Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Some 175 positions will be eliminated, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Workers can request a classroom teaching position or apply for one of 80 new roles.
School media specialists, tech specialists and literacy coaches are getting the axe. The Pasco County School Board voted unanimously Tuesday to cut roughly 175 positions, according to the Tampa Bay Times. But the specialists, techs and coaches have the ability to request a classroom teaching position or apply for one of 80 new specialist positions that will blend the media, literacy and tech roles. School Superintendent Kurt Browning said the move will save $5 million next year for the district, which is facing a roughly $28 million budget deficit, the Times reported. Supporters and media specialists crowded April's school board meeting to lobby officials to keep the existing roles intact. A media specialist is not a librarian who simply …
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Newly installed superintendent Kurt Browning said the district is 34th out of 67 school districts — and that must improve.
Pasco County is currently ranked 34th out of 67 school districts — and new Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning said he is not content with being average. “You’re looking at the face of a very unhappy superintendent,” he said during a speech before the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce Wednesday. “I’ve never been happy with mediocre.” The only way to move the district forward, Browning said, is to make “radical changes.” Browning said his staff knows never to tell him that something is done a certain way in the district because that’s the way it’s always been. Since Browning’s swearing in in November, the district has reduced the number of assistant superintendents from four to two and has done away with the structure of segregating the …
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
More than $172,000 worth of items was stolen at schools in the Port Richey/New Port Richey during the past several months.
Pasco County Sheriff’s deputies suspect a “ring” of people are involved in a string of burglaries at schools in west Pasco County in which electronics were taken. There have been 13 burglaries at Pasco County Schools in the Port Richey/ and new Port Richey area between October 15 and March 17. The schools hit were Chasco Middle, Chasco Elementary, Calusa Elementary and Ridgewood High. The burglars mostly took electronics, such as MacBooks, iPods, Netbooks, iPhone chargers, digital cameras and projectors. The losses total more than $172,000. Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco and Pasco Superintendent of Schools Kurt Browning said at a press conference Tuesday that the items stolen included school equipment funded by taxpayer money. “It’s …
Saturday, February 23, 2013
The Pasco County School District has created a way for students and parents to report bullying from the comfort of their own homes.
When innocent teases and taunts on school playgrounds, in buses and in classrooms become repeated, causing the victim angst, fear or hurt those incidents are no longer so “innocent.” They’re considered acts of bullying and that’s something Pasco School District officials say they won’t tolerate. In an effort to crack down on bullying, the district has now added a reporting section to its website. Through the site, victims, their parents or other close adult relatives can reach out to report bullies and help the district stop incidents before they escalate. The district defines bullying as: Systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological distress on one or more students or school employees. It is unwanted and …
Monday, February 18, 2013
The District School Board of Pasco County wants your input on local schools.
Parents and students have a chance to sound off about their experiences with New Port Richey area schools. The Pasco County School District is conducting an online satisfaction survey for both parents and students. “The purpose of the survey is to get a benchmark as it relates to the organizational climate within our schools and our district as a whole,” explained Superintendent Kurt Browning. “Also, I am interested in seeing if there are any trends that might be discovered as a result of the finds of the surveys.” Browning said that while surveys are nothing new to the district, this one is a little different. “Surveys were generally only done in the past when there was an issue, real or perceived, that needed to be addressed,” he said. …
Sunday, February 17, 2013
The Pasco County School District is taking Presidents Day off.
- SCHOOLS
- On Patch
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Sunday, February 17
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
With Pasco County Schools facing down another $23 million shortfall next academic year, we want to get your take on the situation.
Pasco County School District employees haven’t had raises in years. There’s a hiring freeze on, enacted at the district level. Not too long ago, nearly 500 positions were shed and the district has faced year after year of funding declines. The anticipated shortfall for the 2012-13 year is $25.6 million. Now, the district is anticipating yet another lean year ahead. Projections call for an estimated $23 million funding shortfall for the 2013-14 school year. That’s why the district has put the brakes on filling open positions. How exactly the district will tackle the gap remains to be seen. As the district delves into its budget concerns, here’s what we’d like to know from you Pasco: Do the potential cuts have you worried? How has your …
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 …
Thursday, January 24, 2013
The board also recognized 39 elementary schools, which received the Florida Department of Education's highest recognition for community and parent involvement.
The Pasco County School Board reconvened for its first regular board meeting after the holiday break Tuesday. Among the items on the agenda wre awards for 39 elementary schools. The Five Star School Award, the Florida Department of Education's highest recognition for community and parent involvement, was accepted by school representatives during Tuesday's meeting. Elementary schools earning recognition included Richey Elementary School, Sunray Elementary School, Schrader Elementary School, Deer Park Elementary School, Mittye P. Locke Elementary School and Anclote Elementary School. The award is given to schools demonstrating outstanding achievement in the five criteria areas of business partnerships, family involvement, volunteers, student…
Monday, January 21, 2013
The board will meet at 6 p.m. on Jan. 22.
The Pasco County School Board resumes its regular meeting schedule starting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 22. This is the first regular meeting since schools adjourned for the winter break. View meeting agendas There are two opportunities for public comment during the meeting. Anyone who wishes to address the board is asked to fill out a card to be recognized. Speakers are limited to three minutes. Meetings are held in the board room at 7227 U.S. 41 in Land O' Lakes. Check the board's calendar for additional upcoming meetings.
Grace
8:36 pm on Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Literacy coaches? What in the heck is that? Are these people which interpret the text messages kids write on their term papers. I saw a show on tv about how kids write today and instead of saying See you later, they write C U L8r and they are doing this on homework. I think that we need more literacy coaches if their job is to ensure our kids are literate because this generation for the most part… more ›