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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Pasco workforce expert wins state honor, and local accolades

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Turner Arbour, who works for the Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC), has been named the recipient of the 2023 Toni Jennings Workforce Development Professional of the Year by the Florida Economic Development Council.

Arbour also was recently honored with a resolution adopted by the Pasco County Commission, congratulating him for his accomplishments.

The resolution, adopted by the county board on Dec. 5, detailed many of Arbour’s achievements, including the fact that he’s the youngest recipient of the Jennings award of the 16 recipients to date.

Turner Arbour, the recipient of the Toni Jennings Workforce Development Professional of the Year, is surrounded by supporters, colleagues, county staff and Pasco County commissioners during the county board’s Dec. 5 meeting, where he was honored. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The county board’s resolution praises Arbour for “demonstrating unwavering commitment and dedication to enhancing the professional landscape of Pasco County.”

It also notes that Turner joined the Pasco EDC as an intern in 2018, when the economic development organization launched its Workforce Connect program.

He transitioned into the role as the workforce development manager, and forged partnerships with local workforce training and education entities, created the WorkforceConnectPasco.com platform, and was promoted to senior economic development manager overseeing all business, retention and expansion, international, and workforce programs, the resolution says.

The recognition also credits Arbour for being instrumental in hosting the Pasco 50 event, an initiative allowing the top 50 employers in Pasco County to collaborate, share insights, and benefit from discussions on pertinent topics such as mental health in the workplace and starting internship programs.

Arbour holds a Bachelor of Science in Global Business, serves on the CareerSource Pasco Hernando board of directors and is a founding member of the Pasco Hernando Local College Access Network, the resolution says.

Arbour’s “professionalism and expertise have influenced the outcomes of key initiatives including making

Workforce Connect a permanent fixture in the Pasco EDC’s economic development plans,” the resolution adds.

Plus, “Turner’s efforts in compiling extensive reports on labor availability, wages, and workforce training programs were pivotal in attracting Gary Plastic Packaging Corporation to Pasco County in 2022, resulting in an investment of over $16 million and the creation of 555 new jobs,” the resolution says.

It’s also noteworthy that beyond bolstering Pasco’s workforce development, Arbour also has made a positive difference in Florida’s economy “by attracting more employers, fostering collaborations

between educational institutions, nonprofits, and businesses, and innovating training programs,” according to the resolution.

After the board approved the resolution, Arbour thanked board members for the honor.

He credited the team he works with at Pasco EDC; the leadership of Bill Cronin, its president and CEO; his family; and, the workforce development community.

“The award from the Florida Economic Development Council is a testament to our community’s commitment to our businesses and their workers, through the WorkForce Connect program,” Arbour said.

He thanked the county board for continuing to support the program through proceeds from Penny for Pasco.

“Workforce Connect was created to connect businesses to the talent they need now and to help them plan for their talent needs in the future. Over the past five years, we’ve had the opportunity to personally help hundreds of businesses find and train their talent, right here in Pasco County and our website has helped thousands more.

“We’ve been able to help companies like nfant labs in Port Richey connect with Wendell Krinn Technical High School and take on interns from their biomedical science program.

“We’ve also helped companies like Delta Hydronics in Hudson upskill their employees through AmSkills program, and ConGlobal in Odessa connect with Saint Leo University and take on interns from Saint Leo’s new College of Computing, artificial intelligence, robotics and data science program, just to name a couple of examples.

“It’s been success stories like these that also help Pasco attract new employers, like Gary Plastics Packaging Corp. to Hudson and Bauducco to Zephyrhills.

“I believe that Workforce Connect really gives Pasco County a leg up on other communities when it comes to attracting new businesses.

“It’s been a blast doing this work, through building relationships with our partners and local businesses. I look forward to continuing to help our employers hire local,” Arbour said.

Pasco County Commission Jack Mariano told Arbour: “Turner, you are a breath of fresh air in the economic development world. Your passion shows in your voice. Your actions are phenomenal. You’ve got a great team with you, great leadership with Bill Cronin and company. 

“We appreciate you here. We want you to keep on growing and keep on doing the great work you’re doing.”

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey was pleased by the recognition that Arbour received by his selection for the Toni Jennings award.

“This is a great honor, Turner. Thank you for your commitment, and great job!” Starkey said.

Commissioner Seth Weightman added:  “Our job is to set strategic and quality policy that allows employers to come here and want to invest in Pasco County and with that comes the need for workforce.

