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Seven Oaks

Cypress Creek Middle set to open this fall

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When a new school year opens, Cypress Creek Middle students will finally have school buildings to call their own.

Middle and high school students have been sharing the campus, formerly known as Cypress Creek Middle High, since 2017.

Beginning this fall, however, there will be a middle school for grades six through eight, and a high school for grades nine through 12.

Construction on the middle school began in 2019.

Cypress Creek Middle School is ready to open on its new campus.(Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

“It’s more than on track,” said Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent for Pasco Schools. “It’s as ahead of schedule as we’ve ever been.”

Like all public schools in Pasco County, a regular school day likely will be very different from any previous school years.

Planning sessions are ongoing for the fall start of school, with keen attention on how the COVID-19 pandemic will dictate changes in school operations.

Gadd said he anticipates an announcement on what to expect for district schools by July 1.

Cypress Middle School has a student capacity of about 1,600 students. Gadd surmises the first year enrollment will be somewhat lower.

Construction for the school building is estimated at about $43.5 million.

It shares the same campus as the high school, but is about 15 acres north of it.

With a curriculum focus on performing arts, the building design includes a black box theater, chorus, dance and orchestra rooms.

Also, Pasco-Hernando State College is expected to open its Instructional Performing Arts Center on the same campus this fall.

The district initially planned to open both a high school and a middle school on the Cypress Creek campus at the same time, but a lack of funding forced it to use the campus for both middle and high school students.

The campus opened in 2017, for students in grades six through 11, with a senior class added the following year. Care was taken to keep the younger students and older students separated, and to provide middle school and high school programs.

Opening of the middle school in the fall also required a realignment of school boundaries affecting primarily students living in the Seven Oaks subdivision of Wesley Chapel, who attended John Long Middle School and Wiregrass Ranch High School.

While the district gears up to open a new school, it’s preparing for how it will operate safely amidst COVID-19 concerns.

Gadd noted there’s no precedence to follow.

“We look at everything the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) does, but CDC has not provided us with any pragmatic, practical information,” Gadd said.

Figuring out how to do social distancing isn’t easy, especially with kindergarten and elementary students, he said.

“How do you keep kindergartners from interacting?” Gadd asked.

One option to keep younger students safe would be to keep them together as one classroom group, he said. There would be no intermingling with students in other classrooms. And, activities with each group, including recess, would be done as a unit.

Middle school and high school students are more mature, and more likely to handle social distancing, Gadd said.

But, there are many more issues to resolve — even something as simple as getting students to and from school.

“How do we get kids on the bus and off the bus?” Gadd said.

Work sessions are ongoing.

“Our intent is to open all schools,” Gadd said. “Right now, we haven’t received any guidance from the state suggesting otherwise.”

Revised June 09, 2020

Finding a way to shine a spotlight on seniors

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During normal times, Marie Joles is busy at her day job, working as a dental hygienist.

And, typically during this time of year, high school seniors are gearing up for their final festivities in high school — prom, awards ceremonies, graduation.

But, the threat of a highly contagious and deadly virus — the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic — has upended life’s ordinary routines.

So, instead of going to work, Joles has been at home. And, instead of gearing up for traditional celebrations and hanging out with friends, seniors have been spending their final school days distance learning.

(Courtesy of Marie Joles)

Joles hated the thought that their senior year would end that way. After all, she remembered how special it was for her family to go through the festivities when her daughter, Samantha, graduated last year.

So, Joles, who is a board member of the Wiregrass Ranch High School’s PTSA and in charge of that group’s social media efforts, asked PTSA president Jennifer Kanyok, if she could do Senior Spotlights on their social media.

Once she got the go-ahead, she began soliciting the spotlights on her personal Facebook page and on the Seven Oaks Facebook page.

Then she reached out by text and email to Robyn White, the school’s principal; David Wilson, the athletic director; and to all of the school coaches.

She also reached out to Bobbie Gebhart, the band booster president, and Jeni Wiseman, the football team mom — to spread the word about the profiles.

The parents submit the photos and blurbs, which Joles tweaks and posts.

In less than 24 hours, she had seven profiles ready.

Now, there are dozens posted.

They convey a sense of pride of the parents who submitted the blurbs about their children.

The profiles offer a glimpse of the lives these members of the Wiregrass Ranch High Class of 2020 have led, and offer insights about their personalities and aspirations.

Some have earned college credits, a college diploma or industry certifications while still in high school. Others have volunteered hundreds of hours.

They’ve been in theatrical performances, in marching band and orchestra, in color guard and cheerleading.

They’ve competed in lacrosse, soccer, swimming, football, track, basketball, weightlifting, basketball and other sports.

They’ve been members of the National Honor Society, the Key Club, and Health Occupations Students of America, to name just a few clubs.

And, they have wide-ranging ambitions.

Some plan to pursue traditional careers, such as nursing, law and business administration. Others aspire to less common paths, such as becoming a Judge Advocate General (JAG) officer, a makeup specialist or an animator.

Most graduates appear to be heading off to higher education in the Sunshine State, at such colleges as Pasco-Hernando State College, Saint Leo University, the University of South Florida, the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida, Florida State University and Stetson University.

Regardless of what they’ve done, or where they’re going — they have made an impression.

One graduate is described as “a beautiful soul and a day of sunshine.”

Another is said to have “a musician’s heart.”

One “has a big heart, is a hard worker and knows how to live in the moment.”

Another has “a wicked sense of humor, amazing spirit and zeal for life.”

Joles said she wanted to do the spotlights because this is a special time for seniors and they deserve recognition.

“I wanted to let them know that we appreciate them,” she said.

Those wishing Joles to post a profile of a Wiregrass Ranch senior can reach out to her at  , or text her at (813) 830-8643.

How are you celebrating your graduating seniors?
The normal ceremonies that mark completion of high school are being postponed until later this year. Meanwhile, families and schools are getting creative in their efforts to help celebrate members of the Class of 2020.

