Local News

Pasco commissioners approve business park

March 21, 2018 By Kathy Steele

The Pasco County Commission liked the business park, but couldn’t stand its proposed name.

“Vibrant Sun (Business Park) would sound like I’m going to a casino,” Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore said.

So, instead of being called the Vibrant Sun Business Park, the new development site will be known as Overpass Business Park.

The business park, which will be located on 91 acres at Overpass and Old Pasco roads, has been approved for 2.2 million square feet of office and industrial space.

The county’s Office of Economic Growth submitted the project as part of its efforts to provide “site-ready” parcels for industrial and business park developments. Such sites are offered on speculation.

By taking care of land use and zoning matters, county officials believe these types of parcels are developed sooner.

The site is in an area of northeastern Pasco that is quickly developing with new residential and commercial projects, including the Epperson and Mirada master-planned communities.

Advanced manufacturing or a research facility would be an asset to the area, Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano said.

“It puts us in a tremendous position to create jobs,” Mariano added.

Some area residents, however, are worried about growth, traffic, loss of property values, and encroachment of industrial into rural neighborhoods.

Jean Ann Jakes spoke against the project during the hearing before the Pasco County commissioners on March 14 in Dade City. She also objected to the project previously at the Development Review Committee meeting in January. A handful of other residents also raised concerns.

However, the review committee recommended approval of the project.

The business park won’t fit in be with the surrounding area, Jakes said.

“Everybody else is agricultural and residential,” she said. “It’s not compatible at all. It’s going to cause more traffic. There is nothing light industry around us.”

Traffic will only get worse, Jakes added, noting that school buses pick up and deliver students to area schools.

“I’m sure Old Pasco Road is going to be widened,” said Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley. “It should be widened. It needs to be four-laned already.”

The Florida Department of Transportation is widening State Road 52, east and west of Interstate 75. The state agency also plans to build a new interchange at Overpass Road and I-75.

Old Pasco Road intersects State Road 52, west of I-75. That stretch of state highway is being widened from two lanes to six lanes, from west of Old Pasco to east of Corporate Boulevard.

There are no immediate plans to widen Old Pasco Road, but county officials said right-of-way for the widening would come from the business park, not from area residents’ home sites.

Published March 21, 2018

Testing the weight-bearing load of bridges

March 21, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Have you ever wondered how many pounds of rocks a bridge made of 200 Popsicle sticks would support?

Saint Leo University student, Kenneth Wybicracki, a first-timer in the competition, places his bridge, ‘Dumpster Fire,’ on a scale to be weighed as part of the contest’s requirements. (Randy Underhill)

Students who wanted to find out took part in the Bridge-Breaking Competition held by Saint Leo University’s Department of Mathematics and Science on March 6.

The competition includes teams who constructed model bridges from lightweight wooden sticks and glue.

Each team relied on their own ideas, and their knowledge of physics and engineering to build the bridge.

The bridges had to be 47.2 inches in length and no more than 7.87 inches in height.

Each bridge also needed a name.

Dr. Howard Carey, professor of biology at Saint Leo University, strategically places a large bucket on one of the 16 bridges constructed of Popsicle sticks.

Most of the bridges were built in a truss style of construction, but a few were beam style.

Sixteen bridges entered the competition, which was conducted by Leo Ondrovic, professor of biology and physics; Thomas Ricard, professor of engineering and physical sciences, and Dr. Howard Carey, professor of biology.

The tone of the evening was lighthearted.

Teams watched as rocks were piled on — and ultimately destroyed — their bridges.

The strongest bridge supported 75 pounds of rocks.

By Randy Underhill

B.C. Manion contributed to this report.

Published March 21, 2018

Eighteen-year-old Katieri Smith, left, stands by as Thomas Ricard, professor of engineering and physical science, reads the weight of ‘Ann Marie,’ the bridge she constructed.

Saint Leo University student Christian Jones carefully places his team’s bridge — 4.7 — on the concrete blocks for the fifth annual bridge building contest at Saint Leo University.

Thirteen-year-old Alex McILroy, left, of Tampa, looks on as Dr. Howard Carey, professor of biology, pours 25 pounds of rock into the large blue bucket suspended from the bridge. McIlroy, who was competing for his third time, took five days to construct his bridge.