“I hope that this board continues to be tremendous partners with you as we grow our economy.

“Thank you for your strategic efforts. Board members are fierce advocates for quality jobs.” 

Commission Chairman Ron Oakley told Arbour: “Just keep up the good work because we’re going to keep bringing good businesses here, so you’ll have a lot to do.”

Published January 03, 2024

Not-for-profit utility refunds more than $350,000 to Pasco County

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The Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative Inc. (WREC), an electric utility company based in Pasco County, presented a refund check for $352,760.31 to the Pasco County Commission on Dec. 5.

David Lambert, executive vice president and general manager of the WREC, and Joe Marina, its district manager, made the presentation.

Marina made most of the remarks. He told commissioners:  “As you know, Withlacoochee is proud to be based in Pasco County. We’re a member-owned, not-for-profit electric utility. We had another year of growth, averaging over 700 accounts a month, and we’ve been successful with that, despite supply chain constraints, as you all experience yourselves.”

The Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative Inc., is a not-for-profit electric utility that is member-owned. Typically, it delivers a refund check at the end of the year to Pasco County, which this year totaled more than $350,000. Shown here during the check presentation are, from left, Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Seth Weightman, Ron Oakley, David Lambert, Jack Mariano, Joe Marina, Kathryn Starkey, Gary Bradford and Mike Carballa. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

He said the WREC’s educational foundation donated $152,000 to Pasco-Hernando State College to pay for ballfield lighting. The electric utility also awarded 110 scholarships, valued at $12,000 each, including 62 of those in Pasco County.

“Since that program’s inception, we have awarded 2,414 scholarships, valued at $18.5 million,” Marina said.

“Our charitable foundation, WREC Cares, helped 12 families this year. Since that program’s inception, we’ve awarded $2.45 million, helping 673 families through catastrophic events that were no fault of their own.

“We also partnered this past year with the Boy Scouts, Habitat for Humanity, Mid-Florida Community Services, Special Olympics, United Way and many other agencies helping to better the communities that we serve.

“We all experienced the hurricane this past year. We did have some flooding and damage, but thank God there was no loss of life.

“Our employees right now are busy finishing up with Withlacoochee’s Angel Tree program, which we’re very proud of.

“We’re very proud of our employees and what they do in the community as well.

“We will soon be providing toys, clothing and necessities for children so they can also experience the joy of Christmas.”

All total, the WREC is refunding a total of $23.2 million, which is a new record for the utility, Marina said.

Ron Oakley, who is the county board’s new chairman, and Jack Mariano, who just wrapped up a year in that role, both praised WREC for what it does for the county.

“Joe and David, both of you, the working relationship that the county has with WREC has been a great relationship for many, many years. We’ve got a lot more to do, but we know that you all are prepared and when the growth comes, you’re ready for power when we need it,” Oakley said.

Mariano added: “For all the years, Withlacoochee has been just the best partner the county has ever had. As far as utilities go, you are No. 1. What you do for the community, what you do as far as keeping rates low, the effectiveness and everything. Your community involvement is unparalleled, unbeaten. Thank you guys.”

Published January 03, 2024

New license plate aims to help conserve the Florida panther

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Florida motorists now have the option to choose the Protect the Panther license plate — a new design featuring the first female panther documented north of the Caloosahatchee River since 1973, along with her kitten.

The photograph was taken in 2018 by Florida wildlife photographer Carlton Ward Jr.

(Courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)

The new plate can be purchased through the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (https://www.flhsmv.gov/) or by checking with your local tax collector’s office for availability.

Staff with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) worked with Ward and the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida to design the new plate.

Florida panthers are native to the state, with the majority of panthers found south of Lake Okeechobee. The animal is listed as an Endangered Species under the federal Endangered Species Act. There are approximately 120 to 230 adult panthers in the population.

Fees from the Protect the Panther plate will go directly into the Florida Panther Research and Management Trust Fund, which is a critical source of funding for the state’s panther-related research, monitoring and conservation efforts, according to an FWC news release.

Purchasing the new license plate isn’t the only way motorists can help panthers — drivers also can follow posted speed limits, particularly in panther zones, which are in place in several counties across south Florida to coincide with areas where panthers are known to cross.

To learn more about Florida panthers and the FWC’s work to conserve the species, visit MyFWC.com/Panther.