What are you doing? We’d love to know. We’re planning to do a story sharing how families and schools within The Laker/Lutz News are rising to the occasion to make their high school seniors feel special.

Send your submissions to .

Thank you, in advance, for your help.

Published May 06, 2020

ICI Homes Opens New Wesley Chapel Models With 2.75% Financing

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Sometimes the most difficult of times, such as the challenges presented by COVID-19, also create unexpected opportunities.

This is true for buyers of ICI Homes in Pasco and Hillsborough counties. This premium builder has 12 inventory homes available now or in the next few months, including four cottage-style homes in its first Wesley Chapel neighborhood, Persimmon Park.

The two-story Primrose model is light and bright with lots of windows and exemplifies Florida’s casual lifestyle.

Not only does ICI Homes have a larger than usual inventory of unique one- and two-story homes, it is also selling homes in the high $200s for the first time in Tampa Bay.

“We are known as a premier, semi-custom builder, and typically build homes from the $400s to over $1 million. So to come into Wesley Chapel with moderately priced floor plans is very exciting for us, and more importantly for our customers who want our quality and craftsmanship in a smaller, more affordable home,” said Paula Spitler, Tampa sales manager for ICI Homes.

Almost as important as the quality and pricing of its homes, ICI Homes also is offering an exceptionally low interest rate of just 2.75% on 30-year mortgages, when using the builder’s preferred lenders.

“We call this our buy-down program, because a lower interest allows our buyers to increase their spending power, and more quickly build equity in their homes,” said Spitler.

“There are only a limited number of these special loans being allocated across our 20-plus communities in Florida, so please don’t wait. It’s first-come, first-served, and once these loans are gone, they’re gone,” said Spitler.

Many families are drawn to Persimmon Park because of its desirable Wesley Chapel location, and also because its students are zoned to the area’s highest rated schools — Wiregrass Elementary, Dr. John Long Middle and Wiregrass Ranch High.

“One of Persimmon Park’s biggest draws is the schools our students are zoned to attend,” said Spitler. “We have families moving from nearby subdivisions, such as Seven Oaks, that were recently rezoned to other schools. Many families want to keep their children enrolled in the schools they have traditionally attended or have been assigned to attend.”

Persimmon Park is located within the master-planned development of Wiregrass Ranch —located off Bruce B. Downs and Chancey Road, directly behind The Shops at Wiregrass and AdventHealth Wesley Chapel. Wiregrass Ranch is a 5,000-acre, walkable community with trails that lead to parks, schools, entertainment, recreation and top-notch medical facilities.

Persimmon Park is Wiregrass Ranch’s newest new home community, with ICI Homes committed to building 97 homes in this unique subdivision.

“Persimmon Park gives our residents immediate access to all that Wiregrass Ranch and Wesley Chapel have to offer,” said Spitler. “Plus, our amenities are everything a family wants without going overboard — a unique T-shaped pool and cabana, outdoor grilling, interconnecting trails, and dog parks for small and large breeds.”

ICI Homes is introducing its first neo-traditional homes in Persimmon Park, featuring open floor plans with front porches, and garages at the back of the home. The first phase has 40 homes on 40-foot home sites, and ICI is premiering five new floor plans with prices beginning at $292,900.

“Light and bright with lots of windows,” is how Spitler describes these floor plans, having a cottage look and feel that are open, airy, and exemplifies Florida’s casual lifestyle.

“These homes have been designed for people wanting to simplify their life, who want less square footage to clean and maintain, yet want all the upscale finishes and details offered by ICI Homes,” said Spitler.

Two beautifully furnished model homes are available for tour at Persimmon Park. The one-story Lantana model is the craftsman elevation and, at 1,793 square feet, features three bedrooms and two baths, with an open kitchen and unique breezeway for outdoor living.

The two-story Primrose model is the coastal elevation and, at 2,434 square feet, offers the master bedroom downstairs, and a game room and three additional bedrooms upstairs.

“Families love the rear-load design because it gives the home a very nice front elevation with no garage blocking the home’s curb appeal,” said Spitler. “Plus, rear garages make for easier access to the kitchen when it’s time to unload groceries, and also creates more backyard privacy with covered breezeways and summer kitchens.”

Model homes are open daily for tour, with or without an appointment. Sales staff strictly follow COVID-19 safety protocols and always make sure families tour models by themselves, without other people in the model.

Families also can tour the homes virtually, via video, at icihomes.com.

“Our 3D virtual tours allow you to view and walk through our homes at your own pace, right from your couch,” said Spitler. “You can move from point to point for a complete 360° view to get a sense of the home’s space, finishes, floor plan and measurements. It’s truly the next best thing to being there.”

Published April 29, 2020

Pasco County ‘hottest county around,’ commission chairman says

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When Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore moved to the county in 2007, it was a different place.

When he arrived, the State Road 54/56 corridor — with it shopping malls, restaurants, car dealerships, hotels, residential subdivisions, medical offices, state college and industrial development — looked nothing like it does today.

The Shops at Wiregrass wasn’t even there yet, recalled Moore, who had made the move from nearby New Tampa for a larger home in Seven Oaks.

“They just built the JCPenney, without the mall. When I first moved here, we were still going to Hillsborough County and to New Tampa for a lot of things,” he said.

That was then.

“You think about how hot Pasco County is right now. We’re the hottest county around,” said Moore, now serving in his second term, and recently named county commission chairman.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore is bullish on Pasco County. He sees bright prospects for 2020, and said the county’s pro-growth attitude is creating more opportunities for its residents. (File)

“Wesley Chapel has the highest income in the Tampa Bay region.

“New restaurants and businesses are coming every single day.

“I do so many ribbon cuttings my fingers are tired,” Moore said.

New businesses are bringing jobs to the county, and there’s even some Class A office space popping up.