‘Spotlight on Talent’ announces winners

March 21, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

“Spotlight on Talent,” a regional performing arts competition in its 35th year, has announced winners from its March 10 competition at the Center for the Arts in Wesley Chapel.

Showstoppers took first place among older competitors in the group competition with their musical theater number. (Courtesy of Heritage Arts Center Association)

The competition, presented by the Heritage Arts Center Association, involved 140 finalists, competing for more than $5,000 in trophies, ribbons and cash prizes.

Victoria Neukom was the winner of the $1,000 Pasco Heritage Scholarship.

Winners in various categories are:

ACT I, the younger students:

Category 1

First: Vincent Pham, piano
Second, tie: Emory Rudolph, jazz dance

Keaton Ward, musical theater

Fourth: Samuel Wu, piano
Fifth: Alynza McBride, ballet dance

Category 2

First: Kasey Lang, piano
Second: Jasmine Crew, lyrical dance
Third: Brooklynn Ryan, vocal
Fourth: Madison Fouche, lyrical dance

Category 3

First: Lilyana Gargano, jazz dance
Second: Taylor Kriisa, tap dance
Third: Michaela Mezzei, contemporary dance
Fourth: Sailor Wade, lyrical dance
Fifth: Faith Phaller, ballet dance

Groups

First: Showbiz, musical theater
Second: Songbirds, musical theater, Bianca Horodecki and Gabrielle Smedley

ACT II, the older students:

Category 1

First: Flavio Eduardo Carreno-Olivo, piano
Second: Julianna Mazza, pointe dance
Third: Victoria Conn, jazz dance
Fourth: Gracie Scaglione, contemporary dance
Fifth: Agnes Hernandez, piano
Sixth: Andrew Eskut, piano

Category 2

First: Zachary D’Onofrio, jazz vocal
Second: Shelby Surratt, musical theater
Third: Maria Hernandez, piano
Fourth: Georgia Piersall, vocal
Fifth: Dorothy Ferguson, vocal and piano

Category 3

First: Victoria Neukom, contemporary dance
Second: Haley Sanders, musical theater
Third: Hannah Knight, original vocal and guitar
Fourth: Kamryn Belloise, musical theater
Fifth: Kiersten Herman, musical theater

Groups

First: Showstoppers, musical theater
Second: Star Company, lyrical dance

For more information, call (352) 567-1720, or visit www.HeritageArts.org.

Published March 21, 2018

Music to fill the air in Land O’ Lakes

March 14, 2018 By B.C. Manion

The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its third Land O’ Lakes Music Festival.

The event will be held March 24 from noon to 8 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, formerly known as the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, at 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

This year, musicians will be able to use Heritage Stage — a community stage that was completed last year, following years of advocacy, and as a result of a multitude of partnerships between governments, business partners and community volunteers.

Bands that are scheduled to perform during the festival are:

Solar Exposure with an eclectic mix of pop, rock and hint of country
Marlon Boone, Jazz/R&B saxophonist extraordinaire
Actual Bank Robbers’ unique indie pop rock
Trigger City Trio will entertain with rock & soul sprinkled with funk
Stonegrey jamming with arena/classic rock style
Sowflo, is coming from Naples, with a reggae vibe

Fred Chandler, a vocalist who also plays multiple instruments, will entertain between acts.

“It’s an entire day of music,” said Terri Dusek, event chairwoman.

She hopes that the music festival, now being held for the third time, will evolve into a major event in Central Pasco.

The idea is to provide a setting where music is the focal point, said Dusek, who has been involved with music her entire life.

“Music has been a huge part of my life,” Dusek said, noting that her sons are members of Stonegrey.

She also noted that Stonegrey, Solar Exposure and Fred Chandler are all Land O’ Lakes residents.

Dusek also noted that Ryan Walker, owner of Artist Direct, will be handling the sound for the festival.

While music takes center stage, there also will be arts and crafts vendors, a kids’ zone, and a business showcase featuring companies and organizations that want to spread the word about what they have to offer.

There will be food trucks, as well as beer and wine.

Admission is free, but parking is $10 per vehicle, which benefits local schools.

No coolers or pets are allowed.

For more information, call The Central Pasco Chamber at (813) 909-2722, or email .

Land O’ Lakes Music Festival
Where: Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.
When: March 24, noon to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free admission; parking is $10
Details: Spectators can enjoy a full day of music. There also will be arts and crafts vendors, a kids’ zone, and food and drink available for purchase. Bring lawn chairs and blankets.
Info: Call The Central Pasco Chamber at (813) 909-2722, or email .

