The Laker/Lutz News

Ray Gadd

School pay raise vote to go on August ballot

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The Pasco County School Board has voted to ask the Pasco County Commission to place a referendum for school district employee pay raises on the Aug. 23 primary ballot.

Initially, the school board had voted to seek to have the question placed on the Nov. 8 general election ballot. But during its May 3 meeting, the board voted to amend its original request.

Deputy Superintendent Ray Gadd suggested the switch, in background materials contained in the board’s agenda packet.

He explained the rationale for the change this way: “I am making this recommendation for two reasons: This will eliminate any confusion between the salary referendum and the local infrastructure surtax (Penny for Pasco) that will be on the general election ballot.

“Additionally, nonpartisan school board races are being held during the August primary and the salary referendum fits well with the school board races.”

There was pushback on the request during the public comment portion of the board’s meeting.

Some parents were skeptical about the shift from the general election to the primary.

One said fewer voters participate in primary elections and thus, the vote will not be truly representative of the community, as a whole.

Another said that rather than raising taxes, there needs to be greater scrutiny in how the district spends its money.

Speakers said they support better pay for district personnel, but not through the referendum.

A representative for a group called Lift Up Pasco said the group is made up of volunteers who support the referendum and will be working to support its passage. They said the additional source of funding will improve education, and thus, will enhance the community, as a whole.

The referendum question asks voters to approve up to a maximum of 1 mil in funding to be designated for improving pay for teachers, bus drivers and other district personnel, except for administrators.

At an April 5 school board workshop on the topic, it was estimated that a 1 mil increase would yield an average instructional boost of $4,000; for non-instructional, $1,700.

District calculations show that Pasco’s median home cost of $325,000, and assuming a $25,000 homestead exemption, a property owner would pay $300 more per year, if the increase is 1 mil.

Specifically, the ballot question asks for a yes or no vote on whether to levy an additional tax, not to exceed 1 mil,  beginning July 1, 2023 and ending no later than June 30, 2027.

The proceeds, according to the ballot question, will be used “for essential operating expenses to maintain salaries competitive with the market, attract and retain high-quality teachers, bus drivers and other non-administrative school support employees.”

There also is a requirement for “annual reporting to Pasco County taxpayers for transparency of the use of these funds.”

The board’s vote to pursue up to a full mil, followed persistent requests by Don Peace, president of the United School Employees of Pasco (USEP), urging the board to seek the ballot initiative. The union has pledged to give its full support to efforts to secure passage of the referendum.

Board members have said the request is necessary in order for Pasco to recruit, retain and reward district personnel.

They also noted the district is losing personnel to nearby districts that offer better pay. It also is losing staff to burnout, resulting from a combination of additional stress from fatigue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and a shortage of district workers.

The shortage of bus drivers prompted the district to change its school ending and starting times for the second semester this year. And, the shortage also was cited by the district as one of the reasons it has decided to end courtesy bus rides, beginning next school year, for sixth- through 12th-graders living within 2 miles of school.

Board members said action is needed because the district is losing too many employees to other districts, or to industry jobs.

In a video released after the board’s action, Superintendent Kurt Browning said the additional source of money is needed.

“For too long, we have struggled to remain competitive with other school districts in the area,” Browning said, in the video.

In other pay-related news
The union and district instructional bargaining teams have reached a tentative agreement for the 2021-2022.

Under that agreement, teachers will receive a one-time lump sum supplement equal to 4% of their salary, and the base teacher salary will be raised to $45,200 in accordance with state statute, according to information posted on the union’s website.

The union and district also have agreed to return to the bargaining table immediately after the ratification of the 2021-2022 contract to begin negotiating additional salary improvements for 2022-2023.

The union and district also have reached a tentative agreement for school-related personnel for the 2021-2022 school year.

The union and district agreed to the 4% supplement for school-related personnel and also agreed to a guaranteed minimum for all school-related personnel.

Also, the parties will immediately open the 2022-2023 contract year to begin to bargain additional recurring raises to deal with compression as the district moves toward the minimum $15 per hour minimum requirement, beginning in October 2022, according to the union’s website.

Published May 11, 2022

Her behind-the-scenes work saved millions for Pasco Schools

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Observers of Pasco County School Board meetings know her as the woman who breaks down the complex language of school finance into easy-to-understand English.

Her budget updates explained how much money the school district had available to spend in various categories — because when it comes to spending state and federal funding, there are often strings attached.