“That’s what’s amazing, you look at the growth and opportunity that we have in this area now, compared to what we had when I first moved here in ’07.”

Now, he said, “I don’t need to leave Pasco County, unless I need to go to the airport.”

Statistics paint a favorable picture of the county.

The number of homeless is down; job growth is up. Tourism hit the million-visitor mark for the first time this year, and numerous companies have set up shop in Pasco, or have announced plans to do so.

Moore said a strong economic development team, a streamlined approval process and a pro-growth board have combined to create more interest in Pasco.

County staff and the private Pasco Economic Development Council, Inc., work together to recruit new businesses, he said.

“There are certain things that (Pasco) EDC can do — being a private entity,” Moore explained.

“A lot of companies don’t want to make it public beforehand. People have employees who might have to relocate. There are investors involved, if they are public companies.”

“The EDC can work behind the scenes.”

The county also has focused on reducing bureaucracy, Moore said.

“One of the things that we have encouraged — as a commission, as a whole — is to make it as easily navigable as possible, to come here and start from the ground up,” Moore said.

“Our economic development group needs to make sure that when they (prospects) come here and they’re ready to do business, that it’s a smooth process,” he added.

The economic development team’s job is to make the area enticing, but it goes beyond that Moore said. They also need to help the companies through the county’s process.

Public support for economic development has played an important role, Moore said, noting that a portion of the Penny for Pasco tax proceeds is earmarked for that purpose.

The county has a number of tools it uses to entice businesses: It waives mobility impact fees and permit fees. It rewards job creation. It supports work force training. It forgives loans. It uses tax and job creation incentives.

The commission’s Dec. 10 meeting — where two companies announced intentions to locate in Pasco — offered a glimpse of how such strategies are paying off.

Encompass Health Corporation, based in Birmingham, Alabama, announced plans to bring 179 jobs to Central Pasco. Rooker Properties, LLC, a company based in Atlanta, Georgia, unveiled plans for an industrial park on a site off Old Pasco Road, expected to generate hundreds of jobs.

Meanwhile, financial services company Raymond James — also receiving a number of incentives — is expected to break ground in 2020 for a campus expected to have hundreds of employees, in the Wiregrass Ranch area of Wesley Chapel.

“That will be significant for our area. We’ve all been waiting for it,” Moore said.

Aside from the economy, the county is making strides in efforts to improve its quality of life, Moore said.

Numerous road construction projects are in various stages of progress.

Most recently, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a permit to extend Ridge Road, initially from Moon Lake Road in New Port Richey to the Suncoast Parkway, but ultimately it will extend to U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes.

The county has pushed for the east-west corridor for 20 years, and securing the permit marks a major milestone. As of last week, it remained unclear if opponents — who object to the project’s path through the Serenova Tract of the Starkey Wilderness Preserve — will wage a legal challenge.

Meanwhile, over in Wesley Chapel, construction continues on the diverging diamond, a project aimed at easing congestion at the Interstate 75/State Road 56 interchange.

And, in another significant development, the extension of State Road 56 between Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills was wrapped up in July, creating a new east-west corridor between the two communities.

The county also has been making strides on civic projects, Moore noted.

Four voter-approved bond issues are supporting the construction of additional fire stations, the renovation of libraries, improvements at county parks and a jail expansion.

The county also recently announced a record-breaking $22 million acquisition of environmental lands, to preserve ecological corridors.

And, within recent months, the county opened its first barrier-free playground.

Moore championed the idea, after noticing there wasn’t a place where children with disabilities could play at Wesley Chapel District Park.

Keith Wiley, who oversees the county’s parks departments, got involved — and the Wesley Chapel Rotary Club, Lennar Foundation and AdventHealth Wesley Chapel stepped up to help pay for the project.

The barrier-free playground was a first for Pasco, but Moore expects that it won’t be the last.

Six things to watch in 2020

The Laker/Lutz News asked Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore to identify the top things to watch in 2020. He provided these six, along with some observations:

  • Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex: The 98,000-square-foot Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex will open, creating a new destination for amateur and youth travel teams. It also will have programs during the week for local youths. The facility is expected to boost county tourism, as teams travel to Pasco from around the country and even internationally. The facility also will add to the local economy, as visitors stay at hotels, shop at stores, eat at restaurants, buy gas and so on.
  • Interstate 75-Overpass Road interchange: Work will begin on a design-build project to create a new interchange at Interstate 75 and Overpass Road, 3.5 miles south of State Road 52. The new diamond interchange will include a flyover ramp for westbound Overpass Road access to south I-75. To accommodate the new interchange, Overpass Road will be widened from two lanes to four lanes between I-75 and Old Pasco Road and to six lanes between I-75 and Boyette Road. Blair Drive will be realigned to connect with Old Pasco Road; and, McKendree Road will be realigned to connect with Boyette Road.
  • U.S. 41 Redevelopment: Redevelopment and revitalization along U.S. 41/Land O Lakes Boulevard is expected to occur, as U.S. 41 is widened, south of State Road 52 to alleviate backups at State Road 52/U.S. 41. There also will be increased efforts to improve the corridor’s appearance, through landscaping projects and redevelopment.
  • Job growth in Pasco County: The county is attracting more companies because of its policies that support growth and that is expected to continue. Quality of life improves when citizens can work closer to home, and new developments, such as Raymond James, which is expected to occur in early 2020, offers one example of increasing job opportunities in Pasco.
  • Improved quality of life through public projects: New looks for Centennial Park Library and New River Library will be unveiled in 2020, with modernized interiors and makerspaces. The county is also engaged in more than 30 projects in its parks, ranging from new roofs and gutters on buildings to updating playground equipment.
  • Ridge Road Extension: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a permit to Pasco County on Dec. 20, to begin on Ridge Road Extension, initially to connect Ridge Road to the Suncoast Parkway. Plans also call for eventually extending the road to U.S. 41. The project will provide a new east-west corridor, giving motorists another travel option and providing another evacuation route during emergencies.