Published March 14, 2018

Pinewood Derby offers Cub Scouts fast fun

March 14, 2018 By Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Cars zoomed down a 34-foot-long track at Lake Myrtle Elementary School on Feb. 24, during Cub Scout Pack 323’s Pinewood Derby Cup Series.

Reme Rovi-Garcia took first place; Aiden Gehle took second place; and, Wesley Swank took third place, overall. There were eight categories in the competition: Lions, Tigers, Wolf, Bear, Jr. Webelos, Sr. Webelos, Outlaws and Supercharge. (Randy Underhill)

Sixty-five Cub Scouts, from the Land O’ Lakes pack, tested their racing skills as they pitted cars they had designed against each other.

Contestants had to create their models from pinewood, add wheels and weights, and give them a paint job, too. Then, the vehicles were inspected and weighed, just like in a real race.

During the event, cars were lined up in three lanes at the top of a steep incline and then were released, letting gravity carry each car to the finish line, where official times were recorded.

Greg Mark, chairman of the event, said he enjoyed working on his pinewood with his dad when he was young and wanted to share the experience with his son, Ryder, who is 8.

“He did the majority of it this year,” Mark said. “I want him to learn how to build a race car.

The project begins with a box of wood, four wheels and four axles. Then, it’s fashioned into a car, which is painted. Weights are added to get as close as possible to the maximum weight, so it will perform well in the race.

Gabe Heinzmann, one of the starting officials, stands by as three cars are lined up to start the first round of racing.

“I think it’s an awesome thing for the boys to do with their dads,” he said.

To make the event enjoyable for families, there were other activities, too, including crafts. Food was also available.

“Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves,” Mark said.

The pinewood derby has been part of local Cub Scouts since around 1975.

The creation of a Pinewood Derby dates back much farther.

Dan Murphy, a Cubmaster from Ohio, came up with the idea in 1952. He wanted to do something for kids who were too young for the Soap Box Derby. The Pinewood Derby swept the nation in the mid 1950s and is still part of the Cub Scouts today.

Sponsors of the local event were Christian Brothers Automotive, Cameo Salon and Spa, Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que, Jerry McCarthy State Farm, Russel Marine, Tampa T-shirts, Parker Pest Control, Accurate Signs On Time, 67 Design Co., and Studio 54 Tattoo.

By Randy Underhill

(B.C. Manion contributed to this report)

Published March 14, 2018

Nine-year-old Kenneth Huffman, of Land O’ Lakes, gets a helping hand from Joann Tabarres, of Land O’ Lakes, as they put together a toolbox, which was just one of many activities at the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby race at Lake Myrtle Elementary School.

A collection of Pinewood cars used in previous derbies was on display during the annual Cub Scout Pinewood Derby Cup Series held Feb. 24 at Lake Myrtle Elementary School in Land O’ Lakes.

Starting officials, Gabe Heinzmann, left, watches as Rob Heinzmann, middle, releases the cars and Jon Urban talks with other starting officials at the annual Pinewood Derby competition.

Antonio Rivera’s Jumanji, right, is in the lead, with Michael O’ Conner’s lizard car, middle, close behind, and Jacob Caltron’s red racer trailing, during the Pinewood Derby at Lake Myrtle Elementary.

Hotel, retail, restaurants — arriving soon

March 14, 2018 By Kathy Steele

More retail, and a Hyatt hotel, are coming to Cypress Creek Town Center, even as other new shops and restaurants are opening for business.

Along Sierra Center Boulevard, Mellow Mushroom, Great Clips, Mattress One, Men’s Wearhouse and Aspen Dental are open for business. Noire Nail Bar will soon open its doors, too.

Great Clips, Men’s Wearhouse, Noire Nail Bar, T-Mobile and Mellow Mushroom are storefronts in a small retail center at Cypress Creek Town Center. (Kathy Steele)

To the east, Chuy’s Tex Mex is headed to a spring opening, according to a news release from the national chain.

Next door, Bahama Breeze Island Grille is under construction.

A 132-room Hyatt Place hotel and convention center will open in July at the Cypress Creek Town Center, said Dilip Kanji, president and chief executive officer of Impact Properties Inc.

There is a lot of demand for hotels in the Wesley Chapel area, but Kanji said, “There’s not a lot of choices.”