Published January 03, 2024

Local veteran receives life-changing gift

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The Magner family received a Smart Home from the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Front row from left: Michael, Maia and Dustin. Back row: Rebecca and James.
(Courtesy of Tunnel to Towers Foundation)

The Tunnel to Towers (T2T) Foundation delivered a mortgage-free smart home to Army Sgt. 1st Class Dustin Magner, during a Dedication Ceremony on Dec. 20, according to a T2T news release.

Magner entered the U.S. Army’s delayed entry program in 1995 and left for basic training a year later. Throughout his career, he served with the 5th Ranger Training Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion-87th Infantry Regiment, and 10th Mountain Division.

He attended Ranger School in 1998, became a Jumpmaster, competed in the 2001 Best Ranger Competition, and served as a squad leader during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2009, the release says.

While responding to an improvised explosive device (IED) attack on another platoon on June 1, 2009, Magner’s vehicle was also struck by an IED, from which he suffered fractures in his spine resulting in permanent paralysis from just below the chest down. The sergeant was medically retired from the Army on Nov. 4, 2013.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation Smart Home Program builds specially adapted mortgage-free smart homes that help the most catastrophically injured veterans and first responders to reclaim their day-to-day independence.

Sgt. Magner, his wife Army Maj. Rebecca Magner and their children Army Specialist James Magner and twins, Michael and Maia, were welcomed into their new home in Lutz, which features automatic exterior doors, zero threshold doorways and wide hallways.

Published January 03, 2024

County changes name of Fern Park Place to Wiregrass Road

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The Pasco County Commission has renamed Fern Park Place to Wiregrass Road, beginning at its southern end, extending north to Starkey Boulevard.

The road currently known as Fern Park Place, in Land O’ Lakes, will be extended to existing Wiregrass Road, according to the county board’s Dec. 5 agenda backup materials.

The extension will create one contiguous road.

The street will need the same name for 911 purposes.

Wiregrass Road has existing addresses, so keeping that name instead of changing the street name to Fern Park Place alleviates the need to change addresses.

The name change was approved as part of the county board’s consent agenda. Items on that agenda are considered non-controversial and are approved in a single action, unless someone pulls an item from consent for discussion.

Published January 03, 2024

A man of quick actions, and a man of few words

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Jeremy Dallaire shakes hands with Pasco County Commission Chairman Ron Oakley. Dallaire was honored by the county board for taking quick actions to save a man who was struggling to breathe, after overdosing. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The Pasco County Commission recently honored Jeremy Dallaire, a field inspector who took quick actions to save the life of a man who had overdosed and was struggling to breathe.

A resolution adopted on Dec. 5 by the county board describes what happened.

It says Dallaire was in a restroom of a local Walgreens on Oct. 10 when he heard a man gasping for air.

The field inspector recognized the man had overdosed and immediately went to get the store’s pharmacist, who administered two doses of Narcan. Dallaire performed chest compressions.

The combination of the chest compressions and the Narcan were able to resuscitate the man and keep him alive until Pasco County Fire Rescue arrived. The emergency responders stabilized the man and transported him to the hospital.

The resolution says Dallaire’s actions serve as “testament to the (field inspector’s) dedication, professionalism, and readiness to help.”

His actions also resulted in Dallaire receiving a “Point of Light award, which is given to ‘recognize humanitarian accomplishments that occur outside of a team member’s normal work duties,’” the resolution notes.

Dallaire received a standing ovation from the audience at the board meeting.

Board chairman Ron Oakley offered the field inspector a chance to say a few words, but he politely declined.

The only thing he said was “thank you” in response to individual board members and Pasco Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles who praised his actions.

Published January 03, 2024

Pasco needs to do more to protect trees, commissioner says

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Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey wants the county to figure out a way to deter landowners from clear-cutting trees.

During the county board’s Dec. 5 meeting, Starkey told her colleagues: “We had somebody come in without a permit and (he) cleared a beautiful, beautiful forested property with an intent to put something on there that I think we would never ever, ever allow.”

She then asked: “What’s the penalty for clearing without a permit?” And then she added: “It’s not enough.”

The penalties meted out do not deter bad actors, the commissioner said.

“I hear it all of the time: ‘It’s better to just do it and pay the penalty fee,’” Starkey said.

Pasco County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder told Starkey: “The fines are capped by state statute.”

But Starkey responded, saying there must be another way the county can take action.

“What else can we put on there? Don’t call it a fine, call it something else. Let’s get creative.

