Summer Feeding reaches more
Pasco County Schools saw a huge increase in the number of meals served through its Summer Feeding program.
The district served 128,032 meals last year and 273,642 meals this year, according to Elizabeth Kuhn, assistant superintendent for support services.
Kuhn said the increase was attributable to curbside locations.
Curbside sites were available at Connerton Elementary School in Land O’ Lakes, Watergrass Elementary School in Wesley Chapel, and Lacoochee Elementary School and San Antonio Elementary School in Dade City.
PCS buys risk insurance
Pasco County Schools has agreed to buy builder’s risk insurance from Arthur J. Gallagher Risk Management Services for construction at West Zephyrhills Elementary School.
The insurance will cover the school in case of fire, wind damage, theft or vandalism, according to a staff memo. The amount is not to exceed $260,776.96.
The district is adding a two-story building with classrooms and a media center on the West Zephyrhills Elementary School campus.
Firms picked for repairs
Pasco County Schools has selected three firms to provide architectural and engineering, permitting and construct administration services for projects under $7.5 million.
The district selected Hepner Associates; Long & Associates Architects and Engineers; and Renker, Eich, Parks Architects.
Projects may include remodeling or renovations, heating and air replacements, general consulting services or emergencies.
Weeds treated at property
JT Cattle Company is working with the USDA on herbaceous weed treatment on property it leases from Pasco County Schools.
The district signed off on the treatment last month for the 40-acre site on Hicks Road in Hudson. JT Cattle Company has leased the site since 2015.
School buses sold
Pasco County Schools has sold three school buses to Creation Foundation Inc. for $3.
The district deemed the buses as surplus property after realizing they were not operational or cost too much to repair, according to a staff memo. Each was sold “as is” to the charter school for $1 each.
Music school open houses
Saint Leo University’s Community Music School will host several open house events for those interested in joining the community choir and band or participating in ballroom dance classes at University Campus, 33701 County Road 52 in St. Leo.
The music school was launched to offer Saint Leo’s neighbors and those in the Tampa Bay area a variety of opportunities to take classes to learn and practice music, dance and other arts under the direction of expert guidance of faculty members, who also are professional musicians, dancers and artists.
Open house events will be as follows:
- Ballroom Dance Showcase & Open House – Sept. 6, 6:45 p.m., Wellness Center Dance Studio.
- Community Choir Open House – Sept. 9, 7 p.m., Music Building.
- Community Band Open House – Sept. 9, 7 p.m., Blackbox Theatre, Benedictine Hall.
Email Cindy Selph at to register for the choir or band events. Email
Sergiy Borysov at to attend the ballroom dancing event.
Two Good Soles drive underway
The ninth annual Two Good Soles Shoes and Socks Drive is underway, through Oct. 23, with Pasco County government and constitutional offices working together to collect footwear for kids in Pasco County Schools.
Types of shoes and socks to consider donating include:
- Children’s shoes sizes 9 and up
- Adult shoes in all sizes
- Socks in all sizes (neutral colors)
- Closed-toe shoes, no flip-flops
More than 3,000 pairs of shoes and nearly 6,000 pairs of socks were collected in 2023.
Donations can be dropped in collection boxes at Pasco County Government locations and the Pasco County clerk & comptroller, property appraiser and tax collector offices.
All new shoes and socks will be donated to Pasco County Schools at the end of October.
