The Brink Foundation
strict warning: Declaration of views_plugin_style_default::options() should be compatible with views_object::options() in /home/brinkfou/public_html/sites/all/modules/views/plugins/views_plugin_style_default.inc on line 0.

News Icon

News

Mort Elementary celebrates first 'B' grade in 30 years, overcoming Hurricane Milton’s impact

TAMPA, Fla. — In the heart of the University Area, Mort Elementary, a Community Partnership School, is celebrating a milestone three decades in the making: its first-ever “B” grade from the state.

The achievement comes after an especially difficult year marked by the devastating effects of Hurricane Milton, which left many families in the neighborhood struggling to recover.

Former Mort Elementary student gives back to school that helped her learn English

TAMPA, Fla. — A former Mort Elementary student is giving back to the school where her educational journey started, and taking time to thank the educators who made her school experience a success.

Florida school grades 2025: Here's how Tampa Bay-area districts performed

TAMPA, Fla. — Each year, Florida education officials grade schools throughout the state to help measure their performance and understand how well they're serving students.

Schools receive a grade of A, B, C, D or F based on up to 12 components, according to the Florida Department of Education.

Florida school year ends. Are you ready for summer school?

School is out for the year and Summer school is right around the corner for most districts in Florida. Hillsborough schools Summer program calendar begins June 4 and runs through July 24.

Did cell phones get banned from Florida schools? What to know about the potential new law

Florida elementary and middle school students would be banned from using cell phones from "bell to bell" during the school day under a bill passed by the Florida Legislature along partisan lines on Friday, May 2.

High school students would still be permitted to use them during instructional time, but House Bill 1105, an omnibus education bill composed of several previously filed initiatives, also creates a pilot program in six counties to test banning phone use during the entire school day there as well.

Florida lawmakers reverse law to require later school start times

Mandatory later start times for Florida’s middle and high schools appear on their way out before they ever took effect.

Acknowledging the problems the 2023 law posed for many school districts, the Florida House on Tuesday unanimously agreed to give districts more local control over their bell schedules. The action came a month after the Senate voted unanimously for the change, meaning all that’s left is for Gov. Ron DeSantis to sign off.

Long-struggling Tampa charter school shuts its doors

The executive director of Village of Excellence Academy in North Tampa posted a plaintive plea on Go Fund Me one week after students returned from winter break in January.

Cutting red tape for Florida schools remains on lawmakers' agenda

The big story: As Florida lawmakers gathered in Tallahassee to organize for 2025, incoming Senate President Ben Albritton reupped his chamber’s commitment to scaling back education regulations.

In the spring, the Senate advanced three deregulation bills that took aim at what leaders called onerous red tape standing in the way of public schools.

Tampa Bay area schools rushed to reopen after Milton. Was it too soon?

As soon as the wind and rain of Hurricane Milton passed Tampa Bay, work crews headed to schools to tackle ripped-up roofs, flooded floors and other damages caused by the storm.

Their goal: To get campuses ready for students to resume classes as soon as possible.

TECO: 70% of power restored

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The tens of thousands of TECO customers who are without power are asking when will it be restored.

It’s the biggest restoration TECO has had to undertake. The company’s CEO said lineman from across the country are in Tampa Bay working around the clock, and now 70% of power has been restored.

Events
Hillsborough County School Board Meeting:10/28/25 @ 4pm

_____________________________

ROSSAC
901 East Kennedy Boulevard
Tampa Fl, 33602

Tampa Bay’s public school districts manage multi-billion dollar budgets that shape the education and well-being of over 500,000 students, support more than 50,000 employees, and involve thousands of vendors and service providers.

While elected school boards oversee these funds, true accountability begins with the community.

Local media reports have highlighted serious concerns about children struggling to receive a quality education.

This reinforces a simple truth: parents, family members, and engaged citizens must play an active role in the educational process.

Whether it’s attending school board meetings, speaking out, or staying informed—your involvement makes a difference.

Stand up for our kids. Show up. Speak out. Help build a school system that works for every child.