“We need a deterrent. People are coming and they’re clearing lands without permits all of the time.

“And then, we have to figure out, how do we count the trees that they cut down? 

“It needs to be more punitive, in my opinion,” she said.

County Administrator Mike Carballa said: “I thought we were limited, $500.”

Steinsnyder responded: “That’s what I just said to the commissioner and she told me to get creative.”

Carballa added: “We’ve done things like stack the charges, if you will.”

Steinsnyder: “Technically, depending on how the code officer writes it, violations could be each and every tree that is taken down and that gets the number up.”

Starkey responded: “But then you have to figure that out.”

Steinsnyder said he’s not sure if it’s possible, but the county might be able to create a “timeout” for someone who violates the code.

Starkey urged county staff to continue seeking creative ideas to tackle the problem.

Published January 03, 2024

Growth, change were East Pasco’s big stories in 2023

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Over on the east side of Pasco County, there’s Zephyrhills, Dade City, San Antonio, St. Leo, Lacoochee, Trilby and more, some of which are the oldest towns, cities, communities and municipalities in the state. But this year, those areas saw a lot of change and happenings coming their way, so we’re taking a look back at some of the important stories that came out of East Pasco in 2023.

Zephyrhills in the midst of a makeover, more growth
Pasco County’s largest municipality — with its population nearing 20,000 residents — is in the process of seeing a lot of changes and additions to itself. Zephyrhills not only has several projects on the books or underway, it even went about rebranding itself, from top to bottom, with a new town logo and slogan, color schemes and marketing campaign.
Unveiled in October, Zephyrhills embraced its history, heritage, well-known assets and future by telling residents and visitors to “Jump Right In.” The new slogan pays homage to Skydive City, while shying away from its former slogan, “City of Pure Water.” However, the color scheme still honors the water, as well as the green of the rolling hills in the town limits.
Additionally, groundbreaking and construction finally got underway for a brand new park. On Nov. 28, after more than five years of planning and budgeting, city officials broke ground on Hercules Park — a 12-acre, $5.4-million park project coming to the corner of County Road 54 and Gall Boulevard, adjacent to Zephyrhills High and Woodland Elementary schools. It will be the city’s first new park in more than 40 years.
Also happening in Zephyrhills will be more jobs on the horizon. Bauducco Foods purchased 72.5 acres of the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport’s Ready Site and should hire more than 600 employees within the coming decade to fill its $200-million new facility. Plus, Zephyrhills Bottled Water Plant, through its parent company, Blue Triton Brands, will get an expansion, adding 30 new positions and converting 45 of the existing 56 positions into full-time roles. (Mike Camunas)
Dade City’s several projects updating town-wide amenities
Over in Dade City, Zephyrhills’ sister city is also in the midst of several projects — in fact, the city is undergoing or in the process of starting eight citywide projects, in which it has invested more than $32 million.
There’s a new park with a splash pad coming to Church Avenue and Eighth Street. There’s the redesign and rejuvenation of Polly Touchton Park. The city also is working on designs, but will eventually rebuild from the ground up James Irvin Civic Center at Naomi Jones Park.
Additionally, the city will streetscape its main street, a.k.a Seventh Street, making it more shopper- and driver-friendly. And while it’s not a city, but a county project, the Pasco County Fallen Law Enforcement Memorial, just in front of the Pasco County Historic Courthouse, is nearing completion.
“We are all excited about all the projects and improvements because we know the impact it will have on Dade City,” City Manager Leslie Porter told The Laker/Lutz News in November. “We’ve been listening to the community and working with them, hand in hand, to bring what they want to Dade City, which is growing exponentially.”
“This is all very exciting,” Mayor Jim Shive added. “We can’t wait to bring them all to our city.” (MIke Camunas)
New State Road 52; all complete to 301
Beginning way back in late 2019, construction on the realignment and widening of State Road 52 – from Interstate 75 to U.S. 301 in Dade City—was a cause for consternation among drivers.
But that project was finally finished in early October.
State Road 52 has shifted. Instead of going through St. Leo and San Antonio, through the rolling hills past Saint Leo University, it now bears right and passes Curley and Prospect roads. State Road 52 still becomes Clinton Avenue once past Prospect Road at the edge of St. Leo. Now, starting at the new Mirada community in San Antonio, which opened its largest human-made lagoon in the country in June, the road is a four-lane highway until it intersects with U.S. 301.
Drivers can still take the old 52, which is now County Road 52, and still go past Saint Leo and head out to the residential outskirts of Dade City at Meridian Avenue. (Courtesy of FDOT)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Orange Belt Trail planning in East Pasco still ongoing, drawing ire
It’s been no secret that Pasco County, and its commissioners, are totally in on creating the Orange Belt Trail — a proposed, continuous 37-mile multi-use trail from Trinity to Trilby. However, while some proponents and residents are all for the Orange Belt — which will make use of the Coast-to-Coast Trail, Starkey Trail, Suncoast Trail and Withlacoochee Trail and is expected to be a 12- to 14-foot-wide paved — not all of them are as excited about this project.
Several East Pasco residents — namely from Dade City, San Antonio, Trilby and beyond — have voiced their displeasure with the project, pointing out it would intersect private properties or align with backyard property lines and that they are not willing to spend taxpayer money on it.
In August, Pasco County and Orange Belt project leaders heard several heated objections to the project, while in December the City of San Antonio also objected with a Sept. 20 letter to the Pasco County Commission, from Mayor John Vogel II, Mayor pro-tempore Mark B. Anderson and commissioners Alison Cagle, Kevin Damic and Sarah Schrader.
Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, a staunch advocate for the Orange Belt Trail, has said there are no plans for the county to take property against property owner wishes or impose on private property.
Orange Belt planning and discussion are expected to continue well into 2024. (Courtesy of Diane Jones)
St. Leo aims to attract tourists
St. Leo, which is Pasco County’s oldest municipality, with a history dating back to 1891, is a community working to brand itself beyond being home to its private college, Saint Leo University.
In February, the St. Leo’s Town Commission unveiled its plans for a multi-faceted town center at the corner of State Road 52 and Lemon Road. The facility will include an underground stormwater system for food and beverage vendors, overflow parking restrooms, sidewalks, gardens and performance plaza. It is seen to be a destination that will draw tourists — a crowning gem that St. Leo will market to those beyond East Pasco.
“We really did our homework here,” St. Leo Mayor Vincent D’Ambrosio told The Laker/Lutz News in February. “We know that we can maintain the history and feel of St. Leo while still showing the greatness that we know we’re capable of. With a town center, we won’t be a drive-thru town anymore, but a destination that people will want to stop at.”
(Courtesy of City of St. Leo)

