover how Zephyrhills is perceived, attitudes that people have about it, and to explore the city’s unique offerings. The firm then launched a survey in October, asking residents those questions. Since then, Poe said, there have been nearly 1,000 responses.

Poe hopes the rebranding will be complete by mid- to late-2023 to unveil to the public.

The city’s $100-million budget is nearly 33% more than it was last year, reflecting Zephyrhills’ growth.

It has earmarked $1 million to repair and add sidewalks throughout the town, especially around schools.

Poe says this is to “connect any missing links,” so residents can get around town without crossing streets or have neighborhoods connecting to the schools via sidewalks.

The sidewalks are coming at the right time and coincide with several road work projects, such as extensions of Dairy Road and Kossick Road, and improvements to the intersection at County Road 54 and 12th Street, next to Zephyrhills High.

In addition, Poe said the city was excited to welcome a new distillery — Dunamis Premium Spirits — which opened a tasting room by the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport off Chancey Road.

The distillery plans to convert the old SunTrust Building on Gall Boulevard into a two-story, glass-fronted tasting room and banquet hall that will be available for events.

“That could be a real game-changer for downtown Zephyrhills and a real shot in the arm for Gall Boulevard,” Poe said. “This project will be pretty cool, and I think that it’s exciting because, while not right downtown, it’s a couple of blocks away and could be a real catalyst in connecting that strip there into downtown.

“Because, let’s be honest, we’re almost at 18,000 here in Zephyrhills, so it won’t be much longer before we’re at 20,000.”

An estimated 1,200 to 1,800 residents are expected at the Abbott Square development off Simons Road, which is adding 600 homes.

“You want to grow at a controlled pace for several years to come, and we’ll see what happens — certainly we want to move forward, but we have to do it the right way,” Poe said. “Our goal is to grow a great community, with a balance of commercial and residential properties, so it becomes — and this is going to sound cliche, but it’s so true — where everyone wants to live, work and play.”

Additional Zephyrhills projects include:

Hercules Park: Plans are being finalized for a new $5.4-million park project that will be on the 12-acre parcel of land at the corner of County Road 54 and Gall Boulevard, adjacent to Woodland Elementary. City officials hope to have the full plans for City Council approval in time for a late spring/early summer groundbreaking. The park will include a splash pad, restroom, picnic shelters, a playground and trails.

The Backyard: An open-air park at the southwest corner of Eighth Street and Sixth Avenue will feature covered seating under teepee-like structures. Repurposed metal storage containers will serve as vendor spaces. There will be a stage, lighting, an event screen, plus service from food trucks. The initial design on the project came in over the $250,000 budget, so the city is having conversations to scale back the project. If officials can’t settle on budgetary concerns, the project may be shelved until a later time.

Multi-use indoor sports complex: A 30,000-square-foot multi-use indoor sports complex is planned to come to the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center, but also is facing funding issues. Money for this project had been planned through state appropriations, but that was pulled back due to Hurricane Ian. Facility plans call for room for four full-size tennis courts and other athletic events. The space also would be used for trade shows, banquets and ceremonies. City officials are looking to scale back some on this project and, of course, await the funding, with a late 2023 start date being very tentative at this time.

Airport additions: More state appropriation money has been given to the city to add a new terminal, two box hangers and a taxiway. This also would include jet parking after the airport finished a $5.9-million, 1,200-foot runway expansion in the summer that will allow the city to welcome larger planes, including private jets. Since 2011, the city has spent $32 million improving the airport and has another nearly $7 million of state appropriated funds to spend on it.

National Guard Armory Complex: A $25-million armory complex is expected to be completed by 2026, also built by state appropriated funds. This also will mean extending South Avenue to the north up to County Round 54. Bidding on this project will commence soon and future development will come at a later date.

Published January 11, 2023

Striking up a really, really big band

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Consistency is not a minor key.

That’s especially true when it comes to the Land O’ Lakes High School Band.

Land O’ Lakes High Band member Max McGuill practices his tuba during a class in December. The Gators’ band, since being taken over by Johnathon Mulder six years ago, has more than doubled in size, from 60 to 124 members. Since Mulder took over, there’s been an emphasis on the passion of creating music together, and less focus on ratings and awards. (Mike Camunas)

In the six years that band director Johnathon Mulder has been leading the Gators, he has demonstrated consistency in leadership, direction, experience and, of course, the love of music.