The growth in the area is what attracted Impact Properties to build there.

“Pasco County is the fastest-growing county in the southeastern United States,” he said. “We typically prefer to get in when there are (more) spaces for growth.”

Kanji said the selection for prime locations narrows as more development happens.

At Cypress Creek Town Center, the hotel is situated at the Interstate 75 and State Road 56 interchange with immediate access also to Florida Hospital Center Ice and Tampa Premium Outlets.

Hyatt Place Hotel will open in July at the Cypress Creek Town Center.

Sierra Properties’ plans to build a 330,000-square-foot shopping center within the town center also was a draw, Kanji added.

Cypress Creek Town Center is approved for up to 2 million square feet of retail, hotel, apartments and offices, according to county records.

In the past year, new restaurants have opened at the town center along Sierra Center Boulevard, which leads to the Hyatt property. There is Ford’s Garage, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, and Pollo Tropical.

Other shops anticipated including Pet Smart and Burlington Coat Factory.

Kanji provided a list of other anticipated retail in the 330,000-square-foot project when he spoke at a luncheon, sponsored by The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (renamed the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce).

Kanji said he had permission to release the store’s names, which include Chipotle Mexican Grill, HomeGoods, Earth Fare, Hobby Lobby, Walk-on Bistreaux & Bar, and Blaze Pizza.

Kanji said he expected permitting as soon as April.

Spokespersons for the stores either didn’t respond to emails from The Laker/Lutz News, or wouldn’t confirm their plans.

Chipotle Mexican Grill is a Denver-based fast-casual restaurant founded in 1993. Menu items include burritos, bowls, tacos and salads, made to order. There are more than 2,200 Chipotle’s nationwide.
Earth Fare is a North Carolina-based specialty grocery store offering organic and natural foods. It has about 45 locations. Most are in the southeast and Midwest.
HomeGoods is a discount home furnishing store, based in Massachusetts. It is part of the family of TJX Companies Inc., which includes TJ Maxx.
Hobby Lobby is a family owned arts and crafts store that also sells picture frames, jewelry-making items, fabrics, and floral and wedding supplies. Founded in 1972 in Oklahoma City, there now are more than 800 stores in 47 states.
Walk-on Bistreaux & Bar is a New Orleans-based sports bar founded by Brandon Landry and Jack Warner. The business partners met in 1997 when they were walk-ons to the Louisiana State University’s basketball team. They opened their first location near LSU’s Tiger Stadium. Today, the company is co-owned by New Orleans Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees.
Blaze Pizza is a California-based fast-casual restaurant founded by Elise and Rick Wetzel of Wetzels Pretzels. Similar to Chipotle, customers select the ingredients for their made-to-order, fresh-from-scratch pizzas.

Published March 14, 2018

New community park planned in North Tampa

March 14, 2018 By Kevin Weiss

A new family friendly county park is coming this fall to the Greater Carrollwood area.

After nearly a year of finalizing its conceptual design, construction is slated to begin next month on the new Carrollwood Village Community Park, at 13055 Delwood Road in Tampa.

The park replaces the site of the Dale Mabry Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is situated on 50 acres along the west side of North Dale Mabry Highway, just south of West Village Drive.

Construction is expected to begin next month on the new Carrollwood Village Community Park, at 13055 Delwood Road. It replaces the site of the Dale Mabry Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is situated on 50 acres along the west side of North Dale Mabry Highway, just south of West Village Drive. (File)

Hillsborough County Public Utilities is presently decommissioning and relocating the existing treatment plant infrastructure, which has been in operation for more than 40 years.

Everything associated with the treatment plant will be demolished with the exception of two reclaimed water tanks, pump stations, an administration building structure and fencing.

Details about the forthcoming park were unveiled during a March 6 pre-construction open house at the Carrollwood Cultural Center. County parks and recreation officials were on hand to answer questions and gather input from residents.

Described as a “passive” community park, the main amenities will include a dog park, multi-use walking trail, splash pad, playground, indoor community space, and picnic shelters.

Other features include a pond, an open lawn, restrooms and parking.

Each of those aspects were finalized and based on input gathered from Carrollwood residents in a series of community meetings dating back to 2015.

Officials say most of the park will be complete by October, with final touches targeted for December. A ribbon cutting is planned sometime this fall.