She also kept the board informed on how the district’s investments were faring, and how much interest the school system would have to pay on financing school construction projects, or buses, or other big-ticket items.

When it came to finances in Pasco County Schools, Olga Swinson has been the voice of authority, as the district’s chief finance officer since 2006.

Olga Swinson is stepping away from a 32-year career in Pasco County Schools. The chief finance officer is credited with steering the district through some financially turbulent times and for helping to save millions, which could be used to directly benefit teachers and students. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Her work in the school finance arena dates back to 1990, when she joined the district as an internal auditor. Next, she worked as superintendent of finance, then as director of finance, before assuming the role she will retire from on April 29.

Swinson served under superintendents Thomas Weightman, John Long, Heather Fiorentino, and finally, Kurt Browning.

Browning joined the district’s leadership staff and Pasco County School Board members during the board’s April 19 meeting in honoring Swinson’s service, expressing their gratitude for her financial leadership and congratulating her on her retirement.

Browning kicked things off, with a good-natured tone, by sharing an encounter he’d had with Swinson earlier in the day.

“She sent the board and leadership an email that was thanking us for giving her the opportunity to serve as chief finance officer, among other positions,” Browning explained.

When he saw Swinson, he told her: “I was just a little surprised at the tone of that email because it certainly didn’t sound like Olga. It was tender. It was caring,” he said, eliciting laugher from the room. “It was empathetic, sincerely grateful, for the experience she’s had in the Pasco district.

“As she’s looking at me, she’s wagging a finger. She says: ‘Don’t say a word tonight.’

“I looked at her and said, ‘I won’t say a word tonight.’

“And, as she walked off, I said, ‘I will say multiple words tonight.’”

Then Browning began describing Swinson’s many attributes.

“I count Olga Swinson, as being, in large part, the glue (in the district),” Browning said, noting the district’s success depends largely on its financial integrity and stability.

“There has never been a moment, not a single moment, in the 10 years that I’ve been superintendent, that I have ever had any doubts, any concerns, any questions, about our financial standing in this district.

“I will tell you, that speaks volumes,” Browning said.

Over the years, because of her tough budgeting skills and her ability to say, ‘No,’ Swinson developed the nickname ‘Nolga,” Browning said.

Deputy Ray Gadd continued on that theme.

“We give her a lot of grief, calling her NOlga, for ‘No,’ all of the time,” Gadd said.

But the truth is that because of her financial management skills, the district has been able to do far more than it would have without her, he said.

“She doesn’t get a lot of credit for how it (her work) benefits children — but her managing of finances in this district has greatly benefited the lives of children.

“It’s made us effective at what we do. And, when you compare our financial statements to some surrounding counties and other places throughout the state, we’re hard to beat,” Gadd said.

Her acumen is known in school finance circles
School board member Allen Altman said Swinson is known for the accuracy of her numbers, and that she has helped steer the district through financially turbulent times.

“Olga and I, I feel like, have some of the same battle scars,” said Altman, who has served on the board for 15 ½ years.

“We went through the Recession and laid off several hundred employees. And, we’ve been through the battles with the State,” Altman said.

When board members have to make difficult decisions, it’s important to know there’s “integrity behind the numbers,” Altman said.

Swinson’s “financial stewardship has saved this district millions of dollars of money that has been spent on children and employees, that wouldn’t have been, otherwise,” Altman said.

“I give her credit for that and thank her, for that,” he said.

Board Chairwoman Cynthia Armstrong agreed with Altman regarding the importance of having numbers the board could rely on.

“Our job is so much easier because we could trust, exactly, the numbers that you gave us —  so we know we were making the best decisions possible,” Armstrong told Swinson.

Board member Alison Crumbley said Swinson’s financial leadership has been unwavering.

“Mrs. Armstrong and I started (on the board) during the Recession. The first task was to make $55 million of cuts. Olga led the way. It was excruciating.

“We got through it, and all of the while, maintained a AAA Moody Bond Rating, somehow, through all of this, which has saved our district millions of dollars,” Crumbley said.

She also pointed out that when she was attending state school board training sessions people have frequently told her: “Oh, you have Olga Swinson. We’ve heard about her. You’re so lucky.”

Betsy Kuhn, assistant superintendent for support services, agreed that Swinson’s reputation for excellence is known throughout the state.