“We’ve tried to put a big emphasis on recruiting — which is not really like it is in the sports world,” said Mulder, a former trumpet player from the Herd of Thunder, the University of South Florida’s marching band. “It’s more of just trying to get to the middle school and giving them the information about us and joining us when they come to this high school.

“But until I got here — with the last five to six band directors — there was constant turnover, where it was a new band director every two to three years. So consistency, that was a big thing for me when I came in — not to leave after two years.

“Because with any band program in the state, or even the country, ones that are large in size and very good, you see that they have a director or directors that have been there for an extended time.”

Mulder’s stay, and the consistency in leadership, have worked. Land O’ Lakes now has the second largest public high school band in Pasco County, only behind Mitchell High.

Land O’ Lakes High Director of Bands Johnathon Mulder directs the woodwind and brass sections of the Gators’ band during a practice session on campus in December. Since he took over the band six years ago, Mulder has changed the band’s culture, which has resulted in an uptick of participation from students, especially from incoming freshmen.

When Mulder took over, the band had about 60 members. Now, the Gators’ band has 124 members, which is a school record.

“When I came here, there was a lot of negativity within the band,” Mulder said. “A lot of students would make jokes about themselves — self-deprecating humor — but we wanted to stop that.

“The big thing with my philosophy in teaching is we will do well, we will go on stage and put on a great performance and a high-quality production. What’s important is that this class, like our dance and art and chorus classes and theater, is usually the safe space for those students. We wanted to create an atmosphere that this is a family, that we’re all working for each other, with each other and pushing ourselves and holding ourselves to high standards.”

That family atmosphere, and the “recruiting,” seems to be working, given the band’s size. Mulder and the band’s captains will visit the middle school band, like the one at Pine View Middle, which has close to 300 members. But the band also will have a Middle School Night.

For that, the Gators will go to a Pine View game and play and perform with those middle school band members. They’ll also invite them to a Gators’ football game, so they can watch the band perform during the game and its halftime performance.

“We do have a middle school band night, so we were there and played their tunes, our tunes — really jammed out with them and performed on the field with them,” senior trombone section leader Riley Palmer said. “And they came to our game and, obviously, I didn’t really pay attention to them in the stands because I was playing, but I think they liked it.

Riley Palmer, a senior, left, and Gracie Bagley, a junior, play their trombones during practice for Land O’ Lakes High’s band.

“I know, for me, I loved it because, just like them, I was in the stands on middle school night and it got me really excited to join when I came to Land O’ Lakes.”

Middle school night has been quite the recruiting tool, according to one of the band’s recruiters.

“We’re really involved with middle school night and just show them this is the high school band experience and they really love it,” said Kenzie Ringo, a senior, who plays the clarinet and is the band’s co-captain. “In the past, you’d get a really big freshman class and then they’d quit, but now everyone sticks around and you have seniors that have been in band all four years.

“We’re a lot like a family — we’re really close and love being around each other, and so that helps people stick around and that’s just very cool to see.”

As senior players who have enjoyed four full years under Mulder’s guidance, they believe his tenure has made all the difference.

“What makes our band stand out from other bands is that we’re not as serious as other bands,” Palmer said. “I’d like us to be a little more serious, but I also just like how chill we are, and that’s what he’s brought to this band.”

“He’s, obviously, our band director, but he’s the leader, right?” Ringo added. “He’s just a very easy person to talk to and down to earth with us. He doesn’t mind talking to any of us outside of band time. He’s just someone that you want to be friends with, even after you move on from high school.”

And after six years, the Gators band is finally on the same page of sheet music.

It’s important to have consistency in leadership and expectations, Mulder said.

“When you establish those expectations and have them year after year, you build a culture of success, and I think that absolutely shows now after six years.”

Published January 11, 2023

Damien Cardina, a junior, plays his euphonium during a practice session.
Brady Horn, a sophomore, plays the flute, as part of the 124-member Land O’ Lakes High School band — the largest band in the school’s history.
Nayshun Glover, a freshman, practices a drum routine.
Isabella Gomez, a sophomore, practices on her oboe.

The kumquat soon will be king for a day, in Dade City

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On the same day that ‘pirates’ take over downtown Tampa in that city’s annual Gasparilla invasion and parade, the city of Dade City expects to embrace a more genteel invasion of its own — with thousands of visitors arriving for the 26th annual Kumquat Festival.

The festival — which draws its name from a tiny, sweet and tangy citrus fruit — began more than two decades ago when Phyllis Smith, Roxanne Barthle and Carlene Ellberg were trying to find a way to inject new life into downtown Dade City.

