The Laker-Wesley Chapel/New Tampa-November 4, 2020

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Hillsborough schools face shortfall

By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

Hillsborough County Schools is making massive cuts, as the district battles to stop the financial bleeding, Superintendent Addison Davis told members of the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, during a Zoom business meeting. The superintendent detailed the rollercoaster ride the district has been on — adjusting to challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and dealing with significant financial problems.

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Davis joined the district on March 2, just weeks before the district shifted to remote learning for the remainder of the school year because of a shutdown imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Then, when the 2020-2021 school year began, there was the controversy over whether schools should be required to offer brick-and-mortar for students, or online options only. To retain state funding, the district was required to offer a brick-and-mortar option at every campus. It also offered parents the ability to choose an online option.

Davis said about 122,000 students are in brick-and-mortar classrooms and about 95,000 students are learning remotely. Some remote learners are assigned to specific classes, while others are enrolled in a more flexible virtual learning program. The pandemic also has required the district to spend money on personal protective equipment, and has increased sanitation and cleaning costs for district schools and facilities. “We have spent close to $14 (million) to See SCHOOLS, page 11A

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Big decisions on the 2020 ballot Early voting and Vote by Mail results demonstrate the enthusiasm that voters have in the 2020 Election. The results won’t be final before The Laker/Lutz News is published this week, but be sure to check out our full coverage next week. While the race for president is a big motivator for people turning out to the polls, voters also determined the fate of candidates running for congressional, legislative and local races, and the outcome of six proposed amendments to the Florida Constitution. Above, from left: Jennifer Srigley, Kristen Hoffman, and her daughter, 6-year-old Morgan, volunteered for the Democratic Party to greet voters at the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, on the afternoon of Oct. 25.

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Diane Levine, of Tampa, a volunteer for the Republican party, proudly displays a flag in support of President Donald J. Trump, up for a second term. She was at the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, at 2902 W. Bearss Ave., in Tampa, on Oct. 25.

Poll official Brenda Kurrack directs voters to voting booths inside the Land O' Lakes Recreational Complex, at 3032 Collier Parkway.

Pasco school Send-off honors Pasco Commissioner Mike Wells system continues to improve safety

By B.C. Manion

bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

B INSIDE, PAGE 1B

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells Jr., concluded his last meeting with the county board, on Oct. 20 with a playful gesture. He dropped the gavel. The action — which essentially means,‘My work is done here’ — provided a glimpse into the commissioner’s self-deprecating humor, and it came at the conclusion of a meeting where he received a standing ovation, and was lavished with praise for his six years of service on the county board. Commissioners paused from their formal agenda to honor some of Wells’ accomplishments since he won the District 4 seat in 2014 and subsequently won re-election. He’s leaving the board to become the Pasco County Property Appraiser. Wells has a long association with politics and government. After all, he followed in the footsteps of his father, Mike Wells Sr., who served on the Pasco County Commission and then was Pasco County Property Appraiser. Besides growing up in a household where public service was valued,Wells got involved in political campaigns when he was just 12 years old. During his tenure on the Pasco County

Commission,Wells has voted on myriad issues important to Pasco County residents, businesses, organizations and communities. He advocated for the extension of Ridge Road — a project the county had pursued for decades that finally began construction at the beginning of this year. He and his colleagues selected County Administrator Dan Biles to lead the county’s staff. Wells also took the leading role in reviving scalloping in Pasco County, after a hiatus that had lasted nearly 25 years. During county meetings and through work with community organizations, he has championed efforts to help the elderly, the disabled, the homeless, the unemployed, veterans and small businesses. Wells also has called for high expectations of the county staff, as it relates to customer service. At the same time, he demonstrated support of county staff, too. During this year’s budget talks, the county administrator recommended a 2% raise for county staff, in keeping with the inflation rate. Wells balked. He pushed for a 3% raise — to match the percentage approved for state employees and See WELLS, page 11A

By B.C. Manion bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com

Efforts to improve the safety and security of Pasco County Schools continues, as the district works to reduce potential threats on school campuses. The district recently submitted a plan to the state’s Office of Safe Schools, outlining steps it is pursuing to make its campuses safer. That submission came after a briefing on the efforts, presented to the Pasco County School Board, on Oct. 20. Michael Baumaister, the district’s chief of security and emergency operations, gave the briefing, after a closed-door session between the school board, district staff and representatives from local law enforcement agencies. That session was private because of the need for confidentiality, relating to security issues. The safety upgrades that have been done, are in the works, or are planned, are in response to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas See SAFETY, page 11A


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