Pasco is eyeing changes for posting public notices

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When someone wants to make a zoning or land use change in Pasco County, the applicant must advertise the request in a newspaper, meet posting requirements and hold a neighborhood meeting.

Changes are expected in 2024 that will affect those procedures.

“Last year, on Jan. 1, the law changed where public notification requirements to the newspapers don’t have to be made. We can put them on our website. We have been working on that,” Nectarios Pittos, director of planning and development told the Pasco County Commission during its Dec. 5 meeting.

(Mike Camunas)

“We’re pretty close on that front,” Pittos said.

However, that raised the issue of how the county wants to proceed with property posting requirements and the signs used to do that, he said.

“We were actually looking at the entirety of our public advertisement process and system, at the moment,” Pittos said. “As soon as we get the public notifications situated — whether we want to put these on our website versus the newspapers, then we’re going to also address what kinds of signs we do want to have and how to let the applicants participate in that process.”

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano told Pittos: “When we talked, you told me that you really liked the Hillsborough County signs, I believe. They were larger.”

Pittos responded: “They had some good examples.”

Mariano added: “I don’t know why we didn’t just incorporate that. They were larger signs, very visible signs.”

He also told Pittos: “We shouldn’t allow cross-outs and write-overs. Sometimes you’ll see something crossed out and written in beside it.”

Mariano also wants the county to give clear direction on where signs are to be posted.

In the Saddlebrook rezoning case, one of the most controversial in 2023, Mariano said “when they first put the signs out, they were like in the driveway coming in.

“You’d have to stop, walk 200 yards, 300 yards to go read what that sign said.

“They changed it later, but you’ve got to make sure they’re in a good location.”

Pittos said ”the new signs that we’ve been working on would not include handwriting — handwritten signs. They would actually be printed signs. That’s the idea.

“They’d be large enough that you could see traveling the roadway (at) at least 35 mph,” Pittos added.

Denise Hernandez, the county’s zoning administrator, told the board that a proposed change to the land development code addresses when neighborhood meetings are conducted.