All sorts of products featuring kumquats will be available at the 26th annual Kumquat Festival, in downtown Dade City on Jan. 28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.(File)

They decided to have an event to celebrate the kumquat because the Kumquat Growers, based in Dade City, are the nation’s largest producers of the fruit, sometimes described as “the little gold gems of the citrus family.”

The festival began small, on the lawn of the historic Pasco County Courthouse.

Over the years, the event spread through the city’s historic downtown core, and it routinely attracts thousands of visitors from the Tampa Bay area and beyond.

Besides giving people a chance to sample the distinctive flavor of kumquats, the festival also offers them a chance to experience Dade City’s hospitality, at a family friendly event, according to John Moors, executive director of the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce.

It’s affordable, he added. There’s no admission charge, and there’s free parking, entertainment and activities.

The event is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Jan. 28. It will be held, rain or shine.

The event showcases Dade City’s “wonderful merchants and shops and restaurants” in the city’s historic downtown, Moors said.

Festival-goers who enjoy shopping can check out offerings from about 350 vendors — including an array of arts, crafts and other creations.

“It is a juried show, so the items that are being sold are quality items,” Moors said. Also, organizers “only allow certain amounts of various items in the show, which keeps it very eclectic.”

Entertainment will be offered at various locations around downtown, and there will be a vintage car show, children’s activities and other things to see and do.

Food and drink options will be plentiful.

Besides going to downtown restaurants, festival-goers also will be able to grab a bite to eat from food trucks and food vendors, too.

Those who enjoy adult beverages will be able to sip on kumquat beer or kumquat wine as they stroll from place to place, because on Kumquat Festival day, the entire downtown will be wet-zoned.

Of course, the kumquat is king at this event. And it will be available in myriad forms, including kumquat salsas, kumquat jelly, kumquat marmalade, kumquat marinade, kumquat salad dressing and kumquat barbecue sauce.

There’s kumquat ice cream and, of course, kumquat pie — which has been declared Pasco County’s official pie.

Moors expressed gratitude for the event’s dozens of sponsors, including headline sponsor AdventHealth.

The chamber executive also noted the festival relies heavily on volunteers, estimating that about 200 are pitching in this year.

26th annual Kumquat Festival
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Jan. 28
Where: Downtown Dade City
Cost: Admission is free, parking is free, entertainment is free.
Info: Call 352-567-3769, or visit DadeCityChamber.org.

Kumquat pie is Pasco County’s official pie. Would you like to buy a slice? You can purchase one at the 26th annual Kumquat Festival, or, if you prefer, you can buy some kumquats and follow these directions to make your own.

Ingredients:
1 9-inch baked pie crust
1 can condensed milk
1 8-ounce container of whipped topping
2/3 cup of Kumquat puree
1/2 cup of lemon juice

Directions:
Beat condensed milk with whipped topping. Add lemon juice and beat until thickened. Add Kumquat puree. Pour in pie crust and chill for several hours. Garnish with Kumquats and mint leaves.

Source: Kumquat Growers website (Original recipe is from Rosemary Gude)

Kumquat facts
Kumquats have been called the ‘little gold gems’ of the citrus family. They are believed to be native to China and have a very distinctive taste. Kumquats are the only citrus fruit that can be eaten whole. The peel is the sweetest part and can be eaten separately. The pulp, which contains seeds and juice, is sour. Together, the peel and pulp taste sweet and sour. The seeds contain pectin, which can be removed by boiling for use in jams and jellies.

Source: The Kumquat Growers Association

Published January 11, 2023

Two new schools coming to Central Pasco

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Two new schools are planned to accommodate burgeoning growth in Central Pasco.

One is a K-8 school planned for a site on the east side of Skybrooke Boulevard, south of State Road 54.

The other is a charter elementary school that will be operated by Dayspring Academy. It will be built on a 5-acre site, on Sunterra Drive, in Land O’ Lakes, according to materials in the Pasco County School Board’s Jan. 3 agenda packet.

The school board approved agreements relating to each of those projects.

The school board approved an agreement with Zyscovich Architects relating to the new K-8, which is planned for a 22-acre site. The 170,000-square-foot school will be designed for a maximum of 1,800 student stations, according to materials in the board’s agenda packet.

Construction on that project is expected to begin in October of 2023, with substantial completion expected by June of 2025.

The project will include new buildings, retention ponds, landscaping parking and stormwater management systems, and other required site infrastructure and connections to off-site utilities, the agenda materials say.

The estimated construction budget for this project is $60 million.