Editor’s note: These observations were edited for brevity.

Published January 01, 2020

Growth and change are hallmarks at area schools

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As 2019 becomes 2020, area schools continue to respond to growth, while also changing academic options available on some campuses.

Recently, Superintendent Kurt Browning announced an initiative that will create significant change in West Pasco-area schools to bolster academic performance, but he also outlined some coming projects within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area, as well.

This is what the new Instructional Performing Arts Center, to be built on the campus shared by Cypress Creek High School and the new Cypress Creek Middle School, will look like. The campus is at 8701 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel. (Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

Specifically, Browning said the district plans to add a grade 6-12 STEM/STEAM magnet school in Land O’ Lakes that is proposed to open in August 2023 and a grade K-8 STEM/STEAM Magnet in Wesley Chapel, proposed to open in August 2024.

That’s on top of previously announced plans, which include an Eastside Technical High School, opening in August 2022.

District officials envision a magnet technical school that doesn’t fit the traditional educational mold.

They say it will combine a rigorous curriculum along with technical skills training — and will seek community partnerships to give students real-world experiences.

The idea is to prepare students to have many options when they leave high school — whether, say, they want to work as a welder for someone else; or, they want to have their own welding business.

While that school is still a couple of years off, the district plans to open Cypress Creek Middle School in August 2020.

It will be located on the same campus on Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel, where Cypress Creek Middle High has been serving grades six through 12.

Once the new middle school opens, it will serve grades six through eight, while the high school serves grades nine through 12.

The Pasco County School Board approved boundary changes — which primarily affected the Seven Oaks community in Wesley Chapel — to reassign students from that area to Cypress Creek Middle and Cypress Creek High. The boundary changes will relieve crowding at John Long Middle School and Wiregrass Ranch High School.

In the fall of 2020, Pasco County Schools is scheduled to open Cypress Creek Middle School. It is being designed for 1,600 students, making it the district’s largest middle school. The middle school will join Cypress Creek High and Pasco Hernando State College’s Instructional and Performing Arts Center. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

On the same Cypress Creek campus, the school district donated land to Pasco-Hernando State College for the Instructional Performing Arts Center, now under construction, which will be known as IPAC.

The new performing arts center is expected to provide both educational opportunities and entertainment. It also is expected to benefit middle school through college students, through its programming.

Cypress Creek Middle School was designed to be compatible with the performing arts center, too. It will have a state-of-the-art black box theater, as well as facilities for dance, orchestra and chorus.

Meanwhile, the district also plans to open Starkey K-8 School in August 2021. It’s the first district school designed deliberately to serve kindergarten through eighth grade.

The school is the second phase of a partnership between Pasco County Schools, Pasco County government and Wheelock Communities, the private developers of Starkey Ranch, a community off State Road 54 in Trinity.

One part of the project is the Starkey District Park, which opened its first phase in November 2017. Two additional phases are planned for the park.

The school will be near the district park.

There’s also a third part of the project that involves construction of what’s been dubbed TLC, which stands for theater, library and cultural center.

In addition to new construction, the district also is working to improve existing facilities.

Most recently, it wrapped up a massive makeover of Land O’ Lakes High School — which involved five phases, and required considerable coordination to complete while students and staff remained on campus.

The work was done in stages to avoid sending students and staffs to another campus, or using split sessions.

The project involved reconfiguring spaces to improve campus flow, and modernizing facilities.

It involved tearing out walls, redoing plumbing, electrical and upgrades to technology. It also included a five-classroom addition to the science wing.

The school recently celebrated the project’s completion with a rededication ceremony, and on another night, it offered public tours.

Major Pasco County Schools projects, 2019-2020:

  • Zephyrhills High campus-wide renovation
  • Land O Lakes High campus-wide renovation, final phase
  • Cypress Creek Middle construction
  • Starkey K-8 construction
  • Starkey Library Theater construction
  • East Technical High construction
  • SunlakeHigh design and construction of classroom wing
  • Bexley Elementary design and construction of classroom wing

Source: Pasco County Schools

Published January 01, 2020

Pasco School Board adopts new school boundaries

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The Pasco County School Board unanimously approved school rezonings for the 2020-2021 school year — primarily affecting students living in the Seven Oaks subdivision in Wesley Chapel.

Board members approved the boundary shifts that are aimed to relieve crowding at Wiregrass Ranch High School and John Long Middle School, and to fill seats available at Cypress Creek High School and the new Cypress Creek Middle School, which is expected to open next fall.

Cypress Creek Middle School, now under construction, is expected to open in August 2020. The Pasco County School Board has approved boundaries for both Cypress Creek Middle and Cypress Creek High. The boundary shifts primarily affect students living in the Seven Oaks subdivision of Wesley Chapel, who now attend John Long Middle and Wiregrass Ranch High schools. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

The boundary shift does not apply to Wiregrass Ranch students, living within the rezoned area, who will be entering their junior or senior years. Seniors can ride district buses; juniors cannot.

Board members supported Superintendent Kurt Browning’s boundary recommendations, despite requests by parents to allow current freshman at Wiregrass Ranch to have the option to remain, if their parents provided transportation.

There also was a request to allow rising eighth-graders from John Long Middle to be allowed to attend Wiregrass Ranch High.

In advocating for incoming sophomores, Mike Schulze, a Seven Oaks parent, said “this group is just as important as all of the others.”

Other parents expressed their displeasure with the boundary shifts, citing concerns about disrupting their children’s lives, traffic issues and the greater distance from the Seven Oaks neighborhood to the Cypress Creek school complex, which is on Old Pasco Road.

Board members said Pasco County’s rapid growth continues to force the district to shift boundaries to accommodate growing enrollments.

Board member Allen Altman applauded Browning’s recommendation to grandfather in both rising juniors and rising seniors at Wiregrass Ranch High, which is on Mansfield Boulevard.