Kuhn said she’s had the opportunity to be part of the Florida Institute of School Finance, where she’s seen Swinson in action.

“It confirmed to me what I already know — Olga is a rock star in the world of school finance,’” Kuhn said.

Besides hearing words of praise, Swinson received a huge bouquet of roses and a standing ovation.

Her response was simple.

“I will miss all of you, and it’s been a rewarding career,” Swinson said.

Olga Swinson
Olga Swinson ends her 32-year career with Pasco County Schools on April 29.

Here’s a snapshot of her roles in the district:

  • Chief Finance Officer, 2006 to 2022
  • Director of Finance: 1997 to 2006
  • Superintendent of Finance: 1993 to 1997
  • Internal Auditor: 1990 to 1993

Swinson served under superintendents Thomas Weightman, John Long, Heather Fiorentino and Kurt Browning.

Published April 27, 2022

Plans moving forward in Angeline community

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Pasco County Schools has begun construction on a $52.7 million magnet school in the Angeline community, which is expected to offer an array of new opportunities for students in grades six through 12.

Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent of Pasco County Schools, offered a brief update on the project during the Pasco County School Board’s April 19 meeting.

Work has begun on putting up the stem walls on the project, Gadd said. “We’re on time, despite supply chain issues,” he said.

“It’s going to be another great facility in Pasco County,” the deputy superintendent added.

The school board approved a contract in November with Ajax Building Company, to construct the building on an 18.8-acre site in the new Land O’ Lakes development, which is being billed as a wellness community.

Angeline will emerge on thousands of acres of land, east of the Suncoast Parkway and south of State Road 52. The area includes Moffitt Cancer Center’s planned Pasco County campus.

County Administrator Dan Biles anticipates the cancer center’s presence in Pasco to spur what he has described as “generational change.”

The project is expected to include a massive research and corporate innovation district.

It has site entitlements that encompass 24 million square feet, and include plans for a hospital, research and development space, office, manufacturing, laboratories, pharmacies, educational facility/university, hotel, and commercial space. The multiyear, multiphase project is expected to create 14,500 jobs.

At previous school board meetings, Gadd has reported that the school district, Moffitt and Pasco-Hernando State College are collaborating to create a magnet school, featuring unique offerings and opportunities for students.

The school is designed for 1,700 students. Its plans call for a facility with 186,882 gross square feet.

The project is expected to be substantially completed in April 2023, with final completion in June 2023.

In an unrelated action, the Pasco County Commission has approved earmarking $50,000 for a park project in Angeline.

County board members approved the expenditure during their April 19 meeting, allocating the money to be used for a stormwater and flood plain engineering analysis related to a future park.

Published April 27, 2022

Helping principals develop their skills was his biggest joy

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Dave Scanga received a standing ovation during his final meeting with the Pasco County School board and district leaders, at the beginning of March.

Superintendent Kurt Browning lauded Scanga for his 27 years of service to the district.

“I’ll tell you, when Dave walks out the door, there’s going to be a great deal of institutional history that is walking out with him,” Browning said.

“His fingerprints are on so many things around here,” the superintendent added.

“Dave has been a rock,” Browning said, characterizing Scanga as “the voice of reason” during various staff discussions.

School board members praised Scanga’s ability to work through issues.

Dave Scanga recently retired from his post of assistant superintendent in Pasco County Schools. Regardless of his role during his 27 years in the district, his aim was the same: To help students to learn and to thrive. (B.C. Manion)

Board member Colleen Beaudoin recalled her first encounter with the assistant superintendent, which came when she was parent attending a board meeting, to call attention to an issue.

“He took me aside afterward and we problem-solved and worked together, and it was a really great experience,” Beaudoin said.

“He really listens to parents and community members, and I greatly appreciate that,” she added.

Board Chairwoman Cynthia Armstrong said the board could count on Scanga to be responsive, whenever it was warranted.

“I didn’t have to worry, you were going to be there, and you were going to handle it with such calm and reason and grace,” Armstrong said.

Board member Allison Crumbley said, the way Scanga worked through a problem, “everybody felt pretty good by the time it was solved.”

Board member Megan Harding appreciated Scanga’s presence — not only when a situation needed correction, but also to celebrate a success.

“You’ve always been there and you’ve been advocating for our kids,” Harding told Scanga. “I am unbelievably grateful for you.”

Deputy Superintendent Ray Gadd weighed in on Scanga’s even temperament.