The new charter school is a K-5 school that will have 600 student stations.

The school will be operated by Creation Foundation, doing business as Dayspring Academy.

The school is being built to serve the emerging community of Angeline, a new development spanning 6,200 acres, which is south of State Road 52 and east of the Suncoast Parkway.

Dayspring and the school board have agreed to fund the elementary charter school project through impact fees.

“Dayspring and the school board desire to partner with each other in this endeavor and as such will work to blend the charter school program and curriculum with the future board STEM 6-12 magnet,” according to an agreement previously approved by the school board.

Plans call for the charter school to own and operate the school beginning with the 2024-2025 school year.

The elementary school building concept proposed is a two-story building, of approximately 58,000 square feet, according to board’s agenda materials.

Dayspring has selected Creative Contractors to provide construction management services, and the school district and Dayspring entered into a contract with Creative Contractors, the school board approved at its meeting last week.

The contract includes the fee for the pre-construction services element of this project and the addition of the Angeline Athletic Facilities, to serve the 6-12 Angeline Academy of Innovation.

The 6-12 magnet is scheduled to open this August.

The off-site athletic facilities will include a one-story gymnasium building of approximately 28,166 gross square feet and a one-story maintenance building that will be approximately 1,648 square feet, according to the agenda materials.

Published January 11, 2023

Pasco Schools’ restroom use updated

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Pasco County Schools will be making a change in its practices regarding restroom use by students on the district’s campuses.

Superintendent Kurt Browning announced, at the Pasco County School Board’s Jan. 3 meeting, a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th circuit is prompting the district to change its practice regarding student restroom use.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning informed the Pasco County School Board that within 30 days the district will require students to use restrooms based on their biological sex at birth. The change was prompted by a federal appeals court ruling involving a case that originated in the St. Johns County school district. Browning said the Pasco district and its elected officials must follow the law. (File)

The case — Drew Adams vs. the School Board of Johns County — involved if it was constitutional to separate school bathrooms based on biological sex and whether doing so violated Title IX.

The federal appeals court found that assigning restroom use based on biological sex “passes constitutional muster and comports with Title IX.”

The case involved a student who was born as a girl, but identified as a boy. The case challenged a school district policy requiring students to use bathrooms based on their biological gender or to use gender-neutral bathrooms. The district did not allow bathroom use based on gender identity.

Browning told school board members: “The full appeals court overturned the trial court’s decision, which has been the controlling law, until this newest decision was rendered.

“Due to this court’s ruling, the Pasco district will be updating our practices regarding the use of student restrooms to align with this new decision.

“As superintendent, I have directed staff to, within 30 days, update any existing procedures and guidelines; begin meeting with any impacted students and parents; meet with our principals and student services staff, regarding the revised use of restroom practices.

“The expectation moving forward will be that students use restroom facilities that correspond to the biological sex at birth.

“I also want the board to be aware that any student wishing to use an alternative restroom will be able to seek an accommodation to utilize a private restroom at their school.

“I realize that this change in practice may not sit well with some students and some adults, but it is important to note that we, as a district, and as elected officials, are required to abide by the laws of the state of Florida and those of the United States.

“This change in district practice and procedure does both of those.”

“I will continue to update the board, as to our progress in implementing these changes, but my hope is that over the next 30 days, most of those changes will be in effect,” Browning said.

On another topic, Don Peace, president of United School Employees of Pasco, informed the board that negotiations between the school district and union are approaching a conclusion and he hopes the proposed contract can be ratified soon.

He also told board members the union is eager to hold conversations regarding the distribution of funds raised through a referendum approved by voters to improve employee salaries.

“We are hopeful that the plan that we agree to will entice highly qualified individuals to come to work in Pasco County and can help fill the 230 or so jobs still vacant in this district.

“If we can agree on a plan that respects experience, loyalty and longevity, I do believe it will go a long way toward filling the vacancies that we still have,” Peace said.

“We must also be cognizant to respect employees’ time,” the union leader added. “There is far too much being implemented by either the state or the district which cuts into student instructional time.

“The primary reason that every true educator gets into the profession — yes, I said, profession — is to educate tomorrow’s leaders, today. Teachers are the foundation of all future job opportunities.

“We grow our students by delivering high quality instruction. We must get to a place, locally here in Pasco, and in our state, where we are attentive to the needs of those professionals when they speak out.

“Communication, as we heard from the Gallup Poll, can be and must be improved, at both the state and the local levels,” Peace said.

Published January 11, 2023