“I think based on the numbers and projections. That was generous and accommodating,” Altman said.

Board member Cynthia Armstrong said rezonings are always tough.

“I know it’s painful,” Armstrong said.

“The idea is to reduce the number of students at Wiregrass. And, to accomplish that, it’s necessary to move students out of Wiregrass,” she said.

Board member Megan Harding said she had visited Wiregrass Ranch High, where she saw crowded hallways, students eating lunch outside and multiple portable classrooms.

Failing to address the crowding could end up putting Wiregrass on a 10-period day, and that’s not a great option, the board member said.

“This is not a decision I make lightly,” Harding said. “You’re child isn’t a number to me. Your child is important.”

Still, Harding said: “With a rapidly growing area, if we don’t address problems now, it’s only going to get worse.”

There were other boundary changes approved, including shifts that affect an area near State Road 52 and the Suncoast Parkway.

The land is currently undeveloped, but has been approved for a massive development.

The new boundaries assign the entire area to Mary Giella Elementary, Crews Lake Middle School and Hudson High.

Future students in those areas would have been assigned to Land O’ Lakes schools.

Published November 27, 2019

School boundary proposals draw opposition

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Compared to school boundary hearings in recent years, the crowd was relatively small at a public hearing last week on proposed boundary changes for Pasco County Schools for the 2020-2021 school year.

Still, concerns expressed by parents were similar to the types of concerns generally raised at school boundary meetings.

Boundary changes planned for next year primarily involve changes needed due to the opening of Cypress Creek Middle School, set for next fall.

Initially, the school district had planned to open a high school and a middle school on its campus at 8701 Old Pasco Road. But, it couldn’t afford to build both, so it used its high school campus to serve students in grades six through 12.

Cypress Creek Middle School, now under construction, is expected to open in August 2020. The school district is now considering boundary shifts to ease crowding at John Long Middle and Wiregrass Ranch High, in Wesley Chapel. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

When the new school opens next year, the middle school students on the campus will be shifted to the new school, and boundary changes will fill up remaining space at both the high school and the middle school.

The district’s proposal calls for filling the vast majority of those seats by shifting students from Seven Oaks now assigned to John Long Middle, to Cypress Creek Middle.

It also would shift Seven Oaks students now assigned to Wiregrass Ranch High, over to Cypress Creek High.

The change would not apply to rising seniors, who would be grandfathered in.

And, before the public hearing began, Superintendent Kurt Browning announced the proposal also calls for grandfathering in rising juniors.

The seniors would continue to be able to ride district buses; the juniors would not.

Other students can apply for school choice during the open enrollment period.

Parents who spoke at the public hearing offered a litany of reasons they oppose the proposed boundary shifts.

Mike Schulze, who lives in Seven Oaks, put it this way: “This is a personal thing for our family, for my son. This is not just a number on a sheet.”

He asked the board to consider the impact the boundary shift would have on students who will not be grandfathered in, including his son.

“His dream since he was in third grade was to go to Wiregrass Ranch High School and play basketball,” Schulze said. He asked board members to consider allowing all students to finish out their education in the school where they started.

Other parents also asked board members not to disrupt the academic or social life of their children.

They told board members they chose to live in Seven Oaks because the subdivision’s students were assigned to John Long and Wiregrass Ranch.

They voiced concerns about sending their children to schools that are farther away.

They questioned the decision to reassign school boundaries for an established neighborhood, instead of changing boundaries in newer neighborhoods.

They asked why the district can’t build additional wings at Wiregrass Ranch to accommodate additional students, to avoid redrawing lines.

Many of those same issues were raised in emails sent to district staff regarding the proposed changes. There also were criticisms of the district’s lack of planning for future growth.

Browning said the district considered building an addition at Wiregrass Ranch, but to do so would mean removing facilities that are needed for the school’s athletics, so that isn’t possible.

Board members Allen Altman and Cynthia Armstrong addressed comments related to planning.

“The school district does not get funding for a seat, for a student, until that student is already enrolled in school and counted,” Altman said.

Armstrong added: “It’s actually by state statute that we cannot start building a school until we have the total money in the bank to finish it. That makes the monetary part very tough, since we don’t get the funds until after the people are here.

“The other problem we have is locating school sites where the new buildings are going to be. We don’t always have access to obtaining a school site that would be affordable for us.”

There are other boundary changes proposed that would affect an area near State Road 52 and the Suncoast Parkway that is currently undeveloped, but has been approved for a massive development.

The proposal calls for assigning the entire area to Mary Giella Elementary, Crews Lake Middle School and Hudson High.

Under the current boundaries, some of that future growth would have been assigned to Land O’ Lakes schools.

The Pasco County School Board is set to vote on the proposed changes at its Nov. 19 meeting, at 6 p.m., at the school district headquarters, 7227 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Pasco school choice
Pasco County Schools is hosting expo-style events to inform families about school choice options in the district.

The west-side Pasco Pathways Expo is set for Nov. 18 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at River Ridge High School, 11646 Towne Center Road, New Port Richey.

The east-side Pasco Pathways Expo is on Nov. 21 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Wesley Chapel High School, 30651 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel.

The expos will feature informational sessions that cover the general application process. In addition, many of the district’s schools will showcase their unique educational options, such as  STEM and STEAM magnet schools, the Cambridge International Education Programme, International Baccalaureate, Wendell Krinn Technical High School, Career Pathways, Pasco eSchool, and more.

The school choice application window will run from Dec. 3 to Dec. 13 for middle and high schools, and from Jan. 21 to Jan. 31, for elementary schools.

For more information, or to register to attend either of the expos, parents should visit PascoSchools.org, and click on the Pasco Pathways link.

Published November 13, 2019

Pasco County School is redrawing boundaries

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Turnout was light for a public workshop regarding school boundaries held last week at Wiregrass Ranch High School.