“Over the years, he’s come into my office a few times, just madder than heck about a few things. And, he was very calm, when he was mad,” Gadd said. “Rarely is he mad, but even when he is mad, he is calm.”

In his final role, Scanga was an assistant superintendent. Before that, he was director of research, a principal, an assistant principal and a behavioral specialist.

Scanga arrived in Pasco County after working overseas for 10 years in Saudi Arabia, Africa and Japan. He worked in student services in those schools.

Scanga grew up on a farm outside of Pittsburgh, in a family of nine children.

He said his international experiences broadened his perspective and deepened his understanding of himself.

He was attracted to Pasco County through a recruiting effort, and once he arrived had no desire to leave.

“At our core (in Pasco County Schools), we do believe in supporting the whole child and we do believe in connecting to the family,” Scanga explained.

He also admires that the district gives principals the autonomy to work with the community.

Scanga said he was attracted to serving in an administrative role because he desired a wider sphere of influence. He wanted to focus on helping others develop their leadership skills.

“The joy of my career has been working with principals, and the great ones … they create the context for everybody to feel like they’re part of the work,” Scanga said.

Role of principal complex, challenging
Scanga holds principals in high esteem.

“They are excited. You can barely contain them. They want to be so successful. But they also are stepping into a role that is very complex and very challenging — a lot of responsibility,” Scanga said.

“Every principal I’ve ever worked with has basically said: ‘I thought I knew what it was going to feel like. But I didn’t.’”

This is a group of new elementary principals that Dave Scanga worked with to help them develop their leadership skills. (Courtesy of Dave Scanga)

It’s a tough job, Scanga said.

“Principals are at the apex of everything below them and are a conduit to everyone above them,” Scanga said.

He said he  appreciated being able to be a mentor to new principals, and to help them build a network of support, where they could learn from one another’s experiences.

In a group meeting, Scanga said, one principal might say: “’I have this problem.’

“And everyone else in the room will go: ‘So, do I.’’

The quality of a principal’s leadership has a direct bearing on the effectiveness of a school,  Scanga added.

“It doesn’t matter, the context of the school — the socioeconomic level, high or low, (or) where you are geographically — a good principal will make a difference in whatever situation you put them in, whether it’s a brand-new school, or a school that’s been there for 100 years.

“Helping principals transition into the role is part of what I’ve been able to do and what I’ve enjoyed,” Scanga said.

Whether on the front lines, or working at a higher level, Scanga said his driving motivation has been same: To foster a culture where children had the opportunity to learn, and to thrive.

Although stepping away from Pasco County Schools, Scanga will remain active in education — continuing in his role as an adjunct professor at Saint Leo University.

He is passionate about public education.

“I believe it’s the bedrock of our democracy, and even though, we’re under attack sometimes, it’s the people in this (district board) room that are going to make the difference,” Scanga said, during his last school board meeting..

“They’re going to keep public education viable. They’re going to keep it so that every student has that opportunity that they need to have to become a strong, literate citizen in this country,” Scanga said.

Public educators must stay the course, he said.

“If we ever blink, it will be our fault because basically without it (public education), the country just won’t be what it is meant to be,” he said.

Published April 06, 2022

Efforts underway to extend Penny for Pasco surtax

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The Pasco County School Board and the Pasco County Commission recently held a joint session to discuss asking voters to extend the Penny for Pasco, a local government infrastructure surtax, for 15 years.

If approved by voters, the extension is expected to yield about $1.9 billion in revenues, which would be split between the school district, the county and the county’s municipalities.

The school district and county each would receive 45% and the municipalities would share the remaining 10%.

The special 1-cent sales tax initially was adopted in March 2004, and was in effect from Jan. 1, 2005 through Dec. 31, 2014. Voters extended it for 10 years, with that renewal going from Jan. 1, 2015 through Dec. 31, 2024.

The proposed renewal would be from Jan. 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2039.

Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent for Pasco County Schools, recalled when the tax was initially  proposed.

“We had schools that were 200% capacity.

“Sand Pine Elementary had more kids in portables than they had in the original concrete structure. We had no green space on that piece of property. The only space we had where the children could play was on the basketball courts.

“That was just our worst example, but we had numerous schools that were at 150% capacity, 170% capacity, and it was nothing to have 15, 20, 25, and in some situations, 30 portables on a campus,” he said.

