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DECEMBER 10, 2014
Charter school for 1,000 planned By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
A proposed charter school for up to 1,020 elementary school children in Lutz is drawing opposition from the Lutz Citizens Coalition and area residents. Charter Schools Inc. of Boca Raton has filed a request with Hillsborough County for a special use permit to allow a school on 8.4
acres of agricultural land at the southwest quadrant of Lutz Lake Fern Road and Sunlake Boulevard. A public hearing on the request has been delayed from Dec. 15 to Jan. 20. Plans show a two-phase project.The first phase includes a two-story building with 33 classrooms for 650 students. The second phase calls for a two-story building, with 20 classrooms for 370 children.The school would
serve kindergarten through eighth grade. The plans also show a storm water pond, a playground, and areas for parking for both vehicles and bicycles. Plans also call for basketball courts. The application notes that any spillage of light from recreational areas will be kept to a minimum. See CHARTER, page 7A
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Pasco County Schools superintendent Kurt Browning says that Sanders Memorial STEAM Magnet School, Pasco’s first magnet school, is evidence the school district knows it needs to expand its educational choices.
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Applications pouring in for Pasco’s first magnet school By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Pasco County Schools received more than 860 applications within the first four days of finding students for its first magnet facility, Sanders Memorial STEAM Magnet School. Applications for Sanders — a school that focuses on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics — will be accepted through Jan. 15. Lindsey Davis submitted the first applica-
To learn more about Sanders Memorial STEAM Magnet School, go to PascoSchools.org, and click on the Sanders banner at the top.
tion at 12:01 a.m., on Dec. 1, in hopes of securing a space for her 7-year-old son, Grant, to attend the school at 5126 School Road in Land O’ Lakes. Davis and her husband, Quentin, were at a news conference later that day where
Superintendent Kurt Browning talked about the need for the school district to expand its educational options. “As a district, we know that we must compete for the students we serve,” Browning said. Davis believes that Sanders would be a good fit for her son. “This is more his niche,” she said. “He loves science. He loves math. He loves basically everything this school is going to offer. See MAGNET, page 7A
Old Lutz School delivers old-time Christmas By Michael Murillo mmurillo@lakerlutznews.com
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The Old Lutz School taught area students for decades. Now, as a recognized historic site, it’s delivering another kind of lesson during the holidays. The 18th annual Christmas at the Old Lutz School, 18819 U.S. 41 N., has all the things residents might expect from a traditional holiday event: Music, cookies, hot chocolate, trains, and plenty of Christmasthemed decorations including nutcrackers and trees. “We never miss it.We make it part of our holiday,” said Suzin Carr, a two-time Lutz Guv’na. Her family has attended the event since they moved to the area in 2003, and it had such a positive effect on her when they arrived, she wanted to do more for the community. As a result, she ended up a multi-term winner of the ceremonial title. See CHRISTMAS, page 7A
MICHAEL MURILLO/STAFF PHOTO
Suzin Carr adjusts a tree decorated by the Steinbrenner High School Student Ambassadors. It’s just one of many on display at the Old Lutz School during Christmas season.