Residents can provide input on safe routes to five schools
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – Hillsborough County is requesting feedback from residents about School Route Safety Improvements Projects at five schools in Ruskin, Seffner and Palm River in September.
Seffner Elementary, Thompson Elementary, Giunta Middle, Mann Middle and Lennard High all were studied and prioritized for student walking and bicycling safety improvements based on traffic risks, historical crash data and socioeconomic factors.
Each student safety project aims to address the risk to students and barriers to walking and bicycling to school using engineering solutions identified through data analysis, stakeholder input and community feedback.
Improvements for student safety can include raised crosswalks, flashing beacons at crossings, bicycle lanes, new sidewalks, pedestrian signage, and speed management to slow drivers along school walking routes.
Residents are encouraged to learn about the school safety projects and provide feedback using the links below.
- Giunta Elementary: Participate through Sept. 18 at https://publicinput.com/x8101#tab-55177.
- Seffner Elementary and Mann Middle: Participate through Sept. 19 at https://publicinput.com/i1057#tab-55228.
- Thompson Elementary and Lennard High: Participate through Sept. 22 at https://publicinput.com/g7856#tab-55370.
Contact Public Works Customer Service at 813-635-5400 or email for details.
Wesley Chapel Lions Club sponsors superintendent forum
LUTZ – The Wesley Chapel Lions Club will host a forum featuring Chris Dunning and John Legg, candidates for Pasco County’s next school superintendent.
The Ultimate Candidate Forum will take place Oct. 7 at Denham Oaks Elementary School, 1422 Oak Grove Blvd. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Both candidates will be on stage for an hour, answering questions submitted by the public. After the forum, attendees will have the chance to engage with the candidates during a light reception.
The Wesley Chapel Lions Club encourages attendees to bring lightly used books as donations for its Read-4-a-Ride. The program helps distribute books throughout Pasco County and Southwest Florida.
The club is also seeking event sponsors. They’ll be promoted on the event website and materials as well as have the opportunity to distribute promotional materials at the forum.
On the web: www.wclions.org/current-events.
Phoenix RISE aids adults with intellectual disabilities
LAND O LAKES – Fred K. Marchman Technical College has launched the Phoenix RISE program, an innovative postsecondary transition program designed for adults with intellectual disabilities.
RISE, which stands for Remarkable Individuals Seeking Employment, will provide students with hands-on learning experiences and opportunities to earn industry certifications across various vocational disciplines. The program is set to begin in the fall of 2025.
Phoenix RISE is supported by the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities through the University of Central Florida. This partnership will empower students to gain the skills and certifications needed for successful employment and greater independence.
Contact Todd Byers at 727-774-1700 or to learn more about the program.
Competition lets students explore the law
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Bar announced the commencement of its annual High School Appellate Brief Writing & Moot Court Competition.
Registration is open for teams that would like to participate in the 2025 competition at floridabar.org/flmootcourt.
This competition offers high school students the opportunity to gain a firsthand understanding of the appellate process by engaging in brief-writing and oral argument exercises based on a fictitious case.
The competition, sponsored by The Florida Bar’s Law Related Education Committee, is open to high school students across Florida. Students work in teams of two, coached by a teacher or qualified sponsor, to draft a brief for either the petitioner or the respondent, using only the cases, citations and legal authorities provided in the case problem.
IRS reminds teachers about classroom deductions for 2024
TALLAHASSEE – As Florida educators gear up for the new school year, the IRS reminds schoolteachers that the maximum deduction for classroom expenses in 2024 remains at $300.
This deduction allows educators to offset the cost of supplies, materials and other classroom essentials, providing some financial relief for those who spend their own money to improve their students’ learning experience.
Under federal law, this $300 cap is unchanged from 2023, continuing the adjustment for inflation that began in 2022 when the limit was raised from $250.