Chris Williams, director of planning for the school district, said: “In the first Penny, we did a lot of new schools as part of our projects, as well as renovations. When the Penny came up for renewal, we were in the recession, or just coming out of the recession, so our growth had pretty much gone to zero. So, our focus on the current Penny was more on renovations, rather than on new schools.

“With the growth that you all are well aware of, in our county — at this point, again, we’re going back to focusing on not only renovations, but also on new schools,” Williams said.

The proposed list includes numerous new schools.

“As you know the (State Road) 54 corridor in the Central Pasco area is booming, and so we are looking at doing potentially a new elementary school, probably in the Bexley development,” the planning director said.

“Also, along the (State Road) 52 corridor, we know that Central Pasco Employment Village is starting to come to fruition, just to the west of I-75, so we have a K-8 (kindergarten through eighth grade) school planned for that area.

“Also, we’re already planning on doing a K-8 school on the Smith property, which is in the Ballantrae area, along the (State Road) 54 corridor, and we anticipate opening that in 2025, but we’re looking toward using Penny money for that,” Williams said.

Also, in the Villages of Pasadena Hills — between Wesley Chapel and Dade City — the school district is expected to be building a K-8, or whatever is needed there, Williams said.

But those are just some of the projects that would be built with Penny proceeds.

The school district also would use the tax revenues to add computers in schools, upgrade the district’s computer network, fortify the safety on its campuses, upgrade athletic facilities and improve safety at driver pickup locations at schools, among other things.

The county proposes to spend its portion of the tax revenues this way: 40% for transportation, 20% for economic development, 20% for public safety; and, 20% for environmental lands, as well as park infrastructure.

County Administrator Dan Biles said using a portion of the funds for park infrastructure is a new idea, but is intended to equip recreational areas, so people can enjoy them.

The county administrator also noted that it’s impossible to accurately project revenues or costs over a 15-year period. So, he said, the hope is to underestimate revenues and overestimate costs.

Sheriff Chris Nocco noted: “Our county is growing too quickly, the needs are overwhelming right now.

“When we’re looking at the Penny, maybe we don’t always have to do it the same way. Maybe we could adjust it different ways to address different needs,” he said.

The first Penny was approved on a narrow margin, but the renewal received much boarder  support, Gadd said.

Superintendent Kurt Browning said he hopes that voters give the second renewal resounding approval, as well.

“Moving forward, there’s a great deal of work that has to be done, in order to assure our public, our voters, that we’re worthy of the renewal and our district is committed to that end,” Browning said.

The two boards will be working in coming months to prepare to get the Penny for Pasco renewal placed on the November ballot, so voters can decide whether the 1-cent surtax should be extended.

Published April 06, 2022

Compromise reached on rezoning, in Land O’ Lakes

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a new subdivision in Land O’ Lakes, after the developer agreed to build a “vision” road to help handle area traffic.

The construction of that road has been a sticking point for months, and now the applicant has agreed to do the road — which is referred to as a vision road because at this point, it’s just a line on the map and an alignment must be determined.

As part of the conditions for approval, the county staff agreed that the developer could receive up to 66 certificates of occupancy before having to make roadway improvements.

But no additional certificates of occupancy will be granted before those improvements are done.

The rezoning request, filed by Darrell A. and Karen J. Renner, calls for a 108 single-family subdivision in Land O’ Lakes.

The rezoning, which commissioners approved on a 3-2 vote, will change the zoning on 50.5 acres of agricultural land to allow a master-planned unit development (MPUD), on the south side of Bexley Road, about a mile west of the intersection of U.S. 41 and Wisteria Loop.

Commissioners Christina Fitzpatrick and Mike Moore voted against the request. Fitzpatrick wanted to delay the vote to provide more time for her to meet with interested citizens and the applicant to try to resolve concerns about the future alignment of the vision road.

Moore backed Fitzpatrick’s request for a continuance.

But the developer asked for a vote to be taken up or down, noting that the rezoning process, with its continuances, has been both lengthy and costly.

Attorney Shelley Johnson said her clients agreed with the conditions, as revised.

Ray Gadd, Chris Nocco and Jeremy Crouch had voiced concerns about allowing construction to occur, without the vision road.

At the Jan. 25 meeting, Gadd said: “There is an actual alignment on the vision road map and I would like that alignment to be followed.

“Do we have some reasonable expectation that the actual existing vision road alignment that’s on the vision map today will be followed?” Gadd asked.

