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Union seeks ‘online-only’ school option
By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Pasco County Schools is continuing its plans to offer face-to-face instruction as one of its options when school resumes on Aug. 24 — but, the union representing teachers and other school district employees is continuing its efforts to block that. In a posting on the United School Employees of Pasco’s website, union officials inform their members that they are continuing efforts to seek an injunction that would prevent a return to brick-and-mortar
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classrooms when school begins. The union is waiting until this week for formal actions to avoid interfering with efforts by the Florida Education Association, which is pursuing legal action on behalf of educators across the state, the posting says. This latest USEP announcement follows a rally by teachers and parents at school district headquarters on Aug. 4, seeking to persuade the Pasco County School Board to adopt an online-only opening of schools, until the number of positive COVID-19 cases declines. Don Peace, president of USEP, appeared
at the school board’s meeting that day, again urging the board to only open schools online. “We are not saying we don’t want a return to brick-and-mortar. We are saying we don’t want to return to brick-and-mortar now,” Peace said. “Pediatricians and CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) are saying that we should not be heading back to schools at this time. “When the positivity rate shows a downSee UNION, page 7A
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LILLIAN CUCUZZA
Not your typical vacation pic Land O’ Lakes photographer Lillian Cucuzza often shares her photographs of local wildlife with readers of The Laker/Lutz News. This shot was taken, however, during her vacation out West this summer. This photo of the Neowise Comet, was taken on July 15, when the comet was closest to earth — still about 70 million miles away, the photographer said.
Hillsborough reopening Amazon plans embroiled in controversy $40 million By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
The Hillsborough County School Board last week voted to begin the school year on Aug. 24, operating online only for the first four weeks of classes. Within a day of that decision, however, Florida Education Commission Richard Corcoran notified the district that “this blanket, district-wide decision directly contradicts the district’s reopening plan, which was approved because it was consistent with the state’s emergency order.” In a statement shared with The Laker/Lutz News, Corcoran said, ““The Hillsborough County School Board needs to follow the law, it’s that simple. “The whole reason the Department created the emergency order was to grant districts maximum flexibility to do what is right for parents and schoolchildren. “We will not stand idly by while they trample over the majority of parents who want to do right by their children. “What they did yesterday (Aug. 6) completely eliminated the flexible options for their families and students, and ignored how harmful it can be for students who are experiencing violence, abuse, and food insecurity in their homes, many of whom are already struggling to close achievement gaps.These are urgent circumstances and we cannot, and will not, ignore it,” Corcoran concluded. Hillsborough County Schools Superintendent Addison Davis issued a response to Corcoran’s letter, indicating the district had received it and was reviewing it with its legal team. Addison also issued this statement: “Yesterday (Aug.6), the School Board made an informed decision after receiving data and hearing from the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County, along with hearing the advice of other local infectious disease and public health authorities. “The Board acted after serious deliberations and with all due diligence. Our district understood the possibility that such a response from the state might come and it has been clear that the district could face negative implications. We will use this information to have discussions about where we go from here,” Davis said.
Both Corcoran and Davis’ statements came after a special Aug. 6 Hillsborough County School Board meeting that included hours of public comment, and testimony from a panel of medical experts. During that meeting, the board voted 5-2 to start the school year with online options only.The board also determined they would look at the issue again at its Sept. 8 meeting. Board members Karen Perez, Lynn Gray, Stacy Hahn, Steve Cona and Tammy Shamburger voted for those actions. Board Chairman Melissa Snively and board member Cindy Stuart dissented. The board’s vote came after School Board Attorney James Porter told the board it could not change the reopening plan submitted by Superintendent Addison Davis, but could delay its implementation. Addison’s plan calls for three learning options: Face-to-face instruction and two online choices. After gaining initial board approval, it was submitted to the state and approved. When making that initial vote, though, board members said they wanted to hear from medical experts.
investment in Pasco
By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
The issue of reopening school campuses has been a flashpoint of controversy. A parade of speakers urged the school board to either reopen school campuses for face-to-face instruction, or to keep them closed for now. Speakers wore masks to the meeting, and a district employee disinfected the podium and microphone after each person spoke. So many people showed up, their comments were limited to 1-minute each. Many exceeded the limit and there were instances when the microphone was muted when people talked too long. Speakers were passionate on both sides of the issue. Some staff members said they have medical conditions and are afraid to return to school. Others said they have family members who are medically vulnerable. Many said the number of COVID-19 cases is simply too high to return to school. But, those arguing against online only
The Pasco Economic Development Council has announced that Amazon plans to invest $40 million in Pasco County. The company is planning a new 110,000square-foot facility in Lutz, according to a Pasco EDC news release. The facility will be located on a portion of the Hayman-Fuentes property near the northeast corner of State Road 54 and the Suncoast Parkway, according to Lauren Miceli, marketing and communications manager for Pasco EDC. “This new facility will add hundreds of direct and indirect jobs to Pasco County,” Bill Cronin, president/CEO of Pasco EDC, said in the economic development agency’s release. The new delivery station in Lutz “will power Amazon’s last-mile delivery capabilities to speed up deliveries for customers in Pasco County,” according to an Amazon news release. “Delivery stations enable Amazon Logistics to supplement capacity and flexibility to Amazon’s delivery capabilities,” the company release says. The Lutz delivery station is expected to open in 2021, according to Amazon. Local officials are delighted by Amazon’s decision to invest in Pasco. “Amazon’s jobs are unique in the sense that some will work directly for the company and others can essentially open their own business and work as a third party with them. It’s a great opportunity for our residents to start their own small business,” Cronin said. “The county and Pasco EDC have worked hard to create mixed-use neighborhoods and attract a variety of industries to Pasco,” Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells said in the Pasco EDC release. “Amazon putting their trust that Pasco is the right place for them shows that our team’s
See HILLSBOROUGH, page 7A
See AMAZON, page 7A
PASSIONS RUN HOT, ON BOTH SIDES