Under the proposed requirement, applicants must wait until their application has been cleared for content before holding its neighborhood meeting, she said.

In the past, an applicant has held a neighborhood after the application was filed but neighbors did not have a true picture of the proposed development.

Mariano and Commission Chairman Ron Oakley want the county to go even farther, to ensure that the neighborhood meetings are meaningful.

They want to create a mechanism for neighbors to submit their impressions of the neighborhood meeting, so that the county board isn’t simply relying on the applicant’s information from the meeting.

Brad Tippin, the county’s development review manager, told the board: “All of the meetings are noticed. We can include a line in that notice encouraging any attendees to provide the county with any written feedback that they would, regarding the meeting.”

Published December 27, 2023

Pasco schools begin looking ahead to new school start times

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Pasco County Schools know a thing or two about changing up school start times.

After all, they did that in response to a shortage of school bus drivers.

But now they are beginning to talk about how they’re going to adjust starting times to comply with a new state law.

The legislation says that no high school can start earlier than 8:30 a.m., and no middle school before 8 a.m., said Cynthia Armstrong, a Pasco County School Board member.

School start times will be later for secondary public school students under a state law that takes effect July 1, 2026. (File)

“This is based on the perceived notion from research that teenagers do better if they have a chance to sleep later,” Armstrong said.

Meeting the mandate will require putting more buses on the road, said Betsy Kuhn, the school district’s assistant superintendent for support services. 

Supplying the buses isn’t a big issue because the district has cut so many routes in the past couple of years it has buses that aren’t currently operating, Kuhn said.

But providing the drivers? That’s another issue.

Armstrong said she recently attended a panel discussion about the issue at the Florida School Boards Association meeting.

Representatives of three school districts that have already shifted their starting times shared their experiences, she said. One was a large district; one of medium size; and, the third was small.

“The small county had actually started this back in the 1990s, when they first redid their bus schedule, to have some tiering,” Armstrong said.

“The middle-size county had been doing it for like 10 years,” she said.

Hillsborough County just began doing so in the last couple of years, Armstrong added, noting she is particularly interested in learning more from them.

“Across the board, they all had middle school starting last. Across the board, they all said communication early, early, early in the process was so important,” Armstrong added.

“They all had workshops with parents. They had surveys that went out to all of the stakeholders, including teachers, including families, including the community. They also really listened to the teachers.

“They got HR (human resources) involved because there were some concessions. Some teachers wanted to move from elementary to middle school, or vice versa depending on their family needs or their second-job needs.

“So, those had to be accommodated.

“But they all said you had to start the process at least a year in advance, as far as getting the communication out and getting the feedback. That was extremely important,” the school board member said.

Armstrong said Hillsborough used a tool — a random generator — that proved particularly helpful.

When someone recommended changing the start time at a particular school, a district staffer could show that person how all of the other schools would be affected by the change.

It helped to build understanding about the interconnectivity of the system, Armstrong said.

Armstrong said she’d like Pasco’s staff to find out more about that tool.

“It really made it easier for the parents to understand they couldn’t just randomly change that one school to suit them,” Armstrong said.

Of all the talking points covered by the speakers, one stood out, the school board member said.

“The big, big message was, ‘Start early. Make sure the message gets out to everybody, so they have plenty of time to adjust whatever they need to adjust to make it work.”

School board member Colleen Beaudoin wants to make sure that families are aware that changing the start times is a legislative mandate, not a local option.

“I don’t want anyone to start panicking that this is happening right away,” Beaudoin said.

The shift must be implemented by July 1, 2026.

School board member Al Hernandez wanted to know if the shift will have a financial impact on the district.

Kuhn responded: “There’s costs, for sure, but for me the biggest cost is adding drivers.

The district estimates it would need to add about 35 bus drivers. That is problematic, she said, because the district has 26 vacancies.

“To add to that would be very concerning,” Kuhn said.

Armstrong also noted that speakers at the conference did not provide evidence that the early start times have resulted in a substantive academic difference.

“I will say that none of those counties said that they’d seen any change in attendance or any change in academics,” she said. “It seemed that if a student was going to be late 10 minutes, they were late 10 minutes … if they were going to be late, they were going to be late.”

She also directed this comment at district parents who many want to weigh in on the issue: “If you are opposed to this, you need to reach out to your legislators because this is not something we’re going to have control of. We will have control in how we address it and how we comply, but we have to comply with it.”

Published December 27, 2023