Couch told commissioners he also wants to see the road follow the alignment on the map.

“Wisteria Loop is unique. There are a lot of homes that are estate homes on the lake. There’s a lot of really nice, mature trees, along the road, it’s very quaint.

“The alignment goes right through a pasture. It’s going to be easy for them to build. They’re not going to have conflicts with citizens. It’s going to be real smooth if they go through that pasture and that will kind of keep the character of Wisteria intact.

“I support it, as long as they follow that alignment,” Crouch said.

Nocco urged commissioners: “Make sure that road stays the way it is and it doesn’t get realigned because of permitting.

“It’s not just about this project that this community is concerned about. It’s about all of the further projects that are going on.

“If we’re talking about smart growth, we have to realize that this is one of the only roads that will cross over the path of train tracks. CSX is not easy to get roads through, over their lines. So, we better be smart and do it right this time, because if we’re not (smart), this is going to be a disaster for this Land O’ Lakes area for numerous years to come,” Nocco said.

Gadd, who is deputy superintendent of Pasco County Schools, and Nocco, who is the county’s sheriff, both made it clear that they were speaking as private residents, not in their official capacity.

County Administrator Dan Biles said the alignment shown on the vision map is conceptual in nature.

The actual alignment can’t be determined until field work is done to consider the wetland impacts, the curvature of the road, the design speed of the road and other factors, he said.

A county transportation planner said there will be bonds to ensure that the road improvements are made.

Ultimately, Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey joined her colleagues Jack Mariano and Ron Oakley to support the rezoning, with Moore and Fitzpatrick dissenting.

Published February 09, 2022

Arts center deemed ‘jewel’ in community

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It’s grand-opening celebration may have been delayed, but enthusiasm for Pasco-Hernando State College’s (PHSC) Instructional Performing Arts Center was riding high during a recent ribbon-cutting ceremony at the facility.

Pasco-Hernando State College Dr. Timothy L. Beard, along with Celyse Dahdal, president of the PHSC Student Government Association, share the over-sized scissors during the Instructional Performing Arts Center (IPAC) ribbon-cutting. Marilyn Pearson-Adams, center, chair of the PHSC District Board of Trustees, Dr. Kevin O’Farrell, provost Porter of Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, and Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore were among other dignitaries and special guests. (Fred Bellet)

The performing arts facility, at 8657 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel, opened quietly in the summer of 2021.

It provides opportunities for students to prepare for careers in the performing and technical arts. It also offers a venue for performances and creates a new place for the community to enjoy the arts.

The center’s grand-opening celebration was held on Jan. 7 — belatedly because of COVID-19 concerns.

The event included a ribbon-cutting, a reception and tours of the facility.

It also featured remarks from numerous speakers, including Dr. Timothy Beard, president of Pasco-Hernando State College; Mike Moore, the District 2 representative on the Pasco County Commission; Cynthia Armstrong, chairwoman of the Pasco County School Board; Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent of Pasco County Schools; Dr. Kevin O’Farrell, provost at PHSC’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch; Celyse Dahdal, president of PHSC’s student government; and, Lauren Murray, executive director for the Instructional Performing Arts Center.

Bringing the project to fruition involved the efforts of many people.

Armstrong, however, singled out college leadership and the school district’s deputy superintendent Gadd for “thinking out of the box.”

An obviously happy Lauren Murray, executive director for the Instructional Performing Arts Center, makes her way to the microphone to talk about the important role that IPAC will play in students’ lives.

Gadd was persistent in the pursuit of the project, she said, noting he wanted to know: “How can we make this a reality? How can we find a place to build it? How can we incorporate it into our school system?”

For his part, Gadd recalled the supersized role played by former Florida Speaker of the House Will Weatherford.

Gadd recalled: “Speaker Weatherford called me on the phone one day and he said, ‘Ray, we need some kind of performing art theater or arena in Pasco County. Can you help me out?’”

The Instructional Performing Arts Center is an eye-catching sight.

Gadd said he went about collecting floor plans from various performing arts venues and estimating costs.

He gave Weatherford a breakdown: “This is what we can get for $20 million. This is what we can get for $30 million, this is what we can get for $60 million…”

In the end, Pasco County Schools donated a 6-acre parcel to PHSC, on the campus shared by Cypress Creek High School and Cypress Creek Middle School.