Thousands of students will be affected by the proposed changes, but the vast majority of changes relate to Cypress Creek Middle School, which is set to open in the fall of 2020.

The school district initially had planned to open both a high school and a middle school on the campus at 8701 Old Pasco Road.

Chris Williams, director of planning for Pasco County Schools, explains proposed boundaries for Cypress Creek Middle School, during a public workshop on proposed school boundary changes. (Christine Holtzman)

But, the district was short on funding, so initially the high school buildings were used to house students in grades six through 12.

When the new middle school opens next fall, students in grades six through eight will shift to the new building.

But, boundary changes are needed to fill up remaining capacity at both the middle school and the high school.

The proposed changes primarily affect the Seven Oaks neighborhood, said Chris Williams, director of planning for Pasco County Schools.

Specifically, the school district is proposing that 613 students now zoned to Wiregrass Ranch High School be shifted to Cypress Creek High School, and seven students zoned to Pasco High School be rezoned to Cypress Creek High School.

If that’s approved, the estimated enrollment at Cypress Creek High School would be 2,080, in a school which has a permanent capacity of 2,090.

After the proposed shift, Wiregrass Ranch would have an enrollment of 1,606 students, in a school with a permanent capacity of 1,633. Pasco High would have an enrollment of 1,602, in a school with a permanent capacity of 1,491.

The proposed boundary changes also call for shifting over to Cypress Creek Middle, an estimated 446 students now zoned to John Long Middle and five students now zoned to Pasco Middle.

If those changes are approved, Cypress Creek Middle would have an estimated 1,554 students, in a school with a permanent capacity of 1,600. John Long Middle would have 1,167 students, in a school with a permanent capacity of 1,327. Pasco Middle would have 918 students, in a school with a permanent capacity of 875.

Under the proposal, seven students living along State Road 52, at the north end of Old Pasco Road, would be reassigned from Pasco High to Cypress Creek High.

That shift is being proposed because where they live is a straight shot to Cypress Creek High, Williams said. “We felt that made sense.”

Alex Morales, of Wesley Chapel, center, and his wife Jessica, speak with Wayne Bertsch, communications and government liaison for Pasco County Schools, about their concerns relating to proposed school boundaries. The Morales family lives in Seven Oaks, a neighborhood that is currently zoned for Wiregrass Ranch High School, but under the new proposal, will be zoned for Cypress Creek High School.

The district also is proposing to shift an attendance area with 17 students in San Antonio Elementary over to Quail Hollow Elementary.

“These kids currently go to San Antonio Elementary, Pasco Middle and Pasco High. So, now they’re going to go to Quail Hollow Elementary, Cypress Creek Middle and Cypress Creek High,” Williams said.

In another proposed change, an attendance area with 143 students now zoned to Wesley Chapel High would be reassigned to Zephyrhills High. That would bring Zephyrhills High’s enrollment to 1,780, at a school with a permanent capacity of 2,004. It would bring Wesley Chapel High’s enrollment to 1,438, at a school with a permanent capacity of 1,506.

Williams said the change addresses a previous boundary shift.

“We rezoned some kids several years ago out of Wiregrass and John Long into Wesley Chapel and Weightman. We kind of shifted these kids over to Stewart Middle, but there wasn’t room at Zephyrhills, so they went to Wesley Chapel.

“The bulk of these kids go to Chester Taylor Elementary, then they go to Stewart and then they go to Wesley Chapel,” Williams said.

The planning director also noted that “Wesley Chapel has all of this growth coming from Epperson Ranch.

“So, we think it makes sense to fix the feeder pattern. Elementary and middle doesn’t change: They’ll still go to Chester Taylor and Stewart Middle. But, now they’ll go to Zephyrhills (High),” Williams said.

Zephyrhills High has room because the district just built a new classroom wing there.

As of last week, Williams had not received any feedback on the proposed shift affecting Zephyrhills High.

Overall, he has received about three dozen comment cards regarding the proposed boundary shifts changes — the vast majority coming from the Seven Oaks neighborhood.

As is often the case, those commenting said they’d bought their home in a specific neighborhood because of the school their child would attend, or they objected to the change because the new school is farther away from their home than their current school.

When the district drew up the original boundaries for Cypress Creek Middle High, it announced it would likely be shifting the Seven Oaks neighborhood over when the new middle school opened.

But, apparently that word did not get out to everyone, Williams said.

Jessica and Alex Morales, who live in Seven Oaks, said they moved into the neighborhood so their daughter could finish high school at Wiregrass Ranch. But, it now appears that their son, who is a freshman at Wiregrass Ranch, will be reassigned to Cypress Creek High next fall.

They attended the public workshop to see if there was any possibility their son could stay at Wiregrass Ranch High.

“We had moved from New York. He met all of his friends in sixth grade,” Jessica Morales said.

Under the proposal, he’ll be attending a high school that’s different from many of his friends.

“We’re trying to lessen that blow,” she said.

The family also has a second-grader they need to think about, too, she said.

They are planning to learn more about what Cypress Creek High has to offer.

Williams said there are other boundary changes proposed that would affect an area near State Road 52 and the Suncoast Parkway that is currently undeveloped, but has been approved for a massive development.

The proposal calls for assigning the entire area to Mary Giella Elementary, Crews Lake Middle School and Hudson High, Williams said.

Under the current boundaries, some of that future growth would have been assigned to Land O’ Lakes High, Pine View Middle and Connerton Elementary.

Anyone who wishes to comment on the district’s proposed boundaries can fill out a comment form by going to the district’s website, at Pasco.k12.fl.us.

The Pasco County School Board will have a public hearing on the proposed boundaries on Nov. 5 at 6 p.m., at 7227 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. The final public hearing is set for the same location on Nov. 19 at 6 p.m.

Published October 16, 2019

John Gant settles into major leagues

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At least one Major League Baseball player calls Wesley Chapel home during the offseason.

