News
Hillsborough School Board votes to dump Superintendent MaryEllen Elia's contractHillsborough County Schools Superintendent was released Tuesday by the school board in a move that terminates her contract and will result in a buyout of about $1.1 million by a vote count of 4-3. |
Lawsuit: Child died because Tampa school waited to call 911TAMPA — A 6-year-old child died at Seminole Heights Elementary School after he stopped breathing and school staff waited too long to call 911, according to a lawsuit expected to be filed Friday in federal court in Tampa. The Maher Law Firm, which also represented the family of Isabella Herrera, the Hillsborough child who died following a ride home in 2012 on a school bus, is representing the family of Keith Coty, who died Jan. 17, 2014. |
Panel on racial disparities in Hillsborough schools tries to get back on trackTAMPA — Starting from square one, a task force on African-American students in Hillsborough County tried Monday to get to the heart of continuing disparities in learning and discipline. |
Elia’s leadership style again called into questionBy Joe Henderson | Tribune Staff Published: August 20, 2014 When the Hillsborough County School Board voted 4-2 last week to extend Superintendent MaryEllen Elia’s contract by one year, let’s just say there were bigger stories that day in our city. Even given her often-fractious relationship with some board members, bringing Elia back for a 10th year on the job was never in question. She has a rolling three-year contract that automatically extends a year if she scores high enough on the combined evaluation of the seven board members. The board’s actual vote is largely for show. |
Feds will investigate allegations that Hillsborough district shortchanges black students...TAMPA — The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights has asked the Hillsborough County school district 42 questions based on an allegation that it is shortchanging minority students. |
School bus drivers concerned about safetyApollo Beach, Florida -- Angry words were greeted by applause Monday night as almost 100 school bus drivers and maintenance workers met in Apollo Beach to talk about antiquated buses, student safety, and a lack of respect. |
Hills. school bus drivers: We aren't trained to transport medically fragile studentsTampa, Fl - As the Hillsborough County School Board continues to finalize a settlement after a special-needs student's death, concern remains over the school bus system and safety issues. Some bus drivers said caring for special needs students can be a huge responsibility for very little pay. Drivers said they are not properly trained to take care of medically challenged students and they fear if something happens to one of those students on a bus, they will be held responsible. |
Bus drivers tell Hillsborough County School Board top-down change is needed.....Tampa, Fl - One after another, Hillsborough County school bus drivers lined up to address the school board. "This is the eighth largest district in this country and we look like fools," Sheila Mingo said. "There definitely has to be some changes here folks. We're losing drivers," Kelmie Bigelow said. |
Kyinesha Johnson's family sues Hillsborough Schools after Stephanie Wilkerson seen on video literally kicking 8-year-old girl off a school busTampa, Florida- The Hillsborough School District faces yet another lawsuit from a family with a disabled child. They seek at least $15,000 in damages. The district has been under scrutiny for several cases involving injuries and two student deaths. |
Hillsborough School Board requires financial disclosures for top staff...TAMPA — Senior staff in the Hillsborough County school district will have to file financial disclosure forms, the School Board decided Tuesday. "My goal is to ensure that we have transparency in this district, to restore the public's confidence," said chairwoman April Griffin, who introduced the motion late in the meeting. |