Wednesday, February 6, 2013
The Pasco County School District enacted a hiring freeze Monday while another nearby district lighted up its help wanted signs.
With fears of a potential $23 million budget cut looming, Pasco County School Superintendent Kurt Browning announced a freeze on hiring Monday. "It doesn't mean we're not hiring," Browning told the Tampa Bay Times. "Now we're doing everything individually." Requests to fill open positions will be handled on a case-by-case basis with hires critical to daily operations getting the most attention. The move was prompted by the district’s estimation it might face another $23 million shortfall in the 2013-14 school year. The district has faced multiple years of budget cuts. In 2011, it dealt with an estimated $54.4 million funding shortfall and had to cut nearly 500 positions from its payroll. By freezing new hires, the Times’ report says, the …
Friday, January 11, 2013
Increasing security around the district's campuses is not off the table.
As Hillsborough County considers a $4.1 million proposal to add 130 security guards to its staff to cover elementary campuses, Pasco is taking a softer approach. That, however, doesn’t mean the issue of enhanced security in local schools is off the table. “I will be meeting with our law enforcement agencies soon to explore the options that might be explored for Pasco County,” Superintendent Kurt Browning wrote in an email. Like Hillsborough, Pasco provided a law enforcement presence at elementary schools in the days following the Dec. 14 Sandy Hook Elementary massacre in Newtown, Conn. Twenty children, ages 6 and 7, died when an armed gunman stormed the campus. Six adults and the shooter, 20-year-old Adam Lanza, also perished. Unlike …
Friday, January 4, 2013
The extra security provided for Pasco County elementary schools following the Newtown, Conn., shootings will not continue when classes resume Jan. 8.
Elementary school students in neighboring Hillsborough County will return to class Monday under the watchful eyes of law enforcement officers, but that won't be the case when Pasco students hit the books Jan. 8. Sheriff's deputies were assigned to each Pasco elementary school the week following the Dec. 14 Newtown, Conn., massacre. In that case, 20-year-old Adam Lanza walked into an elementary school and shot 20 children, ages 6 and 7, to death and six staff members before killing himself. The tragedy rocked the nation and sparked local law enforcement reaction throughout the Tampa Bay area. The move was a temporary response in Pasco. The police presence will not continue, Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning said at the school …
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
A concerned parent addressed the board at its meeting Tuesday regarding continued police presence at elementary schools.
The tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary was on the minds of many at the Pasco County School Board's last regular meeting of the year Tuesday. Board chairwoman Cynthia Armstrong opened the meeting with a moment of silence to reflect on the victims and loved ones affected by the Dec. 14 mass murder. Several school officials took an opportunity to express their thanks to Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco and his staff for working closely and quickly with the district during the weekend to implement tighter security at schools this week. The support from the sheriff's office "made a big difference in making everyone feel safer," assistant superintendent for elementary schools Dr. David Skanga said. Schools throughout the county are all looking at ways to…
Tuesday, November 20, 2012
The former secretary of state was sworn in as the Pasco School District's leader at a board meeting Tuesday, Nov. 20.
The meeting room of the Pasco County School Board was transformed at Tuesday morning’s meeting—both in body and spirit. Change was in the air as Kurt Browning was sworn in as the district’s new Superintendent by Clerk of Court Paula O’ Neil in front of a standing room only crowd. The room, sullen of late as meeting after meeting focused on bullying and coercion, buzzed with enthusiasm—and laughter—as a jovial Browning assumed his new role as the district’s leader. “Let’s do it!” Browning said as he was called on for his swearing in. His ardor was met with chuckles, which resumed as he laid heavy emphasis on the final words of his oath: “So help me God.” A standing ovation from the crowd, which trickled out into the hallway, followed. “I …
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Browning served as Florida Secretary of State under Governors Charlie Crist and Rick Scott.
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Thursday, July 12, 2012
Name : Mr. Kurt S. Browning Age : 53 Place of residence : Dade City, FL Attended college : Yes College : University of South Florida Degree : BA Political Science Year of graduation : 1982 University : University of South Florida Degree : Public Administration Year of graduation : 1994 Job titles held : Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Employers : NA Party affiliation : Republican Running for a: Local office Running for position: Pasco County Superintendent of Schools Chamber/district: Pasco County Incumbent: No Previous elective offices : Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Unsuccessful bids for elective offices : None Address 14150 6th Street Dade City FL 33525 Website : kurtbrowning2012.com Facebook : Kurt S Browning for Pasco …
Sandi
8:10 pm on Sunday, January 13, 2013
I disagree with the comment mentioned in the article. I sometimes wonder what century some people are living in. Does anyone realize how many concealed weapons permits there are in Pasco County? Every gun is a potential threat because no gun is kept in a bank safe. People break into houses to steal guns. Kids get hold of parents' guns and murder with them. Other kids may take a gun away from a … more ›