With pleasant weather and local ties, it’s a no-brainer for St. Louis Cardinals pitcher John Gant.

After all, the 26-year-old Gant spent half his childhood being raised in the area — moving there with his family from Savannah, Georgia, when he was 11 years old.

The major leaguer has been back in town since December, following the conclusion of the 2018 season.

Before he became a standout pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, John Gant starred on the Wiregrass Ranch High School baseball team from 2008 to 2011. He was 11 years old when his family moved to Wesley Chapel, from Savannah, Georgia. (File)

He’s used the downtime to catch up with family and some old friends from Wiregrass Ranch High School, where he starred on the varsity baseball team all four years (2008-2011) before being selected by the New York Mets in the 21st round of the 2011 MLB Draft.

He’s also made a point to stay in general shape in advance of the 2019 season. He works out with local trainer BB Roberts about once a week, splitting time between old high school stomping grounds and the Seven Oaks clubhouse fitness center.

Gant, surprisingly, is able to mosey about town in relative anonymity, both in Wesley Chapel and St. Louis.

“Nobody really recognizes me at all,” Gant said in a recent interview with The Laker/Lutz News.

And, he likes it that way. “I’m kind of an undercover, under-the-radar type guy,” Gant said.

In baseball circles, however, Gant is anything but under the radar.

The 6-foot-4 righthander, who sports a five-pitch arsenal (sinker, changeup, four-seam fastball, curveball, slider), will embark on his fourth MLB season when pitchers and catchers report for spring training in February.

There, he’ll look to build off last year’s breakout campaign in which he posted a 3.47 earned run average and 95 strikeouts in 114 innings pitched, with a record of 7-6 in 26 appearances (including 19 starts).

While Gant’s efforts weren’t enough to help the Cardinals reach the playoffs, he was front-and-center at times throughout the season.

He pitched a seven-inning, one-hit shutout gem on June 26 against the Cleveland Indians that happened to be the historic franchise’s 10,000th victory as a member of the National League.

He made national headlines at the plate, too.

Gant’s first two hits in his MLB career — and only two hits thus far — are home runs.

Wiregrass Ranch High School product John Gant is entering his fourth MLB season. Presently with the St. Louis Cardinals, the right-handed pitcher also has spent time in the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves baseball organizations. (Courtesy of MLB.com)

According to MLB.com, Gant is believed to the only player in Major League history to hit at least two home runs while never having reached base safely by any other means.

The first dinger came on Aug. 14 in a home game against the Washington Nationals.

Gant entered the game 0 for 30 in hitting for his career before he drove a 1-1 pitch from Gio Gonzalez (who had never allowed a home run to an opposing pitcher) over the left field wall in the second inning — a two-run shot that measured 398 feet.

“Hitting that first home run was pretty cool,” Gant said. “That was a moment I’ll never forget.”

Gant also drew notoriety for his unconventional, yet impactful Vulcan changeup — gripping the ball between the middle and ring fingers, garnering its name from the Vulcan salute used by Spock in the Star Trek series.

“Some people think it’s weird; some people think it’s normal,” Gant said of the pitch.

“You’ve got to be able to change speeds as a pitcher or else you probably aren’t going to have too much success at all, really,” he said.

Gant has had a circuitous route to baseball’s highest level.

Since being a mid-round draft pick out of high school, Gant toiled in the minors for five years before making his debut in 2016 with the Atlanta Braves. He’s also battled injuries and has been traded twice — from the Mets to the Braves, then to the Cardinals.

After finally coming into his own this past season, Gant is self-assured he has staying power in the big leagues, for many years to come.

Said Gant, “I’m calm and confident to play at that level, and I feel like that’s where I belong. It definitely took some settling in, but I feel settled and comfortable.”

And, he certainly wouldn’t mind staying long-term with his current ball club.

“I think I’m in the right place now, with the Cardinals. I’m happy where I’m at. I really want to stay with this group of guys and this organization,” Gant said.

Aside from maybe hitting a few more dingers, Gant’s chief focus is on the mound — working to improve his control to pare down the 57 walks he allowed in 2018, one of the few blemishes on his resume last season.

“I’m going to try to hone in on that strike zone a little better,” Gant said. “Throw some more strikes. Fill up the zone. And, just work hard. Try to win some baseball games for this ball club.”

Meanwhile, those in tune with the sports scene in Pasco County may know of another John Gant  — head coach of the Wiregrass Ranch varsity girls basketball team, who’s won at least 20 games every year but one since being hired in 2011.

Well, it’s the pro ballplayer’s father.

The younger Gant described his father as “very” influential toward his success in professional baseball — mentoring him to excel in academics and athletics.

“He’s always pushing me in doing everything I’ve done,” Gant said. “He’s always told me, ‘If you do something, do it right.’”

Likewise, his father’s coaching achievements over the past decade don’t come as a surprise to the major leaguer.

“He works hard at his craft, and he’s good at it,” Gant said. “Just behind the scenes, he spent so much time on it, just watching video and just making sure he has everything that he wants and all the tools are there, and he’s using them all. He just goes out there and wins games.”

Like father, like son.

Q-and-A with St. Louis Cardinals pitcher John Gant

On playing baseball at Wiregrass Ranch High School: “It was a blast. I had a lot of fun, and it kind of led me to where I am now.”

On his emergence as an upperclassman at Wiregrass Ranch that drew attention from pro baseball scouts: “Just (got) bigger and stronger. Grew into my body a little more and started to throw a little harder. That’s really it.”

On when he realized he might have a chance to play baseball professionally: “I was by no means a Little League prodigy or a child prospect or anything like that. I think things kind of started to click for me when I was probably a junior or senior in high school, and I started getting some college attention. I wasn’t really thinking, ‘Hey I’m going to be a big league pitcher,’ obviously, but we knew that I was going to go play baseball in college, and then if I had success there, then maybe a role at the professional level. But, there was never a real moment where I said, ‘Oh, I’m going to do this’ before I was drafted or anything like that.’”