And, the state college covered the cost of the $20 million project, and PHSC also is responsible for the facility’s operations.

Gadd praised Harvard Jolly and Creative Contractors for using their combined talents and expertise to create a facility that he calls “a beauty.”

“This is a jewel in this community,” Gadd said.

Wiregrass Ranch High School students Marissa Adams, 16, and Alieah Diaz, 15, both members of the Principal’s Quartet, listen to Dr. Timothy Beard, president of Pasco-Hernando State College, as he addresses the crowd.

The deputy superintendent added: “This is an example of what happens when government works together.”

Armstrong told the crowd she toured the building last year and left feeling impressed.

Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent of Pasco County Schools, played a key role in bringing the vision of the performing arts center to fruition. He described the facility as a ‘jewel’ in the community.

The design is both creative and cost-efficient, she said.

“You walk into the classrooms, and you see how they convert into dance studios and music studios and bigger practice areas. It is just truly amazing that the students that go here can get all of their education, including their specialties, right in one building.

“And then, the theater itself is just amazing,” she said, referring to the 444-seat Weatherford Theater.

The facility not only enhances the school district’s performing arts programs, Armstrong said, but also gives students who are interested in those pursuits an opportunity to remain local, if they wish to continue their education in the arts.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore took a little trip down memory lane, as he addressed the crowd.

“This hits home with me because I was a communications major at Polk Community College, which is now Polk State College.

“I actually interned at a facility very similar to this. I spent my time learning how to work lighting, do the soundboard, being a stagehand and helping those performers behind the scenes.”

Saying there is no other facility like IPAC in the immediate area, Moore thanked area lawmakers for helping to secure the funding for the project.

Speakers from PHSC also shared their enthusiasm about the opportunities that IPAC presents.

The facility offers three Associate in Arts (AA) performing arts curriculum pathways for students who plan to transfer to a Florida public university to complete a bachelor’s degree in dance, theater or music.

It also offers an Associate in Science (AS) degree in digital media and multimedia technology with six college credit certificates.

The 36,000-square-foot facility includes a fully digital system, with the latest in lighting and sound support.

Freelance photographer Fred Bellet contributed to this report.

Published January 26, 2022

School district thanks county board for help during COVID-19

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Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent of Pasco County Schools, and Olga Swinson, the district’s chief finance officer, appeared before the Pasco County Commission at its Dec. 7 meeting, to thank the county for helping the school district when COVID-19 hit.

Ray Gadd (File)

“Early on in the pandemic, the school system was struggling — trying to figure out how to feed our students and our families; how we could buy devices for kids, so that we could do online learning,” Gadd told the county board.

“I happened to be talking to Commissioner (Commission Chairwoman Kathryn) Starkey and she said, ‘Well, you know we have this CARES Act funding, you might be able to get $1 million of that funding to help out.’”

The acronym CARES stands for Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security.

The school district pulled up the U.S. Treasury document on the implementation of the CARES Act and found out that schools could get funding, Gadd said, so it turned to County Administrator Dan Biles.

Biles informed the district that the county board had authorized him to make sure the district’s request was funded, if it met the criteria.

That resulted in $9 million in funding, Gadd said. “You, the County Commission funded (for) a lot of needs that the school district required (funding for) early on in the pandemic.”

Swinson reported on the specifics to the county board.

“We used the money for the development and implementation of online learning. As you know our students had to take online courses last year.

“About 30% did that from home; the other 70% actually came into our schools.

“We distributed 17,000 computers to our students.

“We also served over 1 million meals to students and families, across the entire county.

“And, we used the money for all of the expenses associated with contact tracing. As you know, we had to do that last year, and we spent a lot of time doing that,” Swinson said.

Starkey, a former school board member responded: “I’m really glad we could help the school district when they needed it because we (the county) got our money so fast.”

Published January 05, 2022

Road dispute stalls zoning request until January

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The Pasco County Commission has delayed until Jan. 25 a request for a 108 single-family subdivision in Land O’ Lakes — to give the developer a chance to work out a solution for addressing area traffic concerns.

The rezoning is being requested by Darrell A. and Karen J. Renner.

It calls for changing the zoning on 50.5 acres of agricultural land to allow a master-planned unit development (MPUD), on the south side of Bexley Road, about a mile west of the intersection of U.S. 41 and Wisteria Loop.