Speaking at the open house, Hillsborough County parks and recreation director Rick Valdez called the park a “very important project” for Carrollwood.

“We’ve been meeting on this for months, and I think we have a really good sense of what the community wants to see,” Valdez said.

Described as a ‘passive’ community park, main amenities for the Carrollwood Village Community Park will include a dog park, multi-use walking trail, splash pad, playground, indoor community space, and picnic shelters. Other features include a pond and open lawn, along with restrooms and parking. The Hillsborough County Commission approved the $6.5 million project last May. (Courtesy of Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation)

Park hours will normally be from sunrise to sunset, with staff on-site to facilitate programming and provide maintenance.

Based on renderings, the park’s main entrance will be off West Village Drive with a secondary entrance to the south, off Delwood Road. The two entrances will not connect, to avoid the potential for becoming a pass-through route. There will also be new pedestrian crossings on West Village Drive and pedestrian park access in the northeast corner of the park.

Offsite work includes re-striping West Village Drive, which includes a left-hand turn lane, deceleration lane and addition of the multi-use trail.

The Hillsborough County Commission approved the $6.5 million project last May.

If more funding becomes available, the county would look to construct an additional playground, an event center, a boardwalk and fishing dock, and a nature center. The items would be part of Phase II and perhaps a Phase III.

“Those are things we want to address; we just don’t have the money to do it right now,” said Kyla Booher, planning and development manager for the county’s parks and recreation department.

More could be on the way if at least one county commissioner gets his way, however.

Eric Denney, a legislative aide to Commissioner Ken Hagan, was at the meeting and said the commissioner is “going to work his tail off to get money in the budget” for Phase II of the park.

Hagan is a northwest area resident and longtime supporter of the park project.

“When everything is said and done, this should be a true community asset —something that will improve the standard of living here in Carrollwood,” Denney said.

The original idea for a new park in Carrollwood became a community-driven, grassroots effort after word spread four years ago about the retirement of the wastewater site.

Public comments on the Carrollwood Village Community Park will be accepted through March 20.

To provide feedback on the project, visit HCFLGov.formstack.com/forms/public_comment.

Published March 14, 2018

Price nearly doubles for ‘diverging diamond ‘

March 14, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Construction of the diverging diamond interchange at Interstate 75 and State Road 56 now has an estimated cost of $40 million.

That’s $16 million more than the original estimated cost of $24 million.

Despite the higher cost, construction is still expected to begin this summer.

The diverging diamond interchange relies on multiple lanes with a crisscross pattern, and fewer traffic signals. (File)

The retrofitted interchange is expected to take two years to three years to complete, said Bill Jones, who is the director of transportation development for District 7 of the Florida Department of Transportation.

The Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization approved the increased cost at its Feb. 22 meeting in New Port Richey.

The good news for Pasco County is the additional $16 million is not expected to affect any other road projects within the county.

The state transportation department plans to take the money from a reserve fund, said Craig Casper, the county’s MPO director.

At one time, the project had a 2024 start date, but the state transportation department moved it ahead nearly six years.

“We’re excited about the project getting started,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore.

The interchange is expected to ease the rush-hour gridlock as vehicles maneuver on and off I-75, at one of the busiest junctures along State Road 56.

Tampa Premium Outlets, the Cypress Creek Town Center, Florida Hospital Center Ice, and the future residential community of Brightwork Crossings are boosting retail and residential development in the area.

The diverging diamond interchange provides multiple lanes of traffic operating in a crisscross pattern, with limited traffic signals.

Casper said the projected construction costs increased when it was discovered that additional ground stabilization would be required.

The design will include retaining walls, traffic railings, a shoulder barrier wall, and a permanent sheet-pile wall, according to the state transportation department’s request for the cost upgrade.

The bridge that crosses I-75 will be redesigned with additional lanes on the ramps. Road signs and lane markers will help guide motorists through the diverging diamond interchange, with speed limits dropping to 35 mph on the approach to the interchange.

Published March 14, 2018

Pasco ‘super park’ land near Dade City

March 14, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Pasco County recently purchased 155 acres for a proposed “super park” at The Villages of Pasadena, off Prospect Road and Highland Boulevard, near Dade City.

The acreage is conservation land that is the second purchase of a three-phase acquisition process. When complete, the county will have nearly 320 acres for the super park.

