Bloomingdale/FishHawk
15
October 2021
Volume 20,
Issue 10
Ph: 657-2418
SEE AD ON PAGE 38
CELEBRATING 19 YEARS OF PUBLISHING P OSITIVE COMMUNIT Y NEWS
FORMER BLOOMINGDALE PRINCIPAL BURKETT NAMED CHIEF OF SCHOOLS By Michelle Caceres
Osprey Observer 2109 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Valrico, FL 33596
By Kate Quesada funding sources may include developer contributions, financing, gas taxes, grants and ad valorem tax revenue. The goals of the project are to improve vehicular access to Lithia Pinecrest Rd. from the adjoining subdivisions and to provide a marked pedestrian route across Lithia Pinecrest Rd. to improve pedestrian access. Public comment was open Construction is expected to begin soon for improvements to the for the project last month, and according to the counintersection at Lithia Pinecrest Rd. and FishHawk Trails Dr./ Hawkpark Blvd. in Lithia. ty, the feedback was unanimously in support of the Residents of Fish Hawk Trails and Phase improvements, especially for the light and One of FishHawk Ranch will be please to sidewalks, with many residents mentionknow that help for the intersection at the ing the students who use the road to traventrance to the communities and Lithia el to school daily. Pinecrest Rd. is on the way. To learn more, visit www.hillsboroughAccording to Hillsborough County, imcounty.org. To read the public comments provements at Lithia Pinecrest Rd. and on the project, visit www.publicinput. Fishhawk Trails Dr./Hawkpark Blvd. in com/hcengage. Lithia will include a new traffic signal, resurfacing and new crosswalks. The construction is expected to be completed by mid-2022. The improvements will also benefit the students who use the sidewalks to commute to Newsome High and Randall Middle Schools on Fishhawk Blvd. According to Hillsborough County’s Chris Wilkerson, both intersection improvement projects enhance pedestrian and bicycle safety by incorporating Vision Zero principles and ADA-compliant sidewalks. “Impacts for residents and commuters in the area will include utility relocations and installations in the corridor, along with normal construction noise caused by heavy equipment and excavation,” said Wilkerson. “Intermittent lane closures may occur throughout construction. Safe access to homes and businesses will be maintained.” Construction is expected to begin soon, and all associated work is scheduled to be completed by mid-2022. PASTOR GREEN AT FHF ......................PG 3 The total cost for the project is $1.3 MOTORING TAMPA BAY ................... PG 5 million, with $311,000 allocated for deEYE ON BUSINESS...................PGS 25-26 sign and land and $960,000 estimated for construction. According to the county, SPORTS ..........................................PGS 46-47
IN THIS ISSUE:
Postal Customer
ECRWSS EDDM
PRSTD STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA, FL PERMIT #2397
Sue Burkett has on the knowlbeen promoted to edge gained in Hillsborough Counher other roles in ty Public Schools’ the district. “Rechief of schools. In membering what her new role, she it was like to be will oversee 173 traa teacher made ditional elementame a better prinry, middle and high cipal, and what schools. will help in this Burkett, who grew new position is up in the Bronx and the perspective I earned bachelor’s gained as a prinand master’s decipal,” she said. grees from UniversiSchool board ty of South Florida, member Melissa is a former princiSnively is confipal at Burns Middle dent that BurSchool (2009-2013) Former Bloomingdale Principal Sue Burkett has kett will be an and former princiexcellent chief been promoted to chief of schools. pal at Bloomingdale of schools. “Her High (2013-2020). desire to help Most recently, she others, coupled was a regional superwith her servant’s intendent for middle heart, will allow schools from July her to continue 2020-July 2021. improving stuAs chief of schools, dent outcomes Burkett will work in across the entire collaboration with school district,” schools and nine regional she said. superintendents to identiOne of her goals is fy, prepare, place and reto improve student actain great principals and ademic performance, implement a strategic plan which has been hindered to accomplish the district’s because of COVID-19 mission and improve stuand the long stretch dent achievement. of remote and hybrid Although Burkett misses the daily in- learning and quarantines. She hopes to teractions with students she had while accomplish this by removing barriers to principal, she relishes the additional re- learning by listening to school leaders sponsibility and impact she can have on and being practical. more students. “Two years ago, I was “I’m excited to use my vision, passion, responsible for one school, last year I experience and work ethic to impact was responsible for 17 schools and now not just one school at a time, but 173 I oversee 173 schools,” she said. “That’s schools,” said Burkett. a drastic change in responsibility and inFor more information about Hillsborfluence.” ough County Public Schools, visit www. A student-centered leader, she relies hillsboroughschools.org.
INTERSECTION RELIEF SCHEDULED FOR FH TRAILS/HAWK PARK ENTRANCES
10/31/2021
Photos By Fred Ocasio Photography
Bloomingdale High School will host all the marching bands in Hillsborough County for the annual Florida Bandmasters Association Marching Music Performance Assessment on Saturday, November 6. See Full Story on Page 9.
10/31/2021