On playing for the St. Louis Cardinals, one of the MLB’s most revered and historic organizations: “It definitely means a lot to be able to put on that jersey and all the history that comes with it, and, everything that the St. Louis Cardinals have accomplished throughout the years and are still accomplishing. It’s pretty unreal the success they’ve had and the pride that they have in all their successes, and, just how they care about people’s attitudes and people’s character is very important. …I think they’re really going about their business the right way.”

On his favorite player growing up: “I wouldn’t say I modeled my game after this person in any way, but as a kid I was a pretty big (Atlanta) Braves fan and my favorite player was the catcher, Javy Lopez.”

On the best hitter he’s gone up against: “I guess, maybe my rookie year in 2016, facing Big Papi (Boston Red Sox great David Ortiz) at Fenway Park was a pretty cool moment.”

On his career options if he wasn’t playing professional baseball: “Hard to say. I’ve never really seen myself coaching. I was going to school to be an athletic trainer. Now seeing all the behind-the-scenes things that they’re responsible for, I don’t think that I’d really like to do that. Honestly, I’d probably be working some type of manual labor job somewhere — outside, hard work with my hands, getting dirty every day.”

Published January 9, 2019

Region gears up to celebrate nation’s Independence Day

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If you’re looking for some fun and patriotic ways to celebrate the nation’s birthday, you’ll find lots of options nearby.

The master-planned community of Connerton is hosting its fifth annual “Nation Celebration” on July 3 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., at 21100 Fountain Garden Way in Land O’ Lakes.

Connerton, a master-planned community in Land O’ Lakes, offers a ‘Nation Celebration’ to celebrate America’s birthday. Benedetto’s, a restaurant in Land O’ Lakes, sponsors the fireworks.
(File)

The event will be an old-fashioned neighborhood party, open to the public, featuring a rock wall, free games, a live DJ, live music, food trucks, local crafters, free bounce houses and fireworks presented by Benedetto’s Ristorante Italiano.

Those wishing to be eligible for a chance to win a $250 gift card must register by June 30, at Connerton.com/event-signup.

If you enjoy a down-home Fourth of July parade, along with a flag-raising, a cake-baking competition and kids riding their bikes in the parade — the community of Lutz’s Independence Day festivities will be right up your alley.

Lutz prides itself on its annual event and this year promises to continue the community’s traditions, according to Jennifer Rankin, chairwoman of the festivities.

The day begins with people dropping off their entries for the Cake Bake competition.

Then, there’s the annual 5K which draws hundreds of runners, and the 1-mile Fun Run, a family friendly event.

The 5K starts at 8 a.m., July 4 at the Lutz Community Center, 101 First Ave. N., in Lutz.

In-person registration for the race can be done during regular business hours Monday through Friday, through June 30, at Big Fred’s Automotive Repair, 19301 U.S. 41 North, in Lutz.

On race day, registration is $30 and begins at 6:15 a.m., inside the Lutz Community Center, 101 First Ave., N.

The 5K starts at 8 a.m., July 4 on Lutz-Lake Fern Road, west of the intersection First Avenue.

The 1-mile Fun Run begins at 8:45 a.m.

For more information or to register online, visit tinyurl.com/y9o96scr.

Three-month-old Braylen Moore had a great viewing place for the parade, sitting on her mom’s — Emily Moore of Lutz — lap at the parade.
(File)

Other festivities include a flag-raising ceremony at 9 a.m., led by Boy Scout Troop 12 and members of the North Tampa/Lutz Civil Air Patrol Cadets.

After that, the parade begins at 10 a.m.

After the parade, the honorary Lutz Guv’na is proclaimed, and is sworn in over a copy of Dr. Seuss’ “Green Eggs and Ham.”

This year’s candidates are Kandy Sinquefield of American BellyDance Studio, Jessica Sherman of Pinch A Penny and Domenic DiFante of Panini’s Bar & Grill.

Then, come the “Cake Bake Auction,” which raises money to support local organizations and draws some good-natured bidding, as grandparents, parents and spouses get into friendly bidding wars to bring home their loved one’s baked treat.

Another highlight are the booths and vendors that parade-goers can check out, to find out more about local organizations, or grab a bite to eat.

And, while politicians are always a mainstay in the Lutz parade, there’s usually a greater number during an election year, and Rankin said that’s true this year.

She also noted that it’s not too late to join the parade, but the deadline for applications is July 1. Those interested in joining the parade can call Rankin at (813) 240-5492.

Other area events are planned in Wesley Chapel and at the Pasco County Fairgrounds in Dade City.

Avalon Park West in Wesley Chapel will host an Independence Day celebration on July 4 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., at its clubhouse, at 5227 Autumn Ridge Drive. There will be an apple pie bake-off, a bike parade, a wet/dry bounce park, community performances, and fireworks at 9 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, call (813) 783-1515.

Meanwhile, the community of Seven Oaks has planned a “Fourth of July Celebration and Cardboard Boat Regatta” on July 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Seven Oaks Clubhouse, 2910 Sports Core Circle, in Wesley Chapel

Families can build a two-person cardboard boat, which must be able to race. There will be awards for fastest, best team, most creative, people’s choice, best younger team and the Titanic-best sinking. For information, visit 813Area.com.

Another Fourth of July celebration — Sparklebration 2018 — is planned at Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52 in Dade City.

Festivities will be on July 4 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Highlights include live entertainment, free face painting, and for a nominal charge: a bounce house, pony rides and a petting zoo.

There also will be a watermelon- and hot dog-eating contests, and a karaoke contest.

Fireworks are scheduled for 9:15 p.m., weather permitting.

Gates open at 4 p.m. Parking is $5 per vehicle. Admission is $6 for ages 13 and older. For information, visit PascoCountyFair.com.

Published June 27, 2018