Because the 155 acres will remain natural and be used for passive recreation, the $4.6 million purchase price will come from the Penny for Pasco funds set aside for the county’s Environmental Land Acquisition and Management Program (ELAMP).

However, the sale will be treated as a loan, with repayment in the form of park impact fees. Those fees will be collected from new residential and commercial development at The Villages master-planned community.

Also, new development within the Connected City corridor, including the master-planned community of Epperson, will contribute their share of park impact fees for the super park. A road is expected to link Connected City to the super park in The Villages.

“The county is still in the acquisition phase,” said Keith Wiley, the county’s parks, recreation and natural resources director.

Capital funds to design and build the park aren’t available as yet. The final land purchase of about 95 acres also must be negotiated, and approved by the Pasco County commissioners.

“It’s a step in the right direction,” Wiley said.

The inclusion of Connected City as a contributor of impact fees for the park should help in getting the needed funds, he added.

Pasco County commissioners approved the newest purchase in December. The sale closed in January.

When the park is built, it will essentially result in two parks that are the size of district parks, next to each other.

One will be kept in its natural state for passive recreation, such as walking trails and kayaking. It will provide access to Buddy Lake.

The other will be an “active” park with ball fields, playgrounds, trails and other amenities.

There also are plans to co-locate the active park area with a planned elementary school. Co-location is a trend, as the county seeks to make the most efficient use of funds.

The recently opened Starkey Ranch District Park, at Starkey Ranch, is an example of co-location. It was built in partnership with Pasco County Schools, which plans to build an elementary and middle school at the site.

Published March 14, 2018

New school safety measures greeted by controversy

March 14, 2018 By B.C. Manion

In the aftermath of a Valentine’s Day shooting spree that left 17 dead at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Gov. Rick Scott has signed into law new restrictions on firearms and increased funding for school safety and mental health care.

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, also known as Senate Bill 7026:

Raises the minimum age for purchasing firearms from 18 to 21, with some exceptions detailed in the law
Requires a three-day waiting period for firearm purchases, with some exceptions
Bans the sale or possession of bump stocks, which allow a semiautomatic weapon to fire more like an automatic weapon
Gives law enforcement more authority to seize weapons and ammunition from those deemed mentally unfit, or who otherwise pose a threat
Creates the new Coach Aaron Feis Guardian Program, named in memory of the assistant football coach at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, who died protecting students from gunfire.
Includes $400 million to keep students safe and to enhance mental health treatment

The new gun regulations have drawn criticism for going too far and for not going far enough.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning (File)

The National Rifle Association announced on its Twitter account that it had “filed a lawsuit challenging Florida’s newly-enacted ban on the purchase of firearms by adults between the ages of 18-21.”

It characterized Florida’s action as “an affront” to the Second Amendment, and said it “totally eviscerates the Second Amendment ‘rights of law-abiding adults to keep and bear arms.’”

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning said he’s glad the Legislature has begun to address school safety by funding some of the measures.

However, Browning added: “Although they are saying that we need to have a SRO (School Resource Officer) in every school, they did not give us the funding to accomplish that.

“So, once again, the school district is in a position to have a legislative mandate to do something, and yet we’re scrambling to find the dollars for it,” Browning said.

The district has SROs at its high schools and middle schools, but not at its elementary schools.

“Our hope was that they were going to take any Safe Schools dollars out of the rainy-day fund,” he said. “They did not do that.”

Browning said he and superintendents across the state are grappling with the state’s decision to establish the Coach Aaron Feis Guardian Program, which creates a new $67 million program for county sheriffs to train school personnel to neutralize an active school shooter.

Most districts that he’s talked to have chosen not to pursue the program, which will put more guns on school campuses.

Browning said he would have preferred using those funds to help fund SROs, or for building modifications on campuses to improve school safety.

While critics attack the Florida Legislature and Gov. Rick Scott, national protests continue as well.

Students across the country are expected to take part in the National School Walkout on March 14. The event is supposed to last for 17 minutes — a minute for each life lost in the Parkland school shooting.

“I’m pretty confident, based on some conversations we’ve had with principals, that we will have some students who will do that,” Browning said

Browning said principals will make this “as educational as we possibly can, making the connection between public protest, civil disobedience and how that fits into our system of government.”

The National Walkout is planned for 10 a.m., but Browning said that principals have been working with students to minimize disruptions, and some of the walkouts may occur before or after school, or during lunch.

Published March 14, 2018