Both the Pasco County Planning Commission and county planners recommended approval of the rezoning, providing a number of conditions are met — including the construction of a new road.

But the applicant has balked at constructing a new road, because of the cost.

Attorney Shelley Johnson, whose clients are seeking the rezoning, said they are willing to improve Wisteria Loop, to bring it up to county standards  — a condition that county planners required in their original recommendation for approval.

The applicant also has offered to improve a nearby intersection into a safer configuration, Johnson said.

Area residents, however, continue to push for the new road to be built.

Speakers including Ray Gadd, Chris Nocco and Jeremy Couch urged the county board to take action to prevent existing neighborhoods from being flooded by traffic, not only from the future 108-home development, but others that are being, or will be built in the area.

Gadd, who is deputy superintendent of Pasco County Schools, and Nocco, who is the county’s sheriff, both made it clear that they were speaking as private residents, not in their official capacity.

At the initial planning board meeting, Johnson said her client would be willing to build the new road or improve the existing one and county planners subsequently changed the conditions to require the new road.

But when the issue came back to the planning board for further discussion, Johnson said constructing the road would be too costly. Instead, she said, her client was willing to bring the existing road up to standard.

Published December 22, 2021

Planning board calls for developer to build road

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a rezoning to allow a 108 single-family home subdivision in Land O’ Lakes, provided the developer meets a number of conditions — including the construction of a road.

The request, by Darrell A. and Karen J. Renner, calls for rezoning 50.5 acres of agricultural land into a master-planned unit development (MPUD), on the south side of Bexley Road, about a mile west of the intersection of U.S. 41 and Wisteria Loop.

The planning board initially heard the request on Sept. 30, then delayed it until Nov. 4 and then heard it again on Nov. 18.

The delays were made to give the applicant a chance to address expected traffic problems that neighbors and the planning board believe will occur, as the area continues to develop.

Some neighbors to the proposed development urged the planning board to require the applicant to build what the county calls a “vision road” to prevent cut-through traffic in the Wisteria Loop area, as the area is poised for significant growth.

Jeremy Couch, who lives on Wisteria Loop, urged the planning board to require the proposed improvement, which the applicant estimated would cost about $2.8 million.

Attorney Shelley Johnson, whose clients are seeking the rezoning, said they are willing to improve Wisteria Loop, to bring it up to county standards  — a condition that county planners required in their original recommendation for approval.

Subsequently, county planners changed the conditions to require the construction of the vision road, with the applicant being able to receive mobility fee credits that could be sold to recoup a portion of the costs.

Johnson noted that upgrading Wisteria Loop and improving a nearby intersection would cost about $1.5 million — significantly less than building a new road.

Chris Nocco, who is Pasco County’s sheriff, appeared at the meeting as a private citizen, not in his official capacity.

He’s against the proposed rezoning.

“I think one day they should be able to build homes, but not today.

“I don’t object to building houses, but build the houses when the roads are in place, and everything is ready to go,” he said.

“If you look at the whole Angeline project (a massive development planned in the area), this will actually tie into it because of Bexley Road.

Nocco said that if needed infrastructure doesn’t come first, existing neighborhoods will be threatened and the area will lack a coherent way to manage future growth.

“Let’s have a master plan for the entire road system,” Nocco said. “If we don’t address those issues now, we never will. All it’s going to do is create more congestion, more heartaches.”

Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent of Pasco County Schools, spoke at a previous hearing on the request. Like Nocco, Gadd appeared as a private citizen.

Gadd urged the planning board to require the vision road, to help the area prepare for the inevitable traffic that will be coming through, as new developments spring up.

Johnson previously had told the planning board that her client would improve the existing or build the new one, but would not do both.

The willingness to do the either-or, though, changed when they learned about the sizable cost differential.

Planning board members Jaime Girardi and Don Anderson both said that building the vision road was a big burden for Johnson’s client.

But Anderson said he doesn’t see another way to resolve the issue.

David Goldstein, the chief assistant county attorney, said the applicant would get mobility fee credits that could be sold to other developers to recoup the additional expense, over time.

The applicant could be eligible for about $1.3 million in mobility fee credits.

The planning board ultimately voted to recommend approval of the project, provided that a vision road is built.

Planning board member Roberto Saez dissented. He said the area lacks the infrastructure needed to support the development.

The request now goes to the Pasco County Commission, which has final jurisdiction over land-use and zoning issues.

Published Nov. 24, 2021